Page 54 of Diavolo
Why was the housekeeper bringing up old Italian writers? With a look of uncertainty, Elyse nodded. "I believe so."
Malina smiled. "He was the one who wrote about keeping your friends close. But your enemies closer. Hold onto these words, Dr. Romero, when you encounterSignorina Rizzotonight."
Instantly, everything made sense. Malina was warning her about Valentina Rizzo. Elyse grimaced. "Can't wait to meet her."
It took over two hours for Elyse to get ready for the charity ball. She'd never attended such an upscale event. Elyse felt at a loss. She didn't know what to expect from the other guests. She didn't know what would be expected of her, either, and Alessandro was nowhere in sight to provide guidance. The unhelpful bastard had left the flat hours ago.
Thank God for Malina.
She helped Elyse with her hair and makeup. They picked out a sequined Dior gown for the evening. The crystals glimmered like diamonds under the light, and the pale champagne silk poured over Elyse's hourglass curves like liquid gold, complementing the olive-hued warmth of her skin tone beautifully. A lowVneckline displayed the swells of her cleavage in a sensual yet tasteful manner.
Then, in her typical bush-beating, non-linear manner, Malina proceeded to lay out Alessandro's agenda for Elyse to decipher.
"Signor Vitaleis looking forward to introducing you to his friends and business associates."
Translation?The man wanted everyone to know that a Vitale would be marrying a Graviano.
"He hopes your marriage will open doors to new opportunities and partnerships."
He also wanted people to know that his scope of influence would soon expand.
Through Malina's subtle implications, Elyse managed to grasp what Alessandro intended to convey to the other guests. He wanted his enemies to let go of old grudges.And stay out of his fucking way.He expected allies to continue supporting him.Or face the consequences.
Indeed, it seemed tonight was a night for Elyse to be seen and recognized for her Graviano blood. She was about to be introduced to the major players in Alessandro's circles. Players consisting of rich, powerful men who made their millions on theright side of the law as well as those who built their empires along the shadowy borders of society.
Malina believed the gold dress would serve their purpose well. As Elyse studied her striking reflection in the mirror, she couldn't disagree with the older woman's assessment. She felt like an absolute goddess in the Dior gown. The otherworldly, unrecognizablefemme fatalestaring back at her certainly looked striking and expensive enough to strut at Alessandro's side for the evening.
And yet—panic gripped Elyse. Because the woman in the mirror wasn't her. This woman was a stranger. Days ago, trying on the couture wedding dresses had softened Elyse's objection to marriage. Fantasy had swept her away. This Dior dress did just the opposite. It warned of the reality that loomedafterthe wedding. Little by little, this quiet epiphany crawled over Elyse like the slow, creeping terror a person might feel after realizing that she was trapped inside a sealed cell with flesh-eating spiders.
Her Graviano lineage already redefined her existence. A life of normalcy was as good as dead. There would be no going back, Elyse realized with horror, once she showed her face tonight as Alessandro's fiancée.
If she married the man, her identity asDr. Elyse Romerowould be overshadowed by her new role asSignora Vitale. Her medical school training and achievements as a surgeon would mean nothing. After the wedding, Alessandro and his men would be the ones determining her value. What little remained of her self-worth was precious to Elyse, and, however dangerous and foolish it might be to reject Alessandro's protection, she suddenly felt the urge torun, torunfrom the wedding, torunas far away as possible from this claustrophobic fate. In a crazed, haunting manner, fear melded into her pulse with eachquickening beat—run, run, run—as Alessandro returned to the flat to escort her to the ball.
His entire countenance stilled as he caught sight of Elyse in her gold gown. He breathed in awe, "You are a vision."
"Thank you," Elyse replied almost shyly.
Alessandro was dressed in a classic black and white tux. She'd never seen the bastard look more handsome. Her traitorous heart skipped as though it belonged to him.
Run.
He was now inspecting the back of her gown—specifically, her ass—with a curious expression. "Not a single line in sight. How scandalous,Signora Vitale.Is it possible that you are not wearing any—"
Her cheeks pinkened. The dress had been too tight for underwear. She ordered, "Stop staring."
With a low chuckle, Alessandro took Elyse's hand and raised it to his lips, but, instead of placing a gentlemanly peck on the back of her hand, he pressed a long, searing kiss in the middle of her palm. It made her yearn for more of his touch.
He murmured, "Just so you know. My imagination is running wild. I will be obsessing over your wicked, little secret for the rest of the evening."
Feeling a bit lightheaded, Elyse quickly retracted her hand from him. She scolded gently, "We're going to be late."
He gave her ass one long final look and sighed, "Shall we, then,Signora Vitale?"
Again with theSignora Vitale.
"Such an optimist," Elyse muttered under her breath.
Alessandro laughed again and placed his hand on the small of Elyse's back to guide her out of the apartment. They went downstairs together. The twin Rolls-Royce's were already parked along the side of the street, waiting for them. Nils got into the first car with Alessandro and Elyse. Monte and Lucafollowed them in the second vehicle. Malina had stayed behind to watch over Marcello.