Page 51 of Merciless Desires

Gio

I stepped out onto the back patio, looking for Cinzia. She had gone for a walk around the property while I met with Conti to talk about security and possibly going back to the penthouse. Romero agreed that the threat had subsided for now. I could keep Cin safe and get back to business.

“She’s in the old stables.” Conti pointed to a red barn-like structure. “She goes there sometimes.”

“Thanks.” I walked across the property, gathering my thoughts. According to Romero, things seemed to have quieted down in Italy. Janero had united with the Calabrese family, which only meant one thing.

When I opened the barn doors, I found Cin lying on the ground, staring up at the ceiling, wearing a lacy white dress and a short denim jacket. She turned her head and smiled at me. There was a sparkle in her eyes that made me believe she was happy and secure when she was with me. I had to shatter that illusion because of the situation her father put her in. As much as I wanted to help her, I wasn’t sure I could pull it off in such a short amount of time.

“What are you doing?” I dropped down next to her. “I wouldn't have thought you were the kind of girl who likes to roll in the hay.”

“If I’m doing the rolling with you, I am that kind of girl.” She sat up and kissed me. “I like it here. I imagine what it would be like to have horses.”

“I’m more of a city guy.”

“Maybe we can have a house like this one day. Out in the country with a pool and stables. We can raise a family.” When she placed her hand on her stomach, something inside me shifted. How could we plan a family when our future was so uncertain? “Someday.”

The hope in her eyes gutted me. Did she really want to carry my children? Would we have the opportunity to explore a future like that? I couldn’t think about that now. We had so much to deal with.

“Cin.” I took her hand. “We’re going to head back to the penthouse in a day or so.”

“What about the threat?”

“Rocco seems to have it under control. Paulie has been laying low. He knows Romero and I are coming for him. Whatever motivated him to go after me, proved to be a big mistake on his part.”

“Will we be safe at the penthouse?”

“Of course.” I picked a piece of hay out of her shiny, black locks. “There’s something else you need to know.”

“What?”

“It appears your father has struck a deal with the Calabrese family.” I opened and closed my fist, trying not to alert her to how keyed up I was over this situation. “They made their alliance known to the other families in Italy.”

“He gave me up in return?”

I nodded.

“No.” She shook her head. “I can’t marry a stranger. I can’t go back to Italy. Not after knowing what it’s like to be with you. We have to run.”

“We can’t do that.” I gripped her forearms, holding her steady. “Not yet.”

“What other options do we have?”

“My brothers and I are working on it.”

“You’re not working fast enough.” She got up and walked around the barn. “I can’t sit around and wait to be married off to a man I’ve never met. To a man who isn’t you!”

“Baby.” I got off the ground and then pulled her into an embrace. “I’m not going to let you marry another man. Your father will listen to reason once he realizes it isn’t what you want.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

“We’ll run.”

“You’re not going to leave Romero.” She hugged me. “I wouldn’t expect you to.”

“It wouldn’t be forever.” I rubbed her back, knowing that I would do anything to protect her. “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you with me.”

The wind kicked up outside as the barn doors shuddered against the frame. The autumn skies darkened as a light rain swept across the trees and onto the grass.

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