Page 70 of The Merciless King

He released me and shook his head. “Nothing. Nothing. Fuck.”

I kept staring at him in shock.

“Keep your mouth closed, Gia. Don’t do anything stupid. And...” He glanced away and rubbed a hand over his mouth. “Don’t get attached to Braxton.”

I wrapped my arms around myself and nodded. “So everyone keeps telling me.”

Dante watched me for a long moment, as if he wanted to say more, but couldn’t. So I took a chance and whispered, “I want things to be different, too.”

I didn’t know how he would react.

Hell, he could have dragged me to my father’s office.

So when he stepped up to me and embraced me, whispering in Italian, I closed my eyes, feeling like I had my loving brother back for the first time in many years.

Then he released me and walked away.

When I glanced up at the house, Papa was standing in the window of his office staring down. I watched for a long moment and, while he was far enough away, and I couldn’t see his expression, I could sense he wasn’t happy.

Why?

What is going on between him and Dante? Does he question his loyalty and commitment to becoming the next Baldassare don?

Should he?

For years I’d watched my brother change and distance himself from me. I thought it was because he was being immersed in the family business. He knows things I’ll never be privy to—despite what I said to Braxton—and thought it had forged a distance between us.

I watched as Dante walked away, sad that he would never be with Adelina. It was inevitable, but that doesn’t make it easier.

I wonder if that saying it’s better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all is true? Surely, it’s better to have loved and been able to be together. And if you never love, then you don’t know pain or loss.

Who made that dumb saying?

Yes, I know Leo is the man I am meant to marry, but unlike Dante, I never wanted anyone else—or maybe I never allowed myself to fall in love knowing I couldn’t—so the news hasn’t hit me so hard.

I’m sure when our engagement is announced, I’ll care more. Today, Dante grieves the woman he loves, and I am sad for him.

I hope Papa gives him some space.

So, as I lay in Braxton’s arms, I’m reminded that I have no place wishing for love. From him or another man.

Leo and I have no chemistry, nor anything to say to one another. He is a womanizer, hard, and rumored to be a cruel future don.

I imagine how I’ll feel after making love to Leo.

God.

It’s going to be worse than ever now. I’ve experienced how it feels to be with a man...not any man...with Braxton.

Suddenly I wonder what he would do if he knew about Leo Baldoni. If he knew I was promised to another man and that it is not just a possibility, but inevitable.

And soon.

I have a few months left, that is all.

“What would you do if another man touched me?” I circle the tattoos on his chest.

“Kill them,” Braxton answers without hesitation.

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