Diavolo (Devil’s Playground #1)

9. Chapter 9

9

Elyse closed her eyes. Her head was beginning to hurt. "You can't be serious."

Alessandro dragged his fingers through his jet-black hair. He sighed, "Why would I lie about a matter as serious as marriage?"

Green eyes flicked open. Both brows knitted together. "I don't know."

Oddly, his point was valid. Alessandro didn't strike her as the type of man who would give up the freedom to fuck whoever he pleased and commit to one woman. Their relationship was already hurtling toward sex with no strings attached. It should've suited him just fine. There was no reason for Alessandro to bring up marriage if he had no intention to marry her.

Alessandro insisted, "I am being honest with you."

She flung back, "You should've been honest from day one."

He cocked an eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest. "You were already threatening to resign over the fact that I was your employer. It did not seem like the best time to nominate myself as your future husband."

Elyse glared. "And it feels like the right time, now , to drop this bombshell on me?"

Surprisingly, Alessandro seemed to share her sentiments. He shook his head. "Of course not. I am aware that nothing about our situation is ideal. My timing is extremely flawed. When you first arrived in Zurich, I had hoped to ease you into the idea of marriage, so you might come to accept me as your husband. Willingly ."

Alessandro looked genuine. He sounded sincere. Elyse suspected it was all an act. She muttered, "How noble of you. Manipulating a woman into marriage is such a step up from forcing her into one."

He cleared his throat. "I suppose you have a right to be upset."

Her expression burned with quiet rage. "No shit."

Alessandro eyed her warily. "For the record, I wanted you before I learned about your mother. Our time together in New York was— unforgettable . No woman has captured my interest quite like you, angelo ."

Her heart gave a stutter even while she scoffed, "You're unbelievable."

"Listen—"

Was that why Stefano and Mikey brought him to her apartment? Without letting him finish, she demanded, "Did you know who I was from the very beginning?"

" No , I did not confirm your identity until I returned to Europe."

Did she believe him? Not really. He continued waxing poetry at her, "Even if you were not your mother's daughter, I would have found a way to help you. Stefano and Mikey needed to know their place."

She looked at him with renewed suspicion. "Sounds like you threatened them."

"I did."

"Then Stefano missed your memo. He was still hounding me for payments after you left."

"Was he now?"

"Yes."

"Good," Alessandro praised. "I am glad he followed through."

Her eyebrows snapped up. "What are you talking about?"

"I ordered him to keep pressuring you. I needed you desperate. Otherwise, you wouldn't have considered my job offer."

"You needed me… desperate?"

"Sì."

Outrage trembled through Elyse. This bastard was more insidious than she could've ever imagined. "You're starting to make me hate you."

"Even if you hate me, you must admit— you are better off without them. "

"You know, Stefano has been very quiet ever since I arrived in Switzerland," Elyse suddenly realized. "Did you have something to do with his change of heart?"

Alessandro's eyes gleamed like the devil. "Naturally."

She fought to stay calm. "Oh, Dios …"

"I told Stefano to behave around you. Or else he might end up like his friend."

Was Mikey's disappearance related to Alessandro, after all? Unease struck Elyse. "What the hell did you do to Mikey?"

He answered as though she'd merely asked about the weather, "Nothing, really."

Elyse's pulse sped up like a crazed drum. "Then why has he been missing?"

"Who knows."

"Did you kill him?"

"No, but—"

Alessandro's evasiveness was beginning to piss her off. She wanted the truth. "Tell me everything. Or you'll never touch me again."

Her threat made him scowl.

"He hurt you," Alessandro finally answered, "so I hurt him."

"What did you do to Mikey?"

In a terrifyingly calm voice, he replied, "Do not look so surprised, angelo . I already told you what would happen to the fucker back in Queens."

Chills ran through her as she recalled a snippet from their conversation in Queens. Right after he woke up and noticed the bruises on her face.

I imagine they burn easily, too.

Elyse's mouth fell open. "Please don't tell me that you set him on fire."

"Just his hands. Then, I took out the right one. With an ax. And smashed in the left one. With a hammer. The fucker will never be able lay another fist on you. I warned him . If he so much as breathes in your direction again, I will put a bullet in him and— smile ."

"You'd… smile?"

"At the sight of the hole in his head."

Her insides ran cold. At last, Elyse caught a glimpse of the darkness lurking beneath Alessandro's charming, poetic facade. Elyse swore under her breath, "Jesus fucking Christ."

