Page 31 of Angelo

“But I think the reward outweighs the risk."

If they could successfully set the De León heir against the sitting Berlusconi boss, war between Aberto and Domenico's clans would be inevitable.

Her husband lifted an eyebrow. "I would prefer if Gaspare survives my father's funeral. Valentina needs to marry him, and he must inherit Aberto's crown, so we can control the De Leóns through her.”

She arched an eyebrow back at him. "So you’re still planning to punish Valentina even though she didn't hire Tommy Wilkes?"

Alessandro's cheeks flushed. "Even if Valentina does not want me dead, she is guilty in other ways. You do not know her like I do."

"I wonder, husband," she mused bitingly, "just how well you know Valentina? Your relationship often feels too close for comfort."

The accusation left an ugly aftertaste on her tongue. Had such pettiness risen from the need to perform for Benedetto and convince him that she was turning on Alessandro? Or genuine doubt in her husband?

Brown and blue-gray eyes lit up with interest. "Are you jealous, wife?"

She glared at him, hating that he'd hit a sore spot. "Just answer my question."

"When it comes to any man in your life who is not me, I admit, my thoughts tend to get a little violent," he murmured. "Sometimes, I wish you felt the same way about me."

"Doctors aren't supposed to support violence."

Alessandro smiled. "But spilling blood shows how much we care."

Apparently, old habits died hard. The bastard was deflecting again like a seasoned fuckboy. Growing annoyed, Elyse prompted once more, "Tell me about Valentina."

The moment she mentioned his stepsister's name, Alessandro seemed to disengage from their conversation. He looked bored. "There is not much to say about her."

"Bullshit."

"I shit you not.”

"I don't know if I believe you."

"Hai tutte le ragioni per dubitare di lui," Benedetto suddenly interjected.

Even though Elyse understood every word of her grandfather's Italian, she continued to play dumb, asking, "What did he say, Alessio?"

Alessandro studied her grandfather for a moment. There was a calculating expression on his face. Then, brown and blue-gray eyes lingered on Benedetto even while translating for her, "That you have every reason to doubt me."

Had he figured out that her grandfather was fluent in English? Elyse watched him closely. “Is my grandfather right about you?”

His jaw ticked. “For you to even ask such a question,cuore mio,is fucking heartbreaking.”

Staying in character for her grandfather's sake, Elyse willed her voice to grow heated as she snapped, "Then give me a reason to stop questioning you and your stepsister."

He growled back, "I could say the same about—"

"What?"

He leered at her grandfather again. "Never mind."

Alessandro looked like he had much more to say but held back since Benedetto was still with them. From the corner of her eye, she regarded the older man. Dark eyes shone brightly as dissent crackled between Elyse and Alessandro. A connection clicked in her mind. Benedetto wore a similar expression every time he had been about to checkmate her in their chess games.

Sly, old fox.

Elyse grimaced slightly. She needed to remain focused. Emotions couldn't be permitted to cloud her judgment. Otherwise, her grandfather might end up playing them like he played chess. She cleared her throat. "If you won't help me go after Gaspare, I'll go to Mariposa for help. I'm meeting with her tomorrow."

"Do not approach the De Leóns on your own," warned Alessandro.

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