Page 84 of Diavolo

"The only woman I want to fuck—is you."

Elyse's heart thumped longingly. "Then come back to me."

"In six days," Alessandro promised, "I will come back to marry you and put an end to the uncertainty surrounding us."

Six days had never felt so far away. Elyse wondered if she might have another run-in with Mrs. Vitale before Alessandro's return.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"What do you think your stepmother wants from us? I want to be prepared in case she causes trouble again."

Alessandro didn't answer right away. When he finally responded, his voice sounded a bit bleak, "My father's illness has affected Carmen… deeply. She is not like Valentina and me. We are more logical about death. She, unfortunately, is more emotional. Sometimes, grief brings out the worst in people. Sometimes, I fear, grief may cause a person to set the world on fire. Simply to watch it burn."

A shiver passed through Elyse. "That's not a comforting thought."

It appeared Mrs. Vitale might be going a bit mad, and, it appeared, the more Elyse learned about Alessandro's blue-eyed stepsister, the more questions arose in her mind. Valentina was still such a mystery. Elyse felt determined to interrogate Alessandro about the woman. Not tonight, though. Another time. Exhaustion was beginning to cloud her senses.

"This may be the calm before the storm," Alessandro warned. "We must be vigilant going forward. Carmen has taken us all by surprise with her stunt tonight. I do not know what else my stepmother has planned up her sleeve. I will try to find out, though."

Elyse grimaced into the phone. "That's probably a good idea."

"I have instructed Malina to decline all invitations to parties for now," he said. "Stay in the palazzo until I am back. Until we have a better hold on this situation."

"I understand."

"I do not think this will be necessary, but, if there is an issue that my men cannot resolve," Alessandro added, "go to your grandfather. Malina and Monte will know how to reach him."

She gulped. "I hope it won't come to that."

"Six days," Alessandro muttered again. "Wait for me,cuore mio."

"Six days,"Elyse echoed softly. "I'll be waiting."

After Elyse's traumatic first night in Palermo, the following days passed by in a cloud of unease. Alessandro didn't contact her again. He didn't answer her calls or texts, either. Malina and Monte assured Elyse that he was simply busy attending tobusiness matters.Signor Vitale perfectly fine, they said,and two of them would be reunited in six days' time. Elyse chose to believe them because the alternative was unthinkable.

To shift her mind away from worst-case scenarios, Elyse spent the next few days learning the layout of the palazzo and familiarizing herself with the household staff, working daily to build relationships with each and every one of them.

She instructed Malina and Monte to keep their feelers out for any news regarding Mrs. Vitale, Mariposa, or Cara. In time, they reported back their findings. Cara had since been safely discharged from the hospital. Mariposa extended a luncheon invitation to Elyse, but Malina declined it given the tense dynamics between all three clans at present. Troubling enough, though, no one had heard anything about Mrs. Vitale's comings or goings. The woman became a ghost after her all-too-eventful party.

Elyse didn't know what to make of Mrs. Vitale's disappearance. Was the bitch laying low because she had, in essence, pissed off the entire Berlusconi clan? Or was she merely biding her time, preparing to lash out again?

As the days stretched on, Elyse also learned that Malina and her staff had been working overtime for months, planning thewedding in secret. At this point, a week before the ceremony and reception, last-minute alterations and split-second decisions needed to be made on an hourly basis about Elyse's dress, her veil, the floral arrangements, the photographer, the menu, the seating arrangements, the venue...

All of this seemingly insignificant nonsense consumed Elyse's time. Truly, it felt like nonsense because she didn't even know whether or not her groom would show up on their wedding day. Was Alessandro hurt again? Or was he avoiding her for another reason altogether? Elyse tossed and turned each night over her worry for him. Caring for this bastard wasn't good for her health. He seemed dead set on giving her more gray hairs.

Days six, seven, and eight came and went with no signs of Alessandro.

"Why is he late?" Elyse demanded. "He should be back in Palermo by now."

"Tomorrow," Malina insisted. "He plans to leave Paris tomorrow."

Elyse pleaded, "Why can't you tell me the truth?"

"It is for your benefit," Malina mumbled while averting her gaze, "Signor Vitalehas instructed me not to say anything. He insists on being the one to break the news to you."

Elyse clenched her jaw. "I see."

---