Page 50 of Buying Angel

THERE WAS A PART of me that was relieved I was being taken away from the situation that Vincent had put me in, but the fact that Hudson and Nico were still there with Viktor and his men worried me. I knew that Nico could handle himself, but I wished it was him who was with me now and not Gino. I had nothing against Gino, but he didn’t mean anywhere near as much to me as Nico did. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to him or Hudson.

Gino carefully guided me to Nico’s room. I knew both he and Hudson had rooms here in their office. They used to use them sometimes when Hudson was working late, although more recently – well, since I had arrived – they always made sure they came home at a reasonable time each evening, and one of them was always there with me when I finished work.

Gino closed the door of Nico’s room and locked it. I spun around quickly when I heard the door lock, visions of what that had used to mean when I was with Vincent overtaking me. Gino must have seen the horror on my face and put both of his hands up in the air as a form of surrender and to show me that he meant no harm.

“It’s just a precaution, Gabriella. I’m not going to do anything. I just want to give you some protection in case anyone tries to get to you. At least I will have time to get you into a safe position before I tackle whoever comes through the door. Please don’t think I would ever hurt you. Not only would it be more than my life was worth, but I would never hurt a woman. None of Nico’s men would.”

I took a deep breath to try to calm myself, but the panic I was feeling kicked in and I could feel my heart rate rising again as the tears started to fall. I fell down onto the bed and cried. I felt the bed dip next to me, and Gino’s hand gently rubbed my back as he tried to keep me calm.

“They will both be fine. Viktor isn’t about to do anything stupid here in Hudson’s office. I know he tried to take you, but he would never have hurt you.”

I wasn’t as hopeful as Gino, especially as this was all my fault. I had brought this trouble to Hudson and Nico’s door. If it hadn’t been for me, then they would have been living a happy life together. Sure, I wouldn’t have been in it, but they wouldn’t have had Russian mobsters on the premises.

“It’s all my fault. None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for me. If I hadn’t agreed to that stupid auction, then Hudson wouldn’t have found me again and he might have found someone that was better for him and Nico and…”

I was pulled up from where I was lying by two strong arms as Gino pulled me toward him. I was getting hysterical, talking a mile a minute and probably not making much sense.

“Don’t for one minute think this is your fault. I don’t know what Vincent did to you while you were with him, but I do know how he treats women, and if he has treated you in any way that I have seen him do before, then you are better off here with us.”

It didn’t escape my notice that Gino had said with us. Everyone I had met so far was very welcoming, but always spoke about Hudson and Nico in a formal way. Gino was very much like Nico, and I guessed, being his underboss, he was very close to him. I had to admit it was strange that he was not related to Nico, as I knew most underbosses were family of the boss to ensure complete loyalty to them. Then again, you would have thought they were brothers when they were together.

“Gino, how can you say this isn’t my fault? Viktor is only here because he came to get me for Vincent. He wants the money that I was given from the auction. All of this is because of me. There is no way you can deny that.”

I heard him take a deep sigh before he continued to speak. “They may be here because you are here, but that doesn’t mean it is your fault. Were you the one who abused Vincent? Were you the one who forced him to allow you to go into the auction? Were you the one who decided to get Nico to come and get you that night and bring you to New York?”

I couldn’t answer any one of those questions with a yes. Each one was a no. I looked at Gino as he sat there waiting for an answer from me.

“No.” It came as a whisper from my lips.

He smiled as he replied. “No it wasn’t you. All of this has been instigated by Vincent. If anyone is to blame, it is him, and Viktor will realize that when Nico and Hudson talk to him. Now, calm yourself down and relax.”

He pulled me back into his side and continued to gently rub my back. I started to feel calmer as I sat there in Gino’s arms, which surprised me, as I really didn’t know this man well. It was almost like when I had met Nico for the first time, like there was some kind of force pulling us together. I pulled away slightly and was shocked when I saw the look in Gino’s eyes. I had seen it so many times before in Nico’s, the look of pure adoration for the woman who was sitting in front of him.

Could it be that Gino had feelings for me too? And why did that suddenly stir feelings inside me that I shouldn’t be feeling, both at this moment in time with what was happening in the next room, or even at all when I was already in a relationship with two men? I shook the thought from my mind, realizing now wasn’t the time. I would just take this as a caring person, who happened to be a man, looking after an upset woman.

“Gino, do you really not blame me for all the problems I have brought on Hudson and Nico? I know it’s not your problem, but will they feel the same way as you? I can’t stand to think I hurt them in any way.”

Try as I might, I couldn’t hold back the tears as they started to fall again. My fight or flight mode had come back with a vengeance, and my thoughts were flight. I had to take this away from the men I loved. I couldn’t put them through this, as it would never stop until Vincent got the money he wanted. But it wouldn’t be enough. He would do this over and over again until I was either old or dead. I went to move, but Gino held on to me.

“Gabriella, I can’t let you get out of here. Where would you run to? Don’t you think that Nico will do anything to find you? Plus we don’t know who else Vincent has spoken to. I really don’t want to hurt you, but I can’t let you leave this room. I’ll stop you any way I can and face the consequences afterward.”

I had to take my chances. The longer I stayed here, the more chance there was of Gino, Nico, or Hudson convincing me to stay. I knew it was for the best. For all of us. I was just bringing on more and more trouble for them both every day, and I couldn’t stand to think this was all my fault, no matter what Gino tried to tell me. I relaxed in Gino’s grasp, hoping that he would think I had given up trying to leave.

“I guess you’re right. Where would I go?”

He smiled at me as he loosened his hold and eventually let me go completely. He stood from the bed and went over to the bar.

“Would you like a drink?”

This was my perfect opportunity to escape and run away. While Gino was distracted making me a drink over the other side of the room, I could unlock the door and run for it. I could use the back fire escape and no one would see me. I was sure I would be able to outrun him.

I gave him a sweet smile. “That would be perfect. Thank you.”

I watched as Gino leaned down to get out a bottle and some glasses, ready to move at a moment’s notice. As soon as I thought he was preoccupied, I made my move, rushing over to the door. I went to unlock it only to find that it had been locked with a key, and Gino obviously had taken it. I turned around to find Gino standing there smirking with the key in his hand.

I hated how damn sexy he looked standing there, but I couldn’t think about that now. I had to get that key off of him and get out of this room.

“Did you really think I would be stupid enough to leave the key in the door?”

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