Page 119 of Diavolo

Her fingers started toying with the winged sword on his wrist. Tracing the blade. Caressing each intricate feather. Skin kissed skin. Again and again. A restless tension continued to rise between them. "Which is?"

Their vehicle was now approaching the city center. Lively, colorful open-air markets sitting amid ancient Norman and Arab-influenced palaces and cathedrals soon came into view.

"Domenico owns a chain of bars and restaurants in Messina and Siracusa."

A click of comprehension went off in Elyse's mind. "You want to claim his businesses before he goes after yours..."

"But of course."

Elyse grimaced. "He'll probably put up one hell of a fight."

Alessandro gritted his jaw. "We are already at war. Bloodshed will be inevitable. Some of Domenico's men will die. Some of mine may die as well."

Like Monte? Or Luca?Dios, she hoped not. Some women were probably going to die as well. Distress sank into her bones. "What are you planning to do about Carmen?"

"I intend to let my stepmother dig her own grave."

Suddenly, Mariposa's cryptic comment from the other night surged in Elyse's mind.She knows your mother-in-law is a dead woman walking.

"Are you going to kill her?"

Alessandro turned to Elyse with cold eyes. "She will no longer be under my protection. If that is what you wish to know."

Did her husband intend to throw Carmen to the wolves? She inquired, "What about Valentina?"

Alessandro coughed. "If she chooses to stand with her mother, then..."

Elyse caught his drift. If Valentina chose mother overcosca, then the blue-eyed blonde would go to the wolves as well.

"I see."

Alessandro eyed Elyse with a steady look. "What do you think of me now? Knowing what I intend to do?"

Her husband needed to act before his foes gathered too much momentum against him. Villains like Domenico and Carmen had no problem with sacrificing innocent lives. It was entirely possible they were the ones who orchestrated the hit on Alessandro when he first came to her apartment in Queens.

Elyse met Alessandro's gaze with a heavy heart. "I wish we were not in this position, but I understand what must be done."

If her husband didn't strike first, he might die by Domenico's hand. Or someone else's. They wouldn't be safe until Alessandro's hold on his father's crown was secure.

A grimace stretched across her husband's face. "I did not want you to see this side of me."

She grimaced, too. "I just don't want to see you hurt again."

"I will be careful," Alessandro replied, "if not for my sake, then, for yours."

Elyse's frown furrowed deeper. Her husband could never be careful enough for her liking. He'd vowed to grow old together. A sweet, empty promise. Yet, Elyse hoped to see him hold true to his word. She wondered how long Carmen and Domenico's plans against Alessandro had been brewing. "Do you know who shot you?"

He smirked. "I have been targeted many times. Which incident are you referring to?"

Elyse wasn't able to smile back. Her stomach felt sick at the thought of him in constant danger. "The one you came to me in Queens."

He paused before admitting, "I know who did it."

Her green eyes flickered with concern. "Who?"

"A hitman named Tommy Wilkes."

Elyse's eyebrows lifted. "Who was Tommy working for?"

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