"I thought you would be pleased about what I did to Michael Bianchi?"

She was pleased to hear about Mikey's demise. Elyse grimaced. She'd often dreamed about exacting revenge on Stefano and Mikey. But Elyse never believed that her twisted fantasies could become reality. Now that Mikey was gone from her life— most likely left for dead —it left her in a state of shock. She was a doctor by trade. Her purpose was to save lives. Not rejoice when someone was being maimed and possibly murdered. Conflict wrestled in her. There was an evil rising within. How much darkness could seep through before her soul lost its way?

Elyse gazed at Alessandro with a helpless expression. What about him? Was he a fallen angel? Or a devil through and through? Logic told her that villains like Stefano and Mikey could only be outplayed by a greater villain. "I don't know what to feel right now. All I know is that you frighten me a little. But thank you, I guess, for taking care of Mikey. I'm relieved that he won't be bothering me anymore."

"Please do not fear me. I would never harm you," he contended softly. "I may be a monster in many ways, but I strive to be a good man in your eyes. Let me be your diavolo , and I will treat you like my angelo ."

The man had such a way with words. They wreaked havoc on her heart even when she knew better than to fall for a devil masquerading as an angel. Emotions were fickle. A bitch could get herself killed over emotions. Her mind kept reeling. "I wish I could believe you."

Right now, Alessandro was on her side. He wanted to marry her. Her branch on the Graviano family tree seemed to benefit his agenda. She'd also saved his life. In retrospect, however, Mikey had also saved Alessandro's life by carrying him to her apartment. Yet, Alessandro didn't hesitate to dispose of Mikey once he outlived his usefulness. Was she going to end up like Mikey? Elyse ignored her quickening pulse. If she ever stood in the way of Alessandro's end game, the bastard might turn on her, too.

"You can believe me," he insisted.

"Only time will tell," she replied with a shrug. "For now, there are more important matters to address."

"Such as?"

Taking a deep, steadying breath, Elyse suppressed the chaos of her thoughts and emotions. She needed to focus on the facts. She only wanted the facts. "How can you be so sure about me? What if I'm not even related to the Gravianos?"

"I had my men run a maternity test on you and your mother."

"Are you serious?"

"The results came back positive. Your DNA is a definitive match with Gianna Graviano. I can show them to you. If you wish."

This was the first time she'd heard anyone speak of her mother's name. Elyse's heart began to thud painfully. "Her name was… Gianna Graviano?"

He offered her a look of pity. "You never knew your mother's name?"

Elyse shook her head. "She left after I was born. My father never answered questions about her. He didn't like to talk about my mother. But I've always been curious. It's kind of sad. Not knowing if I was anything like her. Or if she was anything like me, you know?"

"You have her eyes," Alessandro remarked, "but you are far more beautiful."

Elyse wished his compliments didn't wield an effect on her, but she blushed all the same. "Thank you."

"It is the truth."

Still feeling flushed in her cheeks, Elyse tried to remain focused. "Did you ever meet… Gianna?"

She wanted to meet her mother.

"Not in person. I only saw photographs of her."

"Is she still alive?"

"I am afraid not."

Hope wilted away. Nevermind . Elyse announced faintly, "I need to sit down."

She shuffled over to the couch. Alessandro traipsed after her like a loyal canine and sat down beside her. For the past few years, Elyse had prayed every night for her father to rouse from his coma. Now, more than ever, Elyse wanted to know everything about her mother. So many questions flooded her mind. Questions that only Papá could answer. Elyse bit back a cheerless laugh. Anguish writhed within as reality mocked her. If only such a wish wasn't so ludicrous. Papá might as well be dead. He was as useful to her as a fucking corpse. As always, she had to carry on— alone, alone, always alone —as her world flew off its axis once more.

Elyse turned to face Alessandro, demanding, "How did you get my DNA for the test?"

"Do you remember the medical examination that came with the job offer?"

Elyse's mind raced back to the day of her physical. The nurse had taken a cheek swab from her. Elyse scowled as the lightbulb clicked in her head. "Ah . How efficient of you."

He grimaced. "I am sorry for deceiving you."

"At this point, I can't keep track of your bullshit anymore. Have you been lying about everything? You said violence wouldn't be used if I tried to leave. Is this another lie?"

"You are not allowed to leave," he murmured, "but I would certainly never hurt you."

