Part 12:

I promise. Aleandro reached for his phone when Seline’s hand shot out and caught his wrist, her grip surprisingly firm. No. Her voice came steady despite the fear still swimming in her eyes. Can you talk to me first? Aleandro’s jaw tightened. Seline, don’t. She pulled the phone from his hand and set it on the table between them.

If I’m really your wife now, if my last name is legally Moretti, then I’m part of this whether you want me to be or not, which means I need to know everything. No more protecting me from information I have a right to know. Alessandro studied her for a long moment, and something shifted in his expression, recognition that the woman in front of him wasn’t the terrified girl from an hour ago.

All right, sit down. My cousin Giani runs the Lombardi organization. Aleandro began pacing the villa’s living room. The Morettes have worked with them for five generations. 6 months ago, the European Union opened an investigation into organized crime finances. They’re preparing to freeze billions in assets, bank accounts, properties, shell companies.

He turned to face her. Your father, through his diplomatic work, has access to the union’s classified list. That information would give Giani time to move money before the freeze happens. Seline’s stomach clenched, and when my father refused, Giani ordered me to use you as leverage. Alessandro’s voice came flat, factual.

Get close to you, take you, force your father’s cooperation through threat of harm. So yesterday, the yacht, everything you said. Selene’s voice cracked despite her attempt at control was supposed to be part of the plan. Yes. Alessandro crossed to her, sitting on the coffee table so they were eye level. But from the moment I got you on that boat, everything changed.

I called your father, told him you were safe, told him I was protecting you instead of using you. We’ve been working together since yesterday, since I made the choice to betray Giani’s orders. Seline searched his face. Why should I believe you? Because if I was still following Giani’s plan, you’d be in a very different situation right now.

Alessandro’s hand rose to cup her face. And because I’m about to let you talk to your father so he can confirm everything I just told you. After Richard confirmed the timeline and his trust in Alessandro’s protection, after Selene had cried against her father’s voice coming through the encrypted line, she stood in the villa’s living room trying to process everything.

“So what happens now?” she asked. Giani’s expecting that list. What are you going to give him? Alessandro ran a hand through his hair, frustration bleeding through his control. That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out. I can’t give him fake information. He’ll verify it. I can’t give him nothing. He’ll come after you.

Seline paced to the window, her mind working through the problem despite her fear. What about art? Converting assets to art. Allesandro turned to look at her. Art came to mind, but it’s too slow. You buy a Picasso, you wait months or years to sell it properly. Johnny needs liquidity in weeks, not years. What if you didn’t have to sell it? Seline turned back to face him, energy building in her voice.

There was a collector at the gallery, used his art as collateral for loans, artbacked loans. Got 80% of value in cash immediately. Aleandro straightened, his full attention locking on her now. Immediate liquidity. Private banks do it all the time. You buy a piece for 10 million, next day you get 8 million in cash using it as collateral.

Legal fast and the EU can’t touch it. But even with loans, we’d need ongoing cash flow. Gallery rental programs. Seline was thinking faster now. Open a private gallery. Lease pieces to collectors. They pay 10 to 15% annually. You keep ownership. They get prestige. You get steady legal income. Aleandro stared at her and something shifted in his expression.

Genuine admiration mixed with something deeper. Are you just solved weeks of problems in 2 minutes? He crossed to her and kissed her, not desperate, but grateful. And when he pulled back, his eyes held hers with intensity that made breathing difficult. I need to call Giani now. Giani Lombardi answered sharp and impatient.

Where the hell have you been? Alessandro’s voice went cold and controlled. All business now. I have the list and I have the girl. Silence on the other end. Then Johnny’s voice came careful, calculating. You got it. Davenport gave it up. I have what we need, Aleandro replied, his tone giving nothing away as his eyes found Selines across the room.

But this needs to be presented properly to the council in person. 2 days Sicily Villa in Tormina. Why can’t you just Giani started irritation bleeding through? Because this is bigger than a phone call, Giani. Alessandro’s voice hardened with authority. 2 days. I’ll bring everything. Documentation, the girl, the solution.

You want this done right, we do it face to face. More silence as Giani calculated his options. Finally, fine. Two days. and Aleandro. The girl better be under control. She is, Aleandro said flatly, ending the call before Giani could push further. Tension radiated from his shoulders as he set the phone down.

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