Page 35 of Merciless Daddy

Guilt should not have moved through my body like heat. It should not have gone low and fast when he glanced up, dark eyes finding mine beneath those heavy brows. It should not have made me notice the hard line of his jaw or the silver beginning at his temples or the open collar of his shirt showing a strip of throat.

My brain was a traitor too.

“Good morning,” he said.

“Debatable.”

Something almost like a smile altered his mouth. It transformed him. That was inconvenient.

He turned off the burner. “You slept. I’m glad.”

“You must have drugged me. It’s the only explanation.”

“No.” His eyes held mine. “No drugs. From anyone, thank god.”

I folded my arms over the torn bodice, squeezing my breasts together. “It was a close-run thing.”

He did not take the bait. Of course he didn’t. Men like Gianni lunged for every hook. Salvatore watched it swing and waited for me to cut myself on it.

His phone buzzed on the counter. He picked it up, checked the screen, then looked at me.

“Tonio.”

I went still.

Sal touched the speaker icon. “Talk.”

Tonio’s voice flooded the kitchen, warm and loud even through a phone. “He showed at the east window fifteen minutes ago. Curtains open, face visible. He looked scared, which is sensible, but unharmed. Had breakfast with Lev at eight-forty. Tea, bread, two guards outside the blue room.”

My knees nearly stopped working.

I put one hand on the marble island because it was there.

“Did he see you?” Sal asked.

“No. I’m not an idiot.”

“I disagree.”

“Fuck you, vecchio. I have eyes on both service exits and the east wing. He is alive. He is fed. For now.”

For now wasn’t good enough. But ate least my brother was alive. Fed.

I swallowed around something painful.

“Thank you,” I said before I could stop myself.

The line went quiet for half a beat. Then Tonio’s voice gentled.

“Any time, bella. We’ll get him out.”

Sal ended the call.

I hated the shine in my eyes. I blinked it away before either of them could own it.

He turned back to the counter. “Coffee. Tea. Hot chocolate.”

“I don’t need—”