This sounded like a veiled threat. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

"If I remember correctly, what I said was— I would do everything in my power to convince you to stay . There is a difference."

Alarm shot through Elyse. "What would happen if I tried to run?"

"I would bring you back as many times as needed," he said, "until you learned your lesson."

Her heart dropped. This was exactly as she feared. Alessandro was going to keep her with him against her will. Even if Elyse managed to escape, he'd hunt her down. She stated in dismal tones, "It seems you're not so different from Stefano and Mikey, after all."

"You are wrong," Alessandro corrected her, "I am worse. Far worse ."

"I believe you." Rebellion simmered in her veins. Elyse refused to be controlled by yet another man in the mafia. She hated feeling so powerless over her circumstances. "When I was a girl, my father told me that the devil deceived those who let their guard down. Because he was beautiful and tempting. Not repulsive at all. His lies felt like truth. His victims would follow him to hell, blind to his evil until the flames swallowed them whole."

" Angelo —"

She cut him off, "You are the devil."

"I may have wronged you, but do not judge me so harshly. Per favore . Hear me out."

Elyse remained defiant. "Why should I listen? You've done nothing but hide shit from me since I landed in Zurich."

"What if I told you that I can offer another way out? For good. "

"Is this another one of your tricks?"

"I am being transparent, I swear."

It wasn't like she had much of a choice but to hear him out. He wielded too much power over her. Reluctantly, Elyse gave in, "Go on."

"In a year or two, once I settle business matters with your grandfather, I promise to release you from our contract and provide a very generous divorce settlement. As long as you cooperate during our marriage."

"You're talking like we're already married," Elyse muttered in protest.

"There are worse reasons for two people to marry," argued Alessandro. "At least, you know I am attracted to you. I know you are attracted to me. We are very good together—in bed. You have also experienced a small taste of the life I can offer you. It will be a comfortable life. You will be happy as my wife."

The sheer size of this man's huevos continued to astound her. Balls. His determination was impressive, but it was also distressing. Her will wasn't his to bend. Elyse groaned, "I'm not going to marry you!"

Alessandro frowned. "Only a fool would refuse my offer."

She looked at him as though he was crazy. "No. Only a dumbass would accept it . You're a member of Cosa Nostra . You represent everything that has ruined my father and destroyed my life! Why would I marry into the mafia when I've been trying to escape the Mancinis for years?"

"But escape is not possible. Blood is blood, and yours is as tainted as mine," Alessandro murmured. "We were both born into a legacy that will never let us go."

Gianna might have Graviano blood flowing through her veins. But was the woman really her mother? Elyse grew desperate to review the DNA results. Alessandro could be lying again. Her mind became a mess. In a steady voice that didn't reflect her inner turmoil, she addressed him, "Mr. Vitale?"

Alessandro tilted his head toward her. "What troubles you now, Dr. Romero?"

"I don't know what you're hoping to gain from the Gravianos, but there's got to be a better solution than marrying me."

He hesitated for a moment. "You raise a fair point, I suppose. There are always better solutions than the ones we find for ourselves. Unfortunately, time is not always on our side. At the moment, I have no other choice. Something came up yesterday. Urgent and unavoidable. It forced me to recalibrate my strategy. I am a man on a sinking vessel, and you, unfortunately, are the closest lifeline."

The gravity in his voice softened her anger toward him. Elyse recalled Alessandro's heated conversation from the day before. The one that made him disappear from the villa for hours. "Is this why you were so upset yesterday? On the phone?"

Quietly, he admitted, " Sì ."

"What happened?"

His expression darkened. "May I offer some advice?"

"No," she grumbled, "but I have a feeling that you're going to tell me, anyway."

"I suggest that you learn to look the other way. Especially when it comes to the finer details of our life together— like names, numbers, and negotiations . If you want to be released from marriage down the line, ignorance will be a blessing. The less you know, the easier it will be for me to let you go."

Frowning, Elyse felt even more determined to learn Italian on the sly. "So you want me to see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil? Got it. Awesome. Can't fucking wait."

"This is how our world operates. You will get used to it. In time."

Our world? Fuck that. She wanted nothing to do with his world. This whole scenario felt like a nightmare. Elyse glared at him without saying a word. As their gazes clashed, Alessandro fell silent for a beat or two.

His expression turned stoic. Unreadable. Then, a decided gleam returned to his eyes. "We will marry once my business in Paris is concluded."

