Elena didn't know what to say or think, Dante was the last person she wanted or needed to see. Her life has been through enough in the last six months and to add him to the mix was the last thing she could handle. Elena glanced over his shoulder at the closed door she knew Gino was on the other side of hoping it stood closed long enough for her to get rid of Dante. When her eyes meet his again Dante looked as if he was pleading with her and she didn't know why.

"What are you doing?" she asked in a low voice. "You can't be here."

"I know Moretti is in a meeting with all the bosses and underbosses. My dad told me what they were doing today." Dante said as he took a step closer to her and Elena quickly stretched her arm out between them keeping him at a safe distance. "Elena let me in so we could talk in private."

"My husband may be in a meeting but Gino isn't and I will not disrespect Lorenzo by allowing another man into our room." Elena said shaking her head at him. "Why are you here? I told you that we could never see each other again and the things you said to me after sealed that."

"You know I didn't mean any of that... I love you, Elena. I never stopped." Dante said grabbing at her hand and she quickly pulled it away. "After tonight you don't have to stay married to him anymore, we can leave and start a new life together somewhere else."

"My life is with Lorenzo." Elena said sternly, she knew she had to say something to Dante to get him to understand he had to stop pursuing her. "I lov..." she began to say but he cut her off.

"You don't love him Elena, I could tell when you're about to fucking lie to me." Dante growled at her between gritted teeth. "Lauren was right Moretti did fucking brainwash you! Let me get you out of here, please."

Just as Elena was going to respond to his remark Dante was snatched away from her from behind and slammed down to the ground. Elena stood there in shock as Gino stood over a dazed Dante with a gun aimed right at his head. Neither of them had even heard Gino's door open. When the shock began to wear off she took a step closer but then the elevator bell dinged. Thinking it was going to be Lorenzo she felt sort of relieved when she looked over at it to see Vinny and Sal running towards them.

"How the hell did you get on this floor?" Gino growled at Dante.

"Elena tell him it's ok." Dante said not taking his eyes off Gino as he held his hands up in a defensive style.

"Don't fucking talk to her." Gino snapped as he looked over at her. "Elena, go in your room."

"Gino..." she started to say and he cut her off.

"I said go in the room." Gino said sternly.

Elena looked down at Dante one last time then turned and went back in the room. She knew fighting Gino would just be more trouble than it was worth, he never budged with her before. Elena had warned Dante many times before to stay away and he didn't want to listen. She still cared about him but it wasn't anywhere near how she had cared before. Her heart no longer belonged to him, it was now firmly caged in her chest out of reach from everyone. At least that's what she told herself.

Gino waited until the door closed behind Elena before looking back down at the man he had expected and wanted to show up. "Did you really think we would not have eyes on this floor at all times?" Gino said as he smirked at a shock Dante. "You just couldn't stay away could you? Not smart, man."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Dante said hoping to get out of this before Lorenzo was notified. "I was only here because..." he began to say and Gino silenced him.

"You don't want to fucking start this with a lie!" Gino snapped at him. "I heard every fucking thing you said to her."

"Call my father he'll explain I'm not a threat to Lorenzo or Elena." Dante pleaded as he still laid flat on his back due to Gino standing over him with the gun still aimed.

"Why the hell would I call your father? I don't give a fuck what he has to say!"

"My father is Rocco Conte; he is..." Dante was saying only to be cut off.

"I know who he is." Gino snapped at him as he reached down and pulled Dante to his feet but kept the gun aimed at him. "Go in the room." He said nodding towards his own room then glanced over at Vinny and Sal. "Vin go get Tony, tell him his plan worked. Sal you come with me."

"What plan?" Dante asked as he was pushed into the room.

"You're in no place to be asking any damn questions." Gino snapped at him. "Now have a seat." He said pushing Dante towards a chair he had in the center of the room. "You're not going anywhere until Lorenzo says so."

Vinny couldn't believe that the guy was actually that dumb to even think of coming near Elena. They all have been trying to find out who he was, Tony decided to let the info out that she would be alone and had Gino stay out of sight. Vinny went down to the basement level where all the real business was conducted. When he stepped off the elevator there were four guards standing there. Two were in front of the elevator doors and the other two were blocking the door that led to the meeting that was currently going on.

