20. Chapter 20
20
False evidence?
Perhaps, Alessandro's plan wasn't as insane as Elyse initially believed, however, she wasn't willing to gamble her husband's freedom on such a bet. "There are too many variables that we can't control. Something's bound to go wrong. Boris isn't Gaspare. He'll be much harder to fool."
"But my arrest will kill the rumors that Bartolo and Carmine are spreading about me."
This was another valid point, but was the trade-off worth the gamble?
"I think it is a sound plan," Benedetto remarked.
Elyse glared at him. Her grandfather's self-serving attitude was pushing her over the edge. First, he'd been selfish with her mother. Now, he was being selfish with her husband. Red clouded Elyse's vision.
Unable to hold back, she thundered at Benedetto, "Excuse me? There’s nothing sound about this plan. You’re only going along with it because you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. You tore apart my family and nearly killed my mother. Now, you're threatening my husband's freedom. I'm not surprised that Isabella chose to cut ties with you. You're like poison . Your selfishness destroys everyone who gets too close to you."
As her accusations sank in, Benedetto looked as though she had physically struck him. "Is that how you view me, Elyse?"
There was no hesitation when she replied, "Yes."
Benedetto swallowed uncomfortably. "I have already apologized for—"
She didn't need more apologies from this man. What she needed were solutions that didn't involve Alessandro risking his neck for her good-for-nothing grandfather.
Elyse's emotions mounted to explosive heights as she cut him off, "You once asked me for loyalty, but you don't know the meaning of the word."
"Back then, I did not know you as I do now," her grandfather tried to explain, "I was testing your character—"
Elyse was sick of listening to him talk. She cut him off, "Consider our alliance over as of today. I hope you rot in prison."
"Elyse—"
"Malina can show you the way out."
A pained expression passed over Benedetto's face. "There is no need to trouble her. I can show myself out."
Quietly, her grandfather left the study.
Elyse was still trembling with fury. Alessandro drew her to him. For several long minutes, he said nothing. He simply held her in his arms until the quivers in her body stilled again.
"I shouldn't have lost my temper just now," she lamented, feeling drained and defeated. "We need my grandfather. He's too important of an ally."
"I will reach out to Benedetto later today," Alessandro assured her, "to smooth things over."
"Do you think he'll listen to you?"
"I am sure he will not hold this misunderstanding against us. For once, he needs us as much as we need him."
Because of Boris.
"I suppose you're right," Elyse grumbled, "but I don't want you to put yourself in line of fire just to save my grandfather."
He released a sigh, "If you are completely against the plan I proposed, I will find another way to put out this fire."
"Please find another way," Elyse urged as her arms tightened around his waist, "I’ve already lost my father. I can't imagine losing you, too."
Alessandro kissed her lovingly. "Your father may be gone, but I am still here. We will get through this, Elyse, I promise. You and I have survived far worse, no?"
Over the next couple of days, there was no easy solution in sight. Alessandro managed to repair their relationship with Benedetto, but husband and wife quickly hit even rockier waters as they tried to navigate their way through the challenges that Boris, Bartolo, and Carmine had placed before them.
"I reached out to Boris and offered him money," Alessandro told Elyse, "but the man declined every euro. He seems to have a vendetta against Benedetto. After being blackmailed and strong-armed by your grandfather for so many years, I think this cat and mouse game has become personal for him. It is no longer about justice. It is about revenge."
Matters with the De Leóns weren't getting any better, either. Valentina had yet to make her move on Bartolo and Carmine. With each passing day, the delay was only allowing these troublesome cousins to rally more supporters for their accusations against Alessandro.
Elyse's temples began to ache with stress. "It seems we're at an impasse."
"I think we should reconsider my initial idea."
Her heart clenched. She growled warningly, "No, no, no, absolutely not!"
But her husband didn't back down. "There is a method to my madness. Please listen for a moment, Elyse, before shutting me down."
She puffed out her cheeks, getting ready to object, "I—"
He didn't give her a chance to fight back, interrupting swiftly, "Decades ago, when Boris was still a low-ranking officer, his partner and best friend tried to go after my father on several occasions. My father ended up killing his partner. Boris may not want my money, but it has become clear to me, especially after my last phone call with him, that he is a man deeply fueled by past grievances. He holds a grudge against your grandfather, but he also has good reason to hate my father, which is why I believe he will accept me in Benedetto's place. He will be able to avenge his partner's death through the arrest of Vincenzo's son."
