Seducing the King: The Sovrano Crime Family, #8

By Jessa York

Just when I think the two men I'm in love with are lost to me forever--they reemerge.

 

With a vengeance.

 

The tug-of-war they create soon turns into a one-month arrangement.

 

That I still can't believe I agree to.

 

But after the thirty days are up, I'll be back to my old life and my old job.

 

Or at least that is what's supposed to happen.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jessa York
• Release date: Mar 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215503775

Book preview

1

Giselle

Iheard his angry feet storm through the hallway, down the stairs—and out the front door.

The loud slamming sound made me jump.

My stomach twisted and my heart contracted so much it nearly forgot how to beat.

Carlo was pissed.

Right off.

I looked around the room, wondering what I should do next.

I listened for Dani, but luckily, she’d slept through his tantrum.

I sighed, grabbed my phone, and called Carlo.

He picked up immediately—much to my relief.

Except—I had no idea what the heck to say to him.

Sorry I fucked your brother, just didn’t seem right.

Because—I—well, I wasn’t sorry.

I’d wanted to sleep with Stefan.

And I was glad that I did it.

That we did it.

The really confusing thing was—I also felt like crap now that Carlo knew.

Which didn’t make one bit of sense to me.

What do you want? Is Daniella okay? I could hear the sounds of his car in the background.

I—she’s still sleeping, I breathed out, slightly unable to catch my breath. I felt like I’d been running a sprint or something. Why—why did you run off like that? I asked, beginning to feel the weight of the situation now. I didn’t like when people were mad at me.

And Carlo was—furious.

You are a real piece of work, you know that? He let out a sarcastic laugh. I heard the wheels squeal as he continued talking. What kind of fucking question is that?

I opened my mouth to talk, but nothing came out for a few seconds. My brain hadn’t caught up with my emotions.

I don’t understand what I did wrong, Carlo. I agreed to play your game. You guys made up the rules—not me.

A loud, gruff growl came through the phone. Game? he audibly inhaled, Is that all I am to you? A fucking game? Do you think everything I’ve done for you and Daniella is some kind of sick—fucking game?

I thought about it for a few beats and answered honestly, Um, yeah.

He exhaled so loudly it hurt my ears. Jesus motherfucking Christ. You are goddamn unbelievable, Giselle.

He paused for a minute, and during that time, tears began burning behind my eyes. And again, that confused me.

I don’t know what you expected from me, Carlo, I said over the huge, dry lump in my throat.

Do you know what I expected from you? Everything, Giselle. Fucking everything.

After he said that, the line went dead.

He’d hung up on me.

The tears behind my eyes won their battle—just as I was losing mine.

I reached over for the box of tissues on the bedside table and dumped it beside me.

I pulled out a few and sniffled, feeling very sorry for myself.

What had I done wrong?

Carlo knew they each had fifteen dates with me.

And then that would be—that.

The men would certainly be done with me by then.

We’d all go our own ways.

And I’d head back to Ilona’s.

Or possibly further than that.

I hadn’t quite worked that out yet.

I just needed to get through this month and then I’d decide.

After I blew my nose, I dragged my behind out of Carlo’s huge, comfortable bed.

That was definitely one thing I’d miss about this house.

His bed was the freaking best.

The way you just kind of sunk into it—yet were still supported—well, it was fantastic.

I mean, the best part was being with Carlo inside of it. Even so, I’d miss this comfy bed for the rest of my life.

I pulled a few more tissues out of the box and set it back on the bedside table before I made the bed—making sure that all traces of me were erased.

There were a few things I’d left in his shower and the bathroom, so I gathered those up.

Dani was still asleep as I tiptoed by her room and down the stairs. I shoved my things into the bag I’d brought over—then looked around.

Darn it.

I was really going to miss this house.

My eyelids attempted to blink back the tears—but failed.

I took one last tour through the main level, remembering all the good times I’d had here.

Like, a lot of good times.

Gosh, I’d been so intimidated the first time Carlo had brought me here.

But, he’d been nothing but kind, generous—and loving.

Even when I’d run out on him because Dani got hurt—and I borrowed his Maserati.

Yeah, he was freaking angry at me then. Not as furious as he seemed to be now, but still really mad.

Carlo could have reported me for theft.

He could have reported me to Ilona.

But he hadn’t.

I gazed out the window and spotted the large barn, far off in the distance.

Crap.

I was going to miss the horses. And riding. And going on picnics with Carlo.

Darnit.

More tears.

I wiped my eyes and trudged back upstairs.

I had a few more things to say goodbye to.

I slowly opened the door to the sewing room.

Oh, my gosh, I said, marveling at the wonderfulness before me.

What a freaking shame I’d never make even one project in here. Ideas fired off in my brain—but I had to toss cold water on each and every one of them.

I grabbed a few bolts of fabric and opened them on the large cutting table.

Oh, how I’d love to make a dress out of this copper silk. My fingers had never felt anything this delectable in my life. I had a new design I’d love to try, and this fabric would be perfect.

Too bad. I’m sure Carlo will find a good home for you, though, I said to the copper silk as I wound it back up on the bolt.

I said goodbye to the sewing machines I’d never use.

Oh, boy.

I was getting sentimental over sewing machines.

I whisked away my tears and hurried out the door. The library was next on my list.

Oh, the library.

I stepped inside and inhaled the smell of all the fabulous books.

Nothing smelled as good. I inhaled a deep, wonderful breath—and immediately felt at home.

I wandered around, letting my hands touch every single book I could. Inside my head, I said a sad goodbye—wishing I could have read every single one of them.

The small ache I’d felt in my heart had opened up wider—and a brand-new wave of sadness washed over me.

I walked over to the puppet theater and smiled sadly to myself.

In my mind’s eye, I imagined Dani playing in here with Nick and Eve’s kids. Gosh, she’d be the oldest of them all.

A small giggle left my lips. I bet Dani would boss them all around and make them play whatever she wanted.

It was too bad.

Really, too bad.

But in reality, I was just being stupid. Carlo said he wanted to marry me—and plant his babies inside of me.

I knew none of that was true, though.

Not a single word.

Men like Carlo didn’t marry girls like me.

And men like Carlo certainly didn’t plant their heirs inside of girls like me.

No, men like Carlo chose smart, cultured women to make babies with. Not girls like me from the wrong side of