17. Chapter 17
17
Valentina took a dramatic pause. "Believe it or not, there was a time when Sandro and I looked out for each other like real siblings."
Was this true? Immediately, curiosity clamped onto Elyse and wouldn't let go. "I didn't realize the two of you were ever on good terms.”
Valentina’s voice dipped low, taking on a decidedly more somber tone. "My mother married Vincenzo when I was thirteen. Sandro was seventeen. He resented us at first because his mother had barely died the year before. In time, though, Sandro lowered his guard around me. Back then, I was not as capable or comfortable in my skin as I am now. In many ways, he became my protector and my confidant."
Protector and confidant? Elyse didn't know whether or not to believe Valentina. Was this an act like her crocodile tears at Vincenzo's funeral? If any of this was true, though—
Elyse had always suspected hidden layers of complexity between Alessandro and Valentina. Her husband hadn't elaborated on this aspect of his relationship with his stepsister during their awkward encounter in the Zurich villa.
“His brothers treated me like shit. I am glad that they are dead. Sandro was the only one who ever stood up for me.”
If Valentina wasn't bullshitting her, Elyse didn't know whether or not to fault Alessandro for keeping this part of his past from her. Even if this was an oversight—rather than an intentional omission—the bastard had been keeping more than his fair share of secrets, so this subject remained a bit touchy on her nerves.
The not-so-blushing bride cleared her throat, roughly, to draw Elyse's focus back to their conversation.
Her head snapped back to Valentina with a sheepish look .
With a disgruntled frown, the blonde went on to say, "Sandro was away at boarding school most of the time. He only returned to Palermo during summer and winter holidays. Yet, he shielded me from Vincenzo's wrath better than anyone. My mother was helpless against my stepfather whenever he went on a rampage, but Sandro wasn't afraid of pissing him off. Sometimes he even got beaten for it."
Beaten?
Horror spread across Elyse's face. "Oh, Dios ."
Valentina smiled a strained smile. "He was not always as big and strong as he is now. His brothers took full advantage of their superior size and strength while we were growing up. They were merciless every time Vincenzo ordered them to teach him a lesson. Sandro took the fall for me quite a few times. I did the same for him. Vincenzo and his older sons were not easy men to live with."
Without question, gut instinct told Elyse that Valentina wasn't exaggerating here. She knew Alessandro had suffered plenty under his father's cruelty. It appeared Valentina had fared no better.
Elyse's eyes softened with compassion. "I don't doubt you. It must've been horrific to be Vincenzo's child."
Valentina whispered hoarsely, "I do not know how I would have survived those years without Sandro."
Blue eyes searched for green eyes. Kindly, Elyse offered, "I'm glad you had each other."
"Me, too."
She studied the blonde closely. Valentina looked truly miserable with her sad eyes and slumped shoulders. But Elyse couldn't shake the feeling that she was sympathizing with a wolf in sheep's clothing. The fact that the blonde was choosing to bare her soul at a time like this— mere hours before her wedding —felt questionable. There had to be a catch.
Elyse probed, "It sounds like you two shared a decent relationship at one point. Why did it change?"
Valentina winced as though in pain. "I let a girl come between us."
"What?"
"I was only eighteen. It was the first time I ever admitted to myself that I wanted to be with a woman. Her name was Maria, and she was beautiful and funny and kind. At the time, she became my world. Maria dated Sandro first. Later, we fell in love and started fucking behind his back. Everything went to shit when he found out about us. He lost trust in me, and I resented him because Maria still wanted him even though she had me. Our fallout turned into a rivalry. We have been at each other's throats ever since."
Elyse felt like a cold, heartless bitch for doubting her stepsister-in-law, but why was Valentina being so open and vulnerable out of the blue? Something felt wrong. She was about to berate herself again when Valentina burst into a hearty round of laughter, her malaise peeling away like a snake shedding skin. "Oh, Dr. Romero! You should see your face right now! You look so confused. It is rather adorable."
Elyse balked at Valentina's one-eighty switch-up. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Nothing," Valentina hummed. "I simply wanted to show you how convincing I can be when I put my mind to it."
Feeling played, Elyse grew irritated beyond measure. "Are you saying that you flat-out lied to me for five minutes straight?"
Valentina tittered, "I could have kept going if I did not have a wedding to attend."
