Page 17 of Merciless King

But it’s not just guilt that is threatening to consume me. It’s worry. The joy I felt moments ago is replaced by a growing unease. What will Gabriel do if he finds out? Will he leave? Maybe, but not without hurting me both physically and emotionally. He could try and take Ellyse. Or worse. He’s threatened worse.

“I missed you.” Elio’s lips are gentle on my cheek. I close my eyes, trying to deal with the torrent of emotions warring inside me.

“I missed you too,” I admit even though I know I shouldn’t.

A phone rings and I tense. If it’s mine and I don’t answer right away, Gabriel will know something is up.

“Fuck.” Elio slides out of bed, finds his pants, and pulls out his phone. “Matty.” He listens as he watches me. “I’ll meet with him. Reason with him.”

There’s something about his word choice that tells me he followed his father into organized crime. It seems like that’s the sort of thing that should have been a deal breaker, but corruption is everywhere. I don’t know the details of Gabriel’s work, but I’m aware he uses shady practices. Perhaps I’m just making excuses to justify my feelings for Elio. In the scheme of things, my falling for a Mafia member is low on the ladder. The worst is having Elysse grow up in fear.

“I’ll be there in thirty. Listen, can you contact Rinella? I’d like to meet again. Tonight.” He hangs up and starts to dress.

I don’t want him to leave, and yet I’m relieved. I’ve just made a bigger mess of my life and I don’t know how I’ll clean it up.

“I’m sorry. I have… business.”

I arch a brow. “Family business.”

He nods. “You’ll be glad to know we have many legitimate establishments now.”

I want to tell him it doesn’t matter because we can’t see each other again. Ever. But I don’t want to ruin this moment. I want to be able to remember this day sweetly, even if it’s filled with guilt.

When he’s dressed, he comes to the bed and leans over me. “You’re mine.”

I open my mouth to protest, but he kisses me.

“I’m going to make you happy, Piper. I promise.” He gives me another kiss and then exits my room.

I flop back wondering what the hell is going to happen. Danger bells clang. Not just danger from Gabriel finding out and punishing me, but danger for my heart from falling for Elio again.

8

ELIO

The last thing I want to do is leave Piper. When I’d arrived this morning, my goal had been to talk to her and reconnect to rebuild what we lost. Somehow, I ended up in her bed, making love to her like no time has passed. The feel of her soft skin, the sound of her breathless moans, it was all so familiar, yet it felt brand new.

As I held her in my arms, a deep sense of contentment washed over me. This is where I’m meant to be, with Piper. For so long, I had tried to move on from her, to convince myself that my feelings for her were just a fleeting teenage infatuation. But the moment I laid eyes on her again, those feelings came rushing back, more powerful than ever.

Any doubts I might have had are gone. She’s mine. Yes, there are logistics to deal with. I need to end my engagement and her marriage. What a fucking idiot her husband must be to not cherish the woman he married, to not spend his time making sure she’s happy. And she’s not happy. The light in her eyes, that spark of challenge, is gone. There’s no way she’d have let me touch her if she was happy with her husband. Piper isn’t one to betray someone she loves.

The question is, will he leave quietly? For his sake, he'd better. I have no qualms about making him disappear. I won’t let anyone stand in the way of Piper and me being together, not the law or my own family's obligations. I’ve waited eight long years to have her back in my arms, and I’m not about to let her go again.

I wish I could stay with her now, but I have responsibilities waiting for me. Business, for one. And of course, the matter of ending my impending marriage to Ava Rinella. The alliance between our families is crucial, and ending my engagement isn’t going to go over well. I need to figure out a way to appease Vincenzo.

Arriving at my office, my mind shifts into the calculated, ruthless mindset required to lead our organization.

“Where you been, Boss?” Matteo asks as he follows me into my office.

“Busy.” I’m not ready to explain Piper or my plans to end the engagement to Ava with him at this time. “What’s Alderson?” I ask regarding the call I received that morning.

“He’s balking at percentages again.”

I roll my eyes. It wasn’t so long ago that a man like Alderson would be gunned down on the street. Today, we’re more subtle, and it’s possible Alderson is working with the Feds. His disappearing now could cause more trouble than putting the fear of God, or more accurately, the fear of me, into him.

“I’ll go talk to him. Did you contact Rinella?”

“I did. Is it about the wedding? That’s the impression he has.”

---