He nodded his head as the first two gave him room to get through. "Rob when your cousin comes out for a check let him know the package for Lorenzo was delivered and waiting in Gino's suite."

On the other side of the door things were not going as smoothly as Lorenzo had wanted. Two of the other four families were still in rage about the merge and were making pointless threats. The Moretti family had grown in size one other time prior to this merge and the Russo family had taken over two families itself years ago. So the Vargas and the Marino families were pissed Lorenzo power and hold over the southern part of the States was going to more than ever.

All the reps sitting in the conference room had come from all over the States, there were a few from Italy and even a couple from Cuba. The Vargas family had been the only Cuban mafia the Moretti family dealt with so Lorenzo extended an invite to a couple families in Cuba to get a feel for their organization. They had mostly stood quiet during the heated discussion between the five families this merge affected.

Lorenzo's name sake and uncle from his mother's side, Enzo Marzano was there with his underboss Roberto from New York. They on the other hand didn't like the fact that Lorenzo was mixing himself up with Cubans. Enzo didn't trust them as far as he could throw them and Lorenzo being his only nephew caused him to be more on edge with them. Enzo knew the time for the older men that sat around the table was slowly coming to an end and the sons were going to begin taking over. Something about Jacob Vargas rubbed Enzo wrong and his own son Angelo had said the same thing.

"I believe Russo made a mistake choosing Moretti." Juan Vargas said sternly. "The boy is too damn hot headed and unpredictable."

"The boy is fucking sitting right here and disrespect me one more time and I fucking show you hot headed." Lorenzo snapped at him as he slammed his hand down on the table they sat around.

"This doesn't need to escalate." One of the other Cuban family boss said in a thick accent. "My Brother is just concern with the way you will use your power."

"As the extended family of Moretti as you are Vargas..." Enzo said gaining the man's attention. "I will say that it is no one's business how my nephew chooses to use his power. This meeting is only happening because he was choosing to show respect."

"You think we don't see what is going on here?" the head of the Gallo family said sitting forward in his chair. "The Marzano family runs the northern part of the states and with this merge the Moretti family takes over the south. Your family as a whole will take over the damn country."

"This cannot be done!" Juan Vargas snapped as he banged his own fist to the table.

Lorenzo had reached his boiling point at that moment, he quickly stood to his feet knocking his chair back in the process. Every underboss that stood around the table had done the same ready to protect their own boss including Tony. Lorenzo didn't flinch or show care to their moves as he leaned forward menacingly towards Vargas who sat across from him.

"This is done!" Lorenzo growled in a low voice. "You have three choices and I hope you choose wisely. One... you deal with what has happened, two... you move your entire organization out of Miami, three... we go to war!"

Enzo and Antonio Russo sat there quietly watching as Lorenzo stood his ground. The other bosses that sat around the table gestured to their men to sit. Jacob Vargas stood on his feet next to his father, who had been still sitting, glaring at Lorenzo and Tony stood confidently next to Lorenzo. Enzo knew Michael would be proud of how his son took charge.

"I want no trouble and will find a way to coexist." Juan said as he gestured for Jacob to sit.

Lorenzo nodded his head as he sat back down then looked up at Tony and gestured towards the door. He knew his men were watching the cameras and probably had been on edge with what they could only see but not hear. Tony gave Lorenzo one small nod as he walked towards the door with intent to let the men on the other side know that they could be at ease for the moment. When he stepped out the door there had been more men standing there other than the four when they walked in.

"At ease men." Tony said in a low voice and they nodded at him, just as he was about to go back in Rob stopped him.

"Vinny came down asked me to let you know that the package arrived and is waiting in Gino's suite."

Tony stopped in mid-step and glanced over his shoulder at Rob. "Did he give a name?" he asked and Rob shook his head no. "Alright, I'll let the boss know."

Tony went back in the room and couldn't keep the small smirk from his face. Lorenzo glanced over at Tony as he walked towards him and raised his eyebrow at the smirk. Tony took a quick glance over at Antonio Russo then back at Lorenzo as he sat and leaned closer to him to whisper his knowledge. When he heard Tony's words Lorenzo was done with the hostile meeting that wasn't doing anyone any good.

