Page 119 of The Merciless King

“Sorry. It’s not Christmas. Now tell me what the fuck is going on?” Dante demands. “Who are you Braxton? Do we need to be worried?”

Loud voices sound outside, and both our eyes fly open wide when we hear Gianna.

The hell?

Dante lifts his gun, pointing it at me, and I hold up a hand to halt him.

“Whatever goes down in the next few minutes, you better make sure she doesn’t fucking die,” I growl darkly. “Or you will.”

“Ditto, buddy,” he replies.

Not your buddy.

Then we both turn as Gianna runs into the dim warehouse, with Frank Baldassare following behind. His face is furious.

“What is she doing here?” I scream as my body stiffens, needing to protect her.

“Braxton!” Gianna cries as she runs toward me. “Oh, god.”

Jesus Christ.

“Gianna stop!” Frank yells, waving his hand at the guards as he stalks across the warehouse toward me, his soldiers moving in to surround him. “Stop her.”

I take a step, but Salvatore lifts his gun and points it at me.

“Woah, woah. Gianna, stay there,” Dante growls, and I can see fear on his face.

It’s the first time I’ve really seen a strong emotion from the Baldassare heir. He loves his sister.

Gianna grinds to a halt and glances around, confused.

I’ve never wanted to have a superpower more in my life. Teleportation would be really helpful right now. I would get the woman who has my heart out of here.

She doesn’t belong.

I don’t care what her fucking surname is.

“Take her,” the don says.

“Don’t touch her,” I growl out my threat, wondering where the hell the Dark Kings are.

My heart slams loudly as I watch Gianna in her yellow dress and black leather jacket looking completely out of place in this hellhole.

“Gianna go. Leave. Walk out the door,” I tell her.

I need her out of here.

She could fucking die and I’m too far away from her to save her.

Then I realize her eyes aren’t on me. She’s frozen, staring at the lit staircase where the sounds of the women cry out into the warehouse we’re standing in.

Gianna’s eyes find mine as I watch the realization dawn on her.

Horror.

Betrayal.

She’s not sure if I’m good or bad, but she knows that I’m not on her side. Or a good man. I could be a buyer. Or I could be about to betray them.

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