Page 14 of King

He’s trying to hurt me. He’s trying to make me leave.

“I’m not here to upset your life, Gio.” I say gently, walking towards him and reaching out to touch his arm. He flinches away from my touch.

I reach out again and this time he doesn’t move. I gently trace my hand over his bicep. The muscles flex beneath his shirt and my mind instantly flashes memories of how gorgeous he was, his body pressing into mine as he lies over me, pinning my hands above my head.

The image sends a thrill pulsing through me.

“Gio, please, he is your son.” I say quietly.

The door bursts open and Santino storms into the room.

“What is she doing here?” He demands. His voice echos off the walls.

“Santino stop—” Giovanni says, turning towards his son with command in his tone.

“No, she hasnoright to be in this house -mom’s home.” He snaps at his father.

Giovanni realizes what he’s done by inviting me into this space.

“Santino, I need to speak with her - this was the only private place?—”

“I don’t care.” He yells.

Behind him Romeo and Dante arrive, hearing the noise.

“Dad.” Dante mumbles in disbelief. “Why is she in our home?”

“She’s leaving.” Giovanni sighs.

“No. I’m not.” I snap angrily. “You said we could talk.”

“Get out.” Romeo screams at me, launching at me with his hands reaching towards my throat and his eyes flaring like a wild animal.

I yelp in surprise, lifting my hands over my face to defend myself, but Giovanni has grabbed his son and isn’t letting him near me.

“She’s a slut.” Romeo screams. “She’s a hoe wrecker, a whore.”

“I—” I stammer, wanting to defend myself. “I didn’t know your father was married when I met him.” I say.

“You found out at some point - you found out he was married, and you begged him to leave our mother. You wanted to tear our family apart.” Romeo is beyond rage. His voice is breaking in anger.

I look at Giovanni, waiting for him to defend me - to tell them the truth. I never asked him to leave his wife. He made promises. I wanted it. But I never asked him to. I was hurt when I found out about her - that he lied to me. I wanted to leave him at first and he begged me not to.

“Giovanni,” I whisper, pleading with my eyes.

“Don’t even speak to him, you whore.” Romeo screams at me, trying to tear loose from his father’s grip.

“Get out.” Giovanni says, his eyes have turned even colder than before. “Leave.”

“I won’t.” I shout. “You promised you’d speak to me.”

“Get out!” He demands with more force.

I swallow hard and turn fully towards him, setting my shoulders back firmly. “I will destroy your name, Giovanni. If you refuse to be decent, of you refuse to give me what I deserve to ask for - I will tear your world apart, piece by piece. I won’t stop until everyone knows who you are. The liar. The cheat.” Anger bubbles from my lips as I spit the words at him. I never intended to threaten him this soon. It was meant to be a last resort. But I also didn’t expect him to let his son speak to me this way.

I deserve so much more respect than this.

If he wants to play a darker game, then I will play.

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