Part 14:

And as they rounded the final curve, a villa appeared that looked more like a castle. Ancient stone walls rising against the Sicilian sky. Terrace gardens cascading down the hillside. Handed armed men stationed at every visible entrance. Alessandro’s hand tightened around Selines’s as the Mercedes pulled through iron gates that had probably stood for centuries.

Ready? His voice came quiet, meant only for her. Selene’s heart hammered, but she lifted her chin. “No, but let’s do it anyway.” Something flickered across Aleandro’s expression, pride mixed with concern, and he brought her hand to his lips briefly before the car stopped. The moment they stepped out, Allesandro’s eyes found hers, and whatever he saw there made him pause.

Seline stood in her white dress with her light brown hair catching the late afternoon light and those green eyes that had stopped him cold two weeks ago, now filled with a courage that stole his breath all over again. She was terrified. He could feel it in the way her fingers trembled in his, but she was facing it head-on anyway.

“Your breathtaking,” he murmured too low for anyone else to hear. Armed guards flanked the entrance, each one nodding respectfully as Alessandro approached. Senor Moretti.  But their eyes tracked immediately to Seline with undisguised curiosity. This woman Alessandro Moretti had brought into the heart of family business.

This stranger holding his hand like she belonged there. They climbed stone stairs to the villa’s main floor. Aleandro’s hand never leaving hers. And when they entered the great hall, Selen’s breath caught despite herself. 20 men, maybe more, filled the space. Some standing in clusters talking in low voices, others seated around a massive table that dominated the center of the room.

Lombardis and Morettes mixed together in expensive suits that didn’t quite hide the violence beneath. Two men broke away immediately when they spotted Aleandro, pulling him into embraces that spoke of genuine affection. Alessandro. Christ, how long has it been since we saw you here? The older of the two clapped him on the shoulder.

Then his eyes dropped to Seline with open interest. Every conversation in the room had died. Every eye had turned to stare at the woman standing beside Alessandro Moretti with her hand clasped in his. At the head of the long table, Giani Lombardi sat watching them with eyes gone cold and calculating. He was late 40s, handsome in a brutal sort of way, and the arrogance in his expression made Selene’s stomach clench with instinctive weariness.

Alessandro. Johnny’s voice cut through the silence like a blade. Did you bring a woman here? He stood slowly, his gaze moving from Selen’s face down to their joined hands and back up again, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. Is that Selene Davenport? his head tilted slightly, predatory. “What game are you playing, cousin?” Aleandro stood perfectly still, his posture radiating control.

But Selene felt his grip on her hand tightened protectively. “I’d like to introduce everyone to my wife,” he said, his voice carrying clearly through the silent room. “Seline Moretti.” The room erupted, voices rising in shock and confusion, but Giani’s reaction cut through everything else. He moved toward them with fury radiating from every line of his body, and Seline’s breath stopped in her throat as this dangerous man closed the distance between them.

An older man stepped into Giani’s path. One hand raised in a gesture that commanded immediate attention. If Alessandro brought her here like this, he has an explanation. His voice carried absolute authority despite his age. Let him speak. Aleandro’s shoulders relaxed fractionally as he inclined his head with clear respect.

“Uncle!” the old man nodded once, then gestured for Aleandro to continue. “I solved our problem,” Aleandro said, his voice steady and controlled as his eyes swept the room. “But the most important part, my wife solved it.” “Where’s the list?” Allessandro. Johnny’s voice came harsh with barely controlled rage, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

And why the hell did you marry this girl? You think a piece of paper protects her from me? Aleandro’s expression went cold as stone, and when he spoke, his voice dropped to something deadly quiet. She’s a Moretti now, Johnny. You can’t touch her. Not without going through me first. The Moretti men in the room shifted immediately, moving subtly to position themselves closer to Aleandro, and the air went electric with threat.

Johnny’s face flushed dark with anger. You think enough? The old man’s voice cracked like a whip. Everyone will sit down and listen. His eyes found Seline, and something in his expression softened fractionally. To Selene Moretti. Alessandro’s hand squeezed hers once, reassurance and encouragement wrapped together, and when Seline looked up at him, he gave her the smallest nod.

Time to show them what she was made of. Seline straightened her spine, lifted her chin, and when she spoke, her voice came out strong and steady. No shake, no hesitation. I’m Seline Moretti. Her eyes swept the room, meeting the skeptical stairs head on. Everyone needs to listen up because this plan doesn’t just protect your money, but it makes you more.

When she finished, the room went dead silent. Nobody moved. Nobody spoke. They just looked at each other processing. and Selen’s heart hammered. Even though her face stayed calm, Alessandro’s head dipped, and she caught the smile he was trying to hide, pride mixed with something deeper that made her chest feel tight in a good way. Enzo Moretti pushed himself up from his chair and crossed to where she stood.

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