Page 17 of Diavolo

Once Malina took her leave, Elyse went about unpacking her bags. Right as she started sorting through her bras and panties, a light knock sounded at her door. Elyse's eyebrows rose slightly. Was Malina back already?

"Come in," she called out.

The door swung open. Elyse's head turned toward the doorway. Gasping, her mouth parted as a tall, dark-haired figure stepped inside. He was dressed in all black. A well-fitting dress shirt and tailored trousers. The sleeves on his shirt were rolled up to reveal a few tattoos along his tanned, brawny forearms. Instantly, she recognized the Roman numerals on the back of his hands. The Latin, the serpent, and the roses were hidden under his clothes, but Elyse could make out a portion of the impaled skull running up his exposed arm.

Only one small change about him threw her off. Engraved on his wrist, there was a pair of black feathered wings cradling a deadly sword. It certainly wasn't there before.

In deep, melting tones, he murmured, "It appears our paths have crossed again,angelo."

5

For a full, paralyzingminute, Elyse froze, gaping at him. A pair of ratty underwear and a threadbare cotton bra dangled awkwardly from her hands. This was surreal. It felt unreal. Yet, therehestood in the flesh. The universe must be playing tricks on her.

Fully recuperated from his brush with death, the brown-and-blue-gray-eyed man appeared even more beautiful than Elyse remembered. Unlike last time, his bronzed skin now glowed with life and vigor. His sudden appearance in this remote chalet—in fucking Crans-Montana, Switzerland, of all places—sent her reeling with despair and dread.

Despair.Over the realization that she, like a senseless fly, had flown herself four thousand miles across the Atlantic only to land in the nebulous web of an even more dangerous spider than Stefano. She felt nauseous.

Then, there was thedread.Over her body's instinctive reaction to this man's mesmerizing presence. Heat crept over her skin. He pulled her to him as though ensnared by a coiling, ever-tightening thread. It seemed their months-long separationhad done nothing to cool her hormones. He was still very capable of wreaking havoc on her senses. Elyse's jaw clenched with shame.Papá'sadvice taunted her.Not everything that shines is gold, mija.

Elyse began to retrace all the missteps that had led her to this predicament. Desperation to escape from Stefano had turned her reckless. The promise of a better life in Zurich had skewed her judgment. She studied the man closely. His expression remained impassive. Why was he so fucking calm? He didn't seem surprised to see her at all. Suspicion crept through Elyse.The bastard better not be the elusive Mr. Vitale.Elyse hoped her theory was wrong, but instinct screamed otherwise.

This whole situation was beginning to feel like an intentional trap. It was unnerving. Why was he targeting a nobody like her? Elyse wanted to uncover the bastard's intentions before planning her next move. She hated being manipulated. For far too long, Elyse had felt like a pawn in a game she never wanted to play. White-hot outrage coursed through her veins, but she didn't succumb to it. She needed to show him that he wasn't the only motherfucker who could stay calm under pressure.

With a mask of indifference, Elyse gave him a quick once-over. "I see you've made an excellent recovery."

"I owe it all to you," he replied with a smile.

She said coolly, "I wasn't expecting to run into you.Here. In Crans-Montana."

"The universe works in miraculous ways."

"Our reunion feels moreman-madethan miraculous. Don't you think?"

Themanwhomadetheir paths cross again chose not to comment on her accusation. Instead, his gaze drifted over to the undergarments that were still in her hands. "Those relics ought to be discarded. I will buy you new ones."

Her cheeks flushed with indignation. "Excuse me?"

There was a teasing gleam in his eyes. "You work for me now. Image is everything."

She worked for… him? Elyse's gaze sharpened like knives. His admission cemented her theory in reality, and the realization felt like a slap in the face. She didn't know whether to feel furious at him. Or herself. For being such apinche tonta.Damn fool.

He grinned and continued, "My name cannot be associated with someone who dresses in rags."

She should've never come to Switzerland. Her expression grew stormier. But she refused to let emotion rule her head. Elyse quickly shoved the bra and panties back inside her suitcase. With some effort, she also shoved aside her anger and embarrassment. Such emotions would only hinder her. She needed to focus on finding her bearings in this precarious situation. "Tell me the truth. Have you been propositioning me through Mr. Schmid?"

The response he gave felt evasive, "You seem upset, Dr. Romero."

"That's because you used your lawyer to deceive me."

The man didn't deny anything. He simply deflected, "Was the salary not to your liking? Numbers are negotiable."

Elyse eyed him warily. "I don't want to negotiate numbers. I want to talk aboutyou. Earlier, the housekeeper informed me that my employer's name is Mr. Vitale. Would it be correct to assume thatyouare Mr. Vitale?"

He avoided her question. "You look tense,angelo. This distresses me. What can I do to ease your concerns?"

"I want to knowwhothe hell you are andwhatyou intend to do with me."

"My name is Alessandro Vitale," he finally confirmed, "and you are going to be my private physician, Dr. Romero."

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