Elyse glared at her. "You're the fucking worst."
"And I would not call them lies," Valentina insisted, grinning. "They are more like embellished versions of truth."
Scowling, Elyse asked, "Which parts were embellished?"
"To be frank, Sandro and I have never gotten along. We were oil and fire from day one. Everything else, though, is somewhat rooted in reality. Our scuffle over Maria was real, but she wasn't as significant as I made her out to be. Sandro fucked her once, I fucked her once, and I only did it to annoy him."
Elyse felt herself relax a little. This was the petty, vindictive Valentina that she knew and distrusted. At least, Alessandro hadn't been keeping more secrets from her about his stepsister.
"What about Vincenzo and Alessandro’s brothers? Were they really as bad as you made them out to be?"
Scoffing, Valentina nodded without hesitation. "Vincenzo and his sons were worse than monsters. Fucking psychopaths . They were always violent with us. But Sandro and I never took the fall for each other. I might have even thrown Sandro under the bus from time to time. It was fun to watch him bruise and bleed."
Elyse sighed. "Why am I not surprised? "
Valentina's demeanor shifted again. Her expression became serene as she remarked, "Nothing I do should surprise you. Because I am willing to do anything to get shit done. That is the point I am trying to make here .”
“I don’t know whether to be impressed by your ability to overcome obstacles,” admitted Elyse, “or terrified of your complete disregard for others.”
“Either way, we know each other better now, Dr. Romero, do we not?"
Elyse watched her like a lioness sizing up a tigress. "I suppose so."
With wide blue eyes, Valentina pouted and whined, "Stop doubting me. Please . Imagine how much fun we could have together if you gave me your trust."
It was downright eerie how quickly this woman could shift between moods and emotions. Valentina was a complex, layered individual. Elyse felt like a child uncapping a series of Russian dolls as she tried to dissect the blonde's true intentions. "Trust runs both ways. I'm not sure where you stand at the moment."
"If I did not trust you, I would not have revealed my hand halfway through my performance."
"That's fair, I guess."
"Working on this wedding together for the past three months has been very insightful. I watched you closely. You operate well under pressure."
"I feel like you’re giving me a compliment,” Elyse muttered with frown, “and it’s making me paranoid.”
Valentina tittered with relish. "You have proven your worth to me, but, it seems, I still need to prove myself even though I have done nothing except help you and Sandro further our cause in the past few months."
"You sound bitter."
The blonde snorted. "I am bitter. Time is running out. I am about to become Signora De León . After I enter enemy territory, I need to know that you have my back. Fully ."
"You'll have my full support," Elyse supplied, "as long as you don't fuck things up for us."
"You know how I operate by now. You know how I think. You may not approve of my character, but believe in my abilities. Rest assured, I will have Gaspare wrapped around my little finger. He will take the fall for us without knowing what hit him."
Valentina's beautiful face was locked in determination. She looked positively unstoppable at the moment. Elyse was beginning to understand why Alessandro had chosen to gamble on a partnership with his stepsister. The blonde was actually quite predictable. For her, everything boiled down to achieving the end game.
Still, Elyse wanted to dig deeper. Despite Valentina's desire to gain her trust, Elyse couldn't seem to lower her guard. Valentina didn't strike her as the type of person who valued morality or loyalty. Elyse wanted to understand the driving force behind the blonde's savage ambitions. There had to be another reason. "May I ask you something?"
Blue eyes glittered like sapphires. "Of course."
Elyse dared to inquire, "Why do you care so much about legitimizing our businesses?"
Valentina shrugged. "Humans are greedy creatures, I think. We crave what we cannot have. For me? It has always been power and respect. Maybe I am sick of letting men make all the decisions. I want to be in charge for once.”
"I understand your need for respect. Everyone wants respect. But why is power so important to you?"
The blonde mused thoughtfully, "Why does anyone want to be a capo , a king, a president, or a CEO? It feels good to be superior, especially when I am superior to everyone else."
Elyse had to admit, begrudgingly, that Valentina sounded like she was being sincere. "What about your mother? Does she want the same thing?"
Valentina's motives were becoming less murky to Elyse, but Carmen remained a mystery. Were her desires as simple as Malina made them out to be? Or was she someone who might become a threat down the line?
