The Devil's CrownPart Two - Monica James Page 0,20

soon as I saw an out. I just wanted the pain to end.

However, drunk, Santo came to me, apologizing for his brutality, revealing his grand plan and what he intended to do to Alek. He shared all this, thinking I would somehow be impressed, and he could win my love by killing the man who found me and “gave” me to Santo.

I told Santo that Alek had forced me to surrender myself to Santo, promising a world of pain if I didn’t. And Santo believed me. He thought he had Alek fooled, that their partnership is for Alek’s benefit as well as his. But the truth is, I’m fooling them both.

Santo forgot about his confession about Alek, but I hadn’t. So I agreed to become his mistress and the only way to do that is to marry Frank. Mila can’t know about this arrangement. She would never allow her youngest son’s former fiancée to be the mistress of her husband.

The scandal would ruin them.

So this is the only solution for me to be involved with the Macrillo family without suspicion. I marry Frank and entertain his father behind his back.

Tears roll down my cheeks because I’m disgusted that to prove my loyalty to both men, I’ve had to subject myself to their devious tastes. I’ve flirted with both and allowed them to touch me, kiss me, and I hate myself for it. But the moment I saw Alek tonight, I pushed aside my regret because I’ll do anything to save the man I love.

And I do. I love Alek so much that I can scarcely breathe at times. So this is a small sacrifice I’m willing to make because this is only temporary.

I could have told Alek the truth, but his life, all our lives are in danger if we don’t have eyes on the inside. If I learned anything from this entire experience, it’s that being in the inner circle and playing both sides is a winning formula.

That’s how Serg was able to trick Alek. He had Renata. And now, Alek has me.

I’ll learn everything there is about the mafia, about who Santo has ties with, and when I have enough information, I’ll tell Alek. Now, all I have is the drunken confession of an old fool. I need proof. And I need to earn the Macrillos trust because I plan on killing every last motherfucking one of them.

If I tell Alek now, what happens? He has no real allies. Santo is stronger than him. He has more influence. Alek needs to reinstate his position back on top so he’s unstoppable. Right now, he’s a sitting duck. Henry’s defiance proves this.

Alek has four friends, four loyal friends who will lay down their lives for him, but it’s not enough. They can’t win against Santo. Not now. But in time, they will.

As utterly insane as this sounds, Alek needs Santo. Santo will take out Raul because he needs him out of the picture. Alek can’t do that on his own. He tried, and he almost lost his life. He needs allies, and Santo is that man.

Santo thinks he’s using Alek, but I’m using Santo to help Alek. It’s a Machiavellian plan, but it’ll work. Until I have everything I need to overthrow the Macrillos, I have to play this game. And Alek will believe me, he’ll believe that I don’t want him anymore because he doesn’t believe himself worthy of love.

He sees himself in the worst possible light when, in reality, he’s the most selfless, most honorable man I’ve ever met. What he does to protect the people he loves proves this. He doesn’t see his worth because when he looks into the mirror, all he sees is the man he once was.

It was nice to hear him confirm what I always knew to be true. I just needed to see it for myself. I was riddled with jealousy when he kissed Willow, and it clouded my judgment. But I always knew Alek was trying to push me away to save me.

I thought I was doing the same by handing myself over to Santo. I just didn’t realize Alek devised a plan with Raul. If I did, I would have insisted Santo find Alek earlier. He was lucky to get there in time. Santo saved Alek’s life, only with intent to steal it once he’s milked him for his worth.

This plan is far from perfect, but until I can think of something else, it’ll have to do. Besides, if I