Chapter 4 - THE MAN FROM MONTANA
Alessandro didn't tell Elena that Daniel Mercer had requested a meeting.
Not immediately.
He first asked whether she wanted a lawyer.
Elena looked confused.
“Why?”
“Because you've described threats involving your child. You should know your legal options before anyone else makes decisions.”
She studied him.
“Are you trying to help me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Alessandro considered the question.
“Because somebody frightened you badly enough that you crossed several states while pregnant.”
“That doesn't make me your responsibility.”
“No.”
He looked at her.
“It makes you someone who deserves help.”
***
The following morning, Alessandro met with his attorney, Rebecca Shaw.
She was a former prosecutor who had spent twelve years untangling the Salvatore family's business interests.
Alessandro explained Elena's situation.
Rebecca listened.
Then said:
“First, we need Elena's consent before investigating her personal history.”
“Agreed.”
“Second, if Mercer has threatened her, she needs independent legal representation.”
“Agreed.”
Rebecca narrowed her eyes.
“You're being unusually cooperative.”
“Don't get used to it.”
She almost smiled.
Then Alessandro handed her a document.
Daniel Mercer's shipment request.
Rebecca read it.
“Six thoroughbreds?”
“Yes.”
“From Montana?”
“Yes.”
“Destination?”
Alessandro looked at her.
“My estate.”
Rebecca frowned.
“Why would you accept them?”
“I didn't.”
The request had been submitted through a subsidiary managed by Alessandro's cousin, Matteo Salvatore.
Matteo had spent years trying to expand the family's equestrian investments.
He was charming.
Ambitious.
And dangerously impatient.
Alessandro had repeatedly refused to involve the estate in questionable horse acquisitions.
Now Matteo had apparently arranged a shipment without authorization.
***
Elena returned to the estate after the hospital confirmed she could safely leave with follow-up care.
She was given paid medical leave.
Alessandro offered her a guest cottage.
She hesitated.
“I can't afford it.”
“It's part of the estate.”
“That doesn't mean it's free.”
“You won't be charged.”
“Then I'll owe you.”
Alessandro looked at her.
“No.”
She studied his face.
“You don't understand what it's like to owe someone powerful.”
His expression changed.
“Actually,” he said quietly, “I do.”
She looked surprised.
He didn't explain.
Instead, he handed her the cottage key.
“You can refuse. You can leave whenever you choose. Rebecca can help you arrange independent accommodation if you'd prefer.”
Elena looked at the key.
Then at him.
“I'll stay until I find something else.”
“Fair enough.”
***
That evening, Elena sat on the cottage porch.
The vineyards stretched toward the hills.
For the first time in weeks, she could hear crickets instead of traffic.
A car approached.
She stood.
Her heart began racing.
A black sedan stopped beside the cottage.
Alessandro stepped out.
He noticed her expression.
“Sorry. I should have called.”
Elena released a shaky breath.
“It's okay.”
He held out a folder.
“Rebecca found a legal-aid attorney who can advise you about custody and protective orders.”
Elena accepted it.
“Thank you.”
He hesitated.
“There's something else.”
She looked up.
“Daniel Mercer has been doing business with my cousin.”
The folder slipped from her hands.
Alessandro caught it.
Elena whispered:
“Matteo?”
“You know him?”
Her face drained.
“Daniel talked about him.”
“What did he say?”
“That Matteo could move anything across state lines.”
Alessandro felt cold.
Elena looked toward the dark road.
“If Daniel knows I'm here, he'll come.”
Alessandro said nothing.
She turned back.
“Please don't tell me you're going to kill him.”
The request surprised him.
“Why?”
“Because I don't want my daughter born into a war.”
Alessandro looked at her swollen belly.
“Your daughter?”
Elena nodded.
“Her name is going to be Isabella.”
For a moment, Alessandro couldn't speak.
His younger sister had been named Isabella Sofia Salvatore.
She had died at twenty-six.
Elena noticed his expression.
“What's wrong?”
He looked away.
“Nothing.”
But that night, Alessandro made a decision.
He would not handle Daniel Mercer the way his father would have.
May you like
He would handle him in a way Elena's daughter could someday understand.
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