AN: I've rewritten this chapter like ten times because I wasn't happy with it. I'm kind of still not happy with it but I have to move pass this so I don't stress out about it. Please give me your thoughts about it if you get a chance. The next chapter should not take as long to come out seeing as all I have to do is fine tune it.

Thanks for all the votes and comments on the other chapters you guys are awesome!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After ending his call with the pilot Lorenzo and Elena spent a couple more hours sitting in his office. It was peaceful and quiet which surprised her, Elena laid there going in and out of sleep while he worked on his laptop. Lorenzo couldn't stay focused on the business books Rob brought him so he just conducted work on the new casino he was opening. He had finally decided on a name for the hotel and was supposed to be there when it was put on the building but with him staying home he had to make sure things went right before the opening of the casino there. Lorenzo had just finished sending an email when there was a knock on his office door.

"Come in." Lorenzo called out as he looked up from his laptop to the door.

"Boss, there is someone at the main gate for Mrs. Moretti." Vinny said as he entered the office.

Lorenzo looked over towards Elena who was starting to sit up. "Who is it?" she asked as she ran her fingers through her hair.

"Lauren Jones." Vinny said as he looked between the couple and noticed Lorenzo tense at the name mentioned. "What should I do?"

"Let her in." Elena said as she stood up, Vinny looked over at Lorenzo for conformation and Elena looked down at Lorenzo to see him not looking very keen on the idea of having Lauren there. "I'm not leaving the house with her I just need to talk to her." She said in a low voice to him.

"Let her through." Lorenzo said to Vinny as he kept his eyes on Elena. Vinny grunted an ok and left the two of them alone. "I don't like her and I sure as hell don't trust her, Elena."

"I know." Elena said as she sat back down, hoping to reason with him so they wouldn't fight about it. "I've been friends with her since grade school and I just need to clear something up with her."

"Alright." Lorenzo said reluctantly and Elena nodded while she stood up again. "If you leave I want one of the men with you."

"I already told you I'm not going anywhere and I meant that." Elena said and this time Lorenzo nodded.

Elena left the office and walked to the front door, she had no intentions of letting Lauren in the house. Lauren had been trying to contact her since she left the restaurant with Lorenzo that night. Elena had avoided all of Lauren's calls and didn't bother to read any of the messages she sent. She stood at the top of the stairs as Lauren's car came down the road then circled the driveway and parked. Lauren had a small smile on her face as she got out of her car and walked towards Elena.

"Do you think we could go to lunch and talk?" Lauren asked as she climbed the stairs. "You know... so we could be alone."

"No." Elena said as she crossed her arms over her chest and glanced over towards Vinny who had been standing out there.

"Would you like some privacy Mrs. Moretti?" Vinny asked and she nodded at him. "Alright, you need anything I'll be just inside the door."

"Thank you Vinny." Elena said with a small forced smile. When he went into the house Elena looked back at Lauren who had her eyebrow raised at her. "You've called to the point of me having to shut my phone off, what do you want?"

"What's up with you?" Lauren asked as she shook her head. "I thought I was doing you a favor that night."

"That was far from a favor." Elena snapped at her, remembering how much that night had changed things for her and Lorenzo. "I asked for no guards because you said they made you uncomfortable, he thinks I did it because I wanted to meet other men and now he doesn't trust me."

Lauren glanced around to make sure they were alone before speaking. They weren't completely alone but there wasn't much she could do about that. "Elena you were forced to marry Lorenzo Moretti and we all know that you're not happy with him." Lauren snapped at Elena in a low voice hoping no one could hear what she was saying to Elena. "I had those guys meet us there so you could see that there are real men out there that could make you happy. If you had given it a chance maybe would have seen that."

"I can't believe you would do that to me." Elena snapped at her in a much louder voice. "I could have lost my husband because of that damn stunt you pulled, you have no idea how much that changes things for Lorenzo and I."

"That was the damn point Elena, I was trying to help you find a way out of this prison you're stuck in." Lauren snapped back keeping her voice low out of fear Lorenzo would hear her. "He's an asshole and you deserve better, do you have any idea what Lorenzo does when he's not here... when you're not around him."

"Do not call Lorenzo an asshole ever again! In fact, if you ever disrespect my husband again to me or anyone else you will not like the outcome." Elena snapped as her arms dropped to her side and she took a step closer to Lauren.

"Elena, he brainwashed you into thinking this is all ok!" Lauren snapped as she gestured around the compound and the men that were strategically placed around them. "You think that guy going in the house gave you privacy... how about all of the men watching us? This can't be healthy for you."

"You have no idea what my life is like or what is healthy for me." Elena snapped.

"I know you don't love him." Lauren snapped loudly as a car pulled into the driveway and she lowered her voice to a whisper. "I know the man you do love is just as miserable as you are, he told me."

"I am not fucking miserable and I no longer love him. I am with Lorenzo and that's the end of this conversation." Elena snapped in a low voice as she glanced over to see Tony and Gino walking towards her. "Stay the hell out of my life, Lauren... you are the one making it miserable right now and I don't need it."

