Page 45 of Diavolo

"She will have a team bring in a few options for you to consider from between 3 to 5 pm." Alessandro relayed this information very casually as though he'd given a proper proposal, she'd happily accepted, and they were a normal couple in love.

"I see," she replied in clipped tones.

"You do not seem pleased," he observed. "It appears our talk from yesterday has not softened your resolve."

"No," fibbed Elyse, "it's not that..."

He looked doubtful."No?"

She settled on telling him a half-truth, "It's just that—this is my first time in Paris. I'd love to do some sightseeing before we leave for Sicily."

Alessandro's brow lifted. "I can take you around the city once my schedule clears up."

"I wouldn't want to trouble you," she mumbled.

His smile widened. "It is no trouble at all. Accompanying you would bring me great pleasure."

Elyse tried to mask her panic. He was fucking up plans already. Quickly, she reworked her angle, releasing a deliberate sigh, "You don't have to rearrange your schedule for me. I don't mind exploring on my own. I prefer it, actually."

"Nothing is more important than your happiness," he countered right away. "I apologize for neglecting you. I will do better and make more time for us."

Elyse cringed inwardly. Their conversation kept swerving in the wrong direction. She tried to wrangle it back on course. "That won't be necessary."

He didn't seem happy with her response. "You sure?"

Elyse explained, "You need to understand. I'm used to working my ass off at the hospital. Boredom doesn't suit me. The two-month vacation in Crans-Montana nearly did me in. I don't want to get paid for sitting at home all day.Doing nothing.Another vacation in Paris will make me stir-crazy. If you let me out once in a while, it'll be a win-win. I can find something useful and productive to do with my time. And you'll waste less money on me."

This coaxed a laugh from Alessandro. "Very well. I will not keep you caged in boredom. You may go out and see the city."

Green eyes grew round with shock. Elyse hadn't expected him to be so reasonable. "Really?"

"Of course, Monte and Luca will escort you around," he added quietly. "I have assigned them as your bodyguards. You are not to leave their side during any of your outings,capisci?"

Elyse's eyes narrowed slightly.There was the rub. Monte and Luca were to be her jailers. Thiswas the kind of obstacle she had hoped to clarify for future reference. Now, Elyse knew, if ever she needed to get away, she'd need to get past Monte and Luca first.

"I understand," Elyse replied with a smile. "Thank you for being so considerate about my safety."

A suspicious gleam entered his eyes."Angelo?"

"Yes?"

His handsome face turned grave and solemn. In a quiet voice, he said, "Never forget who I am and who you are to me. I am a man with many enemies. Enemies who would love nothing more than to stumble upon my future bride and take her from me. Do not give anyone the opportunity to hurt the woman I treasure most. I can only keep you safe—if you let me."

Alessandro then reached for Elyse's hand and brought it to his lips. He brushed a light kiss across her knuckles before turning over her hand to place another kiss directly in the center of herpalm. Heat seared Elyse's skin where his lips had kissed her. Yet, a chill coursed through her veins. She snatched her hand back. "Your enemies seem… ruthless. But, sometimes, you frighten me more."

"Then I will wait," he murmured, "for you to fear me less."

"Easy for you to say," she retorted. "You hold all the cards while I have none."

"Once you become my wife," Alessandro stressed, "what is mine will be yours. A true king does not rule over his queen. He rules alongside her."

Beautiful lies from a beautiful devil. Sighing, Elyse stewed in silence for the rest of their drive. They arrived in the 16th arrondissement of Paris about twenty minutes later. Art nouveau grandeur coupled with classic Parisian architectural elegance was omnipresent down every street and intersection. Alessandro's flat was located in a multi-story light stone building lined with rows of balconied windows and topped with a lovely grayish mansard-style roof.

After Elyse stepped out of the car, Monte followed her, but Alessandro stayed in the backseat. She asked, "You're not coming with us?"

Alessandro muttered something quick and snappy in Italian to Monte before answering Elyse's question, "I am afraid not, but Monte will take good care of you."

Elyse side-eyed Monte with an uneasy look. The curly-haired man was built like a tank. He was inked with more tattoos than Alessandro. Monte was also a total stranger. There was an ugly scar that ran from his left eyebrow, through his eye, down to his cheek. The original injury had likely resulted from a traumatic stab wound. Needless to say, everything about Monte set Elyse on edge. Elyse didn't want to be left alone with Monte. "Will Malina and Luca be back soon?"

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