The Mafia King's Unknown Doctor Wife novel Chapter 272

"Do you want that for Elena?" Noah asked. "Do you want the woman you love to live in a constant war zone?"

Massimo didn't know what to say to that. For the first time in Massimo's life, he broke eye contact first.

Noah sighed. "Listen, I don't need an answer for this deal right away. You can think about it for a bit—but I do want an answer, Massimo, and I think it should be the right one."

Elena and Massimo didn't talk much during the next work week. It was odd enough that even Luca cracked a few jokes about the tension—and then switched to privately asking both of them if everything was okay.

Elena, for her part, had just smiled and told him not to worry about it.

Sloane had told her the deal Noah had presented Massimo with. Elena didn't know what to make of it. In fact, she tried not to think about it at all.

Because if she thought about it, Elena would inevitably focus on how Massimo could send her away at any moment. And then she would have to wonder if that would be such a terrible thing.

Elena didn't know what she wanted. Obviously, she wants to be safe. She wants to be free—to not worry about gun violence and kidnapping and people wanting her dead.

But she couldn't help worrying about Massimo. How would his reputation survive if his Mafia Queen suddenly disappeared? Would he be able to handle all the social aspects of running the mafia without her?

What would happen to Massimo if she just left?

The thing that broke their silence was a letter—specifically, an invite to a small party held by Don Grasso.

"We need to go to this," Massimo had said, his voice stilted and awkward—nearly identical to the tone he used when they first met.

Elena had only nodded meekly in response. She knew the movement must've looked forced, so she replied, "Of course, we need to project unified power before the winter party."

Elena couldn't so much as correctly predict who Massimo would want to talk to. It felt like he was picking out conversation partners at random.

The music picked up and couples flooded the dance floor. Massimo guided Elena wordlessly there, too. Then he guided her through a dance.

Elena was sure it looked beautiful, flawless even. But she felt stiff as cardboard.

Then, without warning, Massimo leaned in close to her. Elena's breath hitched.

The music died down, letting her hear him clearly.

"Don't panic," Massimo whispered, "but there's something I need to tell you."