"You already found a venue?"

"Sì."

"And set a date?"

"Sì."

How fucking romantic.

Alessandro continued, "I also promised your grandfather that I will bring you to him."

Elyse coughed. "My grandfather?"

Decisions were being made left and right without her consent. Yet, this particular decision hit her differently than the others. Elyse felt blindsided. She hadn't even known that her grandfather was alive.

Alessandro nodded curtly. "Yes, he is very much looking forward to meeting you. Your mother was his favorite child."

"Really?"

Despite her unease, a small, curious part of Elyse wanted to meet her grandfather. Gianna might be dead, but Benedetto was very much alive. Perhaps, her grandfather could shed some light about the mother she never knew?

" Sì ."

"Does this mean I have aunts and uncles?"

"No aunts. But you have two uncles. They were your mother's older brothers. One is dead and the other is in prison."

The discovery of these new branches in her family tree was shocking. Elyse struggled to process everything as more questions plagued her mind. How did her mother die? How did her uncle die? Why was her other uncle in prison? Turmoil swerved toward hysteria. If Gianna was a favored child, why hadn't her grandfather reached out to her before? A powerful mafia boss certainly possessed the resources to locate a missing granddaughter, right?

"Did my grandfather know about me?" she asked in distracted tones.

"He did not," Alessandro answered, "there were always rumors, of course, of a lost child, but none of us were certain until I found you and conducted a DNA test."

A heavy, sullen mood settled over Elyse. Her thoughts and feelings felt too overwhelming to process at the moment. "I see."

"In two weeks, we will be traveling to Sicily," Alessandro informed her, "for our wedding."

Elyse growled, "I haven't agreed to to be your wife, Mr. Vitale."

"But you will walk down the aisle with me," he assured her. "Even if I have to carry you every step of the way— kicking and screaming —over my fucking shoulder."

"That's not funny."

"I was not joking."

Elyse studied him anxiously. Alessandro looked very serious about his threat, and she didn't know whether it would be smarter to wait for him to release her. After the bastard obtained whatever he needed from the Gravianos. Or escape before the wedding sealed her fate forever. Anxiety spurred her heart rate. Chaos ruled her mind. She caged it all, though, sitting very still and very straight on the couch. Elyse refused to fall apart beside the very devil who'd strategized an entire chessboard to checkmate her into marriage.

Using a small voice, she requested, "I want to see the test results."

Readily, Alessandro obliged, "I will ask Mr. Schmid to send them to you."

Tightly, she returned, "Thank you."

He tried to reach for her hand. " Angelo ..."

Elyse brushed him aside and abruptly rose from the couch. "I need to go."

"I am sorry."

Elyse wanted to scream. Why was he apologizing? He was the one who had placed her in this fucked up position! She stalked away without acknowledging his apology.

He called after her, "Where are you going?"

"To get ready for your physical," she replied over her shoulder.

"Let us reschedule the physical. I want you to take the day off. Per favore. "

"I've taken it easy since I got here. I don't need a fucking day off," Elyse thundered back. "Let me do my job!"

This was the first time she had ever raised her voice to Alessandro. He took notice. Alessandro dropped his voice to a quiet, yielding timbre when he replied, "As you wish, Dr. Romero."

She hurried away from the living room. He didn't try to stop her again. Once Elyse made it to the bedroom, she closed the door. It was a moment of necessary solitude. Deep breath in. Out. Elyse wanted to clear her emotions so she could focus on the facts. She went to retrieve her laptop. Elyse pulled up a search engine and began scouring the web for any information she could gather on the Graviano crime family. She learned that the Gravianos originated in Catania, Italy. They appeared to be mostly involved in loan sharking, terrorism, and gambling. Elyse couldn't find much information about her mother or her grandfather, but there were brief mentions of their names in a few articles that she stumbled upon.

During her fact-finding mission, Elyse took a moment to process the news that her mother was dead. She'd always wondered about her mother's whereabouts. Now she knew for certain. The woman was six feet under. A pang of loss grazed Elyse. But it only stung a little. Like a stray projectile. She hadn’t known the woman, after all. They were, in essence, strangers. Her grief didn't feel real. Not like a bullet to the heart, but rather the sympathy one might reserve for the passing of a friend's parent. It made her feel like a heartless bitch. Feeling utterly disoriented, Elyse didn't know how to mourn her mother.

