All Chapters of Four Parting Gifts, Don Falcone: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Aurelia’s POVSeeing the fear in Orion's eyes made my heart ache."Orion..." I cupped his face. "Why would you think that?""Because I know you loved him," Orion said softly, his voice full of pain. "You loved him so much you were willing to give up everything for him."I was quiet for a long time, then I spoke."I have to tell you a secret," I said, taking his hand. "A secret about seven years ago."Orion looked at me, waiting."Seven years ago, I turned you down. It wasn't because I didn't like you." My voice shook a little. "On the contrary, I... I cared about you a lot."Surprise flashed in Orion's eyes."Then why...""Because I despise being a pawn," I said, a bitter smile twisting my lips. "I hated that my father had arranged my life like a business deal.""I wanted a love I could choose freely, not a political alliance." I looked him in the eye. "So when I met Vittorio, I thought he was what I wanted. Someone who wasn't chosen for me. Someone I could choose for myself."Orion sq

Aurelia’s POVDowntown Chicago. The Rossi Holdings headquarters.This was the center of the Rossi family's legitimate businesses. And it was where I was starting over."Time for lunch." Orion pushed open my office door, holding a bouquet of white roses.It had become our routine. Every day at noon, he'd come pick me up for lunch."What are you in the mood for today?" He walked toward me, placed the roses on my desk, and then gently kissed the corner of my mouth."Whatever," I said, organizing files on my desk. "As long as it's with you."A look of contentment flashed in Orion's eyes."Then let's go to Le Bernardin. I booked a private room."Le Bernardin was one of our company's Michelin three-star restaurants, one of the top French spots in Chicago.We walked out of the office building, Orion's hand resting lightly on my waist.The intimate gesture made passing employees smile knowingly.Everyone knew the Rossi princess had found her true happiness."By the way, when we go for the dres

Vittorio's POVI walked into the lavish office, silently stunned by the Rossi family's wealth.The woman still had her back to me. Her slender, graceful build reminded me, strangely, of Aurelia."Miss Rossi," I cleared my throat, trying to sound polite. "Thank you for seeing me."She didn't turn around. She just gave a soft "Mm.""I know this is forward, but I have to tell you something," I continued. "Your silhouette... it's strangely familiar. It reminds me of my wife. She's nobody special, just a girl from the streets. But beautiful."The woman's shoulders trembled slightly.I thought maybe my words had amused her."Get to the point," her voice sounded a little familiar, but I didn't think much of it."It's like this," I took a few steps closer. "The Godfather of the Moretti family is involved with my wife. I'm sure a family like the Rossis wouldn't tolerate such immoral behavior.""After all," I went on, "a distinguished family like yours wouldn't want to align with a family whose

Vittorio's POVAurelia's bodyguards threw me out of Rossi Holdings. All I felt was despair and rage.The look in her eyes when she held that knife to my throat... it was colder than ancient ice.That wasn't the Aurelia I knew.That was the Rossi princess, a woman I could never reach.Back at the hotel, my phone didn't stop ringing."Boss! The port authority contract was canceled!""Godfather, the docks say they won't move our shipments anymore!""Don Vittorio, all the laundering channels are cut! We can't move our money!"One call after another, all bad news.Aurelia meant what she said.The Rossi family pulling out had pushed the Falcone family to the brink in a matter of hours.Only now did I realize how much we depended on her help.Without her, I was nothing.At six in the evening, I returned to the villa, exhausted.The moment I opened the door, I saw Carina sitting on the living room sofa."What are you doing here?" I frowned."I heard you ran into some trouble," Carina stood up,

Vittorio's POVI was stopped by security on the main floor of the auction house. I could only watch as Aurelia and Orion took the elevator up to the VIP suites.A billion-dollar net worth.I gave a bitter smile.After the Rossi family cut me off, the Falcone family's liquid assets were almost gone.But I couldn't give up like this."Sir, you can bid from here," a staff member handed me a paddle. "You just can't enter the VIP area."I took the paddle and sat in a corner of the main hall.The guests around me were whispering, their eyes occasionally glancing my way."Isn't that the Falcone Godfather? What's he doing sitting down here?""I heard his family's in deep trouble. The Rossis sanctioned them.""Tsk, tsk. How the mighty have fallen."I pretended not to hear the taunts and focused on the auction catalog.Finally, I found what I was looking for.Lot 15: The Capone-Era Emerald Jewelry Set.I remembered this set clearly. Three years ago, Aurelia saw it in an antique magazine, her eye