Elyse fell open and clamped shut. She felt at a loss. Her man was so fucking stubborn. "Why are you determined to save my grandfather? He doesn't deserve your sacrifice."
"It is not that I want to save Benedetto," Alessandro insisted, "I am no hero. My motives are selfish. The only thing I want to protect is the dream we have built together."
“But—”
He countered, "If we let Boris take down your grandfather, it will not be the end of the world for us, but we may never escape this cycle of killing and crime. You must admit, your grandfather's connections have been and will continue to be invaluable to our cause. Without Benedetto, our bridge to the politicians and government officials who can help legitimize our businesses is gone. I must be willing to take some risks for our end game, Elyse. If my plan works out, we can save your grandfather, disprove Bartolo and Carmine, and change our future for the better."
Her husband spoke with such conviction that Elyse didn't have the heart to fight him. She loved him so much for it. This shine was what set Alessandro apart from the other men in their world. But she hated him for it, too. Because it might also invite his downfall.
"You’ve always been an optimist," she whispered, "it's your greatest strength and your greatest weakness."
"Does this mean I have your support, cuore mio?"
"I don't know." Elyse felt torn. On one hand, she wanted to support her man and fight for their dream. On the other hand, she wanted to protect Alessandro from himself.
"What can I do to change your mind?"
"If our roles were reversed," she inquired softly, "would you let me go to Boris?"
He gave her a definitive no .
"Exactly," Elyse shot back. "Then how can you expect me to pretend like I'm not terrified of losing you?"
Frustration pinched his brow. "Either way, Boris must be dealt with. If you do not have a better idea by tomorrow, we will do as I say."
It was, then, that Elyse realized what must be done. Her husband was willing to risk his freedom for their dream, but she was willing to risk their dream to keep him safe.
"Fine," Elyse agreed, "let me make a phone call first."
Alessandro frowned with confusion. "To who?"
"My mother."
Her husband was willing to risk his freedom for their dream, but she was willing to risk their dream to keep him safe.
A jarring thought flickered in her mind.
But I do not see how I can be capo for the rest of my life without turning into the very worst version of myself.
She suddenly understood Alessandro all too well. Her skin prickled with unease as she considered the steady decay of her own character. If Elyse wanted to shield him from the risk of incarceration, to maintain the stability in their empire, then there would be times when she’d be forced to relinquish her graying honor and wade into the black.
Times like this one.
Elyse realized that she was willing to sacrifice her grandfather's freedom. She was willing to use her mother to manipulate the old fox into doing her bidding. Morality be damned. She was ready to become a devil to protect her Alessio.
Elyse found Isabella's business card that same evening. She gave her a call. Her mother answered after the tenth ring, "I was wondering if you would ever contact me."
She coughed. "I was wondering the same thing myself."
“Have you changed your mind about London?”
“No.”
“Then why did you call?”
“Because I need your help with something else.”
Another call came through while Elyse was on the phone with her mother, it was Valentina, but she didn't pick up.
“What kind of help?”
"It has to do with my grandfather."
"I… see."
They both fell silent. The distance between mother and daughter had never been more apparent. Emotions too complex to name swirled between them. Mothers were supposed to love unconditionally. Daughters were meant to love them back. A void of longing filled with frustration. Their bond should've been unbreakable. But there was barely a whisper of understanding between them. They shared no memories. They knew nothing about each other's thoughts and feelings, likes and dislikes, or beliefs and wishes. They were strangers in every sense of the word.
Isabella spoke up first, "What has he done now?"
"Boris has turned on him. He's trying to control Benedetto through you. You could be in danger."
"I appreciate the warning."
"Would you be willing to come back to Sicily?" If Isabella returned to Palermo and accepted round-the-clock protection, they might be able to undermine Boris' hold over Benedetto.
"I am sorry, Elyse, but I would rather die." Her mother's response stung. Because Elyse could tell that she meant it .
"What if we sent someone to London to protect you?"
