Page 48 of Brutal Mercy

He carries me over to the table. Once I’m seated, he removes the silver serving domes. My mouth waters at the filet mignon, roasted new potatoes, and steamed veggies.

“This looks amazing.” And smells even better.

“Champagne?”

“Yes, please.” He pours the bubbly into a flute for me. He pours himself a glass and then takes his seat across from me.

After a sip of what I imagine liquid gold tastes like, I ask the question that’s been burning through my mind. “Have you found where Diego took my sister yet?”

“We’ve got her location.”

I grip the champagne flute tighter. “Really? Then we should go get her. We should—”

He places a hand over mine. I glance down, noting how much larger his hand is than mine, before meeting his gaze. It’s the understanding in them that makes me want to cry. “I need you to let me handle this. I swear we will get her back. We’re working to secure her release even now. I just need you to extend me your trust a little bit longer.”

“All right. You said you’re a bad man. Why is that?” From the moment we met, an aura of danger surrounded his being. And I want to know the source and just how bad we are talking. Not that it will change our marital status. But I need to know moving forward just what I walked into.

With a nod, Hades explains. “My family, the Massimos, are part of a long, storied organized crime family that dates back a few hundred years. I’m head of the Denver branch. And over the past decade, I’ve worked to establish myself outside of our traditional family, to make us separate from the family in Italy. Mainly because there are crimes I won’t engage in, like human trafficking. But there are others I will and do. I have no problem taking out someone who has betrayed our family. Nor will I have any compunction about ending Diego Alvarez for thinking he could touch you.”

The vehemence behind his words startles me. Because it sounds like he cares about me. But I’ve only been here a few days. And I’ve brought nothing but trouble to his front door.

“You really plan to kill him?” He mentioned something similar the other day, but I’ve been hurt and out of with the pain medicine.

“Yes. Any objections?” His gaze pierces through me.

“No.” And I mean it. My response surprises me too. I always thought when it mattered that I would do the right thing. That morally, I walked the straight and narrow. But given the events of the past few days, I’ve changed. And it’s not just because of Hades. He’s part of that evolution. It’s more that I’ve crossed paths with true evil. Diego hurt me and then went after the only family I have, and my morals are no longer black and white.

“Hmm. Interesting. Once we’re past all this, I think we should go on a honeymoon. My thoughts are Tahiti. There’s this great villa we can stay at that’s right on the beach. Or we could go anywhere else you would like?”

“I don’t have a passport.” Not that I won’t get one, but there was never any time. And it’s not like I had the funds to head out of the country on a whim.

“I can help you get one. We can get it expedited. And this way it’ll have your married name.”

“Tahiti sounds incredible. I’ve seen pictures, and it looks like paradise.” And I can see it. The two of us walking hand in hand on a beautiful beach. It sounds magical.

“Is there anywhere you’ve always wanted to go? Hawaii? The Bahamas?”

“I know this might sound weird, but I’m dying to do one of those igloo hotels in Norway or Sweden, where you can see the northern lights. And I’d love to do one of those Alaskan river cruises to see the glaciers. Hawaii’s definitely on my list. But I also want to see this country too.”

“Have you never traveled?” he asks while we eat.

“When my parents were alive, they took us camping a lot. Rocky Mountain National Park, Wyoming, Montana, Utah. But that’s about it. Anything within driving distance. I’ve never even seen the ocean.” And my thirst to experience life remains unquenched.

“We’ll rectify that, starting with our honeymoon.”

I flush at the carnal look in his eyes. The mention of us taking a honeymoon has me imagining days in bed with him. It sounds fantastic.

“So, you’re in the Mafia?”

He doesn’t flinch at my question. Hades leans back in his seat, looking like a king addressing his subject. “Yes. And there are parts of what I do that I won’t share with you. Ever. Not because I don’t trust you, but to protect you. There are parts of my business that would corrupt your soul. And if I tell you not to ask, you will need to drop it.”

“Maybe my soul needs some corrupting.” Until I met him, I never thought I would meet a man who put my needs first. It’s a part of the reason I was still a virgin. Because I didn’t just want to have sex in the back of some dude’s pickup and call it a day. I ached to feel real chemistry, and ours is combustible. Every time his gaze lands on me, he looks like he wants to devour me whole.

“Not like this. There are other ways I intend to corrupt you, wife.” His eyes flick to the bed we share.

Heat churns in my belly at his lust-infused innuendo. “I’m up for the challenge.”

“Once your ankle is healed, I’m taking you out. We’ll go to one of the many charity functions I get invited to just so I can dance with you in a sexy dress.”

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