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“No. And it’s going to stay that way. We’re a family. They don’t need to go through the pain of learning the truth. It’s also safer for them if they don’t know.”
“What does Enzo think happened to you?”
“I can’t bring you in on the nuances of this operation, bella. Enzo knows where I am and what I do, but we don’t speak. I haven’t seen him since I left Italy, fourteen years ago.”
Noah cleared his throat. “Jerry begged Drake to call Enzo while I was in the hospital. Jerry is acquainted with both the Prazza and Russo families from his days as a pimp. He provided girls for all levels of their organizations.”
“On our wedding day, you married me knowing I was once promised to you? Does my father know who you really are? Does Luca?”
“Don’t you see, Alessandra? We were always meant to be together.” Drake reached for her hand. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I was—”
“If you say you were trying to protect me one more fucking time, I swear to all that is holy, I will scream. Our entire marriage, our love, was built on lies. Who am I in all of this? Why didn’t you just tell me the truth from the beginning? You made me feel like I lost my fucking mind.”
“I was afraid that if I told you the truth, you’d return to your father or Luca.”
“You manipulated me. You lied to me, every time we kissed and every time we fucked.”
“Alessandra!” Mrs. Walker gasped and clutched her pearls.
Everything Alessandra held inside burst from her. The years of neglect and abuse she’d suffered at the hands of men who swore to protect her and lied about loving her were going to end today, even if her marriage failed to survive.
“What was the end goal, Drake? When would I have finally earned the truth from your lips? After I stood up for you? After I denounced my family and chose you? After I suffered mind games from your ex? After I ransacked your office?” Her voice was tinged with hysteria. “From the very beginning, I tried to prove I could be a good wife to you and meet your demands.”
“You’re the woman I love. I love you for you, Alessandra. You’re a Walker now, not a Russo or a Prazza. Together we can achieve anything. I’m so sorry for failing to realize that sooner.”
Alessandra wanted to soften at the genuine remorse she saw in his eyes, but now they would play by her rules. Her heart filled with resolve. She needed to confront the bogeyman who had murdered her mother. She needed to discover who she was and where she fit into this world. Luckily, she knew secrets she could trade Enzo and cripple Anthony Russo.
“I want to meet Enzo.”
“Out of the fucking question!” Drake barked.
“You owe me, Mr. Walker. I want to meet Enzo as soon as you can set it up.”
It was time Drake Walker moved heaven and earth for her needs.
“Why?” Drake crossed his arms.
“It’s time I get to meet my father-in-law. We have unfinished business.”
“That’s a bad idea. You’re inviting trouble to our doorstep.”
“What do you have to lose at this point? We’re already facing a fight we can’t win.” Alessandra held out her upturned arms. “Look at what Luca did to me. Noah almost died. This won’t stop just because Marcello is free. There will always be someone or something else threatening our marriage. It’s time we take control.”
“You don’t know what you’re asking, bella. We can’t become indebted to him.”
“You’ve tried to protect me, and look at where we’ve ended up. We’re only going to continue hurting each other.” Alessandra sighed. “I know what I’m asking. I’m choosing the lesser of two evils. I’m going to offer Enzo something he won’t be able to refuse.”
Alessandra looked at Mrs. Walker and Noah, who had witnessed their entire exchange. She cupped Drake’s cheek. He closed his eyes and covered her hand with his and turned into her palm, kissing it. Her heart quickened as she took his other hand and placed it over her heart.
“Look at me, Drake,” she whispered. When he met her eyes, she continued. “I can’t let anyone else we care about be hurt. You understand that, don’t you?”
“I love you, Alessandra. Please don’t do this.”
“Don’t do this, Alessandra,” Noah echoed.
“I’ll be all right. Don’t underestimate me. I grew up in that life.”
Drake intertwined his fingers with hers. Fresh tears pricked her eyes, only this time the overwhelming emotion made her whole body crave Drake’s touch.
