Over the couple of months that followed Elena's trip to the hospital things were becoming eye opening for Lorenzo. He had not realized she didn't speak to her mother until that day, Lorenzo knew she wouldn't see or talk to her father Antonio but he thought it was different with Camila. Tony explained to him that Elena had once told him she resented Camila for not standing up to Antonio about the marriage.

Being in the middle of opening one more hotel Lorenzo was constantly having to leave on trips. A few times he had asked Elena to join him but she was quick to say no every time. He tried to make his trips short but there were always distraction that would lengthen his trips, mostly in the form of other woman. When he returned four days late from his latest trip Lorenzo found a couple of the night guards sleeping on the job. It had him fuming as he stood standing there with both men begging for their lives as they waited on Tony and Gino to arrive. After checking to make sure Elena was safe Lorenzo had quickly come back out.

"Does she know you're back?" Tony asked calmly as he got out the SUV and walked over to Lorenzo.

"No, she was sleeping on the sofa and I didn't wake her." Lorenzo said as he glanced over at Gino. "In our line of work there could have been anyone coming for revenge." He snapped at Gino. "My wife could have been beaten, kidnapped or worse... killed, I will not fucking tolerate this shit. When I am not in town she is not to be alone."

"I will handle this Lorenzo." Tony said patting his back.

Lorenzo nodded at Tony and Gino then glared at the two men before going into the house. Once he closed the door he stood near it taking slow deep breaths hoping to calm his nerves. Once he felt a bit more relaxed Lorenzo walked to the living room where Elena was sleeping. Lorenzo stopped walking when her form became visible to him.

So much was riding on his marriage to her, Antonio being a smart man didn't relinquish the reins of the Russo Mafia once he married Elena. There were many reasons behind that, one... Michael still had control over the Moretti Mafia not handing it over to Lorenzo until a year and half ago when he got sick. Two... Antonio wanted insure the safety of his family and daughter, stipulating that Elena and Lorenzo had to be married over three years first. If anything happened to his daughter before that timetable was met the deal was off.

There were other small stipulations that have already been taken care of and now Lorenzo was in the home stretch. Antonio and Michael had agreed to make things official when Lorenzo opened the latest casino he was working on. The thought of losing all his power before he had true control caused him to snap tonight. The other four families were waiting for him fail because they all thought Lorenzo was too young and hot headed to run the Moretti Mafia. Lorenzo knew they all had reason to think that way because he had the scars to back their theory from the many times he lost his temper.

Shaking his head free from his thoughts Lorenzo moved closer to the sofa, his foot kicked a book that was lying on the ground near the sofa. Lorenzo bent down and picked the book up lying it on the table next to the sofa as he looked down at the woman he barely knew but has been married to for three years. He looked at Elena's soft features as she slept and it took him that moment to really see her for the first time. She was beautiful and any other man would have been grateful to have her. Lorenzo slowly slid his finger across her soft cheek moving the few strands of hair that laid there.

Her body began to stir at his touch so he let his hand drop away from her. "Elena." He said softly, in response her eyes slowly opened. "Why aren't you sleeping in your bed?"

"I must have fallen asleep while I was reading." She said as she sat up. "When did you get home?"

"I just got in." he said not bothering to mention what had happened outside before he came into wake her. "I should have been back sooner but things came up."

"I know." She said as she stood up and he moved back to give her space. "I should get to bed." Elena glanced back at the sofa then at the floor looking for her book.

"Are you looking for this?" he asked as he leaned towards the table to retrieve her book and held it up, when she looked back at him their lips had been just a few inches apart. Lorenzo glanced down at her lips then back at her eyes "I picked it up from the floor."

"Thank you." Elena said in a low voice as she reached for the book but he didn't release it right away. They stared at each other for a few moments before she snapped herself out of the daze he put her in. "I should get to bed." This time the words came out a softer.

"Yeah." Lorenzo said as his hand released the book and he watched as she walked away. He sucked in a deep breath and blew it out as he stopped her. "Elena." Lorenzo called out and she stopped walking and glanced over her shoulder at him. "I want to take you to dinner tomorrow evening."

"I have plans with Angel and a couple of friends."

"Change your plans, I will pick you up at six." Lorenzo said then turned towards the kitchen walking away not giving her a chance to accept or decline.

Elena watched his retreating form in shock before her anger kicked in and she quickly followed behind him. The last three years they barely spent more than a couple of hours together in a week and now he wants to force her to change her plans for him. Elena wanted to know what was his sudden change of heart about her. When she reached the kitchen he was standing near the counter, what she didn't notice was that he was on his phone.

"Lorenzo I will not change my plans." She snapped at him and he slowly turned towards her with the phone to his ear.

"I'm going to call you back." He said as he ended his call and slowly placed the phone down to keep from slamming it on the counter out of anger. "This is not up for debate." Lorenzo said in a calm voice that almost sent chills down her spine. "We will be having dinner tomorrow and I will pick you up at six. Do you understand that?"