"My mother," Valentina replied smoothly, "does not care about anything as long she does not have to give up her diamonds and caviar."
Valentina's face was clean of emotion when she spoke of her mother. Elyse directed pointedly, "Your mother doesn't have other ambitions?"
Valentina responded in bored tones, "My mother's only ambition in life is to spend her days throwing away obscene amounts of money on clothes and shoes and Botox. It is easy to keep her happy as long as you are a millionaire."
Elyse read between the lines. After months of spending time with Valentina, she was starting to pick up on the blonde's tell. Valentina was as animated and persuasive as an Oscar-winning actress whenever she wanted to sell a lie. However, her stepsister-in-law seemed to withdraw ever so slightly whenever she wished to hide something from prying eyes.
Elyse smiled and played along, giving away nothing, "Your honesty is appreciated."
Valentina studied her through a thin gaze. "Wish I could say the same about you. I cannot tell what you are thinking right now."
"You want to know what I think?"
"I do."
But Elyse wasn’t ready to show her hand. Between the two Rizzos, Carmen seemed more selfish than her daughter. If Valentina didn't care about Carmen’s well-being, she would’ve let her rot in Salemi. A truly heartless bitch wouldn't have gone through the trouble to seek out Father Boselli to help family.
Did this mean that Valentina actually possessed a sliver of compassion?
Elyse wasn’t sure. There was always the possibility that Valentina and Carmen were manipulating her to see only what they wanted her to see, much like the show she put on with Alessandro in Sverso not so long ago.
Elyse was still making up her mind about the Rizzo women when she said, "I think we can do a lot of damage together."
Valentina prompted, "But?"
"There's no but ," she lied. Elyse wouldn't put it past Valentina and Carmen to try and overthrow Alessandro if the opportunity arose, but, at least, mother and daughter were predictable and, therefore, their actions would be manageable. Maybe even preventable.
The Rizzo women were unlikely to strike until Valentina climbed the ranks in the De León clan. Power and influence didn’t manifest overnight. Time was on their side. She simply needed to keep an eye on Valentina to make sure the blonde didn't change her mind about their alliance.
Boldly, Elyse declared, "You're right, I owe you an apology for doubting your motives. You've done nothing but help us since the funeral, and you'll be invaluable as we try to take down our opposition. I won’t question you anymore. You deserve my trust."
The blonde simpered sweetly, "That is all I ever wanted."
Elyse held out her hand. "To friendship."
Valentina grasped it and sealed the deal with a playful handshake. "Besties for life!"
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I still have a million things to check on," Elyse murmured, "or else this wedding might implode on us before you even make it down the aisle."
Smirking, Valentina waved Elyse away from her dressing room. "Have fun dealing with all the bullshit! You are the best bitch a bride could ask for.”
“ Besties for life ,” Elyse tossed over her shoulder, “right?”
As she left Valentina’s dressing room, Malina’s advice stayed on her mind. Keep your friends close but your enemies closer. She intended to watch her new friend like a hawk.
The rest of Valentina and Gaspare's ceremony and reception went off without a hitch thanks to Elyse's meticulous planning.
"O Sole Mio" sang through the garden as the glowing bride sauntered down the aisle. A trail of rose petals led Valentina to her sulking groom. She’d insisted on walking alone, not wanting her mother or Alessandro to steal the limelight from her and her gorgeous gown. Gaspare and Valentina recited their vows before the priest. Afterward, there was an exchange of chaste pecks on the cheek.
Toward the end of the evening, festivities died down, and Elyse was slow dancing with Alessandro in the courtyard. A live band played instrumental renditions of the latest pop songs. Guests wearing tuxedos and gowns laughed and danced and drank around them.
Not too far away, Mariposa was swaying in time to the music as well. She was in Monte's arms. The scarred bodyguard wore his usual scowl, but Elyse noted a warm glint in Monte's eyes as he gazed down at the woman in his arms. A rosy blush colored Mariposa's cheeks. It seemed to have little to do with the free-flowing alcohol and crowded dance floor as she stared up at him shyly.
"Look," Elyse murmured to her husband.
Alessandro's eyes followed her gaze. He smiled knowingly when he caught sight of Monte and Mariposa. "What should we do about those two, cuore mio?"
"Let them be," Elyse whispered with a smile of her own, "and see what happens."
