Diavolo (Devil’s Playground #1)

16. Chapter 16

16

With sunshine kissing her skin, they arrived in the fashionable Marais district. As Elyse strolled down the charming, cobbled lane of Rue des Barres with Alessandro, it became easy to pretend that she was in love and that her adoring fiancé wasn't the kind of man who set Mikey on fire without batting an eye. At this moment, Alessandro was no devil. He felt more like a fairytale prince, determined to give her a Happily Ever After.

Elyse's resistance slowly melted away like snow on a warm spring day. Her feelings were no longer hers to command. She found, much to her chagrin, that her hand seemed to fit perfectly inside Alessandro's warm, calloused palm as he led them past gargoyle-topped churches, medieval-looking half-timbered houses, and lush, green ivy-draped storefronts of small cafes and picturesque boutiques. They stopped for coffee and croissants. And browsed through tiny shops where Alessandro attempted to purchase everything that caught her eye. Luca and Monte traipsed closely behind them, carrying the mountain of goods Alessandro insisted upon gifting her.

All morning, Elyse's heart skipped girlishly even while unease gripped her mind. She feared this bliss-tinged madness was fast becoming her new normal. Was she behaving like an ostrich with her head in the sand? Absolutely . Save for her half-assed attempt to escape at the charity ball, Elyse had yet to test Alessandro's breaking point. If she ever tried to run for real, would he hunt her down and drag her back in pieces? Elyse didn't want to answer this question. Just for today, she decided to lean into the moment and forget the danger lurking around her. It was impossible not to get swept away when Alessandro was being his most charming self. The bastard's way with words and his wicked smiles could probably coerce a kingdom from a queen.

Around lunchtime, he brought her to La Vigne de Montmartre . Founded in 1933, the sprawling vineyard was one of Paris' best-kept secrets. Nestled halfway up Montmartre hill, it was planted mostly with Pinot Noir and Gamay varieties of grapes. The winery wasn't usually open to the public, but somehow Alessandro had managed to secure a private tasting for them.

"Le Clos Montmartre is known more for its novelty as Paris' sole vineyard rather than the quality of wine it produces," he drawled. "Next time, when we have more time in France, I will take you to Bordeaux."

"Still," Elyse exclaimed in awe at the sight of the sloping vine-covered hills that overlooked the city, "it's beautiful here. Thank you for bringing me."

He bowed his head graciously. "If you are happy, cuore mio , then I am happy."

A smile crept over her face. She was happy. Elyse couldn't remember the last time she had felt this way, not since she was a child, and especially not after her father fell into his coma. Fuck Disneyland . Paris was a dream come true.

Several glasses of Pinot Noirs and Merlots later, Elyse started feeling even happier . She felt less restrained than usual. Lighter and freer. As they embarked on a tour through the winding, flower-trimmed pathways of the vineyard, Elyse kept stumbling and giggling even though she was wearing flats. Fortunately, Alessandro was always there to catch her, keeping a firm, steadying hand around her waist as she swayed in a merry daze.

Toward the end of their tour, Elyse's cheeks glowed rosy pink. A serene, relaxed smile rested on her lips. Tipsily, she rose on her tiptoes to kiss Alessandro. Contentment shone from her green eyes as she breathed out, "Today has been a dream."

"I am glad you are enjoying yourself," Alessandro observed with a wry grin.

Elyse teetered toward him and whisper-shouted, "Remind me to thank you! Properly! Tonight! When we're alone!"

Monte glanced away with an embarrassed grunt while Luca pretended not to hear her by fixating on his phone. Alessandro chuckled as he caught her in his arms. "Do not thank me. Yet . The day is not over, and I have a few more surprises in store for you."

Then, in lowered tones, so that only she could hear, he murmured, "But I look forward to being on the receiving end of your gratitude tonight when we are alone."

Elyse lifted her chin to look at him. "Sir?"

This time, when she uttered the word, her only intent was to please him. Tilting his head, he gazed down at her with expectation. Elyse's drunkenness continued to embolden her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and cooed into his ear, telling him exactly how she intended to thank him later that night in very explicit terms.

"Listen to me, and listen very closely. No man has ever made me feel the way you do. I love it when you touch me. I love it when you beg to fuck me. I love touching you even more. Tonight —I want to touch you, everywhere , I want to take your cock in my hand, in my mouth, and maybe even in my pussy until I lose my fucking mind from pleasure. I want you to go hard and fast. I want you sweet and slow. I want it all from you, baby. Think you're man enough to give it to me?"