"Fine." Elena snapped as she left the kitchen quickly.

The look on his face told her there was no point in arguing because she wasn't going to win. She had gone in there with the full intent of not going to dinner with him and making sure he knew that. What she didn't expect was for him to be on the phone and her outburst to be heard by both Lorenzo and whoever was on the other end of that call.

Lorenzo again suck in a deep breath blowing it out slowly as he closed his eyes for a moment. Getting to know Elena was not going to be easy especially with her temper that always clashed with his own. The next morning Lorenzo was up and out the door before Elena even opened her eyes to the morning light. On his way to the casino Lorenzo decided to talk with Rob and Gino to find out the things she did when he wasn't around. Lorenzo was hoping to have a bit of insight on her before dinner.

To his surprise Lorenzo learned that Elena really didn't leave the house much at all. She went out to lunch or dinner a couple of times a week with her sisters and would visit a few friends every now and then. She ran most morning after he left for the day and spent a couple of hours down in the gym they had at the house. Elena spent the afternoons and most evening lounged around the house reading. As they sat at his desk in the casino Lorenzo saw how much Rob, Gino and even Tony knew about Elena. The guys all new her likes and dislikes while he couldn't even remember what day she was even born on. Every year it was Tony who had his sister buy something for Elena then gave it to Lorenzo so he had gift for her.

Elena wasn't as naïve as everyone had thought she was; she knew Lorenzo didn't know when her birthday was but never bothered to mention it. On his birthday she always managed to get him something small even though he was never around to receive the gifts that she had in a box up in her closest. That evening Elena called Angel and told her that they would have to reschedule dinner because she was expected to have dinner with Lorenzo. Once she hung up the phone Elena went to get ready for dinner.

AT six o'clock just like he said Lorenzo got to the house and went inside looking for Elena, expecting to find her ready to go. After taking a quick glance around the lower level and not seeing her he went upstairs. Just as he reached the last step her bedroom door opened and his breath hitched at the sight of her. Elena wasn't dressed like all the other women he took out, skanky and ready to remove the clothes at a moment's notice. Instead Elena had a black knee length skirt that formed to her body accenting her curves, the sleeveless top she had on was cut low but still covered enough to leave a man trying to imagine what was underneath.

Lorenzo didn't realize he was in a trance until her voice broke him out of it. "I didn't realize the time until a few moments ago... I'm sorry." She said softly as she approached him.

Lorenzo blinked his eyes a couple of times to clear his head then gave her a smile. "It is no big deal; I was just coming up to let you know I was here."

He stepped to the side allowing her room to go down the stairs next to him. Elena was surprised when she felt his hand land on the small of her back leading her to the door. When he glanced over at her Lorenzo saw the small goosebumps form on her soft skin. He could tell that Elena was nervous being near him and it bother him, he wanted her to feel comfortable around him.

When they got to the car Lorenzo opened the door for her and she slid into the passenger seat. The ride to the restaurant was extremely quiet but the both took the time as a way to get a little more comfortable with each other. When they arrived neither still said a word as he got out the car and walked around to her side and opened the door. Lorenzo reached his hand out and she slid her hand in his as he assisted her out the car.

Walking into the restaurant Elena had her arm looped with Lorenzo's and resting on his bent arm. A few of the patrons had openly stared at the couple, Lorenzo was used to the attention but Elena felt a little self-conscious. It was rare for the two of them to make any appearance together so the woman that were there wonder who the lucky lady was and envied her.

When the host stepped up to them he quickly forced a nervous smile to his face. "Would you like your usual table Mr. Moretti?" he said sounding as nervous as he looked.

Lorenzo glanced over at Elena to see her roll her eyes at the host's comment and he sucked in a deep breath and slowly released it. This had been the first time he brought her there and didn't feel right or want to sit at that table with her knowing he sat there with many other women.

"No." Lorenzo said as he looked back at the host. "I would like a table on the other side of the room."

"No problem Mr. Moretti." The host said as he quickly turned and began snapping his fingers at the waiters. "Right this way." He said turning back to them.

Lorenzo nodded as they followed behind the man to the table, once they were both in their chairs Lorenzo order a bottle of wine. He knew what he wanted to eat but he wanted to give Elena time to look over the menu herself. This was his first real attempt to really get to know the woman he had married. Once they both ordered Elena clasped her hands on top of the table while she glanced around the room.

"How often do you come here?" she asked looking over at Lorenzo.

"Why?" he asked as he leaned forward on the table.

"Ok." Elena said as she sat back in her chair and dropped her hands into her lap. "Why did you not want to sit at your usual table?"

"Elena are you deliberately trying to start a fight me?" Lorenzo asked in a low voice.

"I was trying to hold a conversation with you." Elena said with slight edge to her voice. "I figured you didn't bring me here so we could just stare at each other."

