Page 20 of Merciless King

She shakes her head. “What is wrong with you?”

“There’s nothing wrong with me. I can’t marry her when my heart is with someone else.”

Lana scoffs, shaking her head in disgust. "Your heart? Since when do you let your heart dictate the decisions that affect this family?"

I decide it’s time to come clean. “Piper is back.”

“Oh, my God.” Lana gapes. “This isn't about some fleeting teenage romance, Elio. This is about power, influence, and the survival of our legacy. Please tell me you’re not still living in some fairy tale la-la land. Surely, you’ve grown out of that."

I open my mouth to respond, but Lana raises her hand, silencing me. "No, you listen to me. You're the heir to this empire, and you have a responsibility to this family that goes beyond your own selfish desires."

I clench my jaw, not wanting to exert my authority over her. We’re family. But just like I can’t take disrespect from Vincenzo, I can’t from her, either. “I’m the head of this empire, this family, not the heir. It’s already mine. And up until now, you’ve had no complaints about how I’ve run it. Not when through me, your income has more than doubled.”

“It’s not just about money. You’re going to turn others against us.”

“It is about money in the end, sweet sister. Vincenzo can try to go against me, but he’ll lose. He knows it.” To be honest, my ego might be bigger than what I can pull off, but I will not be swayed from what I want. “As far as Piper, it’s not a fleeting romance. I love her. I’ve always loved her.”

“And then she left?—”

I interrupt Lana because this isn’t her business. “I have given all I have to this family. I think I’m owed one bit of personal happiness.”

“You know, you could have both,” Matteo says. “Marry Ava, have Piper on the side.”

I let out a laugh. “Piper isn’t an on-the-side woman. Besides, it isn’t about sex with her. I love her.”

"I don't care, Elio," Lana says, her tone that of a petulant child. "You're going to marry Ava Rinella, and you're going to do it for the good of this family. Anything less is unacceptable."

“He’s right,” Matteo says to Lana. “Remember how he was when Piper left?” He turns to me. “I wouldn’t wish that on you again. You were fucking miserable to be around.”

He remembers the darkness that consumed me after Piper's sudden and unexplained departure. I had spiraled into a violent, reckless haze, lashing out at anyone who dared to cross my path. It served me well as I grew into the leader I needed to be for the business. Over the last few years, I clawed back from the dark abyss, so I wasn’t the violent asshole I’d been, but I hadn't seen the light nor felt its warmth until I saw Piper again.

“Who’s to say she won’t leave again?” Lana says.

I won’t let her. I don’t know why Piper left, but I’ll make sure she wants to stay. “Nothing is going to stand in my way. Not even you, Lana.”

"You know what's at stake here. The alliance with the Rinellas, the stability of our family's influence—all of it hangs in the balance. You can't just throw that away because of some… some childhood infatuation."

“Piper is the love of my life, and I won't let her go again. Not this time."

Lana opens her mouth to protest, but I rise from the table. “This is not up for debate or discussion.”

I leave the dining room and head to the bar. I need a drink. I know I’ve made my business life more difficult, but the lightness that fills my chest that I’m now clear to pursue a life with Piper far outweighs that.

I hold my glass of scotch up, saluting myself. “Here’s to you, Piper. I’m going to make sure all my promises to you come true.”

9

PIPER

Irush around the house, my heart pounding in my chest. I’m in shock over my behavior—sleeping with Elio. I’m terrified of what will happen if Gabriel finds out.

I strip the sheets from the bed and toss them in the laundry. I yank open the windows to let in fresh air, desperate to erase any lingering scent of Elio. Once I’m sure I’ve disposed of any hint of Elio’s visit, I resume the job Gabriel has tasked me with. My hands tremble as I sort through the piles of boxes, unpacking them with frenzied movements. I can’t seem to settle my nerves. The guilt and shame are overwhelming, and at the same time, those few moments with Elio, feeling like I was the center of the world… I can’t quite regret them.

For a moment, I get lost replaying the passionate encounter with Elio. The way he pulled me into his arms, the tenderness in his touch, the burning desire in his eyes. It’s been so long since I felt any of that. Elio was always so kind, so loving. Gabriel, on the other hand, is a volatile, controlling man who makes me live in constant fear.

Gabriel is my husband. I made a vow. I made my proverbial bed, and now I have to lie in it, which means getting the house sorted. I’m in a battle with the clock. If I don’t make progress on the house, Gabriel will wonder what I was up to. So I work quickly, hoping he doesn’t notice how all our stuff looks like it was put away in a rush.

Late afternoon, I go to the kitchen and prepare lasagna. Once I get it into the oven, I resume unpacking. Just as I finish the last box of books in the family room, the front door opens.