Page 113 of Angelo

This was usually when Luca, Monte, and Mariposa's shift came to an end, and the nighttime security crew took over.

Luca informed Elyse, with a wink, that he had a date that evening. One quickciaoand a distracted wave later, he zoomed off in his sporty red Ferrari F355. Like two excited schoolgirls, Mariposa and Elyse tried to guess the identity of Luca's new girl. Then, Monte and Mariposa said their goodbyes as well and headed back to their apartment.

On the side of her hip, Elyse carried Nicco into the main house.

Malina greeted them with a warm smile. "Welcome home, Dr. Vitale. Nicco."

"It's good to be home," Elyse replied with a smile of her own.

Nicco's green eyes lit up at the sight of the older woman.

"Mawina!" he cried out, eagerly holding his arms out for her.

Readily, Malina plucked Nicco from Elyse's arms and planted a peck atop his nose as she snuggled him close. "Ah, my little prince, I see you have brought yourmammahome safely yet again! Well done!"

Beaming, Nicco basked in Malina's praise. She had, in essence, become a grandmotherly figure for Nicco since his real grandmother chose to walk away from them. Isabella's decision was sad and unfortunate, but it was a reality that Elyse had learned to accept.

Elyse shot Malina a sly look. "Will you be playing chess with my grandfather again this weekend?"

A slight blush tinted the older woman's cheeks. "I believe so, Dr. Vitale, if that is alright with you?"

Elyse smiled and nodded. "Of course, I hope you two have fun."

Malina's blue eyes twinkled with a bit of mischief when she responded, "Do not worry. We always do."

Malina ushered Nicco to the kitchen for dinner. Elyse joined them soon after she checked on the rest of the staff and caught up with some work emails.

Nowadays, she commanded their palazzo with the graceful, steady hand of a queen in her castle. Their palatial residence was as flamboyant as ever with its over-the-top decor. Elyse remembered feeling like a fish out of water the first time she stepped onto the premises. Yet, now, the familiar sight of its lovely gardens and seaside views and grandiose furniture filled her with a genuine feeling of home. This was the house where she first fell in love with her husband. This was the house where they would watch Nicco grow from a boy to a young man.

Later that evening, Elyse bathed Nicco, read him a story, and cuddled him to sleep, before retiring to her bedroom to wait for Alessandro's nightly call. Her phone rang promptly at 10 pm, and she answered without a second's delay.

Happily, she murmured into the receiver, "Alessio?"

"Cuore mio."

As always, Elyse's heart warmed at the familiar sound of her husband's deep voice rumbling through the line. She inquired, "How was your day?"

"Too fucking long," he responded in weary tones, "and lonely. I miss you, wife. I miss ourpaperotto, too."

Little duck.

Paperottowas Alessandro's favored term of endearment for their son since ducks also happened to be Nicco's favorite animal.

He continued to wax sad, cheerless poetry at her, "I miss you and Nicco like the sun misses the morning. I miss you both like the tide clings to the shore. I cannot be whole without my two great loves at my side."

Elyse remarked with a chuckle, "In that case, are you free tomorrow? To Facetime with us before Nicco's bedtime? I know he misses you as well."

"I willmake timetomorrow," Alessandro promised. "Is seven o'clock, alright?"

There was a one hour time difference between London and Palermo. Elyse wanted to double-check to be sure, "Seven o'clock—London or Palermo time?"

"Palermo time."

"We'll be ready," she said with a smile.

Elyse then spent a few minutes updating him on their business affairs in Palermo. Afterward, Alessandro spent a few more minutes updating her on their business affairs in London.

"I should be able to wrap up this goddamn merger sooner than expected," he assured her.

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