Page 65 of The Merciless King

“As Connor says, this is what we do. You’ve got this, Brax. Bring Amy home.”

When he hangs up, I sit staring out across the water and wait for his text message. I think about Amy and what she might be going through. I think about her fucked-up mother, my aunt Tracey, and how she’s responsible for a lot of this.

I think about all the things I could’ve done to stop it from getting to this point and how angry I am that Amy didn’t tell me what was going on.

I wonder how she got pulled off the streets.

The research I did into human trafficking was terrifying. It’s not just big bad mafia running these schemes. Nearly thirty million people are currently in modern day slavery, taken by what look like normal, everyday men and women.

In every country in the world.

Human slavery and trafficking are the second largest criminal industries in the world, worth over 250 billion dollars.

US dollars.

I wonder again if Gianna truly knows what her family is involved with or if she’s naïve. And if she cares or feels, she has no choice. Then, over and over, I question how I can have sex with a woman and enjoy it. I believe she supports such a despicable world.

When I’m alone with her, I feel obsessed with her. Like I need to consume and own all of her.

Command her.

Dominate her.

Watching Gianna fall to her knees and open her pink lips as my cock slides inside brings out the caveman in me. I want to grip her long, dark hair and yank her head back, hurting her. As only I’m allowed to do.

Jesus what is wrong with me?

I’ve never wanted to hurt a woman before. Yet the thought of seeing her blood running down her skin from my bite makes me hard as fuck.

This world is messing with my mind.

I need to get these calls made, return to the Baldassare estate, and fuck Gianna until she screams.

With a fucking condom this time.

––––––––

ALMOST TWO HOURS later, I pull up to the gates and I’m immediately let through.

“The don is held up with some urgent business. He said to make yourself comfortable.” Salvadore tells me as he greets me at the door.

“No problem. Anything I need to be concerned about?” I ask almost arrogantly, playing the part.

Concern fills me. Any delays could be a threat to our deal or my life.

“Just mafia business. Everything is on track,” Salvadore says then nods to Dante, who walks through the lobby looking like someone just killed his cat.

“Boss wants you,” Dante says, and Salvatore glances my way quickly before the two men walk away.

I study Dante as his tall solid frame departs and wonder what sort of don he will make one day. I can’t get a read on him. He’s a master at not giving away his emotions or thoughts.

Dangerous.

Movement to my left catches my eye, and I turn to see Gianna walking down the sweeping staircase.

She moves with grace, and I’m frozen on the spot as I watch her. Gone is the barely there bikini from earlier. Now she’s dressed in a tight red skirt, black heels, and a black shirt which is unbuttoned to show the curve of her generous supple breasts.

I walk toward her, stopping at the bottom of the steps, then take her hips and lift her, sliding her down my body as I press my lips to hers.

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