Page 25 of Diavolo

Elyse's eyes fluttered in surprise. "Thanks for letting me know. I'll prepare accordingly."

Her employment contract had outlined that traveling alongside her employer would be part of her duties. Elyse felt obligated to honor it since Alessandro hadn't asked anything of her since she started working for him.

"May I ask," she prompted, "where we'll be going? And for how long? Just so I know what to prepare."

"We will be spending seven days in Paris," he replied.

His gaze swept critically over her threadbare T-shirt and unkempt appearance. "On second thought, do not pack anything. I will have Malina take you shopping first. We need to upgrade your wardrobe."

Elyse arched an eyebrow. "What's wrong with my clothes?"

"If you are to be seen with me in public," he explained, "you must look the part."

She frowned. "I didn't realize public appearances were part of my job description."

His jaw ticked several times. "You will be attending a few black-tie events with me."

This sounded like an order. Not a request. Elyse scoffed quietly, "Don't you have an army of glamorous women—lined up out the door, I imagine—for that sort of thing? I'll accompany you to Paris, Mr. Vitale, as your physician. But please save the new clothes and black-tie invites for your girlfriends.”

With stormy eyes, Alessandro stalked toward her bed, stopping at the very edge of the mattress. "I do not have a girlfriend. Nor am I looking for one."

He glowered down at her with contempt. Or was it another emotion? Elyse couldn't be sure, but the way Alessandro was piercing her with his glare sent her heart racing. "Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you, I only meant to say—"

"If I had not knocked on your door tonight," he growled, "how much longer would you have kept yourself from me?"

Green eyes grew wide. She protested, "I've been ready to offer my services from day one, Mr. Vitale. You never approached me, though, and I didn't want to get in your way. You seem to be a busy man."

"I expect daily physicals from now on," Alessandro barked. "I am not paying out this ungodly amount of money for you to sit on your pretty ass all day!"

Daily physicals seemed excessive for a healthy man in his prime, but Elyse decided not to fight Alessandro on the matter. She'd save her strength for a more important battle. Smiling to mask her true feelings, Elyse supplied agreeably, "I'll set up a schedule for us right away."

His jaw relaxed slightly. “About fucking time."

7

The next morning, Malinaknocked on Elyse's door at five o'clock sharp. "Dr. Romero? Are you awake?"

Elyse buried her face into her pillow. Her physical with Alessandro wasn't scheduled until three in the afternoon. What did Malina want at this ungodly hour?

"Dr. Romero," the housekeeper called again, "I am sorry to bother you, but it is time to get up."

Elyse dozed on, pretending not to hear a word, but Malina refused to give up. "Nils is ready to drive you to Zurich. We need to leave in ten minutes to make our 9 am appointment."

Green eyes flew open. They had an appointment? With a disgruntled sigh, she rolled out of bed to unlock her door. As it swung open, Elyse stared at Malina with suspicion. "Why was I not informed of this appointment in Zurich?"

Malina smiled brightly. "Oh! But you were. Didn'tSignor Vitaletell you last night that we would be going shopping today? The boutiques in Crans-Montana are quite limited in their selection. Zurich offers much finer goods and services."

On second thought, do not pack anything.As Alessandro's condescending remarks echoed through her head, realization cut through confusion.I will have Malina take you shopping first.She grimaced. "I see."

"I apologize for the short notice."

"It's fine. Please give me ten minutes to get ready. Then, we can get on our way."

To Elyse's surprise, however, it wasnotMalina who ended up accompanying her to Zurich. As she approached the Benz, a pair of brown and blue-gray eyes locked on to her. A scowling Alessandro stepped out of the vehicle to open the door for Elyse and help her inside. She hesitated before taking his hand.Fuck.The backseat had never felt smaller with Alessandro's large, powerful body sitting beside her. Making matters worse, his shitty mood from the night before hadn't improved at all. The air felt suffocating. Elyse attempted to make small talk, "How are you today, Mr. Vitale?"

"I am doing,"he grumbled in mocking tones, "wonderfully."

It took Elyse a beat or two to realize that Alessandro was mimicking her response from the evening prior. Cautiously, she prodded, "Did you not sleep well last night?"

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