Page 81 of Diavolo

Mrs. Vitale taunted, "Aren't you a doctor? Do your job.Save her."

Elyse's heart dropped once she realized that Mrs. Vitale didn't care whether Cara Berlusconi lived or died. Maybe the bitch was even rooting for Cara to kick the bucket. She argued helplessly, "Your villa isn't equipped to treat her. I don't have what I need to do my job properly.Please.We can't waste another minute."

Mrs. Vitale drawled with a blank, soulless expression, "If Cara dies, there will be Berlusconi blood on your hands."

Elyse glared at her.

Suddenly, two dozen or so men in suits barged into the private salon. They were shouting frantically at each other in Italian.Some appeared to be from the Berlusconi clan. Some were from the De León clan. Most were from the Vitale clan.

Cara's men reached inside their blazers to draw their guns, but Mrs. Vitale's men were quicker. There were more of them as well. The Berlusconi clan was soon outnumbered and outgunned, and the De León clan did nothing to intervene.

This was when Elyse decided to take matters into her own hands. She couldn't waste any more of Cara's valuable time fucking around with Mrs. Vitale. At present, Cara was only semi-conscious, moaning and struggling to breathe. Elyse needed to stabilize her condition until they could find a way to get her to a medical facility.

Elyse commanded Malina, "Bring me a large bowl of ice water and some clean washcloths. We need to bring down her body temperature."

She then ordered Monte, "Go ask around to see if anyone is carrying sedatives for insomnia or anxiety."

Elyse hoped that Monte would be able to find something, anything, with a dose of benzodiazepine. Her allies disappeared and returned moments later with everything Elyse had requested. Malina started to help Elyse remove Cara's dress.

Cara's men protested at first, but Monte shot them down."Se vuoi che lei viva, resta indietro."

Malina and Elyse dipped all of the towels in the cold water and spread them across Cara's body like a makeshift quilt. Monte handed Elyse two different pill bottles. Elyse scanned the labels and breathed out a sigh of relief.Gracias a Dios. One of the medicines contained benzodiazepine. She quickly administered the drug to Cara. Then, Elyse turned to Mrs. Vitale with cold fury in her eyes, growling, "I have done everything I can. Now, ifyourefuse to let Cara's men take her to a hospital, her blood will be onyourhands."

Mariposa was now gazing at Elyse with renewed interest. A glimmer of admiration shone from her dark eyes. In the next moment, Mariposa ordered her men to stand with the Berlusconi clan. They pulled out their guns and aimed them toward Mrs. Vitale's grunts.

Mrs. Vitale pouted like a disgruntled child. "You two are no fun."

"Call off your men," Elyse demanded.

Mrs. Vitale stared down at her defiantly. "No."

Elyse rose to her feet and walked over to Mrs. Vitale until they stood toe-to-toe and eye-to-eye. Green eyes locked onto blue like a homing missile. Quietly, Elyse spoke so that only Mrs. Vitale could hear her, "We'll be family soon. I'd like nothing more than for us to get along. Which is why I'm taking this moment to remind you—privately and respectfully—that the sun is setting on you and your man. But it's rising for me and mine. Alessandro and I will soon hold all the cards in these games you're playing.So don't make an enemy out of me."

Mrs. Vitale shot her a look that could kill, but she said nothing.

Then, loud enough for everyone around them to hear, Elyse announced on Mrs. Vitale's behalf, "Mrs. Vitale has decided that no one will die on her watch tonight."

Mrs. Vitale continued to glare at Elyse. Elyse glared back at her, daring the woman to defy her authority. Tension rumbled, thick and rife, between them. The entire room seemed to tremble and quake amid their power struggle. This unyielding battle stretched and strained until—

With a flick of her hand, Mrs. Vitale surrendered and sent her gunmen away. The Berlusconi clan scurried over to retrieve their limp, half-naked mistress.

Mrs. Vitale hissed at Elyse, "This is not over between us. Not by a long shot."

Mrs. Vitale pivoted on her heel and proceeded to stalk away in the opposite direction, leaving Elyse with a distinct feeling that, even though she won this battle, the war had only begun.

19

A little after midnight,Elyse returned to palazzo feeling drained. She retired to Alessandro's bedroom—no,theirbedroom—undressed, and showered in an attempt to wash away all of the stress and adrenaline from Mrs. Vitale's party.

After Elyse emerged from the bathroom, Malina was waiting by her doorway. A slight furrow rested between the housekeeper's brow. "Dr. Romero, may I come in?"

Elyse nodded. "Of course, Malina."

The older woman entered the room.

Elyse gave her a weary smile. "Thank you for your assistance tonight."

Malina coughed. "You should not thank me. I came to... apologize."

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