Page 54 of The Merciless King

Her fate chosen for her.

I sense she wants her freedom and to live and love like the rest of us.

But Italians are loyal to one another. Add in the fact they are a mafia family? Forget it. Gianna knows what is expected of her and if she had to choose between a man and her family, it would always be them.

Her mother, who was chatty and pleasant over breakfast, left us once she had eaten. Her father, I’ve assumed, starts his day earlier than everyone else.

I didn’t want to ask, but I am eager to find out when this next conversation will take place.

“What shall we do today, lover?” Gianna asks as Frank walks into the room.

Salvatore and Dante are with him.

“Jesus Gia, it’s not a fucking sex club.” Dante shakes his head and pulls out a chair.

“Enough.” Frank sits without looking at either of his children and it almost makes me smile. Despite his role, and their ages, he’s just a dad.

Gianna gives her brother the bird and climbs off my lap.

Damn it.

She was nice and snug there with her short skirt and long olive tanned legs.

“Braxton, this is my son, Dante. He will one day take over the family business,” Frank says as if they are in shipping or own a shoe repair company.

I lean across the table and shake his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

It’s not.

The Dark Kings and Agent Scott briefed me on the Baldassare heir. He has a dangerous reputation and little is known about him.

“Finish your breakfast and leave us, Gianna,” Frank says, and she glances his way in surprise.

“Why?”

The don doesn’t say anything, simply watches her with a coolness I almost want to shiver at. Instead, I reach for her, grab her face, kiss her firmly, and say quietly but firmly, “Go.”

I know he would never hurt his daughter—perhaps an assumption—but again, I feel this unreasonable need to protect her.

“Don’t be long.” Gianna runs a hand over my shoulder and uses me to push up as she stands. She then shoots her father a look which is neither cold nor rebellious, but it lacks the love she showed him last night.

It’s the first time I see proof of what I have suspected. She is not included in the business dealings of her family and she’s resentful.

I wipe my mouth and push my half-eaten breakfast away, then toss back the rest of my coffee. I have a feeling by the heaviness in the room. I’m going to need it.

Dante speaks first. “My father tells me you’re a trader.”

I nod.

“And that you have a situation you’re looking to resolve.”

“Correct,” I reply.

I have to be willing to walk away today and not succeed. Despite crashing after fucking Gianna multiple times, I had a restless night going over and over how this could play out.

In the end, I had to accept that there’s a good chance they’ll send me away today.

Or drag this out as a power play to test me.

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