"I will disappear again if you send someone to look for me."
"I see."
"Why are you asking me to do these things?"
"Because,” Elyse started in pained tones, “if you do not help me, I might lose the one person I love most.”
Alessio .
There was a long pause on Isabella's end. "As long as it does not drag me back into your world, I will do what I can for you."
Elyse fought the urge to press Isabella to change her mind. Placing her under protection seemed to be the perfect solution to their problems. Yet, Isabella was willing to die to get away from their world. It felt wrong to force her mother to give up her hard-won freedom. This was a line that Elyse refused to cross.
“Can you talk to Benedetto for me?”
“About what?”
“Doing the right thing.”
As she outlined her backup plan, Isabella jumped on board, and, for a few minutes, Elyse experienced what it might feel like to have a mother's support, and the moment filled an emptiness inside of her that she didn't even know existed.
After they ended their call, Isabella didn't contact her again until Christmas Day. "I spoke to your grandfather."
"You did?"
Her mother's voice floated through the speaker in sad, serious tones, "He has agreed to our request."
Shock flowed through Elyse. "He did?"
"Yes." Her mother's response felt heavy and melancholic, even though the moment should've been a triumphant one.
"How did you get him to... agree?"
"I told your grandfather that I would finally forgive him," Isabella murmured, "if he did this for me."
"Did you mean it?"
"Yes."
"Thank you," Elyse said quietly, "for all of your help."
"It is the least I can do."
"If you ever need— "
Isabella spoke over her, "Elyse?"
"Yes?"
"I will be changing my number and address soon. I must protect myself against Boris. I think it would be best if we went our separate ways after today."
"I-I understand."
"I am sorry for leaving you again."
"I wish things could be different for us."
"Me, too."
"Good luck to you, Elyse."
Goodbye…"
Mom .
Elyse couldn't bring herself to say the word out loud. It felt too painful. They hung up the phone as strangers once more. Powerful emotions battled within. Sadness left her hollow. Deflated. It seemed she'd never be able to build a real relationship with her mother. Relief spread through her. At least, Alessandro would be safe. Guilt clung to her as well. Because the insinuation behind Isabella's yes meant that Benedetto had agreed to turn himself in.
Elyse thought she would resent Benedetto forever for what he had done to Isabella and her, but, now, her heart hurt for him. The man was willing to spend the rest of his days in a cell in exchange for his daughter's forgiveness.
Perhaps, Malina had been right about her grandfather, after all?
After taking a few deep breaths to gather her composure, Elyse went to seek out her husband, to tell him the good news.
Or was it bad news?
She found Alessandro in their bedroom. He'd been talking on the phone and hung up right as she entered the doorway.
Setting his phone aside, Alessandro's face tightened with concern once he saw her stricken expression. "What is a matter, cuore mio?"
"Benedetto has agreed to turn himself in."
He gasped. "What?"
She proceeded to explain, "It was my mother who convinced him."
When Elyse finished telling him everything, Alessandro confessed, "When Benedetto came to us about Boris, I considered reaching out to Isabella. I wanted to offer her protection and remove Boris' hold over your grandfather..."
Her eyes widened when she realized how much thought her husband had put into this before arriving at his seemingly rash plan. "Why didn't you? "
Alessandro explained, "Isabella's cooperation would have been a game-changer, but she asked me to never contact her again after your father's funeral. I did not feel right about forcing my will on her after what she went through with your grandfather. You know how our world works. If Isabella came back, she would not be able to leave again."
Their minds always seemed to fall on the same page. With a grim expression, Elyse asked, "Is that why you tried to sacrifice yourself?"
"Yes."
To survive and get ahead in their world, one had to be ruthless and cunning, but it was one thing to plot the deaths and downfall of hardened criminals who wanted to harm them. It was another matter altogether to force a traumatized woman to return to her place of trauma.
"You are a good man, Alessio."
"I am trying to be."
She'd been trying to be a good woman, too. Sadly, their sense of morality had forced them to settle on a far less desirable solution. Her grandfather would pay the price for it.
Alessandro cleared his throat. "Elyse?"
"Yes?"
"I appreciate everything you have done to try and save me."
She could sense that something was amiss. "But?"
