Page 102 of Diavolo

"I'll check my schedule and get back to you," Elyse offered politely even though she had no intention of following through.

Seeming to pick up on Elyse's unease, Alessandro slid a protective arm around her waist, drew her close, and declined the invitation, "Stay away from my wife, Valentina. You are not allowed to steal a fucking minute of her time from me."

Valentina snickered. "Never thought anyone could turnyouinto such a clingy, little bitch."

Not missing a beat, Alessandro smiled. "Neither did I. But here I am. Clinging to my beautiful, brilliant wife. Like a little bitch."

The blonde cast a side-eyed glance in Elyse's direction while directing at Alessandro, "Can I say something that will piss you off?"

He closed his eyes and groaned, "Oh, fuck off already."

Glancing back at him, Valentina said it, anyway, "In all the years I have known you, you have yet to let any woman become adistraction. It would be a shame if somethingtragichappened to Dr. Romero,no?That is why you should not let her wield somuch power over your dick. You arecaponow. You must think with your head."

The blonde's threat sounded downright lethal. Animosity sparked between the three of them. Alessandro's eyes narrowed. He growled in low, threatening tones, "Valentina, un'altra parola su mia moglie e tua madre è morta."

"Se succede qualcosa a mia madre," Valentina returned smoothly, "anche tua moglie è morta."

Elyse tried to follow the flow of their Italian. She was only able to latch onto a few words.

If anything.

Mother.

Wife.

Dead.

The blonde's demeanor shifted into that of a vengeful harpy. "I wonder, brother, if you have informed Dr. Romero that the only reason you marriedherwas becauseIturned down the opportunity first."

What did she just say? As Elyse's eyes flickered with shock, Valentina turned to leave, tossing mockingly over her shoulder, "Enjoy the rest of your evening."

Elyse's chest burned with annoyance. Their evening had barely begun and already it felt ruined. She set her jaw and tried to follow Valentina into the villa, but Alessandro grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.

"It is not what you think. She is trying to get under your skin," he ground out tightly. "I have never touched Valentina. Nor have I ever proposed to her."

Then why had there been a blonde hair in the shower and a red bra by the bed in the Zurich villa? Perhaps, Valentina went there with another man. Or did Alessandro go there with another blonde? Elyse questioned, "Are you suggesting that your stepsister is lying?"

He grimaced. "Not exactly."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "What happened between you two?"

Alessandro sighed. "When we first learned of my father's diagnosis, Carmen tried to convince him to force a marriage on us. She wanted Valentina to inherit the clan through me."

Elyse scowled. "I know you're not blood-related, but—"

"Valentina and I shot down her mother's insanity right away," Alessandro explained quickly. "No one knows about it, not even Malina, and I would like to keep it that way."

"Please do not lie to me, Alessio. This kind of lie will break us."

"I know. That is why I am telling you the truth."

Elyse gazed at Alessandro. He looked sincere. He sounded sincere, too. She chose to trust her husband. Because to believe otherwise would mean that therewassomething alarming about his relationship with Valentina. Something that ran deeper than their rivalry for money and power as contenders for the Vitale throne. She nodded wearily. "I know how to keep my mouth shut."

Mischief sharpened Alessandro's handsome features as he praised, "That is my girl. I have always adored that mouth of yours."

Elyse's cheek warmed at his innuendo. Was Alessandro less upset with her now? As though the man had read her mind, he reached for her hand, enveloping it into his larger one with a gentle squeeze. Quietly, he asked, "Ready for battle?"

She glanced up at him with a small smile. "Always."

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