Page 16 of Hers to Control

“You’re not alone. Eric will make sure you’re safe.”

The irony of that statement is too much, and I pull back. If there is a man even more unqualified to be a father than my own, it would be Eric Merlino.

Eric is the one who is threatening my baby. He is the one who tracked me down and threatened to be in my baby’s life when I’m already hiding from the Russians.

Another sob shakes my body, bringing me back to the moment.

I’m wasting time. Eric is gone, which means it’s the perfect time to disappear.

“I’ve got to go.” Getting up, I rush into the bedroom where my backpack is still half-filled with my things. I’d prefer to just grab it and leave as quickly as possible, but I’m already left with so few things that I can’t afford to leave anything behind. Not when I’m not even sure where I’m headed next.

“What the hell, Mia.” Gianna follows me around and watches as I quickly gather my supplies from the bathroom. Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, prenatal vitamins. All Eric would have had to do was look into the damn bathroom cabinet to see them. “You can’t just leave.” Her voice is firm. Commanding. She’s used to giving orders, but I’m not used to following them. So I ignore her.

“Sorry Gianna, but I have to go.”

“The Russians are still after you. Anya gave Mikhail pictures of you. This isn’t just about your father anymore. They are testing Mikhail’s loyalty. And you’re the pawn they’re using.”

Collateral damage. Always collateral damage.

“That’s why I’m going to disappear. I’m not waiting for them to find me. And your family isn’t exactly the place to go to stay away from the Bratva’s attention. Not with Mikhail there.”

For a second, Gianna looks pissed, but she quickly schools her features. “What about Eric?”

“He’ll be better off with me gone.” I’ve got nothing to back that up except a lifetime of experience. My father might not know it, but his life wouldn’t be half the failure it is if he hadn’t fathered a child. Whether Eric knows it or not, I’m doing him a favor by keeping his child safe from him.

“Fucking hell, Mia, you can’t be serious. Why the hell do you think he came here? It definitely isn’t because he thinks you’re better off without him.”

I don’t let her words slow me down. To the contrary. We were never the hugging types, but this time I walk to the door without so much as a smile back at her. Something tells me I wouldn’t like the expression on Gianna’s face.

My hand is on the doorknob when Gianna speaks again. “It’s his kid, too, you know?”

No.

“No, it isn’t.” I quickly open the door to get my life back under control.

I’ve done it before. I can do it again.

And this time I’m not alone. Not really.

I press my hand to my lower belly and leave the apartment that has cost me a sizeable chunk of the little money I have.

I’ll make do.

Chapter Seven

Eric

Gianna’s expression holds a hint of pity, which makes me want to throw my knife at something.

“You just let her walk out of here?” My voice is so low, that I wonder whether Gianna can understand me, but she shrugs in response.

“I’m not really surprised she didn’t want to stick around.”

I keep my exasperation in check and level my gaze on my cousin. We were always close, but right now I don’t know what she’s getting at.

“She’s putting herself in danger,” I remind her of the obvious. Herself and my child.

Gianna raises her eyebrows. “She’s already in danger, and she’s doing something about it.”

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