"Elena, everything alright?" Tony asked as he stepped closer to them.

"No." Elena said looking over to him. "I want her out of here. She is no longer welcomed anywhere near me, my home or my husband."

"You heard her." Gino said stepping between Lauren and Elena. "Walk to your car and leave now!"

"This is a mistake Elena and you know it." Lauren said backing away, Gino shook his head as he took a step closer. "I'm leaving." She said raising her hands and turned away from them.

Gino stepped back to stand next to Tony and they stood there watching Elena in silence. Elena stood there glaring at the car as Lauren pulled away momentarily forgetting about the two men that were standing there with her. When the car was out of sight Elena glanced over towards the men and they both gave her a small nod. No one said a word as Tony gestured for her to go in and they followed behind her. Elena went back to Lorenzo's office to let him know she was going to her room to make a call to Angel.

When dinner was served Lorenzo convince Elena to come down and eat with them in the dining room rather than sending food up to her. He had wanted her company but also wanted to make sure that she actually ate dinner. After dinner Elena excused herself again and went to her room. The day had been the longest she had ever been near Lorenzo other than when he was unconscious after being shot. What surprised her most was that they didn't even fight about anything once the whole time.

After laying in her bed for a while and not being able to sleep due to all the sleeping she had done earlier and the nightmares that plagued her dreams at night Elena decided to go sit out on the balcony for a while. She was hoping to not have to resort to drinking again.

Lorenzo was out on the balcony sitting down on the sofa staring out at the moon lit ocean when he heard the door open behind him open. He knew exactly who it was and smiled to himself, thinking back to the last week when he had hoped for this very thing every night.

"Is it alright if I join you?" Elena asked in a soft voice as she came around to the front of the sofa.

"Of course." Lorenzo said gesturing for her to have a seat. "Couldn't sleep?"

"No." Elena said as she sat down and curled her legs on the cushion between them. "Yourself?"

"It's early and I'm not used to being ready for bed at this time of night." Lorenzo said honestly and she just nodded her head as she looked out at the ocean.

"It's quiet around here tonight." Elena said with a quick glance at Lorenzo and seen him smile.

"Tony and a few of the guys are out trying to get some information I really want and the rest of the guys were told to scatter." Lorenzo said as he kicked his feet up on the table in front of them.

"I'm sure they told you about what happened with me and Lauren." Elena said glancing over at him and he nodded his head not bothering to be verbal about the subject. "Lorenzo why did you decide not to take the trip you obviously had planned?"

"Because I thought you wanted me to stay." Lorenzo said as he dropped his feet and turned towards her. "Do you?"

"Yes, I do." Elena said in a low voice, hoping she didn't come off pathetic. "My sisters come over Christmas eve but on Christmas day I'm alone."

"I never stood around for the holidays because I could see you didn't want me here. If I had known you weren't speaking to either of your parents I would have taken you with me to Italy, I would not have left you here alone."

"If you were going to see your parents, I don't want to stop you." Elena said shaking her head as she looked down at her hands.

"I was going to check on the casino before going to my parents' but none of that matters." Lorenzo said in soft voice. "I'm not going to leave you here alone for the holidays."

"Thank you." She said softly as she turned back towards the ocean.

The two of them stood quiet as they watched the calm ocean slowly become violent. Another storm seemed to be brewing and it kind of fit the mood she was in. Elena was still upset with Lauren and even was pissed to find out she had some kind of contact with Dante. It didn't bother her that they spoke, what bother her was that they spoke about her. The space she put between herself and Dante helped her forget about the life she wanted with him and it had to stay that way. The man currently sitting next to her was her life now and Elena was working on accepting that.

The days to follow had gone by so quick, the two of them had spent a little time each day with each other. It had all seemed to be going in the right direction for them again but Christmas morning things began to go in reverse. Elena woke up late and when she came down to breakfast she found Lorenzo's parents sitting at the table with him. That wasn't the problem... the problem she had was that Michael Moretti decided they needed to also invite her family. Spending the whole day with her parents was not something she wanted.

Lorenzo noticed that Elena had stood quiet throughout breakfast and then disappeared somewhere in the house afterwards. After a few hours of talking business with his father Lorenzo went in search of Elena hoping to get a few moments alone with her. Lorenzo asked the household staff and no one had seen her since breakfast and he had check the usual spots and still no sign of her. He checked her room one more time and again it was empty. Sucking in a deep breath Lorenzo stepped out on the balcony as he pulled his phone out with the intent to call Tony and Gino.

When he looked up towards the ocean he spotted the small figure sitting in the sand near the water. Pocketing his phone again Lorenzo went back through the house this time knowing exactly where to go. As he walked out the back of the house he heard someone calling his name but Lorenzo waved them off not caring who it was or what they wanted. His only concern at that moment was checking on Elena. Once he got to the edge of the sand Lorenzo looked down at his shoe covered feet, saying to hell with it to himself he removed his shoes and socks. Leaving them at the edge Lorenzo let his bare feet sink into the sand as he walked towards her.

