Page 92 of Angelo

His arms tightened around her. “Fuck.”

“Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble.”

“You promise?”

“Yes.”

“I would not mind being punished by you,” he teased with a wry smile, “if I fucked up.”

She shot him a knowing look. “Down, boy.”

He added innocently, “Just thought I would try my luck.”

“Behave.”

Chuckling, Alessandro cleared his throat. "You know, in all seriousness..."

"Yes?"

He made a face. "Ever since my father married Carmen, Valentina and I have not gotten along. From day one, we took pride in tormenting one another, but, now that I reflect on it, I believe my father was the reason why we were at odds. The fucker loved to watch us fight over the scraps he tossed our way.”

“I know I shouldn’t insult the dead,” muttered Elyse, “but fuck him.”

”Fuck that fucker,” Alessandro agreed as a frown passed over his mouth. “I wonder if Valentina and I would have been happier if we turned on him instead of each other?"

“Maybe, now that he’s gone, you’ll have a chance to set things right with her?”

Intently, Alessandro held her gaze. "I do not know if reconciliation will be possible. All I know is that I refuse to let her come between us. If you were upset by anything she said to you, please ask me about it, and I will take full responsibility."

Looking up at him, she arched an eyebrow. "Tell me, then, who's Maria?"

He blinked. "Maria?”

“Yes.”

Alessandro appeared as though he was still drawing a blank. “Fucking Maria.Why does her name sound so familiar?"

Elyse drawled, "Why, indeed?"

Then, something seemed to click in him. His eyes grew wide. "Oh,Dio. I think I fucked her after Valentina fucked her. Or was it the other way around?”

“I see her name finally rang a bell.”

He winced. “You must think the worst of me."

She didn't think the worst of him, though. On the contrary, she was actually quite happy with her husband at the moment. He was being far more forthcoming even when the truth made him look like an ass. Alessandro seemed to be turning over a new leaf. Getting straight answers out of him no longer felt like pulling teeth.

"Relax," Elyse assured him, laughingly. "My opinion of you has only changed for the better. I like it when you’re being upfront and honest with me.”

“In that case,” he offered, “I will share all of my dirty, little secrets with you.”

“Can’t wait.”

“I must warn you, though. Your husband has been no saint. My past is not pretty. I have hurt a lot of people and killed even more.”

“There’s no rush, but, in time, I hope to know everything about you, Alessio. The good, the bad, and the ugly. It’ll only bring me closer to you.”

His head tilted to the side. “You love me that much?”

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