Chapter 40
Elena
The twins are asleep, nestled into their baby carrier. Katerina sits on the sofa and rocks her baby brother in her arms. At the moment, everyone’s quietly chit-chatting and the atmosphere’s peaceful at Ravenna’s home where we’ve all gathered.
“You really should have told us the truth about what was going on with Maximo,” Arianna chastises me. Ginevra and Sophia turn their attention to us and nod their agreement. Ravenna gives me a sympathetic glance.
“I know.” I sip my espresso, doing my best to ignore the lingering burn across my butt cheeks from Maximo’s punishment. “I just thought I could deal with it on my own. I’m sorry.”
Arianna leans forward, her gaze intense. “Makes me wonder what else you’ve been keeping from us.”
Guilt threatens to devour me. It’s not long before I break under her scrutiny. “You’re right, I have been hiding things.” With a big breath in, I release the truth. “My plan was to leave. To disappear.” I cringe at how selfish that sounds aloud. And it was a selfish plan.
I’m met with three matching expressions of disbelief and hurt. Ravenna says, “I know. That was our plan, but you wouldn’t go through with it at the wedding.”
I cringe as I admit, “No, I mean way before that. When I called you from California, that had been my plan.”
Ravenna’s features flicker with hurt. “You mean, you were just going to leave us? Like, forever? No goodbye? Elle…”
“I know. It’s horrible and I’m so sorry. California didn’t pan out anyway. Even so, I was thinking of returning to Italy, but then I saw the babies, held them, and I couldn’t go through with it. I knew I couldn’t abandon my family.” I swallow past the thickness in my throat.
Sophia quirks a brow. “How were you going to disappear? That’s not easy to do on your own without any resources. You said Maximo took everything away from you to trap you here. So how were you planning on getting away?”
Another wave of guilt crashes over me. Hanging my head, I confess. “Mrs. Rizzo. I fed her information on Maximo in exchange for a ticket out of here.”
My confession hangs in the air between us. The invisible weight of it presses down on my shoulders. Thick and unescapable. What I did was wrong on so many levels, I don’t know where to start apologizing for it all.
“So… you couldn’t turn to us for help, but you’d accept help from a near stranger?” Arianna crosses her arms. “Why would you do that?”
“I don’t know. I have no clue what I was thinking, other than I could somehow take care of myself.
I believed I could navigate this world on my own and come out the other side, but I was wrong.
I messed up by not trusting in all of you, in putting my trust in Mrs. Rizzo, and backstabbing Maximo.
” Oh God, when I put it all together like that, what I did sounds even worse.
“Does he know?” Gin asks.
I nod. “He found out. I confessed after she had him shot because of some information that I gave to her.”
“Oh my god.” Ravenna pinches the bridge of her nose. “How did he take it?”
Adjusting in my seat, my cheeks grow warm. “We… uh… we got through it. Everything’s fine. He forgave me.”
“Well I’m more than a little surprised by that.”
I sigh. “Tell me about it. I’ve made a huge mess of things.”
“What are you going to do?” Sophia asks, concern scrawled across her features. “This is… a lot, Elena.”
“I know.” I straighten in my seat. “I’ve had some time to think about it, and since I don’t plan on leaving, I’ve decided to embrace my fate.
I was raised here, I should have known this is where I’d end up.
There’s no escape. I realize that now. More importantly, I don’t want to run away anymore.
I’m tired of running. But if I’m going to survive, I need to be stronger, fiercer, and smarter.
I need to show that bitch that there are consequences for her actions. I’m not her damn pawn.”
Gin giggles, breaking the tension in the air. “Bad boss mafia wife. I love it. Mrs. Rizzo should have thought twice before messing with your man, huh?”
My man. A blush creeps up my neck. I suppose he is my man.
“Speaking of Maximo,” Ravenna fusses with her sleeping twins, “what are you going to do about him? I still can’t believe he married you like that. What a stronzo.”
My blush deepens. “Well… I mean I’ll never forgive him for that, but… staying here means I’d eventually marry someone. I’d rather it be the devil I know than some stranger.” Or maybe I’m falling in love with my husband.
“You don’t have to marry anybody,” Ravenna points out.
Gin snorts, then laughs at herself. “Some man would have eventually caught Elena. If it wasn’t Maximo, it would have been someone else.
It happens to all of us.” We all stare at her.
“What? It’s true. And just so you know, Maximo is madly in love with you.
You should’ve seen the way he watched you at the hospital.
That is the look of a man who’s completely obsessed.
It’s the same way Blake looks at me, so I know what I’m talking about. ”
“I think we’ve all seen the way he looks at you, Elena. He’d move mountains for you.” Sophia smirks. “Even so, I don’t regret punching him.”
Arianna snickers. “I wish I’d been there to see that.”
Despite myself, I grin.
Ravenna pins me with a serious gaze. “Your mind’s made up? You’re staying and you’ll continue to be Maximo’s wife? Of your own free will?”
I bob my head. “I’m the eldest daughter of Lorenzo Pontrelli, I was always going to end up being a don’s wife. I see that now, and accept it. With that said… I’m going to need your help.” I glance down at my leggings and oversized sweatshirt. “It feels like forever since I looked the part.”
