Page 18 of Merciless King

I nod. “It is.” I move on to the next piece of business, bark out a few orders to some of my other men, review reports from both my legit and illegit businesses, then head out to pay Alderson a visit.

I’m on my game except in down moments. During the drive to Alderson’s store that fronts for illegal betting, my mind drifts back to Piper. The soft curve of her body as she melted into my embrace. The moment when the shadows of her eyes lifted and I saw into her soul as her body came apart from pleasure.

By the time I leave Alderson, he’s back under hand. My threats are subtle, said in a calm, professional tone. If anyone is listening, they're not getting anything that can be used against me, but Alderson is clear that things can take a turn if he doesn’t get his shit together.

That evening, I head home. I take a deep breath as I walk through the front door, reviewing my speech in my head. The Rinellas will be arriving soon, and I know I need a solid explanation and consolation prize to end this arrangement with him.

I head to my office, wanting to grab a drink before Vincenzo arrives. My sister is waiting, a glass of wine in her hand.

Her sharp, suspicious eyes greet me. “Why the last-minute dinner with Rinella?”

I shrug and pour myself a scotch.

“All of a sudden, you want to be a part of the wedding plans?”

“Where's Matteo?" I ask, not wanting to discuss my reasons for the dinner beforehand. Like Rinella, Lana isn’t likely to take the news well. I love my sister, but I’m the head of this family. I don’t have to run my decisions by her. I allow her to give her input on business, but she’s not an advisor.

“I’m here.” Matteo enters and helps himself to a drink at my bar. “I hear Alderson is behaving. How bad of spanking did you give him?”

I smirk. “Bad enough to hurt.”

“He’ll whine again.”

I nod. “He’s going to force us to do something more permanent.”

“He likes to go out on the lake. Sometimes shit happens out there.”

“Let’s see if he can hold it together before we start feeding him to the fishes.”

Lana crosses her arms. “You should talk to him about Lazaro. He was one of the last to see him.”

I suck in a breath. I wish she’d accept that Lazaro is dead. And I’d already leaned hard on Alderson about Lazaro’s movements the day he vanished. Alderson might quibble about his payments, but he’s not dumb enough to be involved in my brother’s murder.

“Right now, I need to prepare for dinner,” I say, taking my drink with me as I exit my office. I head up to my room to freshen up. When my servant informs me of Rinella’s arrival, I head down to greet him. I’m a little annoyed that he’s brought Ava with him, as I don’t want to hurt her. But I suppose he thinks this meeting is about wedding plans.

“Thank you for coming, Vincenzo.” I shake his hand. “You too, Ava.” I give her a kiss on the cheek. “Come. Dinner is ready.”

I escort them to the dining room where Lana and Matteo are already waiting. As we sit around the table, my staff serves wine, and we make small talk.

Once dinner is served, I roll the tension from my shoulders and clear my throat. “I have some unexpected news.”

All eyes turn on me. As if he suspects something is up, Vincenzo’s eyes narrow.

"I will not be able to go through with our wedding in two weeks' time."

“How much time do you need?” Vincenzo’s voice is tight with barely contained anger.

“Let me rephrase that. I will not be marrying your daughter at all.” I glance at Ava. “You’re a lovely woman and this decision is no reflection on you.”

Vincenzo's face immediately contorts with fury as he leans forward in his chair. His hand fists around a knife that I’m sure he wants to plunge into my chest. "What is the meaning of this? Your father would never disrespect me this way.”

Lana is gaping at me in shock. Matteo’s brows lift in surprise.

I hold up a hand to stop Vincenzo’s tirade. "Please, understand that this decision has nothing to do with you or your daughter. It’s a… personal matter."

Vincenzo's nostrils flare as he lets out a humorless laugh. "Personal? Did your father raise a pussy? This is business, boy.”

I suck in a breath to rein in the violent rage brewing in my gut. I know people see me as soft because I’m polite and often compromising if it can benefit me in the long run. But many people have made the mistake that they can walk over me. They learned the hard way, often with their lives, that I’m not one to fuck with.