Page 37 of Diavolo

In a terrifyingly calm voice, he replied, "Do not look so surprised,angelo. I already told you what would happen to the fucker back in Queens."

Chills ran through her as she recalled a snippet from their conversation in Queens. Right after he woke up and noticed the bruises on her face.

I imagine they burn easily, too.

Elyse's mouth fell open. "Please don't tell me that you set him on fire."

"Just his hands. Then, I took out the right one. With an ax. And smashed in the left one. With a hammer. The fucker will never be able lay another fist on you.I warned him. If he so much as breathes in your direction again, I will put a bullet in him and—smile."

"You'd… smile?"

"At the sight of the hole in his head."

Her insides ran cold. At last, Elyse caught a glimpse of the darkness lurking beneath Alessandro's charming, poetic facade. Elyse swore under her breath, "Jesus fucking Christ."

"I thought you would be pleased about what I did to Michael Bianchi?"

Shewaspleased to hear about Mikey's demise. Elyse grimaced. She'd often dreamed about exacting revenge on Stefano and Mikey. But Elyse never believed that her twisted fantasies could become reality. Now that Mikey was gone from her life—most likely left for dead—it left her in a state of shock. She was a doctor by trade. Her purpose was to savelives. Not rejoice when someone was being maimed and possibly murdered. Conflict wrestled in her. There was an evil rising within. How much darkness could seep through before her soul lost its way?

Elyse gazed at Alessandro with a helpless expression. What about him? Was he a fallen angel? Or a devil through and through? Logic told her that villains like Stefano and Mikey could only be outplayed by a greater villain. "I don't know what to feel right now. All I know is that you frighten me a little. But thank you, I guess, for taking care of Mikey. I'm relieved that he won't be bothering me anymore."

"Please do not fear me. I would never harm you," he contended softly. "I may be a monster in many ways, but I strive to be a good man in your eyes. Let me be yourdiavolo, and I will treat you like myangelo."

The man had such a way with words. They wreaked havoc on her heart even when she knew better than to fall for a devil masquerading as an angel. Emotions were fickle. A bitch could get herself killed over emotions. Her mind kept reeling. "I wish I could believe you."

Right now, Alessandro was on her side. He wanted to marry her. Her branch on the Graviano family tree seemed to benefit his agenda. She'd also saved his life. In retrospect, however, Mikey had also saved Alessandro's life by carrying him to her apartment. Yet, Alessandro didn't hesitate to dispose of Mikey once he outlived his usefulness. Was she going to end up like Mikey? Elyse ignored her quickening pulse. If she ever stood in the way of Alessandro's end game, the bastard might turn on her, too.

"Youcanbelieve me," he insisted.

"Only time will tell," she replied with a shrug. "For now, there are more important matters to address."

"Such as?"

Taking a deep, steadying breath, Elyse suppressed the chaos of her thoughts and emotions. She needed to focus on the facts. She only wanted the facts. "How can you be so sure about me? What if I'm not even related to the Gravianos?"

"I had my men run a maternity test on you and your mother."

"Are you serious?"

"The results came back positive. Your DNA is a definitive match with Gianna Graviano. I can show them to you. If you wish."

This was the first time she'd heard anyone speak of her mother's name. Elyse's heart began to thud painfully. "Her name was… Gianna Graviano?"

He offered her a look of pity. "You never knew your mother's name?"

Elyse shook her head. "She left after I was born. My father never answered questions about her. He didn't like to talk about my mother. But I've always been curious. It's kind of sad. Not knowing if I was anything like her. Or if she was anything like me, you know?"

"You have her eyes," Alessandro remarked, "but you are far more beautiful."

Elyse wished his compliments didn't wield an effect on her, but she blushed all the same. "Thank you."

"It is the truth."

Still feeling flushed in her cheeks, Elyse tried to remain focused. "Did you ever meet… Gianna?"

She wanted to meet her mother.

"Not in person. I only saw photographs of her."

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