Page 101 of Diavolo

As her suggestive words registered in his brain, Alessandro's head whipped around at lightning speed. He glared down at her suspiciously. "Why this sudden change of heart?"

Alessandro's eyes were dark with desire, but his voice still thrummed in anger. With wide, sincere eyes, Elyse offered awkwardly, "As I said earlier, I was wrong to—"

She didn't have the opportunity to finish her apology, though. They'd arrived at the front door. It swung open before either of them could knock or ring the bell. Valentina stood in the doorway, smirking in her blonde and blue-eyed glory. "Ah, Dr. Romero. We meet again."

She addressed her asDr. Romero. NotSignora Vitale. From anyone else's mouth, Elyse would've preferred the former, but, from Valentina, it felt like an intentional insult. The bitch was refusing to recognize her status as Alessandro's wife.

"Good to see you again, Ms. Rizzo," Elyse returned politely, careful not to let her face betray any animosity.

Valentina turned away from Elyse. She only had eyes for Alessandro. In Italian, she cooed at him,"Mi dispiace di aver saltato il matrimonio, fratello."

Alessandro arched an eyebrow at his stepsister. "Sono sicuro che avevi cose migliori da fare, Valentina."

Valentina's expression turned bitter and strained. "Avrei dovuto essere io in piedi accanto a te ... all'altare."

Elyse froze slightly at Valentina's last remark. She couldn't pick up every word, but she understood enough to gather the gist of it.

Me.

Standing beside you.

Altar.

The fuck?

23

Green eyes darted betweenValentina and Alessandro as they carried on their exchange in Italian. Elyse didn't want to let the blonde get under her skin, but it wasn't easy to stand by and watch her husband act so familiar with another woman. Even if that woman was his stepsister. Discomfort only deepened when she took in Valentina's gorgeous sequined cocktail dress. The silver shine of the blonde's outfit matched the gray hue of Alessandro's blazer and trousers almost perfectly. Valentina and Alessandro's outfits mirrored each other a little too nicely for Elyse's liking.

Valentina and Alessandro would've made a breathtaking couple. Valentina's fairness contrasted beautifully against Alessandro's darker features. Height-wise, they were a better fit as well. In red-soled black stilettos, Valentina stood nearly as tall as Alessandro. Elyse barely grazed his shoulder in her heels. She was a mere mortal standing in the shadow of a golden goddess.

More than anything, though, Elyse wished that she could understand what the two of them were saying. She wasbeginning to feel like a third wheel. With a cough, she placed a hand on her husband's shoulder. "Alessio?"

Valentina's jaw ticked. "Just so you are aware,Dr. Romero, your new husband hates nicknames. He prefers to be addressed as—Alessandro."

Not looking at the blonde, Alessandro laughed darkly. Brown and blue-gray eyes stayed on Elyse while addressing his stepsister, "You are right, Valentina.I have always despised nicknames. They suggest intimacy when there is none.But you are also wrong.I do not mind so much when someone of significance uses them.My wifecan call me whatever the fuck she wants."

"Like… asshole?" Valentina muttered.

Ignoring the slight, Alessandro asked Elyse, "What can I do for you,cuore mio?"

Valentina's expression soured even more at his use of the endearment. Elyse flushed under their scrutiny. More daggers from the blonde. Feigned adoration from her husband. He was probably still fuming beneath his calm veneer. Trying to maintain composure as well, Elyse suggested to Alessandro, "Shouldn't we head inside and sayhelloto Ms. De León first? I don't want to keep the hostess waiting."

In a statesmanlike manner, Alessandro smiled down at her,warmly, as thougheverything was fineandall was forgiven. "As you wish."

Again, Elyse suspected Alessandro was biting back anger for appearances' sake. It pleased her, though, to know that her husband was willing to present a united front in public. With a cool, serene smile of her own that gave nothing away, Elyse turned to Valentina. "It was lovely running into you tonight. I hope to see more of you in the days to come."

Valentina scowled at Elyse. "Nothing would give me more pleasure."

Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.Elyse's smile broadened as Malina's warning slid across her mind. "Perhaps, we might even become friends."

Valentina studied Elyse like a snake eyeing a mouse. "You and I are more than friends, Dr. Romero. We have become sisters."

Alessandro watched over their back-and-forth rally with alarm on his face. Elyse nodded. "Exactly. You're my family now."

Blue eyes gleamed with malicious intent. "We may be family, but you remain a mystery to me, Dr. Romero. I wouldloveto get to know you better. We should grab lunch sometime. Just the two of us."

A lunch date with Valentina sounded like a fucking trap, much in the way Carmen had thrown a party to murder Cara and blame Elyse for her death.

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