A while later, her phone chimed. It was an email notification from Mr. Schmid. The maternity test results were attached to his message. She saw her name.

Elyse Romero.

She saw her mother’s name.

Gianna Graviano.

It was unsettling to see their names side by side. With bated breath, Elyse opened the documents. Her eyes skimmed over the results. Fucking hell . The data laid before her was undeniable, science didn't lie, but reality felt warped, nonetheless.

She was the biological daughter of Gianna Graviano.

Elyse sank to the floor, shrinking to a child-like ball. Bleakly, she wrapped her arms around her knees. Years ago, on her ninth birthday, she saw firsthand how a man could be a brilliant poker player and a self-destructiveasshole at the same time. Papá had promised her a special birthday trip to Disneyland if he did well at his next tournament. He won enough money for the trip, but, then, greed lured him to gamble away his earnings. Elyse never made it to Disneyland. By the end of Papá's tournament, they didn't even have enough to buy a cake. But Elyse forgave her father. She always forgave him. Because there had been hope in her heart that he'd do better next time. That he'd change. That he'd know better than to break her heart again.

For a moment, Elyse felt as though she was nine again, reliving the birthday when her innocence lost its shine. Today mirrored the day Papá made her dream come true before gambling it all away. Until today, Elyse believed that her love could triumph over Papá's sins. That through sacrifice and determination, she could repay his debts to the Mancinis. Elyse stared at her laptop screen again. The results glared back. Her dreams of freedom had just been shattered in an even more heartbreaking manner.

Blood is blood.

What a sick, terrible joke. Reality taunted her misery. A quiet, serene life had never felt further out of reach. Elyse sucked in a quivering breath. Her mind was a wreck. Through the despair, however, something savage rebelled against this cage she couldn't escape. Resentment became rage. She grew silent and still. Dangerously so. Defeat felt imminent, but Elyse was too fucking pissed off to surrender.

She'd never been able to rely on the men in her life. But Elyse could still trust herself. Her jaw set. Life had knocked her down before. She always found ways to pick herself back up and push onward. This time would be no different. If she couldn't escape her blood, then maybe it was time to stop running. Maybe it was time to acknowledge her birthright, own it, master it, and wield it until she no longer feared the blood running through her veins. At this, Elyse's thoughts swiveled toward the new monster in her life.

Alessandro Vitale .

Today—he’d revealed a glimmer of his true colors. This side of him scared her more than Stefano's threats or Mikey's fists ever did. Alessandro didn't threaten her life, nor did he hit her, but he was far less predictable and, therefore, by extension, far more formidable. She knew from Stefano and Mikey's stories that the wives and girlfriends and mistresses of mafiosi often lived luxurious, pampered lives. But they were also mistreated, abused, and killed over the smallest infractions. Only men were allowed to be kings in the mafia. Their women weren't queens. They were pawns. Disposable and easily replaced.

This whole time, Alessandro had managed to seduce her while using her, lying to her, and betraying her trust. All for his own benefit . She was furious at the man. She wanted to hate him. However, Elyse couldn't bring herself to summon up such a taxing, wretched emotion. It was beneath her. He didn't deserve her trust, let alone her hatred. He did, however, earn her begrudging respect. She recognized a worthy adversary in Alessandro. He'd set an immaculate trap, and she'd dived head first into it.

Elyse didn't know how far Alessandro would go to bend her to his will, but she was ready to test his limits. Marriage was out of the question. Even if the man kept his word—that was a big if —and divorced her in a few years, the trade-off would take too great a toll. Marrying into the mafia meant that she could never be her own person again. They'd own her completely.

For once in her life, Elyse possessed no plan. Or strategy. There no longer seemed to be a need. All of her schemes so far had crumbled to dust. The rules to Alessandro's game kept changing. She'd need to play everything by ear from now on. It seemed a quiet, serene life had never been in her cards. Her dreams of freedom were dead. Especially now that a devil planned to shove his ring on her finger. Distress nipped at her heels, but a desire to persevere spurred her on. With a sting in her eyes, Elyse grabbed her medical supplies and headed back outside to her 9 am appointment.

Alessandro's face lit up when he saw her return to the living room. He asked, "Did you receive the results from Mr. Schmid?"

"I did," she replied, "thank you."

Alessandro's gaze honed onto the watery gleam in her eyes. His expression softened. "Are you... alright?"

Elyse's eyes hardened. "I will be."

