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Alessandra’s face flushed as she thought about her intimate night with Drake and their fun that morning. She brushed her hair behind her ear—a tell her brother knew well.
“Things have been interesting….”
“Some things are clearly going well!” Marcello teased.
“Shut up!”
They laughed, breaking the tension.
“I’m sorry that you got caught up in all of this. What Tony did to you wasn’t right. You shouldn’t be married to a suit.”
“You’re not angry with me? I feel like I screwed everything up for you. I failed you and Papà.”
“The mistakes made were mine. It was easier when we were kids, wasn’t it? There wasn’t this insane amount of pressure. I chose to follow orders in an attempt to prove my worth and place in the hierarchy and got caught.
“You’re a good person, baby sister. You’re strong in ways that I never could be. Go live your life and be free.”
“I can’t just leave you. Remember how we used to dream of running away together? When you’re released—we can start over.”
“No, Alessandra. Even if I am released, I’ll never be a free man. Running away was a childish fantasy. We know better now.”
Marcello was right. Neither of them would ever be free. Tears rolled down her cheeks at his words. They felt final, as though he were genuinely saying goodbye.
“Without you, Luca’s in charge. They’re trying to force me to be with him again, and I don’t want that.” Alessandra looked at her hands in her lap.
“Don’t worry. I’ll talk to Papà. It’s the least I can do for you. A man like him doesn’t deserve you.” Marcello crossed his arms.
“What if I talk to Drake? Maybe I can convince him to offer you a deal. Would you take it?”
“You know that I can’t take a plea, Alessandra. If I plead, it shines guilt on our father.”
“So you’d rather run the risk of spending the rest of your life in jail?” She was dumbfounded.
Marcello shook his head. “You wouldn’t understand.”
“Just promise me you won’t say any of this to Jenny. She’s not the same woman, Marcello. She’s in Papà’s pocket now.”
Hurt flashed in her brother’s eyes. Alessandra gained no satisfaction from breaking his heart, but he deserved to know the truth about the woman he was dating. She had betrayed them both.
“Please don’t give up, Marce. Promise me I’ll be able to hug you again.”
“I promise, baby sister. Go be happy for me. That’s enough for me right now.”
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you too. Be good, find love, and live a good life. Don’t let anyone force you into bad choices.”
Alessandra played with the wedding ring on her finger. “You say that like it’s so easy. Now who’s the one being naïve?”
Alessandra defied the rules and threw herself into her brother’s arms. He embraced her just as tightly and kissed her head as she sobbed into his shoulder.
“Don’t be sad. This is a drop in the bucket for me. I promise I’ll take you to that little gelato shop you love when I get out.”
Alessandra nodded silently, hoping to take a bit of the warmth and safety she felt with her.
A sharp knock startled them. The guard returned with cuffs in hand.
“Visiting time’s over. It’s time to return to your cell, Russo.”
