Page 39 of The Beast

“What happened to change that?”

I’m curious and Angelo says gently. “He fell in love.”

“He did.”

“Yes. He fell in love with you, Winter, and when you were taken, it affected him in a way none of us saw coming.”

I fall silent because he told me as much himself and Angelo says with sadness, “He couldn’t let it rest. He was tortured picturing you with another. He threw himself into his work and was very successful. We had a plan to align ourselves with powerful families, to overthrow Massimo and bring you back to us. The best way to assure their loyalty was through marriage.”

“You did what?” I’m stunned, and Jasmine nods beside me. “It’s how I met your brother. He came to my father and agreed to marry me for his loyalty.”

“No way.” I stare at her in horror, and she laughs, throwing Angelo a loving gaze that settles my heart. “We fell in love, so without the plan, I wouldn’t be as happy as I am now.”

Angelo nods. “Things worked out for us, and Flynn was no exception.”

“Flynn?”

Angelo nods. “He also played his part along with Ivan, but it was Alessandro who made the biggest sacrifice.”

“What did he do?” I’m almost afraid to ask and Angelo says with a hint of bitterness in his voice, “He agreed to give up Hollywood and take up his position by his grandfather’s side. Return to the family business on the condition his grandfather helped to set you free. You see, Don Majerio is the most respected mafia don in the world right now and his help would bring the other families into line. Massimo was the most feared and nobody would willingly go against him, so Alessandro started a mafia war just to bring you back to us.”

“He did that for me?”

The tears spill when I see the enormity of what’s been going on and it’s almost too much to comprehend. Then Angelo says coolly, “You can’t turn your back on him, Winter. Despite what you consider is right, your place is by his side. He offered to marry you at Rockwell Academy, so our father couldn’t use you for his own advantage. He fell in love with you and if you leave with us, you are condemning him to his own prison in your place.”

Angelo’s words are harsh but find their mark and I contemplate what he’s asking.

“So, you think I should stay and fight for us to be together?”

Angelo makes to speak, and I’m surprised when Jasmine interrupts him.

“It’s not what we think, honey.”

I smile at the fierce glare she directs at her husband.

“Ask yourself how you’d feel if you left him here? Would it matter to you? Can you imagine a life without him?”

“It’s too early to tell.” Angelo says angrily and I reply slowly, “It’s not.”

They stare at me in surprise, and I shrug. “I know in my heart I loved him once. It’s so familiar whenever he is close. I’m safe with him and it’s as if my life is complete with him, save for one nagging sensation that just won’t go away.”

“What?” Angelo says quickly and I shake my head. “I don’t remember. It’s as if something is missing and I shouldn’t be here. Could it be my husband? Maybe it seems wrong because I am still married to him.”

Angelo looks as if he is auditioning for Satan’s job as he growls, “That man has no hold over you. He almost destroyed you, Winter, and now you are free. If you think something is holding you back, it’s because he fucked with your mind. Let go of the past and accept it’s better you remember nothing. You may sleep better at night. You have a new path to tread and this time the shoe is on the other foot because where Alessandro did whatever it took to set you free. It’s your turn now. I’m not pretending this will be easy but understand one thing. My sister was fearless, strong and brave. She would never back away from helping another and if I know my friend, that is exactly why he fell in love with you.”

As we sit looking across the lake, Angelo’s words hit a nerve. I can tell he’s speaking the truth and somewhere deep inside, I also realize I’m not going anywhere.

CHAPTER21

ALESSANDRO

Ineed distance from my grandparents and fast. As soon as the others leave, I waste no time in pushing back from the table and heading straight for the gym. I realize I’m showing them disrespect, but they earned it. They know how I feel about Winter and now they’re telling me I’m to marry a woman who has probably been chosen already.

As I pass through the mansion, I must be dragging the darkness behind me because the soldiers I meet look anywhere but at me and as I near the gym, I growl to the nearest one. “I need a sparring partner. You’ll do.”

He falters and I growl, “Now!”

He obviously knows better than to refuse and heads unhappily behind me as we head for the gym that is tagged onto the pool house. As soon as we step inside, I reach for the kit in my locker and note he does the same. We are encouraged to work out as much as possible to keep in fighting shape, and every soldier here spends a considerable amount of time in this very room. However, I spend more and am currently unbeaten in the ring. Only Ivan is my equal and I wish like fuck he was here now because I need to punch my way out of my bad mood before I head off to find Winter.

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