Page 19 of Diavolo

Her bluster faltered as she accused, "You played me."

He countered, "I simply presented an offer you could not refuse."

The bastard wielded words in the way she wielded surgical tools. Skillfully and strategically. He kept catching her off guard. It allowed him to drive the conversation. She was simply along for the ride. Elyse's brain was starting to hurt, trying to filter through the bullshit without losing sight of the facts. Herexpression tightened as she realized, "Your job offer was the bait, and I was desperate enough to bite. It's my fault for being so fucking dense. I should've known better. I want to trust you, but—"

"Then," he urged, "trust me."

If only she could. Nothing about her position as his physician felt legal or legitimate anymore, and staying in a remote chalet with a member ofCosa Nostraseemed borderline suicidal. "Easy for you to say."

"But do you really want to go back to New York?"

Green eyes flickered with fear. This question forced Elyse to reevaluate her stance. On one hand, Alessandro Vitale seemed as reliable as the Mancinis, which meant she didn't trust the bastard at all. On the other hand, Alessandro was the lesser of two evils. He hadn't threatened to kill her.Yet.In contrast, flying back to New York felt like a guaranteed death sentence. Luck was bound to run out, and Stefano would eventually follow through on his threats. If she was likely to end up dead either way, might as well die on her own terms. Her mind set. She had nothing to lose by sticking around. Just for a month or two. Elyse decided to give this job a shot and use this reprieve from the Mancinis to plan an escape from every single one of these fucking assholes.

Haltingly, she mumbled, "I suppose I don't have to resign. Right this moment."

He beamed in approval. "Does this mean you will stay?"

Stay at my side, and I promise you will not regret your decision.

"For now, yes."

Maybe it was time to lease her soul to a new devil. Elyse prayed his promise wouldn't prove false. Did Alessandro actually care about her well-being or was there another reason why he wanted to keep her close? She bit her lower lip with uncertainty. Elysedidn't know where she stood with him. She attempted to find out, "If I resigned in a few months, would you stop me from leaving?"

Alessandro's response was immediate,"SÌ."

His honesty alarmed her. She challenged, "Does this make me your employee? Or your hostage?"

He gave another non-answer, "You work for me. So you are mine to protect."

"You haven't answered my question."

"I would do everything in my power to convince younotto go," Alessandro confessed, "but I would never hurt you. If that is what weighs on your mind."

Elyse tried to read his face, searching for signs of deceit or fuckery, but he wore an impenetrable expression. She decided to set him up for a curveball. Just to see if it was possible to dent his armor. She glanced at his wrist. "That looks new."

He nodded. "Itisnew."

"Didn't know you had a thing for angels. Or swords."

"Never cared for them, actually," drawled Alessandro. "Until recently."

Elyse stole a glimpse at the winged blade again. "What made you change your mind?"

Brown and blue-gray eyes were riveted on her when he dared, "Take a guess."

Her heart gave a funny stutter. She ignored it.

"It's funny," Elyse remarked, clearing her throat, "because the first word you ever said to me was—angelo."

"I know."

"Why did you call me that?"

With a lopsided smile, he quipped, "I had a feeling you might bring me back from hell."

Their gazes met as the bond between savior and the saved deepened in ways that words couldn't capture. Softly, she prompted, "Can I ask you something?"

"Ask."

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