Gin claps her hands. “Makeover!”
By mid-afternoon I have my hair, nails, and makeup all done. Ravenna and Arianna stayed with their little ones, but left Sophia and Ginevra in charge of me and my makeover. Of course Arianna scheduled all of my appointments first. We have a strict schedule to keep.
The salon took my long auburn locks and cut layers into them. My hair hasn’t felt this silky in years. The long layers flow around my shoulders and frame my face. After that, we had our nails done. Then a professional makeup artist showed me how to apply everything she selected for me.
I actually look nice. Refined and elegant. Like I fit in this world, instead of looking like an outsider. Appearance is power and I’m grasping it with both hands.
We arrive at our final destination, and the most important of them all. Clothing. Once again, Arianna called on her friend Skye Adair to help me out.
We enter Skye’s studio where she’s ready and waiting for us. Judging by the entire rack of clothes and accessories, she’s been busy pulling this all together. She’s a godsend.
“Thank you so much for doing this,” I tell her, taking it all in.
She offers me a warm smile. “It’s my pleasure. I haven’t personally styled anyone before, but I’m extremely excited to try it.”
After my experience with the wedding gown, I have complete faith in her. She knows my body shape, the colors that flatter my complexion, and has impeccable taste.
Sophia and Gin sit in a couple of cushioned chairs. It reminds me of when we all used to go shopping together as teenagers. I’ve missed those days so much.
Getting down to business, Skye swipes through the hangers. “We won’t know which pieces to choose until you try them all on. So, let’s start with these two outfits and we’ll go from there.” She hands me a sleek pants suit set and a tailored dress.
The pants feel okay and look good, but it doesn’t give me the effortless elegance I’m seeking.
However, as soon as I slip into the dress, I feel like I can take on the world.
It’s feminine but not flirty. Confidence boosting with just the right amount of sex appeal.
It’s me. Or at least the woman I want to become.
As soon as I step out of the changing room, three pairs of eyes lock onto me, assessing. I strut on my way to stand in front of the three angled mirror.
“You’re one hundred percent a dresses kind of woman,” Sophia confirms my thoughts. “Look at you. You’re standing straighter and look totally confident.”
Skye and Gin nod.
So we move forward with a variety of dresses. Skye styles each approved one with shoes, sometimes a jacket or belt or scarf. And of course a handbag and jewelry.
I stand in front of the mirror in the last outfit of the day.
It’s a stunning, warm green a-line dress that makes me feel like a queen.
The hemline stops a couple of inches above my knees.
It shows just enough skin to be alluring and intentional.
Red soled heels and a black top handle bag complete the look.
“Maximo’s going to think he died and went to heaven,” Gin teases, waggling her eyebrows.
I roll my eyes, but a blush spreads across my chest. What will Maximo think? I study myself in the mirror, I look like myself but… different. A better version—no not better, a more confident version.
Sophia grins. “I think our work here is done. You look stunning.”
“Thank you.”
Skye approaches me, her professional eye surveying every detail. She cocks her head. “We’re almost done. I know your glasses are part of your signature style.”
My heart drops. She’s not going to take them away, is she? Though when was the last time anyone saw a don’s wife wearing glasses? Maybe they don’t fit with the new image I’m going for.
“Don’t worry,” she continues, “everyone should have something that makes them stand out. Unique. But let’s try these ones instead. Still pink, but different.” Skye hands me a pair of glasses.
I slide mine from my face and replace them with the new pair. Holy shit, I look sexy.
“Perfect.” Skye’s eyes light with satisfaction. “Rose gold is very much your color.”
I smile at her in the mirror. She’s right. These glasses look amazing. Instead of a thick pink frame, they’re a rose gold metal that perfectly compliments my features. They’re sophisticated.
“Thank you so much,” I say, turning to her. “I can’t even believe this is me.”
She laughs when I catch her in a hug. “It’s been my pleasure. You’re a gorgeous woman, you should celebrate yourself every day and embrace your personal style.”
“Which I finally found today.” Releasing her, I glance at myself again. “I always thought I liked pants. Who knew dresses were my thing? Who knew a dress could make me feel invincible.”
Skye gestures at my reflection. “Never underestimate a well tailored frock.”
Sophia and Gin help pack everything up, and Gin’s driver carries it to the car. I pay Skye from my own account, so happy to finally have my money back in my possession. I know Maximo would want me to use his card, but this purchase is an investment in myself.
“Should we go for dinner?” Sophia suggests. “It’s already seven-thirty.”
At the mention of food, my stomach gurgles. “That would be a yes from me.”
“Oh! I know this new place I want to try. Let me name drop and I’ll get us a reservation.” Gin pulls out her phone.
I glance at Skye. “Would you like to come with us?”
She gazes between me and Sophia, seeming startled by the invitation. Which is strange because I’d think a woman as popular as her would have a ton of friends—and used to being invited out.
“If that’s okay, I’d love to join you.”
Sophia beams. “Absolutely.”
We wait for Skye to lock up, then head to dinner. Apparently, Ginevra is on a first name basis with the chef since they studied together in Paris, so we’re immediately seated, skipping the long line out front.