Page 52 of Hers to Control

Finally, Mia swallows, and asks, “So you went behind Gianna’s back?”

I nod, my jaw tightening with the admission. “Yeah, I did. You’re mine, Mia, and you’re carrying my child. I had to get you back.”

Mia’s expression softens slightly. “I didn’t expect you to come,” she murmurs, reaching for another fry but then pausing, her hand hovering in the air. “That’s not what I’m used to.”

I nod, even as satisfaction is pulsing through me at her lack of denial that she belongs to me now. Her own father had signed her up for this shit show of a life. And I just told her that her only friend didn’t stick her neck out for her when it came down to it.

“Gianna was still going to help you,” I excuse my cousin. Only, Gianna hadn’t been willing to act fast enough for my liking.

Mia nods. “Gianna and I might be friends, but I didn’t expect her to save me.”

There is no trust in Mia’s world. No one she relies on. I used to think that was different for me, but lately, it’s felt like my life isn’t all that different. Gianna used to be the closest person I had, but even she didn’t truly trust me. Not when it came down to it. And now I’d inadvertently proved to her I wasn’t worth that trust. That I was willing to disobey direct orders when I disagreed with her.

Yeah, it looked like Mia and I weren’t so different.

“Going against Gianna… that’s not something you do lightly,” Mia says, breaking the silence.

“I know.” What else is there to say? Mia might not have grown up inla familiathe way I had, but she knows enough about this life to know that I’m in the shit now.

There’s a tense silence between us, the weight of our situation hanging heavy in the air. The Russians are after us, and I’d compromised my relationship with Gianna, the one person who has the resources to stand up against the Bratva. I watch as Miatakes a deep breath, her eyes searching mine for something I can’t quite decipher.

“So what can we do now?” she asks, and fuck if I don’t like the way she says we.

“I’ll have to talk to Gianna.” Because family means everything to me, and I might have chosen Mia over Gianna, but I still want to mend fences with my cousin. Not just because it’s our best bet to get the Russians to back off.

Mia nods. “I’ll go with you.”

“You shouldn’t go anywhere the Russians might see you. Tsepov senior isn’t going to accept that you escaped from under his nose easily. He’ll want to make an example out of you now, even more so than before.”

Mia takes a deep breath, then she nods. “Maybe you’re right. The Russians won’t let this go. But I can’t hide forever, Eric. I need this to be over with, one way or another, before Peanut gets here. I don’t want to bring a child into this world that has to hide from the Russians every day of its life. I had to do that, and I can tell you, it’s not a great way to grow up.”

To learn that Mia didn’t know what it’s like to feel safe as a child and that she’s scared our child might be forced into that same situation, hits me like a punch to the gut. I grew up in the Bruno syndicate, but I was never at risk. Not really. After my father died, I’d lived in the Bruno villa, and with the power balance square in the lap of the Italian alliance, there hadn’t been much I’d had to worry about as a child.

“I won’t allow that to happen. Our child will be safe. I promise you that. Even if that means killing every single Russian in the damn city.” I pull my phone from my pocket and dial Gianna’s number. Whatever she has to say about my decision to contact Anya, I’d rather deal with it sooner than later. What I need right now is for my family to take Mia in and give her the protectionshe deserves as one of our own. To give our baby the protection it needs.

“Eric, where have you been?” Gianna sounds pissed, which probably has something to do with the missed calls and ignored messages piling up in my phone’s logs.

“I got Mia out.” Gianna already knows this from the single text I sent her last night, but it’s the only explanation I’m willing to give her on the phone right now.

“I know that, you idiot,” Gianna growls, but her tone turns softer when she asks, “How is she?”

I look at Mia, who is now taking a bite from the grilled cheese sandwich she ordered for herself. “She’s holding up. We have an ultrasound appointment tomorrow to check on the baby, but the blood levels look good.”

There is a beat of silence, then Gianna says, “That’s good.”

I get to the point of this call. “I need to speak with you in person.”

“Yes, you’re right about that. Bring Mia with you. I’ll see you at my place after your appointment tomorrow.”

It’s settled. Whatever Gianna has to say tomorrow, I know she’s welcoming Mia back into her home. Which is where she can stay while I eradicate the Russian problem with whatever means necessary.

Chapter Nineteen

Mia

When Eric hangs up the phone, I scoot back on the bed. I’m emotionally drained and my body aches, but if I know one thing about Eric Merlino, it’s that he can be the perfect distraction when I need him to be. And hell do I need to get out of my head while we wait for that ultrasound appointment.

With my back against the headboard, cushioned by the soft pillows of the hotel, I pull my legs up and make eye contact with Eric as I slowly let my knees fall to the sides. Predictably, his eyes follow the movement and his eyes blaze with the realization of what I want from him right now. The man might not talk much, but he’s quick to act.

---