Alessandro's breath hitched. His entire body tensed up as though her words had bewitched him. She slipped away from him, tripping down the path with a mischievous chuckle. Laughingly, Alessandro chased after her. She dodged him with a squeal of delight and kept running. He pursued her in easy, leisurely strides. When Alessandro caught up, he hauled Elyse back into his embrace and proceeded to kiss the living daylights out of her. He left her breathless. Elyse felt like a teenager again on a date with her first crush.

His undivided, almost obsessive devotion made Elyse feel giddy, playful, and so very desired. Was this what it felt like to fall in love? She didn't know. Nor did she care. For once, Elyse chose not to think. She simply let herself— be. Her head swam with wine and the vineyard's magic and the quixotic presence of the beautiful bastard beside her.

Alessandro and Elyse returned to the flat later in the afternoon to get ready for dinner. Alessandro changed into a black suit. Elyse donned a black long-sleeved Givenchy mini dress featuring a chain-embellished neckline. They would be going to Le Pré Catelan , a three-starred Michelin restaurant located in the center of Bois de Boulogne park, for a ten-course feast. That evening, Elyse filled her belly with curried crab paired with French caviar, salmon smoked in cherry wood with wasabi confit, langoustine ravioli served with a side of foie gras and fine gold jelly, and a plethora of other mind-blowing delicacies that she had never tasted before in her life.

In between bites, she asked teasingly, "Why are you so good to me?"

"Because," Alessandro answered in matter-of-fact tones, "I enjoy spoiling my woman."

"Thank you again for today," she said. "I'll never forget it."

He grinned broadly. "You are welcome."

"You shouldn't spoil me," Elyse joked. "I might get used to it."

His brow rose with amusement. "But that is the point. Is it not? To gift you everything your heart desires. This way, you cannot bear to part from me."

Uncertainty flashed across her face. She murmured, more so to herself than him. "It feels like I'm living someone else's life. None of this seems real."

Alessandro confirmed with far more confidence than her, "Get used to it, cuore mio ."

"I don't know if I ever will."

Today truly had been a dream. Every moment felt like a lovely scene from a movie. Too lovely, perhaps? The alcohol had since worn off. Her usual restraint and rationale had returned as well. As Elyse sat across the romantic candlelit dinner from Alessandro, she couldn't shake the feeling that the universe might punish her for enjoying herself a bit too much.

In truth, she still knew next tonothing about this perplexing man who was about to become her husband. What she did know was troubling. Alessandro didn't love her . Yet, he was willing to dote on her because she was a Graviano. Elyse wondered how long his affections would last. Skilled womanizers like him probably tired of women quickly.

Would Alessandro lose interest after she let him fuck her a few times? What would become of her once the Gravianos no longer served his agenda? Elyse didn't want to turn into a jealous lover. Or an enemy. She didn't want to be used by Alessandro and then cast aside like a dead battery. Now that Elyse had agreed to wed him, she needed to figure out how to turn their marriage into an impenetrable fortress. Once his father passed, all hell would break loose.

Elyse realized, then, that she needed to become Alessandro's ally, friend, andconfidant in an unbreakable manner. Otherwise, they wouldn't be strong enough to withstand the onslaught coming their way. But could she get him to trust her fully? Could she bring herself to trust him back? Their bond felt so new. Fragile . With her wine in hand, Elyse gazed at him over the rim of the glass. "May I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"What will you expect from me as your wife?"

Alessandro reached over the table to hold her hand, caressing it between his fingers. "I expect you to be happy,and, if you are unhappy, I expect you to tell me how to remedy your sadness."

She smiled winsomely at him. "You and your words."

He smiled back. "Me and my words."

"You always manage to say the right things without answering a single one of my questions."

His thumb had begun drawing slow, enticing circles across her palm. A flutter of desire came over her at his touch. Around and around, his thumb traced her skin. "I cannot answer them because your questions are far too broad."

Elyse felt her neck grow warm. "What do you mean?"

"I can only give you the answer you seek. One day at a time. After we are married. Neither you nor I will know what we need from each other as husband and wife until we become husband and wife. All I know right now is that— I want you ."

Suddenly, Alessandro let go of her hand. He reached inside his blazer and pulled out a small black velvet box. He opened it. Inside, an obscenely large diamond ring sparkled under the candlelight. Alessandro rose from his chair with the ring box in hand. He proceeded to drop down on one knee in the middle of the restaurant. His eyes gleamed bright and earnest.

"Marry me, cuore mio ," he said softly, "so that I can spend a lifetime learning how to be the husband you deserve."

Elyse's gaze darted between the man and the ring. Alessandro's proposal felt so real. The massive rock certainly looked real enough. Yet, she needed to remind herself—

This shit wasn't real at all. Because her answer didn't matter. He'd make her marry him either way. Still, Elyse smiled as though his proposal was a dream come true. With the composure of a queen, she extended her left hand to him. "You already know my answer."

