Page 90 of The Merciless King

“Yes. Cade was teasing you, so Dante started to push him around and they got into a fight. Your mom got so mad.”

Mia blinks at me.

Oh shit.

Her mom died when she was little, and I’ve just torn off the Band-Aid.

“Mia. I’m sorry,” I say, reaching across the table despite it being deep.

She sniffs. “No, it's fine. It’s nice to talk about her.”

“God, I feel terrible.” I shake my head.

“Babe.” Isabella puts a hand on her arm and rubs.

“Truly, I’m okay.” She sniffs again and smiles at everyone. “You’re the only person I know who knew her, Gianna. It’s a beautiful memory. I remember Cade being sent to his room. Dante got me riding without the training wheels that day.”

“He did!” I gasp. “Yes, I remember. Then your mom brought us lemonades.”

Braxton lay his arm along the back of my chair as I turn and smile at him.

“What a gangster life.” Connor brushes the back of his hand along his wife’s cheek.

Mia holds my gaze for a long moment, and I see the mix of gratitude and pity in her eyes. She’s grateful to share our memories, but she also knows what it means to be in my shoes. Her eyes slide to Braxton and then to her husband.

“It’s different for the children. I got lucky.”

Yes, she did.

My eyes dip into my half-eaten meal, and I lift my glass to my lips. I suddenly feel like crying. Around me, everyone starts another conversation and I tune out.

This will never be my world.

These people will never be my friends.

When I am married, I’ll be expected to socialize within the family and my husband’s business contacts.

Who was I kidding?

Braxton could never be my lover. He will be completely off limits to me even if he doesn’t leave. Soon I’ll never be able to see him again.

I console myself with the time I’ve spent with him. He wanted me for me. He stayed in the country for me despite his business troubles and forged a partnership with my father.

So he could be here with me.

It might not make sense to anyone else, but I love him.

I love Braxton Rossi.

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