Page 64 of Angelo

Elyse's eyes grew wide. Curiosity and apprehension spiked upwards. What was the fucking tea here? She prodded, "I didn't know you were acquainted with my grandfather."

"I was not always employed by the Vitales, you know."

"Did you work for my grandfather at some point?"

A whisper of pink appeared on Malina's cheeks. "Not your grandfather, exactly, but his mother, your great grandmother, hired me when I was sixteen to be their maid."

Malina had some history with the Gravianos? Elyse demanded, "Why didn't you mention this to me before?"

"I was only employed with the Gravianos for a few months," Malina shared, "and I am not particularly proud of that time in my life. Or the way I was let go from my position."

Elyse blinked rapidly. "What happened?"

"I was caught in bed with Benedetto," Malina mumbled with embarrassment, "by his mother."

She gasped. "Oh,mierda."

"I will never forget the humiliation I felt when his mother chased me out of their house. I will also never forget how, after I was dismissed without my last paycheck, Benedetto went through the trouble to track me down. He gave me triple what I was owed to hold me over as I searched for a new job."

Elyse felt stunned. "I had no idea that you two were lovers."

Malina laughed softly. "I would hardly call us lovers. Our fling only lasted a few weeks. I doubt your grandfather remembers me. I have forgotten a lot about our time together, it happened so long ago, but what I do recall was that his fascination with chess and how well he treated me. I believe him to be a man of honor."

"It seems," Elyse concluded with a shocked expression, "you weren't joking when you claimed to know my grandfather pretty well."

Malina's expression turned wry. "Indeed."

"What do you think he wants from me?"

"I do not think Benedetto means you harm. But he is definitely playing mind games. To test your mettle and see what you andSignor Vitaleare really made of. He wants to determine whether or not you two will be worth his time."

Elyse scoffed. "That's still fucked up."

"You must show him that your marriage can survive his meddling."

"I hate to break it to you, Malina, but I feel like you're grasping at straws here."

"I may be old, but I am not senile yet. I choose to defend Benedetto," Malina mused as a conspiratorial gleam entered her blue eyes, "because I have more reason to question Valentina and Carmen's innocence."

This piqued Elyse's interest. "You believe they're guilty of something?"

"When I was in Salemi," the housekeeper continued, "the Rizzos were put under my charge. I watched them closely. Mother and daughter are not as in sync as they want the rest of the world to believe."

Elyse listened intently to Malina's every word. "Interesting."

"I believe Carmen's desires are quite simple. She wants a comfortable life. Valentina's desires are more complex. She wants power. I believe she has an ambitious vision for her future. If you wish to question anyone's loyalty, start with Valentina."

Elyse's mouth flattened. "Then I understand what I must do.”

Not long after Elyse finished her conversation with Malina, she decided to give Valentina a call. Her stepsister-in-law picked up after the fifth ring.

Elyse greeted her politely, "Good afternoon, Valentina. I hope you've beenwell."

"Ciao, Dr. Romero," Valentina cooed in breathy tones, "I am surprised to hear from you.”

“Just wanted to say—hi.”

Valentina scoffed in disgust. “But why?”

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