Page 60 of Hers to Control

For about a minute, I try to ignore the voices in Gianna’s adjourning office. I can’t really make out the conversation, but I also can’t focus on anything else. After Gianna welcomed Riccardo Angelo, she had one of her security people join her in the office, and they closed the door, leaving me to wonder whether whatever they were talking about had anything to do with me or the Russians.

As I’m trying to distract myself, a movement from the entrance area catches my attention. Anton walks towards the office. Probably bringing in drinks, the way he always does. The way he’d done the first time I was in this house when we’d discussed where I should hide.

The unease I feel is purely based on a paranoid suspicion. It makes no sense for Gianna’s butler to tell the Russians where I would be hiding. If I know anything about Gianna, it’s that she prizes loyalty above anything else, and from what I gather, the man has been working here since she was a child.

Still, my life is too much of a dumpster fire to just dismiss my suspicions. Instead, I head closer to the door to get a better vantage point. Instead of carrying drinks into Gianna’s office, Anton is pacing outside her closed door.

Listening in? Or maybe just expecting that she will call for him soon so she can order drinks?

At this point, I have no clue, but I’m glued to the spot, watching.

A chime rings and Anton’s head snaps to Gianna’s office door. He looks like a man walking to the gallows rather than someone performing the duties of the job that he’s been doing for over two decades. Without a specific plan, I wait for Anton to walk into the room, then leave the living room and quietly follow him toward the office, keeping out of sight behind the partially open door.

“Might I bring you some drinks?” Anton offers, his voice not giving away that he’s been pacing out here.

“Actually,” Gianna says, “we need to discuss something.”

There is a pause, and then Riccardo Angelo speaks. “Anton, I have decided that it is time for me to share with Gianna that we have been in communication.”

The way he says it makes it sound as if they’ve been exchanging random pleasantries, but in this world, that shit doesn’t exist.

“Indeed.” Gianna’s voice is cold, and if I were Anton, I’d feel pretty fucked just about now.

I stay hidden but move closer to the door so I can peek into the room, my heart racing.

Anton stands before Gianna, his usually composed demeanor now replaced by obvious nerves, fidgeting with his pant legs and shifting his weight around. I have to twist my neck to find Riccardo Angelo. He’s standing in a corner of the room, his eyes sharp and calculating as he’s watching Gianna and Anton. The man who came in with him is standing nearby, also focused on Anton, which is probably why no one is noticing me.

Anton’s voice trembles when he speaks. “Signora, please, let me explain.”

“You’ve been with our family for decades, Anton. You’re like family to me. How could you do this?” It’s unlike Gianna to show so much emotion, and I never would have imagined her allowing someone like Riccardo Angelo to witness it. Then again, after he came to her, I suppose this is her best bet, demonstrating that she’s not breaking their alliance. Because it doesn’t look like Gianna can afford to do that at the moment.

Anton’s head dips forward slightly and I’m guessing he’s lowering his gaze. “I was worried about you, Gianna. After your father passed… I’ve always had your best interests at heart. But I couldn’t stand idly by and watch you risk everything for that Russian.”

Gianna’s eyes narrow. “And why, pray tell, do you think Mikhail is not suitable for me?”

Anton looks up now and I can see his profile as he turns to throw a glance at Angelo. “He’s a Russian, Signora. And he’s ruthless and unpredictable. We do not mix with the Russians. I feared for your safety, for the stability ofla familia. It was difficult for you with your uncle, and then your Russian fiancé showed up. Your men need to see you stay the course. The way your father did.”

When she speaks, Gianna’s voice is cold. “So you decided to take matters into your own hands? To go behind my back?”

Even where I’m standing a few feet away, I can hear Anton swallow. “I thought that if Mikhail were to betray you, if he were to give up your friend’s location to his family, you would see the danger he poses to you. To us. I thought it would lead you back to Signor Angelo, back to our roots. Your father would have approved of that.”

Gianna’s eyes flash with anger, and I know how she feels. I know all too well when someone close to you throws you under the bus and hurts you all the while saying how much they care for you.

“And what about Mia? Did you even consider what would happen to her?” Gianna asks, her voice calm now. Anton straightens. A calm Gianna is a calculating Gianna, and the woman might be my friend, but she’s a dangerous person, too.

“I… I never meant for your friend to get hurt.” Anton stutters. Obviously, the guy didn’t give a shit about me. I doubted he’d wasted as much as a second thinking about the things the Russians would do to me.

“I saw no other way to protect you, to protect our family. I thought Signor Angelo could provide the support we needed, that he could help guide you away from the Russians.”

“So what? You gave the information to Riccardo? You gambled with our lives, Anton. With Mia’s life. And for what? To satisfy your own misguided sense of loyalty?”

At this point, Anton’s voice is trembling. “No, Signora. I did it because I love this family. Because I love you. Please, forgive me.”

Gianna shakes her head, then she picks up her phone. “Mikhail, I’m sending Anton out of my office. Please secure him somewhere. I’ll deal with him later.”

Anton gasps, and I don’t blame the man. Mikhail isn’t a person I’d want to be left alone with. Especially not if I pissed Gianna off.

“Please, Signora, please,” Anton whines, but Gianna shakes her head.

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