Page 19 of Hers to Control

Eric’s expression remains impassive as we walk. It’s a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me. That I’m accepting his help grates against my pride, but there’s no denying the logic.

They found me, and right now, the priority is my safety and the little life growing inside me.

Swallowing my pride, I accept his support, leaning on his sturdy frame as we move down the side street that was meant to be my escape from it all. The weight of the situation, the exhaustion, and my reluctance press down on me, but the reality of the danger my father put me in keeps me moving forward.

The danger I put myself in when I slept with Eric.

My father’s actions have kept me wary for most of my life, though rarely in such a fucked up way. Running away from the Bratva only to run into the arms of an Italian Mafioso.

As we head down the now-darkening streets, I steal a glance at Eric. He’s tense, on high alert. My eyes catch on the slight stubble that covers his cheeks and jaw. He’s drool-worthy and part of me wouldn’t mind letting him drag me into yet another safe house to jump his bones. Allow him to relieve the anxiety that keeps building in me.

Which is how half of the mess I’m in came about, I remind myself sternly.

At least this time, I can blame my messed up hormones and don’t need to face up to the fact that my mating instincts overrule my common sense.

Eric, whatever his intentions, knows more about the Russians than I do, and right now, I need answers. Like what I might leverage to get myself out of the shit show my father has dragged me into. The thought of blindly following him is unsettling, but my priority is clear. I can’t risk my safety, or the life inside me, any further.

Plus, Gianna is here, and despite the secrets still between us, I trust her enough to know she’s willing to offer me a safe haven. Again.

Silence hangs heavily between us as we make it back to the street of the tiny apartment that I had thought would keep me safely hidden. The tension in the air is palpable though, and it feels as if every single one of my body parts that bumps against Eric as we walk grows more heated with each step.

I remember too well what it felt like to feel him inside of me.Thathad been fucking hot, too.

Finally, Eric breaks the silence. “We need to keep moving. The less time we spend on the street, the better.”

In other words,hurry the fuck up. I let go of him, pleased to find that the dizziness is gone. Walking unassisted also returns some of my confidence. It was hard to hang on to it when just standing seemed almost impossible.

Eric pulls his phone out, typing a message, and by the time I’m sitting in his car, Gianna is leaving the building, heading towards another vehicle.

When Eric starts the car and pulls onto the road, I give him a sideways look. “Where are we going?”

“Home.”

It’s like he’s the king of being unhelpful.

“I hardly doubt going back to my place is the best move.”

“No, it wouldn’t be,” he agrees. “That’s why you’re coming to my house.”

“Hell no.” It didn’t even take me a second to consider that option. “Over my dead body.”

“It very well might be,” Eric says deadpan, but I’m not going along with this. There is no way I’ll go to his place. That is one notch too close to playing family, and family is what ruins lives.

I know that all too well.

Pulling out my phone, I call Gianna.

“Yes?” she answers almost immediately. The joys of syncing your phone with your car.

“Change of plans. Can I stay at your place?”

I can’t compare my friendship with Gianna to any other friendships, since she is the only person whom I’ve ever let in enough to develop something like a friendship with, but I’m fairly certain other people wouldn’t bring danger to their friend’s homes. This case is different, though. It’s not like Gianna is ever truly out of danger, even at home. Not as the only female don in the country. And that in a somewhat contested city, from what I understand, though I know little about the tenuous truce between the various mafia syndicates that operate in Toronto.

“You can, assuming you can convince Eric to bring you there.”

I huff out a laugh. “I’ll see you there.”

Once I punch the red button, I turn to Eric. “You’re taking me to Gianna’s place.”

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