Page 21 of The Merciless King

Gianna’s eyes widen briefly and then drop to the table in an attempt to hide her surprise. Too bad for her I’m a US Marine, trained to notice everything.

She now believes I’m affiliated with the crime families in New York. Or was. The fact I’ve never met her father or any of the members of crime families in America is beside the point.

One Gianna will never know about.

“The entire thing is a tragedy, Mia.” I shake my head. “So many lives lost. I’m glad you have Connor.”

“Thank you. I’ll tell him you said hello.”

Another blink.

She’s confused as fuck.

“Please do,” I reply.

“What business are you in Mr...” Gianna asks, letting the question hang in the air.

“Rossi.” I answer slowly, sliding my gaze to her breasts and then return to her almost perfect face. “Please call me Braxton.”

I don’t answer her question.

“Braxton.” She smiles, sliding her empty glass along the wood of the table.

Suddenly I wonder if she might leave.

“To answer your question, I’m a trader,” I answer, lifting my ankle to my knee confidently.

“Of?” she asks.

I glance at Mia, and she waves her hand out. “Gianna is Frank Baldassare’s daughter.”

“Ah, I see.” Smiling and relaxing as if we are in friendly territory.

Hardly.

“I trade with buyers in, shall we say, the same industries your family does commerce in.”

Gianna doesn’t look impressed. In fact, she now looks uncomfortable.

Fuck. I wasn’t prepared for this, but I keep my cool.

“Do you know my father?” she asks.

“I do not.” I give her a sexy grin. “I’m sure you’re much more interesting to spend an evening with.”

She blushes and hates it.

“I didn’t pick you for a flirt?” Gianna says as Mia’s phone rings and she excuses herself to answer it.

I hold Gianna’s stare and drop my smile, taking the private moment while we have it. Then I lean closer to her. “You’ll know when I flirt with you, Ms. Baldassare. It will be just before I rip your panties off.”

Her mouth falls open.

I lean back.

“Sorry about that,” Mia says as if she’s completely oblivious to what had just taken place. “My best friend is pregnant and has been taken to the hospital.”

“Oh, that’s terrible.” Gianna gasps. “You should go. Please, you must.”

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