Page 44 of Angelo

Both women shared a look. The flash of despair on Mariposa's face said everything that she couldn't say aloud in her father's establishment. From the corner of her eye, Elyse saw movement. Right on cue, the crimson-lipped waitress reappeared again with a tight smile.

There was an edge in her voice when she asked,"Posso portare a voi ragazze qualcos'altro?" Can I get you ladies anything else?

Mariposa shook her head with a bold, bright smile, but Elyse couldn't help noticing the way the dark-haired girl shrank in her seat, much in the way she had shrunk in Aberto's presence when Cara went crazy at the De León's party. Elyse's shoulder still carried the scar from Cara's stray bullet. Green eyes narrowed sharply. It seemed Mariposa might be carrying some scars as well.

When the woman spoke again, she only addressed Mariposa,"Ho anche un messaggio per te, signorina." I also have a message for you, miss.

Mariposa glanced at the server with a wary expression.

The waitress informed her,"Tuo padre ha chiamato il bar. Ha bisogno che tu vada a casa." Your father called the cafe. He needs you to go home.

As usual, Elyse feigned ignorance as she listened in on their exchange, but, inwardly, her mind was spinning at lightning speeds. Initially, she’d come today to press Mariposa for more information about Aberto and Cara. Now, she didn't know what to think. Was Mariposa an enemy pretending to be a friend like her father? Or was she another one of Aberto’s victims?

She needed to get Mariposa away from the cafe so they could talk in private. Before the waitress could say another word, Elyse turned to Mariposa and demanded in the bitchiest voice she could muster, "I don't know what the two of you are going on about, but my father-in-law's funeral arrangements need to be finalized. I have to go run some errands. Come with me as my translator, Mari. I won't takenofor an answer."

A worriedlook emerged on Mariposa's face, but she responded with a snort of displeasure, matching Elyse's domineering tone with a combative attitude of her own, "I am a busy woman, but I suppose I can spare some time today. If you make it quick."

Mariposa sounded annoyed, but Elyse saw a gleam in the younger woman's dark eyes that looked... relieved? She watched carefully. No, maybe not relief. The emotion ran deeper.Mariposa appeared grateful.

Elyse's worst suspicions flared up right as their waitress spoke up again,"Sei sicura che sia una buona idea, signorina?" Are you sure that's a good idea, miss?

The question felt like a threat.

Monte grunted beside them,"Dimmelo tu, puttana." You tell me, bitch.

He glowered at the waitress like a Rottweiler ready to pounce.

Luca's hand reached inside his blazer. He didn't pull out his gun, but the warning was clear.

Danger hissed in the air.

After a moment, the waitress quietly backed away with a scowling grumble,"Tiro fuori l'assegno." I'll bring out the check.

The check came. They paid for it. A few minutes later, Elyse, Monte, and Luca escorted Mariposa from the cafe to their car. Luca and Monte sat in the front. Elyse and Mariposa settled into the backseat.

"Where are we going,Signora Vitale?" Luca asked Elyse.

"Doesn't matter," she muttered, "just drive."

With Monte at the wheel, the four of them sped through the city for a while before Mariposa broke the silence in a strained voice, "Thank you."

Elyse glanced her way. Concern marred her face. "Now that we’re away from the cafe, can you please tell me what's going on?"

“What do you mean?”

Green eyes locked on to the younger women’s bruise once more. “Don’t play dumb. We don’t have time to fuck around.”

Mariposa gave another distressing pause before asking, "Why do you care?”

“Because I’m not the kind of bitch who looks the other way when another bitch is clearly hurt.”

“Did you just call us both… bitches?”

Elyse shot her a pointed look. “Did I lie?”

Mariposa laughed coldly. “I admit, you are starting to grow on me."

"I could say the same foryou."

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