"Why won't you talk to your mother?"

"Because she allowed my father to force me to marry you." Elena said bluntly and watched as Lorenzo's jaw muscles tightened.

"Can we be civil with each other?" he asked as he sat back in his chair. "Do you want out of this?"

"No." Elena said softly and he raised his eyebrow at her in surprise.

Lorenzo had truly expected her to say yes and ask him to let her out, her answer still wasn't convincing. "You're not happy... if I gave you an out you wouldn't take it?" Lorenzo had no intentions of giving her the out but he wanted to know what her answer would be.

Elena wanted to scream yes but she wasn't stupid, there was no way he would give it to her without having control over the Russo family first. "No." Elena said shaking her head, she didn't want to keep this conversation going so she opted to change the subject. "How has your opening been going?"

"The hotel has been opened for about a month now but I still haven't figured a name out for it yet." Lorenzo said going with the change of subject.

"How do you open a business and not have a name for it?" Elena asked in a shock voice and he laughed.

"Right now it is operating under Moretti but I plan on having a real name for it when I open the casino in February."

"Oh... so you will be taking quite a few more trips between now a February."

Something in her voice made him feel guilty, it almost sounded like she didn't want him gone so often. Just as Lorenzo was about to offer to take her with him whenever he left their food came ending the current conversation. He wasn't given the chance when the waiter walked away from the table because Elena changed the subject again. The rest of dinner had gone much better than the start for both of them. Their meal had been interrupter a few times when members of a few of the other families had come in.

Elena stood quiet while he spoke with the different men and caught a quite a few glares from some of the women with them. Lorenzo had not introduced her to any of them and the men didn't bother asking who she was either. When the place began to get crowed with other patrons Lorenzo leaned forward and told Elena it was time for them to leave. Elena nodded her head and the both stood up and he led her out to the car.

As he drove them home Lorenzo glanced over at her and noticed that she hadn't said a word since the other families began to show up at the restaurant. "What is wrong?" he asked glancing over at her again.

"Nothing." She said with a forced smile.

"Elena don't lie to me, what is wrong?"

"Why did you act as if I was sitting there at the table with you?"

"I'm not understanding your question. Elena we talked most of the time we were there."

"When those other men came in you didn't bother acknowledging that I was there with you."

Lorenzo glanced over at her and could easily see that it really did bother her. Knowing this conversation was going to need all of his attention he pulled to the side of the road and placed the car in park. First he glanced around the road to see if there were any other cars. There was just one but it continued down the road. Lorenzo removed his seat belt then turned his body slightly to face her.

"I intentionally didn't introduce you to any of them." Lorenzo said calmly and noticed that it just upset her even more but he continued hoping she would understand. "Elena no one outside of the Moretti and Russo family have any idea what you look like. I rather keep it that way for as long as I can, it will keep you safer."

"Couldn't they figure that out when I'm out and your men are with me?" she asked in a curious voice.

"A few of the wives of my men have guards for that reason." Lorenzo said with sly smirk on his face. "Your refusal to use any of the credit cards that say you're a Moretti does help me. The other families will eventually have to meet you but I'm not worried about that."

Since taking over the family Lorenzo had the business booming and plenty of money rolling in to keep his ranks and the ranks within the Russo family happy. He had opened two additional casinos, several night clubs and hotels next to what they had already own from his father's reign. The transition to finally and fully merge the Russo and Moretti family was beginning. Lorenzo and Antonio knew Elena wouldn't be happy when she found out that with the merge she would have a more active role in his life. He wanted to tell her but Lorenzo didn't want to scare her away just yet.

"Be honest with me..." she said softly and he nodded his head. "Is that the reason why you never ask me to go anywhere with you?"

Lorenzo knew his answer was going to get her mad again but she wanted honest and he was going to give her what she wanted. "In the beginning I wanted this marriage as much as you did." He said hoping he didn't have to explain that part any further. "But lately it's because the few times I did ask you said no, that was the reason I didn't give you a choice this time."

"If you didn't want this then why did you agree?" Elena asked as she turned slightly in her seat belt to face him. "I'm sure unlike me you had a choice."

"Elena I won't tell all the reasons I chose this." Lorenzo said as he reached towards her a cupped her soft cheek. "There were five families that knew about this and three backed out because of your age. That left two men... myself and Jacob Vargas. Elena you were eighteen I was twenty-one and Vargas was 28."

"He is ten years older than I am." Elena said in a shock voice and Lorenzo nodded his head.

"I can guarantee you would not still be a virgin if you married him."

Just as Elena opened her mouth to say something a set of headlights caught Lorenzo's attention. When he glanced towards the windshield the vehicle coming towards them flipped on their high beams almost blinding Lorenzo and Elena. His gut told him there was a problem. Lorenzo's hand slid from Elena's cheek to the back of her neck and he yanked her down towards his lap and used his own body to shield her just as gunshots rang out.