Page 79 of Diavolo

Mariposa wore her heart on her sleeve. She was an emotional player. She was also the first to lose all of her chips.

Cara wasn't a bad player, per se, but she wanted to win too badly. It clouded her judgment. She bowed out shortly after Mariposa.

It seemed neither of them had been losing to Mrs. Vitale on purpose. They were simply inferior players. Elyse hoped this foolhardy nature of theirs translated to real life as well.

Mrs. Vitale and Elyse were now the last ones sitting at the poker table. She glanced over to Elyse. "Do you play cards often,Elisa?"

"Not as often as I used to," Elyse answered honestly.

"You are clearly skilled," she remarked with a sly grin. "I may have underestimated you."

Elyse kept her expression even and neutral. "Thank you, but it's probably beginner's luck."

One of Mrs. Vitale's maids sauntered over with an opulent silver tray. Lines of fine white powder sat upon the surface. The maid offered the tray to each of the ladies. Both Mrs. Vitale and Cara leaned over to inhale the substance. Mariposa declined. So did Elyse. Mrs. Vitale giggled and sighed happily as she floated away on a cloud of euphoria.

"Let us play one more round," she suggested.

Elyse studied her warily. "If you insist..."

"But we must raise the stakes!"

Alarm flickered through Elyse. Their chip piles were fairly evenly matched. Her mind began to race. She doubted that Mrs. Vitale was referring to her chips. What did the womanreallywant from her?

"What did you have in mind?" Elyse inquired uneasily.

With huge, glowing pupils, Mrs. Vitale raised her hand to show off the large glinting diamond on her ring finger. It was even bigger than the rock Alessandro had given Elyse. She smiled like a beautiful blonde serpent, hissing sweetly, "My ring.For yours."

Elyse surveyed Mrs. Vitale with the rigid kind of watchfulness that a small mouse might reserve for a large hungry feline. She tried to dissuade her opponent, "Your ring is much nicer than mine. It wouldn't be a fair trade."

"You are right. I do not need your pitiful stone," Mrs. Vitale agreed arrogantly, "but,maybe, I simply do not wish foryouto have it."

Elyse blinked. "That's surprisingly honest of you."

Mrs. Vitale smirked. "We are to be family,no?Secrets should not exist between us."

Elyse's mouth straightened into a taut crease. "I can't agree to your terms."

"Why not?"

"The stakes are too high," Elyse stated in flat tones, "and people should never bet on anything that they can't afford to lose."

Mrs. Vitale tutted, "You must learn to take risks,Elisa, if you wish to thrive in our world."

"I'm sure I'll manage," Elyse replied smoothly. "We can bet on something else, though. If you want."

Mrs. Vitale leaned toward Elyse with a fiendish grin. "Such as?"

Just then, the same maid from earlier reappeared at their table with her silver tray of powder. Mariposa and Elyse declined once more. This time, Mrs. Vitale waved her away as well. Cara was the only one to take another hit.

A second later, Cara slammed her palm on the table—making Elyse jump—and shrieked at her in a shrill, coked-out voice,"Who cares if you gamble away your stupid ring? Ask Alessandro for a new one. WhenIwas his woman, he pampered and spoiled me likeuna principessa."

Monte growled at Cara, "Mostra un po 'di rispetto. O altro."

Cara simpered at him."Non volevo creare problemi, Monte. Stavo solo cercando di essere d'aiuto."

He grunted, "Stupida puttanella."

Elyse couldn't quite follow their conversation, but she cast Cara an evil look. Her stomach was now in knots because of the redheaded bitch's careless, cocaine-charged confession. It seemed Alessandro possessed a habit of pampering and spoiling all of his women. Until, of course, the point he left them. Unease and jealousy wrestled in Elyse's heart, but it was the bone-deep sense of annoyance at herself—for letting him get under her skin and allowing his ex affect her mood—that, thankfully, triumphed in the end.

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