Page 82 of Diavolo

Elyse frowned in confusion. "Why?"

"I should have never let you go toSignora Vitale'sparty," Malina mumbled."Signor Vitalewill not be pleased with me."

"If he gives you any trouble," Elyse offered, "I'll let him know that I'd be lost without you. Truly. You've been indispensable in helping me navigate my new life in Palermo."

"That is kind of you," Malina muttered with a sigh, "but it does not change the fact that I led us straight intoSignora Vitale'strap."

"You think tonight was a trap?"

Malina cleared her throat. "Tonight was… chaotic. But it felt like aintentionalchaos. Cara Berlusconi's overdose was a shock to us all. Yet,Signora Vitaleseemed to be quite calm about the whole affair."

Elyse had been wondering about this as well. Mrs. Vitale seemed far too willing to stand by and watch a key Berlusconi ally teeter on the brink of death tonight. Why would she risk such a catastrophe?

"Are you suggesting," Elyse asked softly, "that Mrs. Vitale intended for Cara to overdose?"

Malina's expression pinched. "I do not know what her endgame might be. The Vitale clan has nothing to gain from Cara's death, but I thinkSignora Vitaleintended to create a perfect storm. She set the pieces in place for everything to go wrong."

"Mierda."

"Cara is a troubled soul," Malina shared. "She once suffered from addiction. Cocaine was her drug of choice.Signora Vitaleknows it has always been one of Cara's great weaknesses."

With a trickle of suspicion, Elyse inquired, "Why didn't you mention this before the party?"

"I did not think it was relevant. Cara has been sober for years," Malina explained hurriedly. "I also did not think thatSignora Vitalewould act so recklessly. She has never behaved in such a foolish manner in the time I have known her. The woman nearly started a war with the Berlusconi clan tonight. It was my mistake to underestimate her level of desperation."

"Maybe she senses that her power is slipping," Elyse murmured, "as her husband fades away."

"There is probably some truth in your assessment."

"I feel for her."

Malina's eyebrows rose in surprise. "You do not hate her?"

Elyse pondered this question for a moment.Hatewas such a strong word. She finally decided, "Mrs. Vitale isn't my enemy by choice."

Malina was eyeing her curiously, waiting for her to continue. Elyse elaborated, "We're at odds because she sees me as her replacement. I felt the tension between us. Mrs. Vitale tried to overpower me, but she couldn't do it. Because she had far more to lose tonight than I had to gain."

Malina smiled faintly. "I knewSignor Vitalechose you for a reason. The way you handled everything tonight proves that his judgment is sound."

Elyse's eyebrows rose in surprise. The housekeeper went on to say, "You know how to analyze the entire chessboard. Rather than fixating on individual pieces and squares. You will make an excellent wife for him."

Elyse grimaced. "Thank you, Malina."

She now felt embarrassed.Unworthy. Elyse knew Malina meant to compliment her, but she couldn't allow herself to bask in such praise. Tonight's events could've very easily spiraled out of control. They'd gotten lucky because Mrs. Vitale chose to retreat instead of digging in her heels.

Elyse's thoughts kept lingering on Mrs. Vitale and Cara. Elyse felt sad for these women even though she disliked them. Mrs. Vitale and Cara each commanded their own entourage of armed bodyguards. Yet, they possessed little power of their own. Their might was borrowed from their husbands. Or their fathers. This sense of helplessness was probably why they saw her as a threat. Alessandro represented power. Elyse was about to gain access to his power through marriage, and more power for her meant less power for them.

All in all, tonight had been an eye-opening night.

Elyse felt as though she'd glimpsed into her future through Mrs. Vitale and Cara's sad lives, and it was deeply upsetting. She wondered if they'd been forced to marry against their will as well. Soon, she, too, would be joining this fierce struggle for supremacy, and the violence and uncertainty that came with it was already driving her crazy.

Elyse didn't want to rely on a man as heronlysupport system, but choice was no longer her privilege. She needed Alessandro's protection. She also cared for him.Far too much.Her heart grew heavy. She didn't want to end up like Mrs. Vitale or Cara, but—

Elyse's phone began to ring, interrupting her sullen thoughts.

"It is late," Malina murmured tactfully, "I will let you get some rest."

As the housekeeper turned to go, Elyse called her back for a moment, "Wait."

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