Page 43 of The Merciless King

CHAPTER ELEVEN

GIANNA

I’m nervous.

Like schoolgirl nervous. I feel like my boyfriend is coming to dinner. And when your father is the capo, it’s a big damn deal.

The only chink in my plan is James. So I had to pull him aside and have a chat. We’ve done this before over the years and while I know most things will go straight to my father, James understands I need to have a life.

Truth is, I could get rid of him in a flash if I wanted. I could tell my father he tried to touch me inappropriately, for example.

Have I threatened it before? Yes. So there’s an agreement of sorts between us.

When he knocked on my door earlier this afternoon, I invited him to come inside.

“Take a seat,” I said, nodding to the sofa opposite me in the small living room area of my rooms.

“What’s going on?” he asked, walking to the armchair but not sitting down.

“Sit, James. I need to talk to you.” Reluctantly, he dropped his body into the chair and stared at me. “Braxton is coming for dinner. He’s...my boyfriend.”

His brows shot up, acknowledging the lie. “Fine.”

“I’ve been seeing him for weeks,” I say pointedly, then wait.

James is smart. He narrows his eyes as he crosses his arms, then after a moment, asks, “What are you up to Gianna?”

I expected this.

If something happens to me, he will lose his life. So, this is not about him caring, it’s about him saving his neck.

“Nothing.” I sit back. “I like Braxton. I want him in my life and for that to happen, I need Papa to think we are serious.”

James shakes his head slowly.

“For god’s sakes, James. I can’t tell Papa that I want him to stay in the country so I can fuck him crazy every night.”

James cringes as he rubs his face.

“Jesus. Fine. I’m still looking into his background though and if I find anything, I will have to report it to the capo.”

I wave him off. “Good. Take your time. But keep quiet about when we met.”

He shakes his head but doesn’t argue.

Even though I was confident he’d go along with my plan, I let out a silent sigh of relief.

Then continued on with my plans, briefing the kitchen to make a special meal and ensuring my father would be home.

Now, standing in the mirror, I run my hands over my blush dress with the almost inappropriately plunging neckline and rub my glossy lips together. My hair is up tonight, piled on my head with some curls falling around my neck.

---