Page 41 of Merciless Desires

“I don’t know. I wanted Gio to pay attention to me and I acted out. I caused some trouble at his club and someone retaliated.”

Rocco and Gio discussed the possibility that Paulie may have been responsible for this botched attempt on Gio’s life when we were in the car on the way here. I pretended to be asleep, but I listened to their conversation.

“I’m extremely disappointed,” my father said. “You know better than to provoke a man.”

“I didn’t know it would cause this kind of trouble.”

“I want you to come home.”

“No.” I couldn’t leave Gio, but if I appeared too eager, my father would only demand I return to Italy. “I mean, it isn’t safe, right? You’re having issues with your business and Gio is having trouble here. Isn’t it better if I stay in this secure location and out of sight?”

“For now.”

I released the tense breath I held when I thought he would send for me. Appealing to his fears about my safety was a low blow, but I knew it would work. Whatever tactics kept me with Gio, I would use to my full advantage.

“As soon as tensions burn out, I will have you brought home.”

No rush.

“I have something planned for you. Something that will take your mind off what you think you want in the states.”

“What is it?”

“I’m finalizing the details but you, my little girl, serve an important purpose when it comes to restoring peace and keeping my reign secure.”

“What does that mean?” I asked. He had never involved me in his business before.

“Soon enough you’ll know. You are very valuable to me. You can help this family.”

“I would do anything you ask.”

Maybe if I was agreeable to what he needed from me, he would understand that I loved Gio and I wanted to be with him. Gio could have a place in my father’s organization and we could be together.

“I’m counting on your help.”

“Just don’t take what happened with the shooting out on Gio,” I said. “He is taking really good care of me.”

“Doesn’t look that way from where I’m standing.”

“Papa?”

“I can’t make any promises, but I have to go now. Don’t cause any more trouble for the Bilotti brothers. As angry as I am at them for putting you in danger, I don’t want them to get killed.”

“Neither do I.”

“Be good. I love you, sweet girl.”

“I love you too.” I ended the call and tossed the phone on the bed.

That was an odd conversation. What could I do for my father that would help my family? I didn’t want to think about it now. I checked myself in the mirror, smoothing out my hair and focusing on the cute pink dress that looked awesome without a bra.

“Hmm…” I smirked. “Since I’m already not wearing a bra…” I reached under my dress and tugged down my lace thong and tossed it on the floor in the corner of the room. “I’m not going to need that.”

As I headed down the long hallway, my heart raced with anticipation. Whatever my father had planned for me gave me a feeling of urgency when it came to me and Gio. We had already wasted enough time. Either one of us could have been killed last night. Today, I was all about seizing the moment.

When I reached Gio’s room, I found him standing in front of the windows that overlooked a pond with a pretty fountain shooting out from it. His shirtless back was to me, boasting taut muscles and a tattoo of a smoking gun sprawled across his flesh. He had on a pair of faded blue jeans and his feet were bare.

“Hey.” I entered the room. “What are you up to?”

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