Page 54 of Merciless Desires

The tensions hit me from every angle of the room. Romero was set to go after Janero’s men. Rocco tried to hold his tongue and not negotiate us out of this situation. The fury from Janero’s direction was red-hot and aimed at me. Cin and I were stuck in the middle, knowing we had to fight to stay together, but the odds were against us at this moment. We had nothing to bargain with.

“Gio hasn’t proven himself in my eyes,” Janero said. “I realize the two of you have formed a bond that started years ago. I appreciate that friendship, but now is not the time to explore it.”

“It’s too late,” Cinzia said. “I want to be with him.”

“That’s not what your family needs from you at this moment.” Janero glanced at his watch. “Both Romero and Gio understand that. Arguing with me and wasting my time won’t help any of us. I have somewhere to be.”

“Then you should go,” Cinzia said. “I’m fine here.”

“Christ,” Romero mumbled.

“Don Malatesta,” I said. “I can protect your daughter. My family is growing stronger. We can be an asset to you. There’s no need to sacrifice your daughter in the name of your territory.”

“Ah, Gio.” Janero shook his head. “I had such high hopes for you, but until you forget about my Cinzia, you are going to be useless to me. You know I have to do what must be done in order to protect my empire. Don’t make me regret the power I’ve already given you and your brother.”

“We’ve earned most of that power,” Romero said. “We can come up with a solution if you let us think this through.”

Romero was grasping, but he was trying to keep Cin with me.

“There will be other favors I’ll need from you and Gio.” Janero held out his hand for Cin. “If you care for your friend as much as you say you do, you won’t fight me on this. You’re leaving here with me one way or another. The Bilotti brothers know they can’t challenge me. Not when it comes to my family.”

“Are you saying you will hurt them?” Cin asked.

“Just go get your things,” Janero said. “No one has to get hurt.”

“This isn’t necessary.” I held Cin’s hand tighter, but in the end I would have to let go.

“No, none of it is necessary, but it is a matter of life and death. Don’t make me choose between my business and our friendship.” Janero looked over at my brother. “Romero, as head of your house, get your shit together.”

“Gio,” Romero said. “You know what has to be done.”

“No!” Cin let go of my hand, taking the decision from me. “I’ll go with you, Papa.”

“What?” I moved to stand in front of her, blocking her from her father. “Do you know what you’re agreeing to?”

“I do.” She placed her palm on my cheek. “You have to trust me now.”

Chapter Sixteen

Cinzia

After gathering my things and changing my clothes, my father’s guards took my bags out to the car. I had to keep it together a little while longer. I wouldn’t let Gio see me fall apart. We had come too far, even if he didn’t realize this was all part of my plan.

“Romero, I’d like a few words with you outside while we let my daughter and your brother say goodbye.” My father shook Gio’s hand. “You’ll see this is what’s best for all of us, and your future will thrive along with mine.”

I stepped onto the porch as Romero, Rocco, and my father headed to the car.

“I wish we were in the shower together.” I tried to keep this horrible mood between us light. “Raincheck?”

“Why did you agree to leave?” Gio asked.

“Because we were getting nowhere with my father today. He is too determined, and I recognized the look in his eyes.” He would destroy Romero and Gio over this. “I can salvage this.”

“You need to let me handle this.”

“We’ll handle it together.”

“You’re leaving. How is that handling things together?”

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