Page 21 of Brutal Mercy

“Within the hour, you will be eating my cooking and celebrating. I even made your favorite dessert.”

“You made me tiramisu?” I act all surprised and press my hand against my chest. When in reality, she makes it for me at least twice a month because she knows how much I adore it.

“Si. It is a special occasion, no?”

“Grazie. It certainly is. If you could have Gabriella deliver the meal once it’s ready and have her bring a bottle of the Cristal as well.”

“Certainly, signore. Now go.” She shoos me out of her kitchen. “Be with her until then.”

“You’re too good to me, Rosa.” I wink and backtrack out of the kitchen.

A part of me wants to delay the upcoming confrontation. It’s been a long time since I’ve been around one so innocent. I can’t deny that my intentions in eliminating the cartel aren’t entirely altruistic, because they’re not.

The simple answer is I want her. More than I’ve wanted another woman in a long damn time. The moment I laid her on my bed yesterday, it felt like it was where she belonged. When the better route would be to help her and release her.

But I can’t let her go. It’s wrong of me. Evil, even. Depraved. She’s half my age. And I’m totally taking advantage of her innocence and trust.

Except Luna sealed her fate the moment she ran toward the compound, toward me. Regardless of the fact that she had no idea what kind of monster she was tangling with, it’s done. The orders have been given. Everything is already in motion.

I take the stairs two at a time to my bedroom, and the moment I step inside, I almost falter and do a double take.

Fuck me. She’s gorgeous.

Athena does great work. This won’t be a hardship. Being near her feels like a Molotov cocktail has been tossed at me. It races through my blood. And the tiny smile that spreads over her face the moment she sees me has my gut tightening.

She’s quickly become my obsession.

I sent Athena up here this afternoon to help Luna get ready for this evening under the guise of my wanting to eat a formal meal with her. Athena texted me that she helped her bathe and get ready. I figured, given the fact that Diego tried to rape her yesterday, she would feel more comfortable with a woman helping her get into the bathtub than me.

Although that will change after tonight.

But my sister loaned her a gown for the evening.

Jesus, the ivory satin number fits her curvy frame to perfection, accentuating her curves. And the corset accent on the bodice makes her tits look fucking edible. Luna’s hair is styled in loose waves around her slim shoulders. And my sister worked her magic with makeup. I can barely discern the bruises on her face from the assault. She did something with Luna’s eyes that makes them seem bigger, sultrier, and downright sexy as fuck.

Luna’s gaze lands on me with relief. Like she’s happy to see me. Will she still look at me this way in an hour? Time will tell.

“You look lovely,” I say, shutting the door.

“Your sister was very sweet. But isn’t this overkill for dinner?” She gestures at the dress. And my gaze trails down to her slender bare feet.

I ignore her question. “How are you feeling? Are you too worn out to eat?”

A small smile pulls at the corner of her plump lips. “Better. Most of it was exhaustion and dehydration from my run through the mountains.”

“And the ankle?”

Her face sours. “It hurts pretty bad.”

“Dr. Moreno is sending some crutches. But he wants you off your feet for a week solid before you start using them for things other than bathroom trips.”

She makes a face. And it’s the cutest fucking thing I’ve seen in a long time. “This is a fancy dress to have dinner in. Is dinner a special occasion?”

I approach until I’m standing before her on the bed, with her legs dangling over the edge. “Why don’t I move you to the chair near the fireplace so we can talk?”

“Do you have news about Lyla?”

Hope spills from her in tangible waves. It illuminates her being from the inside out.

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