His Collateral

Chapter 24

Alessandro's P.O.V:
(The Next Day....)
The lawyer sat across from me, his brow furrowed and his expression grim. He watched as I typed away at my computer, my fingers moving quickly across the keyboard. The silence hung heavy in the air between us. I knew what he was going to say.

The lawyer's voice was steady and deliberate, but a hint of concern lingered beneath the surface. "Proceeding with this case means the entire truth will be exposed, including your involvement with the loan shark business," he cautioned.

I nodded, focusing intently on him. "I'm aware of that and I'm prepared for the consequences," I replied firmly.

The lawyer's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze probing. "Are you certain? A jail sentence is a possible outcome," he pressed.

I met his gaze unwaveringly. "I understand the risks and I'm willing to accept them," I affirmed.

"And have you considered telling your wife?"

I shook my head. "Not yet. If Bella finds out, she might try to dissuade me from pursuing this," I admitted.

The lawyer pondered my words, his expression thoughtful. "So, you're willing to take this risk?" he asked, seeking confirmation.

I took a deep breath and nodded resolutely. "It's a risk I must take," I said.

The lawyer nodded. "Very well."

If going to jail was the price I had to pay for helping Bella and getting justice for my brother Vincenzo, then so be it.

Bella's P.O.V:

The next day, Christy had taken the photographs of my back and handed them over to Alessandro. A representative from the precinct had also visited that morning to collect my statement, which would be submitted alongside the evidence. Meanwhile, Alessandro was in a meeting with his lawyer, discussing the case against Aldo, Aunt Theresa, Luca, and Marion. I tried to distract myself, but my mind kept wandering back to the case and everything that had transpired.

As I lay on the bed, lost in thought, I heard a gentle knock on the door. "Come in," I called out.

Christy entered, closing the door behind her, and approached the bed with a concerned expression. "I thought you were sleeping. How are you feeling?" she asked, her voice soft with empathy.

I struggled to find the right words, shrugging instead. "I'm feeling nervous," I admitted. "It's hard to accept that the people I once considered family might face life imprisonment."

Christy sat beside me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "They're not your family, Bella. You have us now – Alessandro and me. We're here for you, no matter what happens. You're not alone." Her words brought a sense of comfort, and I smiled.

"Let's change the subject," Christy said, sensing my need to move on from the heavy topic. "What are you going to do now that you'll be getting back everything your parents left you, including the company?" She asked.

I hadn't really thought about it before, but now that the possibility was there, I began to wonder what I would do with it all.
"I'm not sure," I admitted, my voice laced with uncertainty. "I don't feel qualified to run a company like that. I only have a high school education and no business experience."

Christy nodded thoughtfully, her expression encouraging. "Have you considered furthering your education? Maybe pursuing a college degree?"

I smiled weakly, feeling a glimmer of doubt. "It sounds nice, but isn't it too late for me to start?"