Page 120 of Diavolo

"I have to confirm my sources," Alessandro responded, "but I suspect that Valentina hired him. At the time, she knew I was looking for you, Benedetto's missing granddaughter."

"What did she want with me?"

"She was aware that my marriage to a Graviano would only serve to weaken her authority in our clan."

Had Valentina been looking for her—to kill her?Or was Alessandro wrong about his stepsister? Elyse inquired, "Is there anyone else, other than Valentina, who might have sent Tommy your way?"

Alessandro sighed. "It is hard to say."

A shiver passed through Elyse. Her husband had suggested nothing and everything in the span of those five words. There were probably too many people who wanted him dead. Domenico and Carmen and Valentina were simply the impatient ones who slithered out early and revealed their hands.

It took ten more minutes before they arrived home. The passion that husband and wife been suppressing flared back with a vengeance. Once they got to their bedroom, Alessandro threw her on the mattress and sank to his knees. Elyse spread her legs. Their gazes stayed locked on each other as her skirt lifted, panties were shoved aside, and his tongue found her clit. Sucking and flicking and swirling relentlessly. Feeling breathless, Elyse closed her eyes and let the tide of sensations take over.

Once she grew slick and wanting, two fingers disappeared into her cunt. Then three. The strain felt sinfully divine. He hand began to move. Alessandro fucked her with his lips still wrapped around her clit. Pleasure rolled up and down her spine, gathering momentum and driving her to the fucking edge. Alessandro didn't stop until she shuddered and cried out her release. Then, pulled off his pants. His cock sprang out, and he started fucking her all over again, thrusting steadily and slowly at first, followed by faster, harder, desperate strokes. Her pussy clenched around him, feeling stretched and filled and utterly euphoric. He was pushing her past the breaking point. With loud gasps and whimpering moans, she came again soon after him. It took a while to recover after the second time.

When her eyes finally fluttered open, he gave a knowing smirk. "You are welcome."

Elyse pinkened slightly. "You look way too pleased with yourself."

He drawled, "I just made my wife come her brains out.Twice. How else should a man look?"

Her blush deepened.

However, even within the security of their well-guarded residence, the dangers awaiting Alessandro outside these sturdy walls kept clawing at Elyse. She wanted to find a better way to keep her man safe. Well,safer.On the surface, Elyse maintained her cool as she went to her vanity to remove her jewelry. On the inside, though, her mind was scheming at Machiavellian speeds. "Alessio?"

Alessandro rolled over and wrapped his arms around her. "What is it,cuore mio?"

"I've been thinking..."

He kissed her neck. "Go on."

She chewed on her lower lip. "Maybe it's time to change our strategy."

Alessandro glanced down at her. Intrigue was written all over his face. Elyse tilted her face toward him and went on to explain, "You mentioned that your father's allies and enemies don't take you seriously."

Good-natured indignation flashed across her husband's handsome features. "You are correct. They think I am a hopeless cause."

"We should use their bias to our advantage."

"What do you mean?"

She gave a pensive pause before pressing on, "If you and I were to, say, put on a little performance.A public show of weakness. Just for a couple of weeks. Wouldn't it prompt a few more of your rivals to come crawling out of the woodworks?"

He frowned. "Sì, I suppose it might."

Elyse continued, "What if you were to let them duke it out while we waited on the sidelines? Let them all believe that they have a chance to steal your crown while you're fucking around. Then, set a trap for Domenico and Carmen and the others to tear each other apart so that we don't have to get our hands dirty. Once the dust settles, you can claim the spoils of their war."

Alessandro was gazing down at her with a look of wonder and shock."Cuore mio!"

"Sorry," she mumbled, "it's too risky, right? Forget I ever said anything."

"No, no, no," her husband exclaimed as he showered her face in kisses, "you may be a surgeon by profession, but you think like a general at war. I am in awe of your mind."

Elyse tried to keep a straight face in between Alessandro's playful onslaught. "You think it might work?"

"I think it is a risk worth taking."

"Are you sure?"