His eyes darted toward his phone. "I was talking to Valentina just now."
"Uh-oh."
Why hadn't Valentina tried to call her as well? Elyse promptly checked her phone. Fuck, Valentina had tried to call her earlier as well. What was going on?
He advised quietly, "Tell your grandfather not to take any action yet."
"What?"
"Our plans may need to be modified again."
"Why?"
"Do you know why Valentina has been struggling to take down Bartolo and Carmine?"
Elyse gazed at her husband, anxiously awaiting his response.
"It is because Carmen has been working against her this whole time. Valentina just confirmed that her mother was the one who brought Bartolo and Carmine to Palermo."
Knowing Carmen's treacherous, shortsighted tendencies, Elyse wasn't surprised by this news, but it also didn't make much sense to her. "What does Carmen gain from sabotaging Valentina?"
After all, the more powerful Valentina became, the better off Carmen would be, right?
Alessandro sighed. "My stepmother has despised me ever since I sent her to Salemi. When Valentina chose to work with us, she felt betrayed by her daughter."
It seemed that Carmen was choosing to be a petty bitch instead of a smart one. "How do you know Valentina isn't lying? Maybe she's working with Bartolo and Carmine alongside her mother."
"I believe in Valentina. For now. If my stepsister wanted to take us down, she would not have warned me about Carmen this early on. She was the one who suggested sending her mother back to Salemi. It is her way of showing that she stands with us."
"She really sent Carmen away?"
" Sì ."
"For how long?"
"Valentina has no intention of bringing her back this time."
"Damn."
"As you can see," Alessandro pressed on, "our battlefield has shifted yet again. Carmen has compromised Valentina’s potential in the De León clan. She is not in prime position to take down Bartolo and Carmine on her own. I will need to step in before their influence can no longer be contained."
Dread buzzed inside Elyse. "You better not be suggesting what I think you're suggesting."
"I could save Benedetto from his fate as well."
"Don't be a hero," she pleaded, "not now. Otherwise, my efforts to protect you will be in vain. My mother has convinced my grandfather to go in your place. Let him be the hero for once."
"Your efforts were not in vain," her husband argued quietly, "you have redeemed your grandfather in your mother's eyes. Is that not what every man wants? To be looked upon favorably by the women he cares about most?"
Elyse could sense where her husband was going with this conversation, and she didn't like it. She didn't like it at all.
"Don't do it, Alessio."
"If I do not, at least, try ," he said, "then I am not the kind of man I want to be."
There was a hardness in Alessandro's eyes in this anguish-filled moment, a sense of resolution she had never seen before. Elyse could tell that her husband's mind was already made up, and there was no one, short of God or the Devil, who could convince him otherwise.
She tried to stop him, anyway. "What if you fail and Boris succeeds? Prison is no fucking joke. I could lose you for years. Decades even. You could die in there."
As expected, he didn't listen to her. "I am a greedy fucker. I want it all. I want you to live on your terms. Without the threat of violence driving every decision. Most of all, I want to give you the marriage you deserve. A love without shadows. Only light. Trust me, Elyse, I know what I am doing, and I am going to build you a fucking paradise from the ashes of this hell."
Elyse gazed deeply into her husband's eyes, and her heart had never felt fuller. Or more broken. Elyse kissed him, then, with all the hopes and fears she couldn't put into words. They made love in the quiet of their bedroom. The rhythm of their fucking transcended mind, body, and soul. No games, no teasing, no holding back, only the purest form of desire existed between them as his cock loved her pussy over and over again. He bent down to kiss her deeply as they found their release together.
"I love you, Alessio," she whispered over and over again against his mouth.
"I love you, Elyse," Alessandro groaned in return as he thrust into her one final time.
Their fucking drained her in the sweetest way possible even while their love filled her with strength. They were up against precarious odds, but, if Alessandro wanted to shoot for the stars, she wouldn't stand in his way. She would find a way to shine alongside him. Because, in truth, Elyse didn't want to become a devil. She didn't want her husband to deteriorate into the worst version of himself, either.
Perhaps, shooting for the stars, as impossible and risky as Alessandro's plan might be, was the only way they could escape the darkness once and for all.