Page 57 of Merciless Desires

“You’ll have the opportunity to change that here,” my father said. “There will be plenty of opportunities for the two of you to get to know one another. I trust you’ll both do your best to make this work.”

“Of course, Janero.” Aldo smiled at me. “I’m sure Cinzia and I will get along just fine.”

“I’d like to go to my room and freshen up.” I had sex with Gio not two hours ago. His scent was still on me, and the pleasurable soreness he created between my legs would stay with me for hours. How would Aldo feel about that? “Is that acceptable?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?” My father motioned for us to go into the resort.

“I wanted to make sure you hadn’t made any other arrangements for me today.” I walked in front of the two men. “Where is my room?”

“I can show you,” Aldo offered. “If that’s acceptable to your father.”

“It’s fine,” my dad said. “We’ll all meet for dinner in an hour. I need to speak with my security team.”

“Come on, Cin.” Aldo hooked his arm in mine.

Cin? No, that won’t work. I was only one man’s Cin.

“Cinzia,” I said. “I’d like for you to call me Cinzia.”

“Very well, Cinzia.” He smirked. “I’m sure I can come up with a special name for you once we get to know one another a little better.”

Don’t count on it.

Chapter Seventeen

Gio

In the alley behind the club, two of our guys kept watch while Romero and I roughed up a scared Paulie. We had been at it for thirty minutes, but I wasn’t satisfied I had tortured him enough.

“Did you fucking take a shot at me?” I hit him with my gun. “In front of my home?”

Paulie spat blood from his mouth and onto my shoes but didn’t answer.

“Enough of this.” Romero cocked his gun and held it to Paulie’s temple. “Who sent you after my brother?”

“I acted alone.” He squeezed his eyes shut. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re fucking lying.” I punched him in his gut. “You’re not smart enough to act alone.” Even if the job was so botched and he used his own car to pull it off, he didn’t do this on his own. “Who sent you?”

“Look,” Romero said as he shoved the gun in Paulie’s side. “You were stupid to come after my brother. Whoever sent you, set you up. Maybe they paid you well or promised you something in return. I don’t care. I just want a name.”

“I can’t. They’ll kill me.”

“What do you think we’re going to do?” I asked. “You came after me. At least have a little dignity and tell me what I want to know.”

“Please, I’ll tell you, but you have to let me go. I’ll leave town. I won’t come back. I won’t cause any problems for you.” His bruised and swollen eyes showed fear. “Just let me go.”

“Why would I believe you? How do I even know you’re giving up the right person?” Romero smacked him. “Don't insult me.”

“I’m not.” Paulie held up his hands. “It has to do with the mafia princess.”

“Cinzia?” I asked. “What about her?”

“I don’t know,” he said.

“What do you mean you don’t know?” I pressed my gun to his chest. “Tell me what you know.”

“Will you let me go?”

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