Merciless King: A Dark, Mafia Romance (Dynasty of Deception Book 1) by Ajme Williams

Author:Ajme Williams [Williams, Ajme]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-08-30T00:00:00+00:00

19

PIPER

Ilie in bed now alone, staring at the ceiling, feeling hopeful. For the first time in a long time, I have a chance to make a change. A change for Elysse. The sun is peeking through the curtains, and it’s a metaphor, I decide. A new day is dawning. Light is finally going to chase away the darkness.

Even so, the idea of leaving Gabriel fills me with uncertainty and dread. I've tried to leave him before, when we were in England, but he found me. It wasn’t hard. I’d gone to my parents’ house. I suppose I was naïve in thinking he’d take a hint and let me go. Why would he come after me when he so obviously thought I was worthless?

Of course, he was apologetic and made promises, begging me to come home. I didn’t want to. I knew by then who he was. But my parents insisted I needed to return to him, to give him a chance. The more I tried to tell them the truth, the more they said I was selfish. Elysse needed a stable home. I was lucky that Gabriel was willing to be her father.

I can remember like it was yesterday, their saying I have no way to support myself if I leave him. I told them they could give me Mr. D’Amato’s money. After all, I was the one he wanted to get rid of. I was the one carrying his son’s child. My parents didn’t see it that way, but the truth was, the money was gone.

I had no job. No place to go. And so I returned to Gabriel.

The memory of his rage, the bruises he left on my body, the scars I still carry, sends a shiver down my spine. But worse than that, I remember his threat—if I ever tried to leave again, he'd hurt Elysse. He knew that was the one thing that would make me behave. And it is, because the thought of him laying a hand on my daughter makes my blood run cold.

I have one chance to escape and I have to take it. I've agreed to accept Elio's help, but a part of me questions the wisdom of being with him. It's been so long. Do I really know him anymore? He’s been kind and sweet, but so had Gabriel when I first met him.

And then there's Elio’s work, the danger that comes with being involved with the Mafia. Is it fair to bring Elysse into that world?

Despite my fears, I know Elio is right. I can't stay with Gabriel. Every day I spend with him is another day I'm risking not just my life, but Elysse's as well. She deserves better than this. We both do. I have to trust that Elio is the man I remember. He is, after all, Elysse’s father.

I get out of bed to prepare for the day. I shower and dress, then strip the bed to wash the sheets. I realize that if I’m leaving today, I don’t need to cover my tracks.

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