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Alessandra peeked out from her hiding spot and saw Drake fall to his knees.
“Drake! NO!” she screamed and ran to his side.
By the time she reached him, he was on his back. Blood soaked the front of his rumpled dress shirt. Her body shook as she pulled his head into her lap. He reached out a weak hand and stroked her cheek.
“Don’t cry, bella. I’ll be all right, credimi.” His voice was weak.
“Don’t leave me, Drake. Please. Stay with me. I love you.”
“Ti amo—”
***
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Drake’s world collapsed when he woke up to find Alessandra already gone. He squeezed the diamond ring tight in his fist. Instead of reading Alessandra’s letter, he put it away in his nightstand drawer with the collar. His grief would need to wait. There was business to handle first.
Drake’s phone illuminated with notifications. The temptation was too great, and he blocked Alessandra’s number. She was well cared for by his friends, and they would tell him if she needed him. He couldn’t plan to do what was necessary when she was crying on the phone.
As he walked into the office, his co-workers looked at him sympathetically. Divorce was a matter of public record. By now, everyone would’ve heard through the grapevine.
A surprise visitor caused him to rear up. He’d been ready to fight all morning.
“Good morning, Mr. Walker.” The unusually formal greeting made him angrier. As if the bitch wasn’t the reason he was officially divorced.
In a courtroom, Jenny Nguyen had been a formidable opponent. She would win on aesthetics alone if they faced off that morning. Her navy blazer and skirt were devoid of wrinkles, and her jet-black hair was smoothed without a single flyaway. She uncrossed her arms and looked at her perfectly polished nails.
“Get the fuck out of my office, you self-serving shrew.”
“Is that any way to talk to family?” Marcello's large frame darkened his doorway.
“Get. Out!” Drake roared.
“I have one simple question. Do you love my sister?”
“What kind of fucking question is that?”
The large man shrugged. “Humor me.”
“Marriage wasn’t easy. I fucked up a lot. But your sister was patient and stood by me even though I didn’t deserve it. I thought I was protecting her, but she’s much stronger than I gave her credit for.
“She’s a phoenix that rose from the ashes of hell. She’s beautiful and strong with unparalleled grace. She has compassion for assholes that haven’t earned it.”
“A simple ‘yes’ would have sufficed,” Jenny said.
“After everything she’s been through, I want her to be safe and happy,” Marcello said. “I’ve been a shitty brother, but she forgave me. She married you to save me from life in prison. It’s time I step up for her now.”
“Then why did you let your lawyer forge my signature and file divorce papers?” Drake asked, scowling at Jenny.
“Alessandra was faced with a decision that could’ve gotten her killed. We did the only thing to save her. To save all of us,” Jenny said unapologetically.
Jenny turned toward Marcello, indicating she understood the pain of loving a Russo.
“I’ve been thinking. It’s time we started working together,” Marcello said.
“No chance in hell.”
“Hear us out.”
