Page 111 of Diavolo

Elyse demanded, "Who's trying to start a war?"

"Carmen and Domenico."

"What?"

Elyse's frown deepened as her mind began to work. Was Alessandro suggesting that Carmen had secretly aligned herself with Domenico Berlusconi He explained further, "They used Cara to threaten you. To hurt me.You are my weakness. Carmen knows it. Domenico knows, too."

An unsettling suspicion rushed over Elyse. It soon transformed into a bombardment of eye-opening realizations. To start a war, one needed to fan the flames. Insurrections could only spark after the firing of the first shot. Had Cara's overdose been a ruse? To give the Berlusconis a reason to break their alliance with the Vitales? It seemed Carmen and Domenico intended for Cara to die that night. Elyse's stomach churned with disgust at this possibility. If it proved true, she'd stomped all over their plans by saving Cara. Was this why they sent Cara to kill her at Mariposa's party?

Anxiously, Elyse ventured to ask, "The Berlusconis never wanted to make peace with us, did they?"

"They are out for blood," Alessandro confirmed quietly. "I believe Domenico intends to challenge me. He wants to becapo. And Carmen is now allied with him."

25

Elyse and Alessandro layin bed with their bodies entwined. The chill between them was thawing at last. After days of strain and silence, they were finally ready to unpack the unresolved matters that had been driving them apart, and it wasn't going to be an easy conversation.

"Your father isn't dead yet," Elyse remarked in sharp tones. "Isn't Carmen taking a huge risk by betraying us?"

Bitterness clouded Alessandro's handsome features as he replied, "It would appear my stepmother's greed for power overwhelms everything else. Desperation is driving her to be reckless. She knows her days are numbered with my father's condition."

A sense of foreboding sank in as Elyse mulled over the sinister insight lurking behind her husband's words. Carmen had been more than willing to use Cara as a sacrificial lamb. She'd also abandoned her dying husband for Domenico's greener pastures without batting an eye. Her ruthlessness made Elyse reconsider the vow she'd made not long ago.Never harm another woman over a man.Her conscience clenched with alarm. Already, shewas cracking under pressure. She'd attacked Cara the other night. It was a kill or be killed kind of moment. Would she end up taking the crazy bitch's life next time they crossed paths?

With a slight shiver, Elyse left her question unanswered. She feared the answer might confirm her willingness to mimic Carmen's savagery. Suddenly, she wanted to know where Alessandro stood on these gray-as-fuck matters of morality. "I understand Cara has already been punished for what she did, but…"

Alessandro laughed darkly. "Are you referring to the little scratch I put on her shoulder? That is nothing. Her punishment has yet to come."

She gave a pause. "Are you planning to kill her?"

What Elyse really wanted to ask was—would you kill me if I ever fucked up?Alessandro didn't answer her directly, but his meaning was clear when he explained, "I amcaponow. If some bitch dares to touch you, inaction on my part would be seen as weakness. When the timing is right, Cara will pay."

"But she loves you."

"It does not matter."

My allegiance always lies first with the cosca. Not a woman.Her chest grew tight. Now, Elyse saw where she stood with him as well. "I almost feel sorry for her."

"Believe it or not," he echoed quietly, "I pity her as well. Cara has always been her brother's pawn. He was the one who offered her up to Carmen."

Eyes wide, Elyse asked, "Domenico was willing to let Carmen kill his sister?"

"Sì."

"That's fucking psychotic."

Alessandro shrugged. "To men like Domenico, a life is worthless unless it can be exchanged for profit. He sees nothing wrong with sacrificing family. Especially if the gains outweighhis losses. Cara's husband recently passed, which means she lost him an ally, and she is too old to be married off again. It is fucked up, but Domenico no longer sees value in her."

Elyse gaped at Alessandro. The harshness of this reality felt staggering. It seemed Cara's brother had been ready to use her one last time, to start a war with Alessandro, and there was nothing the poor bitch could do about it. Because Domenico held the power. And Cara wielded none of her own. To avoid Cara's fate, was Carmen's way the only way for a woman to acquire power in this world? Elyse lifted her gaze to Alessandro's face. "Do you think that—"

I'll end up like Carmen or Cara?She stopped herself. Elyse didn't know if she was ready to pursue the answer. Alessandro pressed, "What is it,cuore mio?"

Elyse chickened out. She chose to pivot. "What do you think Domenico will do next?"

"My family owns a few clubs and hotels throughout Europe. I have been told that he intends to wrestle those establishments away from me. One by one."

Suspicion rose in her. "Who gave you this information?"

"Do you remember Aberto De León?"

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