Yes .

Alessandro clasped it gently in one hand while using the other to slide the colossal diamond onto her ring finger. The ring itself was stunning, featuring a single solitaire diamond, round cut, set against a thin gold band. Its monstrous carat size and stunning clarity didn't need any additional embellishments. Surprisingly, the band was a perfect fit. Elyse wondered when Alessandro had found the time to investigate her ring size. For a good minute, Elyse couldn't help but gawk at it, turning her hand this way and that way to admire the sparkle and shine. Despite the hefty size of the stone, the diamond didn't look gaudy despite the slightness of her fingers. There was a classic elegance to the design that commanded attention in a refined and understated manner.

"Do you like it?" Alessandro asked. A worried crease appeared between his brow. "I can have my jeweler make alterations if—"

"No, please don't change a thing, I love it," she insisted.

"I chose gold for the band," he said, almost sheepishly, "because you looked so beautiful in that gold dress the other night."

In helpless wonder, Elyse's gaze darted between her husband-to-be and her stunning new ring. Alessandro had been so thoughtful. She felt utterly unprepared to accept such a grand, considerate gift.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, wearing a regretful look, "but I didn't get you a ring."

"There is no need. I already had one made."

"You did?"

Alessandro nodded and reached under the collar of his shirt to show her a gold chain. A heavy gold ring dangled from it. "The band is custom-made. So is yours. The metal consists mostly of gold. And something else."

Elyse arched a questioning eyebrow. "What do you mean by— something else?"

"I fused the bullet into our rings."

"The… bullet?"

"The one you gave me back in Queens."

Her lips parted in awe. "You kept it? This whole time?"

He answered quietly, "But of course. It is what brought me to you. That deadly little fucker is the best thing that ever happened to me. Because, now, it binds us together. I will be your husband for as long as you wish."

The significance embedded into their rings melted her defenses. Emotions swelled until it felt as though her heart might burst. Unable to contain her affections for this man, Elyse rose from her chair and pulled Alessandro to his feet. She kissed him passionately, desperately, like a woman in love. He wrapped her into his arms and deepened their kiss. As their lips parted, Elyse whispered, "I don't know what the future holds for us, but I intend to take our vows seriously. Don't let me down, and, I swear, I won't let you down, either."

Alessandro stared down at her with a guarded expression. "Is that a promise? Or threat?"

She deadpanned, "Both."

They left Le Pré Catelan a short while later. On their drive back to the flat, Alessandro put up the privacy shield in the vehicle and pulled Elyse onto his lap. He murmured, "Come here, cuore mio."

Elyse nestled closer, resting her head on his chest. Her ring glistened in the dark as street lights and traffic lights flashed by the car window. Alessandro grumbled, "Dio, how I have missed you."

Elyse laughed. "What are you talking about? I was with you all day!"

He sighed. "But so were Monte and Luca."

She lowered her voice and whispered, "They're gone now."

Alessandro smiled and nuzzled Elyse's nose. "Indeed, I have you to myself again."

Elyse glanced toward the driver's seat. "What about Nils?"

His smile widened against her cheek. "Do not worry about him. Nils cannot hear or see through the barrier."

Elyse smirked. "Good to know."

Despite his grumbly, pouty demeanor, Elyse couldn't help noticing that, for the most part, Alessandro seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood. The man had barely stopped smiling since they left the restaurant. As the vehicle rolled onward, Alessandro cupped Elyse's jaw and drew her to him for a kiss. His hands started roaming up and down her bare thighs. He cupped her breasts. One hand eventually slid under the short hem of her mini dress. He pushed aside the lace of her panties to tease her folds.

Elyse moaned softly as he kissed his way down her neck and collarbone. His fingers busied themselves between her thighs. She gasped when his thumb grazed her clit. Alessandro kept his touch featherlight and unhurried, purposely withholding the friction and pressure she so craved. Her eyes narrowed. Two could play this game . She snaked a hand toward his crotch to unzip his trousers. Alessandro was already hard when her fingers wrapped around his cock. Elyse played with him in the same unhurried, featherlight method that he was applying on her. Every time he tried to thrust or grind against her palm, Elyse's hand would dance away until he stilled himself again.

"Fucking tease," he hissed.

"Learn to behave," she growled back.

"I—"

His phone rang.

To Elyse's shock, Alessandro chose to answer it without removing his hand from her. The bastard's thumb was still circling her clit. The fuck? His nerve astounded her. Wickedly, Alessandro continued to mess with her as he took his call. His words trailed off in Italian while his fingers trailed along her outer and inner folds. She gave his dick a few quick pumps. His hips bucked in response, but he kept his voice steady and composed. Alessandro muttered something else in Italian. He rubbed her clit a bit faster and dipped inside her slick warmth. One finger became two. He began to fuck her with purposeful strokes as his call dragged on.