"It's been a pleasure but I have other business to attend to." Lorenzo said sarcastically as he stood up and all the men around the table done the same.

Lorenzo shook hands with the heads of each family that sat there then watched as they left the room one by one. Russo calmly stood there until it was just himself and Enzo along with their underbosses. "How is my daughter?" Antonio asked as he looked over at Lorenzo.

"Elena is well." Lorenzo said in a calm voice.

"I would like to see her."

"I will speak with her." Lorenzo said as he buttoned his suit coat.

"You're her husband, tell her she doesn't have a choice." Antonio said shaking his head.

"My wife will have a choice to speak to you or not." Lorenzo said sternly. "If she wants to talk I will have Tony or Gino inform you."

"Very well." Antonio said reluctantly, he knew that Lorenzo was already on edge from the meeting and didn't want to further put him in rage.

Lorenzo stood there with Tony, Enzo and Roberto watching as Antonio and Rocco walked out. "Lorenzo." Enzo said looking over at his nephew and Lorenzo turned to face his uncle. "Why doesn't your wife speak to her father?"

"Long story uncle." Lorenzo said shaking his head. "Is Angelo around?"

"He is probably fucking one of the maids in the broom closet." Enzo said shaking his head at his son's antics as Lorenzo and Tony laughed. "That boy is going to be the death of me... I don't know what I'm going to do when it's time for him to take over."

"I was the same way until it was my time." Lorenzo said shrugging his shoulders. "I got something to take care of then I will sit down with him."

"Anything ever goes down with them damn Cubans the Marzano family is behind you." Enzo said shaking his nephew's hand.

"I'll keep that in mind." With that Enzo and Roberto left Lorenzo and Tony alone in the room. "Do we know who the guy is?" Lorenzo asked as he and Tony made their way out.

"No... Vinny just said the package was waiting in Gino's suite."

Not wanting to keep his new visitor waiting any longer Lorenzo made his way out of the room and towards the elevator. The men that were outside the meeting room got in step behind Lorenzo and Tony. Once they were on the top floor Lorenzo went straight to Gino's room, he had two of the men stay posted outside the door as the rest of them went in. Walking in there Lorenzo felt the anger build up when he saw Dante sitting there. That very man had been around his wife many times over the first year or so when he was Angel's guard.

The room stood silent as Lorenzo stood there glaring at Dante, the anger was clear on his face and no one wanted to be on the receiving end of it. Dante sat there in panic wondering how much Lorenzo knew about him and if the any of the men informed him that Rocco was his father. Not seeing his father or Antonio come in with him Dante knew that they had no idea what was going on.

"Where is my wife?" Lorenzo growled as he looked over at Gino while removing his suit jacket then held it out to his side and one of the guys behind him quickly stepped up and took it from him.

"In your suite."

"Did she speak to this bastard?"

"Yeah boss." Gino said not wanting to lie to him. "She had told..." Gino began to say but Lorenzo cut him off.

"I don't want to fucking hear it!" Lorenzo snapped at him as he moved closer to Dante. "I want everyone out!"

"Everyone out." Tony said sternly and they quickly began leaving. "Gino stay posted at Elena's door." Lorenzo turned to look at Tony. "I'm not leaving Lorenzo, everyone else goes but I don't leave your side in this situation."

Lorenzo nodded and waited for the final guy to step out then he looked back at Dante. "What do you want with my wife?"

"I want my father here." Dante said shaking his head.

"I don't give a fuck what you want!" Lorenzo yelled at him as he moved even closer to him. "I want a fucking answer now!"

"You don't deserve her, she's too good for you!" Dante snapped at him. "She wanted to marry me not you."

Neither Dante or Tony were prepared for Lorenzo's next move, Lorenzo charged at Dante and the two went flying over the chair. Just as they hit the floor Lorenzo landed two swift punches to Dante's face. Going into a defensive mode Dante swung his own fist landing a good shot to Lorenzo's ribs. Seeing that happen caused Tony to move into action and just as moved closer to the fight Lorenzo swung again landing another hit then he stood up over him as Dante cradled his busted nose. Lorenzo pulled his gun from the holster and pointed it right at Dante's head.

