Page 116 of The Merciless King

“Ring Dante.” Mama says and there’s a darkness to her voice. “I have had the same sense about him.

“Cazzo.” He curses, then waves out at one of his guards. “Get the car. We’ll go out there and see for ourselves.”

“Please do not kill him,” I plead as I climb out of my seat.

“If he’s betrayed me, you know how these things work,” Papa says. “Go. Both of you. Gianna, you are to marry Leo Bandoni. I have agreed with his father. After this, the sooner the better.”

My eyes fill with tears as Mama leads me out of his office. There is nothing more to say. Except now I’m not sure I’ve done the right thing at all.

I’ve never been more confused in my life.

“Let’s get a drink, sweetheart,” Mama says.

“No.” I shake her off and run back upstairs to my room.

I pace the floor, staring at my phone a dozen times before I hear my father’s car pull up out front.

Panic fills me and I start shaking.

What have I done?

Oh god, I can’t let him kill Braxton.

I can’t.

I love him.

As my fingers tremble, I try to dial his number, but it goes straight to voicemail.

I try again.

Then again.

Then again.

Shit.

I hear Papa’s car start to drive along the gravel drive. Oh god, he’s going to kill him. Because of me.

I pull on my jacket, grab my bag, and run downstairs where I rip open the cupboard holding all the vehicle keys. Then race through the house to the garage and slide into a gunmetal gray Bugatti.

Braxton would love this car, I think to myself as I fire it up. I rarely drive, but I know how and I love fast cars. It’s why watching him drive the Ferrari was always such a turn-on.

I press the button that opens the garage door and rev the engine. I skid the tires as I exit; the gates close behind my father’s car.

Rolling down the window, I wave at the guards, and they quickly open them for me.

“Thank you!” I wave as they stare at me like they know they just made a big mistake. But I’m not a prisoner and they have no right to stop me.

My phone rings. It’s James. Shit.

I answer.

“Where the hell are you going, Gianna?!” He yells through the phone.

“With Papa. I’ll be fine,” I reply and hang up as he starts cursing.

I’m not sure it will be fine, but I caused this mess and I need to clean it up. If I get there before it’s too late.

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