Page 19 of Angelo

He withdrew his hand from her. It left Elyse feeling oddly barren as she glanced at him in confusion. Why had he pulled away?

His expression hardened. "Going forward, you will always be honest with me?"

"Always."

A tight smile stretched over his mouth. "Then, perhaps, my faith in you can be restored."

Unease settled over her. "What are you talking about?"

Alessandro's mouth continued to curve sweetly even though sadness lingered in his eyes. "I know you were lying, Elyse, about your phone call."

Alessandro's quiet accusation nearly made Elyse's heart drop out of her chest. Her eyes rounded out in panic.Mierda. Had Alessandro overheard her conversation with Benny?

"I was talking to Benny Gusev," Elyse confessed readily.

Her husband's jaw clenched with irritation. "Who the fuck is Benny Gusev?"

"He was one of Stefano's associates. Back in Queens, remember? I got your pain meds from his pharmacy."

"Oh.That Benny."

"He's fairly well connected. I asked him to help me look into Valentina's ties to Tommy Wilkes."

Anger flashed across his face. "You cannot leave well enough alone, can you?"

"I shouldn't have kept my conversation with Benny from you. For that, I apologize," Elyse admitted. "But I'm only trying to help."

"I do not need your help. Everything is under control." Yet, a shadow of uncertainty darkened his face even while uttering these words.

Elyse huffed, "Why are you being so stubborn?"

"Takes one to know one," he flung back.

"I don't understand why you're so against finding the truth. Unlike you, I have the time to investigate these matters. You have nothing to lose by letting me try!"

"Valentina's engagement to Gaspare is set in stone."

"I'm not asking you to cancel it. Just give me a chance to determine the real enemy. Our plans might need adjustments."

Alessandro's expression darkened. "I remember telling younotto look into this shit.Explicitly."

"Why do you keep pushing me away?" Elyse argued with a tight expression of her own. "I thought we were a team?"

"Do as I say or else—"

Elyse cut him off with a warning look, "Don't talk as though I'm beneath you, Alessio. I'm your wife."

"Exactly," Alessandro ground out, "you are my wife. Wives are supposed torespect their husbands' wishes,no?"

"Blind obedience isn't the same as respect."

"What about showing some loyalty?"

"What does this have to do with loyalty?"

He growled under his breath, "You lied to me! Without trust, we are nothing."

"I was going to tell you about Benny—eventually!Once I found a substantial lead."

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