Neither of them addressed the elephant in the room. Yet, the unresolved matters of marriage and Alessandro's deceit now stretched between them like tendrils of smoke. Thickening the air. His closeness was suffocating. Elyse's anger grew so potent that she felt as though she might choke on it. Still, she willed herself to tamp down her wrath. Alessandro needed to know that he wasn't the only unpredictable fucker in this room.

Elyse flashed him a tight smile. Uncertainly, he eyed her bag of medical supplies. "I am ready whenever you are, Dr. Romero."

With a placid, composed face, she swallowed the violence simmering within her like jagged, little pills. "Let's begin."

Alessandro sat himself down on the couch. Elyse settled beside him. He was already shirtless. Her eyes scanned his muscled torso. She immediately noticed the pale, raised scar tissue from his gunshot wound sat low on his abdomen. After snapping on a pair of latex gloves, Elyse inspected it up close. "This has healed nicely."

"You did an excellent job stitching me up, Dr. Romero."

"I know."

In adept, seasoned movements, she proceeded to remove a stethoscope from her bag to check his heart, lungs, ears, and blood pressure. Alessandro's breath hitched lightly each time her gloved hands brushed along his skin. Very noticeably, his heart rate kept picking up speed. Quietly, he asked, "Will you allow me to take you out to lunch today?"

"No."

He implored her, " Angelo ..."

She mimicked the plea in his tone. " Sir ..."

"I want to make things right between us."

Arching an eyebrow, Elyse challenged, "Why?"

"Because I care for you."

More lies. She scoffed delicately, "And yet you have no problem with hijacking my future or ignoring my wishes when it serves you."

It was infuriating to know that he could remain so unaffected. The scales kept tilting in his favor as though God Himself had pressed a thumb on the side of Alessandro's plate. Elyse decided to punish him the only way she knew how. She pulled off her gloves. Then, Elyse slid a hand inside his joggers to grasp his cock. Alessandro's brown and blue-gray eyes grew wide. "No… gloves?”

She gave him a few slow, pleasing tugs. "Would you like me to put them back on?”

As expected, Alessandro hardened within her fingers. He drew in a quick breath. "Keep them off. It is better this way.”

Elyse held him firmer in her grip. Heat pulsed between them. He gasped and groaned, "Have you forgiven me?"

Elyse said nothing. She continued to caress him gently, lovingly in her hand, playing with his balls, gliding and twisting her palm lightly in barely-there movements along his thick, solid length. Alessandro closed his eyes. It didn't take long for his breaths to quicken, spilling out in fast, shallow spurts.

He whispered in surrender, " Per favore , angelo , I need more. From you. Do not make me beg."

She started pulling down his joggers. Eagerly, he helped her. His cock jutted out like a steel pole from his body. As his excitement mounted, Elyse wet her palm with the fluid that now leaked from his tip, using the clear liquid to coat his velvety length until it became slick to the touch. She tightened her grip around him and increased the speed of her movements. Alessandro groaned in ecstasy. Soon, his cock was throbbing and spasming between her fingers. Right as Alessandro was about to find his release, however, Elyse quickly slid her hand down to the base of his length in a vice-like grip, effectively terminating his orgasm in mid-climax.

Alessandro's eyes flung open. His nostrils flared with agony and lust. Panting and snarling with panic, he cried out, "Angelo,no, no, no! Per favore!"

Elyse retracted her hand from his pulsating, reddish-purplish dick with the cool, clinical indifference of a woman who didn't give a single fuck. Calmly, she began to pack away her stethoscope, her blood pressure monitor, and her otoscope. Alessandro observed her movements and her disappearing tools with a frantic expression. He demanded breathlessly, "What are you doing?"

"Leaving."

Through a tight, clenched jaw, Alessandro growled, "We are not done here."

Promptly, Elyse replied in polite, unaffected tones, "No, you're mistaken. We are done because— this— is what it feels like to be used, to be denied what you desperately want, and to be treated like an object. An object that can be picked up. And played with. Then discarded without a second thought."

The shock on his handsome face was a satisfying sight. Without another word, Elyse strode away with her supplies in tow, leaving him to gape after her in pain and discomfort.

Elyse recognized her act of rebellion to be a petty, insignificant victory, but vindication coursed through her all the same. At the very least, the playing field felt slightly less skewed in Alessandro's favor. It filled Elyse with a speck of more confidence—now that she finally met the monster behind the mask—she might be able to outplay the devil at his own game.