Page 68 of The Merciless King

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

GIANNA

There are so many things I want to ask Braxton right now, but I’ve learned it’s wise to keep my thoughts to myself in this family.

You can’t trust anyone in this world.

Not my world.

I sometimes wonder if anyone is honest.

Yet, as I lay here in Braxton’s arms, I feel my eyes prickle with emotion, wanting him to be someone I could trust. To hear him say that I am a woman he could love.

Even if I know it’s not real.

As if I needed reminding, even after talking to Mama today, my darling brother joined me at the pool today.

“Hello, sister,” Dante said as he sat in one of the wicker seats near my sun lounger.

“Hello, brother,” I replied, dropping my book on my chest. “Shouldn’t you be out doing mafia business?”

He didn’t answer, simply tipped his head back as I watched him soak up the sun on his face. I silently snickered at his black suit and shirt. His shiny shoes.

It was hardly suntanning attire.

“Why don’t you relax for once? Get your swim shorts on and jump in the pool. Let loose. Have fun,” I said.

Like we used to when we were kids.

We rarely sit and chat anymore. Not that what we’d had could even be classed as a conversation. We’d barely said hello to one another.

Dante seemed perpetually pissed off at me these days.

Despite wearing sunglasses, I could feel his angry eyes on me.

“Fun? Is that a fucking joke?” He ground out. “I have to work so you can lie about being a beautiful mafia princess living the good life. You think this is fun?”

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