Page 32 of Angelo

"My plan may not be perfect, but it has the potential to yield the best results."

Her husband grumbled, "I did not say it was a bad plan."

"Then will you support me?"

"I suppose." He didn't sound so sure about supporting her, though.

Knowing that Benedetto's gaze was still locked on her every move, Elyse didn’t ease up on Alessandro. "I’ll need your full support. We can't half-ass this shit. In order to position Gaspare against Domenico, we must fuel his resentment. If Gaspare doesn't show signs of taking the bait within three days, we can use your plan as back up."

Alessandro sighed. "Very well, we will try things your way."

Promptly, her grandfather offered,"Se questa è la direzione che abbiamo deciso, allora potrei avere un modo per raggiungere Gaspare..." If this is the direction we have decidedon, then I may have a way for us to reach Gaspare...

Elyse's gaze flitted toward Benedetto. "You’ll help us?”

Her grandfather smiled like a predator."Finché farai la tua parte, io farò la mia. Ecco cosa penso si debba fare..." As long as you do your part, I will do mine. Here is what I think must be done...

Over the next few minutes, their new plan began to take on tangible shape and form. Shit was becoming real. People were going to get shot, hurt, and possibly killed. Elyse tried not to dwell on this brutal reality but guilt ate her, nonetheless.

Around noon, Elyse left her grandfather's home with Alessandro. Her mother's music box felt heavy in her hands as they walked to the car. Elyse's conscience weighed even heavier on her soul. Hell was waiting.

Was she ready to burn?

7

An ominous mood hungover them while Alessandro helped Elyse into the backseat. With Nils at the wheel of the black Bentley, they headed back to Palermo. The music box was resting ever so insidiously in her lap. As their vehicle sped along, an underlying ripple of dread threatened to flood her composure.

Green eyes kept darting toward the music box. She assumed her grandfather had wired the box with some kind of microphone, but what if there was video surveillance in it as well?

Alessandro glanced at her and then the music box in a piercing manner. “Did you enjoy spending time with your grandfather today?”

“I… didn’t hate it,” she replied with a cough.

Brown and blue-gray eyes gleamed shrewdly. "I am curious, wife. How did you two communicate without me?"

Mierda. She needed to think fast. Elyse fibbed with reluctance, "It was a bit awkward. I typed out what I wanted to say on my phone and translated it into Italian for him."

There was no choicebutto lie at the moment. Benedetto and his men might be listening and watching through the music box.

Alessandro continued to grill her, "What did he discuss with you after I stepped outside?"

Her temples thrummed with stress. Elyse closed her eyes for a moment to clear her head. She needed to warn Alessandro, but nothing could be said while the box was listening. Hand gestures and facial expressions couldn’t be used to warn her husband, either. Not until it was confirmed whether or not Benedetto had installed a camera.

"We talked about my mother," murmured Elyse.

This seemed like the safest reply. It was a topic that wouldn't alarm hergrandfather or her husband, at least, until she could set the goddamn box down in their room and get Alessandro far away enough to fill him in on the truth.

His suspicious demeanor fell away. It was replaced by concern. Alessandro's gaze darted toward her with worry. "Are you... alright?"

"No," she answered honestly, "it was a lot to take in. I feel somewhat... shaken."

Alessandro reached for her across the backseat of the vehicle. As his palm enveloped hers, Elyse squeezed his hand appreciatively.

"Death should never feel like the only way out," he muttered grimly. "Your mother deserved better. I mean it."

"Thank you, Alessio." Elyse scooted closer and rested her head on his shoulder. His warmth felt solid and secure against her cheek. Alessandro's arms came around her. Despite the terrors that threatened them, his warmth, his strength, his scent, everything about him felt like home.

Green eyes fluttered open. Mountains and valleys flew by the car window. Elyse could see a dense cluster of buildings in the distance. Palermo's city center was in sight. They were about halfway to the palazzo by now. Elyse did some quick math. She only needed to stall Alessandro for about twenty more minutes.

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