As he clicked the safety off Dante yelled out. "Rocco Conte is my father." Stopping Lorenzo before he squeezed the trigger.

Both men stood there staring at Dante like he had grown a second head. Lorenzo and Tony both knew there had been a good reason why Dante's identity stood buried deep. He confirmed it when he told them his father had been Russo's second in command. Lorenzo kept his gun aimed as he took a few steps back trying to control his anger. He knew killing the man on the ground would put the Russo's men on edge with him and he didn't need that right at that moment.

"Get up." Lorenzo growled at him, Dante slowly stood up still cradling his bleeding nose. "I'm going to ask you one more time, what did you want with my wife?"

"I wanted to take her away from this life." Dante mumbled behind his hands hoping they heard him clearly. Tony shook his head as walked over to the bathroom then tossed a towel towards him. "I asked her to leave with me."

"What was her response?" Lorenzo said as he still trying to hold control over his anger, the gun still had not faltered and was aimed firmly at his head.

"You brainwashed her... what do you think her response was?"

"Tony bring Elena in here." Lorenzo growled at him.

"Lorenzo..." Tony began to say but was instantly cut off.

"Bring her in here now!" Lorenzo snapped at him.

Tony sucked in a deep breath and gave Lorenzo one stiff nod as he walked to the door and went out to the hall. Once out there he took a couple of more deep breaths as the guys stood there waiting for some kind of order but none came as he just went straight to Elena's door and slid the key card in opening the door. When he walked in Elena had been lying across the sofa and sat up when she heard the door open.

"I need you to come with me." Tony said trying to mask his anger.

He had expected her to say no, so when she just nodded her head and slid her feet back into her heels then stood up he was a bit shock. She walked towards him and followed him across the hall. Going through the small hall had almost made her feel like dead man walking as all the men just looked down as she passed them. Walking into the room with Tony Elena froze when she saw Dante standing there with a blood soaked towel on his face while Lorenzo stood in front of him holding a gun at his side.

Lorenzo glanced over his shoulder at her and could see the fear clearly in her eyes. Hating that look more than anything Lorenzo sucked in a deep breath and nodded his head for her to come to his side. Elena didn't say a word as she slowly moved to him and came to a stop when she was standing next to him and he turned to face her.

Did you want to see me?" she asked in a low voice and he could hear the shakiness of it.

"I'm only going to give you this choice once. I want you to choose what you want, not what you think I want. What you choose I will give to you." Lorenzo said in a calm voice and she hesitantly nodded her head. "Do you want to remain married to me or do you want out?"

"I want to stay with you." Elena said answering him without hesitation and he smiled at her.

"Elena this is our chance at the life we wanted." Dante said pleading with her.

Elena slowly glanced over at Dante. "I told you, my life is with Lorenzo." She said shaking her head at him. "I will not leave him for you."

"It's the power and money he has... that's why you're staying with him." Dante snapped pissing both Tony and Lorenzo off.

Lorenzo's gun was once again firmly aimed at Dante and it startled Elena. "Don't you ever fucking insult my wife again." Lorenzo snapped as his finger slowly snaked towards the trigger.

Elena gasped when she saw what Lorenzo was about to do and she had to find a way to stop him. "Lorenzo." She said softly but he didn't look back at her. Lorenzo, please... please look at me." she begged him as she placed her hand on his chest and the contact snapped him from his rage and he looked down at her. "Please don't kill him." She asked in a low voice and could see the strain in taunt jaw. "I don't love him anymore but I could not live with myself knowing I am the reason he died."

Lorenzo slowly inhaled a deep breath then slowly released it as he brought his free hand up and rested it against her soft cheek. "This once I will grant this to you." He said in a low voice ad she nodded at him then he looked over at Dante. "Because my wife asked for me to spare your life I will but you ever come near her again or speak ill of her ever again... I will end your life."



AN: This took a bit longer to come out than I had wanted sorry about that... it has been a very tough week for me as I had to say goodbye to a very dear cousin of mine that passed away Sunday night in a car accident. This morning I woke up feeling the urge to write and was able to write this whole chapter. I didn't want to wait to edit it so I do plan on going back through later to check it but I hope you enjoyed it.