Page 82 of The Merciless King

Like I am theirs and the world and all its rules don’t matter.

But I know they still do.

I cling to him, holding on to him so tight I’m sure I’m hurting him. Which is impossible. His body is powerfully built and far stronger than I could ever be.

Somehow, we’re in my bedroom now and Braxton lowers me to the floor. We’re dripping wet and in a bubble of lust and emotions I never dreamed were possible.

I start to shake as he holds me against him, not from the cold, but from all the emotions running through me.

There’s no doubt in my mind now.

He is leaving me.

This is the start of his goodbye.

“If I could keep you, Gianna, I would,” Braxton rasps as he runs a hand along my wet hair. “I really fucking would.”

I swallow and close the last inches between us, wrapping my arms around him and laying my cheek against his solid chest.

There is nothing I can do.

I never belonged to him.

And he has never belonged to me.

BRAXTON

MY FEELINGS FOR Gianna are going to get me killed.

I can sense she feels the same way. I’d be deaf, dumb, and blind if I couldn’t. But can I trust her?

The mafia have a belief, a principle if you like, called Omertà. It is an extreme form of loyalty and solidarity between them, imprinted on them from birth or when they become Made Men.

It is deeply demeaning and shameful to betray one another, even to authorities. If they suspect I am not who I say I am, then Gianna’s loyalty will be to her family.

Take me with you.

I don’t believe many people could fake the way we’re feeling. Because it’s not just her, I’m feeling it, too.

We made love.

That wasn’t fucking.

How do I know? Because I’ve never done it before in my life.

Take me with you.

Goddamn her. Those four words almost ripped my heart in two. The torment in her eyes makes me question everything.

She wants to leave.

To be with me? Or to get away from this world?

I don’t know, and I cannot break cover to find out. The risk is too great for my life and to Amy’s.

God, my fucking loyalty is being tested.

I lie wondering how Gianna could know I’m leaving. I haven’t said a damn thing. My gut says she wants me.

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