The Mafia King's Unknown Doctor Wife novel Chapter 279

Elena had been trying to forget about Massimo. With Sloane suddenly bringing him up—along with the topic of the deal neither one of them had acknowledged, Elena suddenly felt tired. She didn't have the heart to lie to her mother.

"We haven't talked about it," Elena said. "Not at all."

Sloane frowned, visibly disappointed. "Is there a reason for that?" Sloane prodded, voice slow and even.

Elena appreciated that even when Sloane was upset, she did her best to stay calm. How could she have ever thought such a caring person might be dangerous?

"I... don't know," Elena confessed. "I mean, it's all so sudden, and then there's the issue of me being the Mafia Queen... Things could go really badly."

"Noah and I can make sure you're not recognized," Sloane promised. "Heck, you've seen my wardrobe—we could completely change up your style if you're still worried about being spotted."

"No, well, yes that's helpful," Elena stumbled, "but I mean that things could go badly for Massimo. Between the rumors of the feds bringing up a case against him and now Tyler directly attacking him, I'm worried."

Even though Elena knew how much her mother hated the mafia, she couldn't help but voice her fears for the Don of All Dons. And once she started, she couldn't stop. She got her mother caught up on the latest of Tyler's schemes—from his attack at the D'Amico estate to the gunner at the Grasso's dinner party.

"It's all just so much more direct and violent," Elena stated. "It makes me wonder if there's a line he won't cross. Or if he's planning something much more cruel and bloody."

"I understand why you're nervous," Sloane said, squeezing her daughter's hand. "I would be, too. But isn't this an even more pressing reason to leave?"

Sloane slowed her pace, forcing Elena to follow her lead. Her mother looked directly into her eyes.

"You've been lucky so far," Sloane continued solemnly. "You could die if you stay with the Ferraros."

Elena didn't have a response to that. She knew what her mother was saying was true, but the words wouldn't come out of her throat.

Instead, Elena just resumed her normal walking pace.

"Besides," Sloane said, clearly sensing that she needed to change topics, "if Massimo takes Noah's deal, his operation will look clean money-wise. And that's what the feds tend to get criminals on. With money that can't be traced back to mafia dealings, Massimo can make any problem Tyler tries to pin on him disappear."

"Really? If she's so beautiful, why haven't you taken her out on another date yet?"

"Because both workaholics—we're both as gorgeous as we are perpetually busy."

"But maybe sometimes soon? We could meet up?" Elena texted hopefully.

"I'm working on it. Don't worry. It'll happen as soon as I finish up some details."

Elena sighed in relief. "I wish I could introduce you to my parents—they'd love you," Elena confessed. "Though I understand we're nowhere near that stage."

She knew Max wasn't over whatever social anxiety or self-confidence issues he had. But she couldn't help wanting a normal life with him—and that meant all the boring little things like meeting her parents and having dinner with them.

She felt a little guilty that Massimo had already done these things. But she knew better than to bring that up with Max—he'd just insist she had nothing to be guilty about in the first place, which would make Elena feel a little worse about it all.