Page 1 of Merciless King

PROLOGUE

Elio - Eight Years Ago

Life is fucking awesome. I drive my Porsche, bought with my own money I earned working in the family business, through the streets of Chicago to pick up Piper for our date. Tonight is a special night. The first night of the rest of our lives.

I grin as I remember the day Piper Sanderson walked into my English class at Ashwood Prep last year. She was quiet, unassuming, and not at all impressed with me or anyone else. It rubbed my friends the wrong way, but something about her had me wanting to know what made her tick. It wasn’t just that she was pretty because she clearly didn’t work as hard in that area as other girls did. Her long blonde hair was always up in a ponytail or braid. She didn’t wear makeup as far as I could tell. She didn’t try to make changes to her uniform to make her tits or ass stand out. Yet, she was the prettiest girl there. At least I thought so. But more than that, she was her own person.

“You should go out with me,” I’d said to her with bravado. I was following her up the hall toward her locker.

She arched a brow. “I can’t imagine why.”

My friends snickered. I didn’t love it, but I wasn’t one to give up. “I’m Elio D’Amato.”

“I know.”

“So go out with me.”

She stopped, her deep blue eyes looking at me with wariness. “Or what? You’ll kill me?”

So she knew my family. Most girls found my family reputation exciting. A few were afraid of me.

“Does my family’s business bother you?”

She snorted and continued to her locker. “All businesses are corrupt, organized or not.”

That intrigued me. “You think so?”

“I know so. They all lie, cheat, steal, commit fraud, and take advantage of people. The only difference is the so-called legit businesses don’t murder so many people.”

I laughed. I liked this girl. “So go out with me.”

She shook her head. “So far, I haven’t found anything interesting about you.”

I grin. “I’m Elio D’Amato.”

She stops again. “You’re rich?”

“Yep.”

“Powerful?”

“Of course.” I ruled the school.

“That’s it?”

My cocky grin faltered. What else was there?

“I mean, you take away your family’s money and power, what’s left?” Her gaze scraped over me again, and I felt like a fraud. It wasn't a good feeling. I think anyone else would have told her to fuck off. But deep down, I wanted her to see me. The real Elio.

“Go out with me and you’ll see.”

She didn’t agree to a date then, but within a week, she’d given in.

We’ve been together ever since.

We still have a few months before we graduate from high school, and then we need to get through college, but I have no doubt that Piper and I will be together forever. I once overheard my father express concern about my “infatuation” with Piper, but my mother assured him that once I went to college, I’d sow my oats. Oh, how wrong they are. Piper is it for me, and I plan to let her know that tonight.

I pull up in front of her home. It’s modest. The only reason Piper can attend Ashwood Prep is a scholarship. Someday, when she’s my wife, she’ll live in the lap of luxury.

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