Page 90 of Angelo

“Either way, we know each other better now, Dr. Romero, do we not?"

Elyse watched her like a lioness sizing up a tigress. "I suppose so."

With wide blue eyes, Valentina pouted and whined, "Stop doubting me.Please. Imagine how much fun we could have together if you gave me your trust."

It was downright eerie how quickly this woman could shift between moods and emotions. Valentina was a complex, layered individual. Elyse felt like a child uncapping a series of Russian dolls as she tried to dissect the blonde's true intentions. "Trust runs both ways. I'm not sure where you stand at the moment."

"If I did not trust you, I would not have revealed my hand halfway through my performance."

"That's fair, I guess."

"Working on this wedding together for the past three months has been very insightful. I watched you closely. You operate well under pressure."

"I feel like you’re giving me a compliment,” Elyse muttered with frown, “and it’s making me paranoid.”

Valentina tittered with relish. "You have proven your worth to me, but, it seems, I still need to prove myself even though I have done nothingexcepthelp you and Sandro further our cause in the past few months."

"You sound bitter."

The blonde snorted. "Iambitter. Time is running out. I am about to becomeSignora De León. After I enter enemy territory, I need to know that you have my back.Fully."

"You'll have my full support," Elyse supplied, "as long as you don't fuck things up for us."

"You know how I operate by now. You know how I think. You may not approve of my character, but believe in my abilities. Rest assured, I will have Gaspare wrapped around my little finger. He will take the fall for us without knowing what hit him."

Valentina's beautiful face was locked in determination. She looked positivelyunstoppable at the moment. Elyse was beginning to understand why Alessandro had chosen to gamble on a partnership with his stepsister. The blonde was actually quite predictable. For her, everything boiled down to achieving the end game.

Still, Elyse wanted to dig deeper. Despite Valentina's desire to gain her trust, Elyse couldn't seem to lower her guard. Valentina didn't strike her as the type of person who valued morality or loyalty. Elyse wanted to understand the driving force behind the blonde's savage ambitions. There had to be another reason. "May I ask you something?"

Blue eyes glittered like sapphires. "Of course."

Elyse dared to inquire, "Why do you care so much about legitimizing our businesses?"

Valentina shrugged. "Humans are greedy creatures, I think. We crave what we cannot have. For me? It has always been power and respect. Maybe I am sick of letting men make all the decisions. I want to be in charge for once.”

"I understand your need for respect. Everyone wants respect. But why is power so important to you?"

The blonde mused thoughtfully, "Why does anyone want to be acapo, a king, a president, or a CEO? It feels good to be superior, especially when Iamsuperior to everyone else."

Elyse had to admit, begrudgingly, that Valentina sounded like she was being sincere. "What about your mother? Does she want the same thing?"

Valentina's motives were becoming less murky to Elyse, but Carmen remained a mystery. Were her desires as simple as Malina made them out to be? Or was she someone who might become a threat down the line?

"My mother," Valentina replied smoothly, "does not care about anything as long she does not have to give up her diamonds and caviar."

Valentina's face was clean of emotion when she spoke of her mother. Elyse directed pointedly, "Your mother doesn't have other ambitions?"

Valentina responded in bored tones, "My mother's only ambition in life is to spend her days throwing away obscene amounts of money on clothes and shoes and Botox. It is easy to keep her happy as long as you are a millionaire."

Elyse read between the lines. After months of spending time with Valentina, she was starting to pick up on the blonde's tell. Valentina was as animated and persuasive as an Oscar-winning actress whenever she wanted to sell a lie. However, her stepsister-in-law seemed to withdraw ever so slightly whenevershe wished to hide something from prying eyes.

Elyse smiled and played along, giving away nothing, "Your honesty is appreciated."

Valentina studied her through a thin gaze. "Wish I could say the same about you. I cannot tell what you are thinking right now."

"You want to know what I think?"

"I do."

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