Page 13 of Merciless King

I nod, wanting her to feel good about this change in his behavior. But she knows as I do that it won’t last.

Her eyes are intent, like she’s building up courage. “Sometimes I wish we didn’t have to live with him.”

Me too, sweetie. “We’re a family.”

Her expression drops, and I know I’ve disappointed her. How long before that turns to resentment? I’m failing my daughter.

I pull her into a tight hug, and her arms tighten around me. For now, I can only offer her the comfort of my embrace, hoping against hope that one day, I'll find the strength to truly protect her.

“I bet my real daddy would be nicer.”

I close my eyes as Elio flitters back into my mind. I think back to eight years ago. I had been so young, so naive, when I first fell for Elio. His charm, his passion, his unwavering devotion—it had all swept me off my feet. We'd talked of a future together, of defying the odds and building a life despite the stigma of his family's criminal ties.

But then, the unthinkable happened. I discovered I was pregnant, and my world came crashing down. Elio's father, the Don of the D'Amato Mafia, had other plans for his son. He offered my parents a substantial sum of money to take me and leave town, far away from his son's reach. Faced with the threat of losing everything, my parents had no choice but to accept. I’d prayed that Elio would stop his father, that he’d come and find me. But in the end, he hadn’t done either because he didn’t want to. It was one thing when it was just me he was committing to. A baby, fatherhood, apparently wasn’t something he’d wanted.

“Who is he? Why isn’t he here?”

This isn’t the first time she’s asked about her father. I don’t want to lie, but neither can I tell her the truth.

“He couldn’t be, sweetie.” That is true, sort of. He made a choice. We have to live with it.

When I saw Elio yesterday, he didn’t ask me about Elysse. Then again, I wasn’t with him very long. Not long enough for him to ask about her. Will I run into him again? Will he ask me about her? The idea of his taking an interest in her now fills me with dread. But why would he want her now when he hadn’t wanted her before?

It occurs to me that as much as I resent Elio, he gave me the one bright light in my life. For that I’ll always be grateful.

Once she finishes her breakfast and gets dressed, we step outside into the cool morning air. Elysse walks beside me, her small hand nestled in mine. I can't help but marvel at how quickly she's grown. It feels like just yesterday she was a tiny baby, completely dependent on me. Now, she's a vibrant, curious child, wise beyond her years.

When we reach her school, I give her a hug and wish her a good day. I watch her skip into the school until she disappears. Then I make my way back home.

I freeze, my heart pounding as I catch sight of the sleek black car parked in our driveway. There’s no reason to believe that it’s Elio’s, yet he’s the one who comes to mind. But how would he know where I live? So maybe it’s a colleague of Gabriel’s.

As I make my way up the walk, the door of the vehicle opens and a man steps out. Elio. My breath catches, partly in panic and partly at the sight of the man I’d loved so deeply.

He smiles when he sees me. There’s no stopping the reaction to his devastating good looks. His dark hair is styled impeccably, and his piercing gaze sweeps over me, sending a shiver down my spine.

Elio's presence is commanding, almost overwhelming, as he walks toward me. He moves with a graceful, predatory confidence. He is as gorgeous and captivating as he was back then.

Memories of our passionate, ill-fated romance come rushing back. Despite the years that have passed, his pull on me is as strong as ever. Conflicting emotions swirl within me, bitter resentment and yearning for the love he once promised. I force myself to remember that Elio was the one who shattered my heart, who let his family tear us apart.

"Piper.” His lips curve into a devastating smile that draws me in even as I try to fight against it. I’m as powerless now as I’d been when I’d met him.

6

ELIO

Itake a deep breath as I step out of my car, my heart pounding in my chest. There she is, Piper. I feel like my world settles like puzzle pieces into a vision of clarity. Her. She’s what I want.

Last night, and even as I waited this morning after seeing her walk up the street with a young girl, I vacillated between duty and desire. But seeing Piper now, duty falls away.

I realize that the young girl must be her daughter. Sadness, and yes, jealousy fills me that she built a family without me. A dull ache settles in my chest as I think about the life we could have had, the future we were robbed of. I can picture it so clearly, Piper and me married, raising our children together, building a life filled with love and laughter. It's a future I've dreamed of for years, one I never stopped hoping for, even after Piper disappeared from my life.

When she left, it was like a part of me died. I spiraled into a dark place, lashing out and embracing the ruthless, violent side of myself that I had tried to keep at bay. I became colder, more calculating, diving deeper into the family business and solidifying my reputation as a merciless leader. But the moment I laid eyes on Piper again, everything changed. I still don't know the details of what happened back then. Why her family left. Why she never let me know where she went. But right now, that doesn’t matter to me.

She’s a mother. Likely married. Yet I go to her, determined to have what was taken from me.

“Piper.” I smile, hoping she’ll see the man she once loved or at the very least be disarmed by my presence.

“What are you doing here? How’d you find me?” Her tone is sharp, but it’s the way she glances around with fear in her eyes that puts me on edge.

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