Elyse bit back a moan. Her breaths soon turned into whimpers. To retaliate, she pushed Alessandro's hand away and scrambled off his lap to the other end of the seat. Elyse bent down to lick the tip of his cock, sucking the head and swirling her tongue around several times before releasing him with a wet, wicked pop . Alessandro's entire body stiffened, his breaths hitched every now and then, but, miraculously, he managed to carry on his conversation in relatively unaffected tones while she, in an equally impressive manner, managed to pick out a few telling details from Alessandro's Italian even though she was moments away from coming.

Spedizione. Shipment .

Paolo Castillo. Was this the same Se?or Castillo from the charity ball?

Trovalo. Find him .

Before Elyse could even begin to process what any of those details might suggest, Alessandro hung up as quickly as he had answered it. His eyes were dark with need. Without warning, he scooted over and shoved her legs apart with both hands, muttering desperately, " Voglio baciarti qui ..."

He yanked down her panties to kiss her mound. " E qui ..."

Alessandro nipped her inner thighs, her lower lips, her folds. " E anche qui ."

His lips closed around her clit. Elyse moaned happily. He looped his arms around her legs until her thighs rested upon his broad shoulders. Alessandro started eating her out as though she was ripe, honeyed fruit while reaching down to grip his cock in hand, pumping him alongside her own frenzied bliss. They zipped by the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe . Elyse didn't notice any of it. They were both too lightheaded, breathless, and trembling on the verge of release to care about goddamn landmarks. With a pained expression, Alessandro lifted his head away from her glistening, throbbing pussy and panted frantically, "I am close. Take me in your mouth. Per favore!"

She shuffled around the backseat to swallow him between her lips. As Elyse proceeded to milk his cock of every fucking drop, Alessandro's hand slid between her legs to finish her off with his fingers. They came just moments apart from each other. With his chest still heaving and his face deeply flushed, Alessandro helped Elyse rearrange her dress and panties until she was presentable again. He hauled her back into his arms.

"I will never get enough of you," Alessandro mumbled into her ear. " Never ."

Elyse hummed quietly in agreement— she was obsessed with him, too —feeling too satiated and relaxed from her climax to form a proper reply. She dozed peacefully on his shoulder as the car rolled on. In moments like this one, she couldn't remember why it was such a terrible idea to be with a man like Alessandro. Not long after she closed her eyes, however, Elyse awoke to the sound of an incessant ring-ring-ringing . Alessandro's phone was chiming again. He picked up. This time, however, the conversation didn't last more than a minute. His entire countenance shifted within those sixty seconds.

Alessandro turned to Elyse with a grim expression. "I must stay in Paris for a few extra days."

Instantly, she felt alarmed. "Why?"

He scowled. "Fucking Marrone is working with Castillo to short me on our next shipment of goods."

She didn't recognize this name. "Who's Marrone?"

"Enzo Marrone. He is a lap dog for the Stidda."

"I'll stay with you," Elyse volunteered, "until your business here is concluded."

" No ," he replied, "you will go to Sicily a few days early. Malina and Monte can accompany you."

She set her jaw defiantly. "I don't want to go without you."

"It is not safe," he insisted with a sigh. "I will not be able to focus if you are within striking distance of Marrone. Everyone knows about you now. From the charity ball. You will be safer in Palermo. My family will protect you. Your grandfather can protect you as well."

"What if something happens to you? Or one of your men? You'll need my help. As a doctor."

"You are not the only doctor in Paris," he assured her, "I will be fine."

Elyse noted that Alessandro didn't dispute the fact that someone might get shot or the fact that he might get shot again. This wasn't a reassuring realization at all.

"I swear to God," she snapped, "if you die before our wedding—"

"I will not die."

"You aren't invincible."

"Have some faith in your man."

Elyse glared at him. "Ego is blinding your judgment."

"And fear is blinding yours," Alessandro countered readily.

Her heart clenched. He wasn't wrong. She was very afraid. Fear tumbled out of Elyse in a wave of anger and frustration. "I don't know why I care about what happens to you. If you died, I could sell the ring you gave me, buy myself a new identity, and disappear forever."

"Cruel woman," he chided. "You have no heart."

"Stupid man," she grumbled. "You have a death wish."

Alessandro laughed and brushed his lips against hers, muttering in between kisses, "Be a good girl, cuore mio , and go to Sicily. I will meet you there for our wedding in a week or so. I promise."