He hummed in agreement. "Perhaps, there will be another wedding soon."
"I hope so."
Alessandro drew her closer. Elyse rested her head upon his chest. They danced without talking for a while, enjoying this rare moment of respite in each other's embrace.
Eventually, though, Alessandro broke the silence, "Luca mentioned that you were in Valentina's dressing room for a while. Is everything alright between the two of you?"
Her husband gazed down at her with worry in his eyes.
"We had a little chat."
"About what?"
" You .”
His arms tightened around her. “Fuck.”
“Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble.”
“You promise?”
“Yes.”
“I would not mind being punished by you,” he teased with a wry smile, “if I fucked up.”
She shot him a knowing look. “Down, boy.”
He added innocently, “Just thought I would try my luck.”
“ Behave .”
Chuckling, Alessandro cleared his throat. "You know, in all seriousness..."
"Yes?"
He made a face. "Ever since my father married Carmen, Valentina and I have not gotten along. From day one, we took pride in tormenting one another, but, now that I reflect on it, I believe my father was the reason why we were at odds. The fucker loved to watch us fight over the scraps he tossed our way.”
“I know I shouldn’t insult the dead,” muttered Elyse, “but fuck him.”
” Fuck that fucker ,” Alessandro agreed as a frown passed over his mouth. “I wonder if Valentina and I would have been happier if we turned on him instead of each other?"
“Maybe, now that he’s gone, you’ll have a chance to set things right with her?”
Intently, Alessandro held her gaze. "I do not know if reconciliation will be possible. All I know is that I refuse to let her come between us. If you were upset by anything she said to you, please ask me about it, and I will take full responsibility."
Looking up at him, she arched an eyebrow. "Tell me, then, who's Maria?"
He blinked. "Maria?”
“Yes. ”
Alessandro appeared as though he was still drawing a blank. “ Fucking Maria. Why does her name sound so familiar?"
Elyse drawled, "Why, indeed?"
Then, something seemed to click in him. His eyes grew wide. "Oh, Dio . I think I fucked her after Valentina fucked her. Or was it the other way around?”
“I see her name finally rang a bell.”
He winced. “You must think the worst of me."
She didn't think the worst of him, though. On the contrary, she was actually quite happy with her husband at the moment. He was being far more forthcoming even when the truth made him look like an ass. Alessandro seemed to be turning over a new leaf. Getting straight answers out of him no longer felt like pulling teeth.
"Relax," Elyse assured him, laughingly. "My opinion of you has only changed for the better. I like it when you’re being upfront and honest with me.”
“In that case,” he offered, “I will share all of my dirty, little secrets with you.”
“Can’t wait.”
“I must warn you, though. Your husband has been no saint. My past is not pretty. I have hurt a lot of people and killed even more.”
“There’s no rush, but, in time, I hope to know everything about you, Alessio. The good, the bad, and the ugly. It’ll only bring me closer to you.”
His head tilted to the side. “You love me that much?”
Rising on her tiptoes, she gave him a peck on the nose. “I do.”
“And you will continue to adore me no matter what I confess?”
She kissed him again. “I will.”
Brown and blue-gray eyes sharpened shrewdly. “But would you still want me if I end up pissing you off?”
“I won’t care. Your past doesn’t matter as long as it stays in the past.”
He grinned down at her sheepishly. "Thank God I married such an angelo .”
With a playful gleam in her eyes, Elyse scrunched her nose up at him. “You’re a blessed man, husband. Never forget it.”
Lowering his head, Alessandro laughed under his breath. His mouth captured hers as they proceeded to kiss, over and over again, as though she was a blessing that he could never get enough of.
The music died down a while later, and crowds dispersed from the dance floor. Guests started lining up on either side of the courtyard. Rice was handed out. A smiling Valentina and sulking Gaspare were showered in a confetti of rice as they disappeared into a sleek white limousine and drove off into the night.
Alessandro's eyes followed the limousine until it was completely out of sight. Murmuring, he asked, "Do you think she will deliver on Gaspare?"
After the stunt the blonde had pulled on her in the dressing room, Elyse didn't doubt Valentina's ability to wrap Gaspare around her little finger. She had no choice but to nod. "I think so."
"No turning back now," Alessandro muttered.
"The only way through," Elyse agreed in a whisper, "is forward."