Page 88 of The Merciless King

“No,” Decker and Mia say together.

I let out a little laugh and glance at Braxton. His eyes dip to mine and I wish I could translate his thoughts. He seems at ease with these people, and I find that quite interesting.

Then again, he’s so confident I imagine he would fit in wherever he chose.

“So, Gianna, tell us secrets about Mia from her childhood.” Sienna prompts.

Connor adds. “Shall we move inside and eat first? Then Gianna can spill all the dirt.”

“Or not,” Mia mutters.

We all head to the dining room where servers pour our wine and place delicious baked salmon and fresh green vegetables in front of us. A basket of freshly baked bread is shared around the table.

“Oh, my god I am starving. Remember, I’m eating for two, which means double helpings.” Isabella reaches for a second roll.

“That is not what the doctor said.” Decker reminds her.

She shrugs. “He doesn’t know everything.”

“To old and new friends,” Connor says, lifting his glass.

“Cheers,” Mack says, nodding at the two of us.

Everyone else does the same, and I lift my glass with a smile.

“Thank you for inviting us,” Braxton says, lifting his own glass.

As everyone dives into their meals, I glance around the table and wonder what it must be like to have such freedom. To choose the man you marry out of love and compatibility instead of obligation.

Dante and I don’t have a choice.

Nor did Adelina and Leo.

Mia is the only person in this room who understands, but she was lucky enough to escape. I remind myself once again she lost her entire family.

Poor Dante, hearing Adelina is engaged will be painful for him.

I still have a few months left before I am to be married, but I’ll need every single one of them to get over the gorgeous man I’ve accidentally begun falling for.

What a stupid world we were born into.

So watching these people live and love so freely is hard to swallow.

“So, tell us about Mia.” Isabella grins. “Was she really naughty? Or the proper little princess?”

“Damn it, I was hoping you’d forget.” Mia mumbles.

“I’m sure she was very well behaved.” Braxton teases and Mia pokes her tongue out.

Connor looks unimpressed by their friendly banter. He might be a billionaire, but he has the aura of any dangerous gangster. Much like Dante, who will one day take over the head of the Baldassare family.

We might have been close once, but when Papa dies, he’ll be in charge, and I wonder what kind of leader he will be. I hope he will make changes, but then again, it’s not that simple.

If a family shows weakness, it is at risk of being dominated by the others.

I’ll be a Baldoni by then. Perhaps it won’t matter.

It will.

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