Lorenzo sat down in the sand next to her and she remained silent looking out at the ocean. "I would have warned you if I had known they were coming and decided to invite you parents."

"I don't want my parents here." Elena said looking over at him. "There has to be a way you can stop this... I rather be alone than have to spend the day with them."

"There is nothing I can do about this." Lorenzo said shaking his head at her.

"I never ask you to do anything for me, please do this." She said pleading with him.

It broke Lorenzo's heart the way she had begged him to do something that was truly out of his control. He couldn't turn Russo away after his father had made the arrangements for the families to be together. "Elena it's just one damn day." Lorenzo said shaking his head knowing this was going to cause a fight between them.

"Forget I asked you for anything." Elena snapped as she stood up and stormed away from him.

Lorenzo sucked in a deep breath as he stood back up and followed behind her. After retrieving his shoes and socks then putting them back on Lorenzo followed behind her to the house. Elena was a good ten feet ahead of him and entered the house before he did. When he entered Elena had stopped just passed the door and stood frozen watching as her parents were greeted by his parents. Lorenzo placed his hand on her shoulder but Elena jerked away from him and turned with the intent of saying something but stopped when her mother spoke to her.

"Elena are you going to greet us?" Camila said as the two sets of parents looked towards the couple.

Elena sucked in a deep breath as she plastered a fake smile to her face and turned towards them. Feeling like the last thing she wanted was to answer question about her hostility towards her parents kept her from ignoring them. Lorenzo closed his eyes for a moment before following behind her as she greeted both of them with quick hugs and a hello. Lorenzo greeted them after she did and the tension between Antonio and Lorenzo was felt by everyone. Christmas had not gone as planned for either one of them, Elena was forced to be civil with her parents and Lorenzo had to control his temper with Antonio.

Michael had known of the situation that had been going on and felt the need to step in to keep his son from screwing up all he had done to make the transition smooth for both families. Lorenzo short temper had come from his mother's side of the family and there were times it drove Michael crazy having to deal with it. In the short time Lorenzo has had the reigns of the Moretti family his reputation for being ruthless had spread quickly and now the power he had and was gaining was sure to bring more enemies and the Russo family had to be able to trust him. By the end of the day Lorenzo and Antonio had an understanding with each other and a bit of a truce that both knew would only last as long as Russo controlled his family.

When New Year's eve rolled around Elena and Lorenzo were barely speaking again. They both went their separate ways for the night but fate had its way of intervening. Gino had gone with Elena and Angel for the evening and kept his mouth shut when they entered the same club Lorenzo had planned to be at also.

When Lorenzo arrived he was in shock to see them there but kept his distance from them allowing Elena to have a stress free night. He watched from his spot in the VIP area as she enjoyed herself, he didn't worry too much because Gino had always been within five feet of her. Lorenzo kept his eyes on her body as it swayed to the music in the tight black dress she wore. She had been dancing with her sister and a couple of other friends that were with them. When the clock began to inch its way closer to midnight Lorenzo stood up from his seat and made his way to the dance floor. A few ladies tried to gain his attention as he walked through the crowd but Lorenzo's eyes stood locked on the one woman he planned kissing when the clock struck twelve.

Just as the countdown began Lorenzo came to a stop in front of Elena and she had looked up at him in surprise. Right when everyone reached one and screamed happy new year Lorenzo reached up for her face and held it softly between his hands as he leaned down placing his lips against hers.

The room had seemed to fade away for Elena as his soft lips meet hers, again that feeling of want began creeping into her body. Her eyes fluttered close as he deepened the kiss and their lips moved in sync with each other. Just as Elena reached up to place her hand on his cheek his lips pulled back enough to speak but still kept contact with her.

"Happy New Year." He said in a low voice.

Just when Lorenzo's lips made contact with Elena's again they were interrupted. "Lorenzo, we have a problem." Tony said in a low voice, he hated that he had to break up the moment but he wasn't given much of a choice.

Lorenzo quickly pulled back but still held Elena in place. "What are you talking about?" Lorenzo asked glaring at Tony.

"Jacob Vargas and few of other Vargas men are causing trouble in one of the VIP areas." Tony said as he glanced towards the area. "He's fucking drunk and demanding to see you."

"Fuck." Lorenzo snapped as he released Elena's face and turned towards Gino who was now standing there with Angel next to him. "Take my wife home." He said as he turned back to Elena. "Don't fight me on this, I don't want you here if any trouble breaks out."

"Ok." She said sounding out of breath and he couldn't help the small smirk that came to his lips.

"Lorenzo nodded at he looked back at Gino again. "Keep her safe."

"I will Boss." Gino said as he began to lead the ladies away.

Lorenzo stood there watching them for few moments before turning back to Tony. "Sorry Lorenzo." Tony said shaking his head. "I tried to handle it but I didn't want him causing a fucking scene."

"I'm going to cause the fucking scene now." Lorenzo snapped as he stormed towards the area Jacob Vargas was in.