Page 95 of Diavolo

For us.

He kissed her again, and, suddenly, Elyse didn't know if she possessed the strength to walk away from this man, child or no child, in a few years' time. Elyse felt tethered to him by somethingso strong that she could no longer denyit.

Itwas starting to feel very much like—love.

Two days later, Elyse and Alessandro left the blissful sanctuary of their wedding suite in the remote Sicilian country villa to drive back to the sultry, chaotic vibrancy of Palermo.

Much had changed between the newlyweds within the span of these two fleeting days. Even though their marriage was a conditional one, a fiery new Spartan-like sense of camaraderiehad been forged between them. It was an unspoken covenant, outlining the need to join hands in battle against greater foes and obstacles until the necessity of their partnership ran its course.

Elyse acknowledged that her morality could no longer be colored in black and white. Granted, she was no stranger to the mafia and its violent gray hues, thanks to Stefano and Mikey, but she'd always existed along the outer edges of its terrors. Now, she was thecapo'swife. A position that would put her at the front and in the center of the fuckery. Greed was a virtue. Ruthlessness was an admirable trait. They'd need to kill. Or be killed.

After glimpsing into her husband's traumatic adolescence and the grisly events that had taken place in Paris, Alessandro's murderous and criminal tendencies had never been more apparent. Yet, this ugly reflection of his humanity also enabled her to witness glimmers of his pain. Of his self-awareness. Of his inability to escape his blood, much like her, and of his potential willingness to put her wishes above his own.

Was it possible for compassion or selflessness to exist in a man of mafia origins? Could she come to love such a man? Regardless, Elyse acknowledged that her well-being and safety were aligned with Alessandro's every move. His victories would bring her stability, surety, and safety while each defeat would consume them alive, piece by piece, like bloodthirsty parasites.

Elyse couldn't foresee what awaited her in Alessandro's mafia underbelly of violence, drugs, and corrupt politics. All Elyse knew was that she wished to support Alessandro as his ally, lover, and wife for as long as her conscience would allow her to stay.

Once they arrived at the palazzo and reached the privacy of their bedroom, Alessandro remarked, "You havethe lookin your eyes."

She frowned. "What look?"

"The look," Alessandro explained as he crossed the room to her, "that tells me not all is well."

Elyse laughed as he sidled up behind her, nuzzling her neck and snaking his muscled arms around her waist. With a lopsided smile, she tried to bat him away and drawled, "I guess I need to work on my poker face."

But he held on, locking her into a tight embrace.

"Only with outsiders. Do not hide yourself from me," Alessandro murmured, kissing her shoulder, "I want to learn all of your naughty secrets."

She tilted her face toward him. His hands skirted down to the flare of her hips. Their eyes found each other. His gaze was now boring into her in a very intent and determined manner.

"You once said to me," he continued, "that you wished for us to shoulder the blessings and the burdens in life.Together. How am I to support you? If you do not share yourself with me? Fully?"

Elyse studied Alessandro for a moment. Hesitation clung to her face. She had never allowed anyone into her innermost circle of trust. Still, Alessandro had opened up a lot on their wedding night. Maybe it was time for her to do the same.

Elyse grimaced. "Do you really want to know?"

"I want to know everything about you."

She paused before admitting, "Well, I was thinking about us."

His eyebrows rose. "In what way?"

"In the way that your fate now reflects my fate. And vice versa. We'll need to work together to avoid catastrophe."

"I agree completely."

Her voice became pensive. "And..."

Alessandro prompted, "And?"

"I want to learn how to navigate your world—well,ourworld now—so I can avoid stepping into another trap like the one your stepmother set for me."

Alessandro kissed her. "Carmen has been dealt with. Do not worry about her."

Elyse's mind suddenly raced back to their wedding. Hindsight was twenty-twenty. Her heart thudded with unease as a revelation sank in. After the ceremony, Elyse's nerves had been too frazzled and distracted by Alessandro's sudden appearance to notice several missing guests. She couldn't remember seeing Mrs. Vitale at the castle, or Valentina, or being introduced to Alessandro's father, even though she distinctly recalled Malina adding their names to the seating arrangements. Had these absences been intentional?

Elyse grew tense. "What did you do to your stepmother?"