Page 83 of The Merciless King

What an egotistical asshole I am. But I don’t think I’m wrong. We’ve only spent days together, and much of that with me inside her, but I can’t explain it.

It’s like we belong.

There is something about this dark-haired beauty that makes me want to protect her, kill for her.

Keep her.

But she is literally the one person in this world I cannot have.

Or should want.

Gianna could also be manipulating me. If she’s aware she has to marry within the families—and likely she does—then she may see me as a wealthy man capable of taking her from this life.

Much like Mia and Connor.

Well, sorry sweetheart, I’m not a billionaire.

I’m a US Marine.

I’m not poor, although I’ll be in some fucking serious debt to Connor after this mission. And I have no idea what I’m going to do with my life once—if—I get Amy home.

I need space to think.

Dinner with Mia and Connor is just what the doctor ordered.

CHAPTER TWENTY

BRAXTON

The Baldassare guard opens the front door for us, and I guide Gianna outside with my hand in the small of her back toward my Ferrari.

Well, it’s mine as far as she knows.

It beeps and I open the deep passenger door.

“Grazie,” she says, and I suppress a curse as her long leg appears through the split of her skirt when she settles into the dark leather seat.

---