Page 64 of Hers to Control

She turns away from him. “Take care of him.”

I wait until Gianna heads back upstairs, then I take out my knife and walk closer to Anton. “You know better than almost anyone that this was my home growing up. Gianna and Uncle Leonardo were my family after my father died, and you were a part of that. A part of my home. A part ofla familia.”

Anton shakes, but he doesn’t cry when I put my knife to his throat. “I’ll make this quick,” I tell him, then I press and pull my knife across his throat. For a moment, his eyes widen. If Mikhail hadn’t tied him down, Anton might have grabbed for my arm, but not to stop me. For support. The look in his eyes tells me he knows he needs to die for what he did.

When I step back, I hear a noise behind me. For a second, I wonder if Mia followed us down here, but when I turn around, I see Mikhail coming down the stairs.

“Is he dead?” he asks, and I nod. I never feel regret or guilt when killing, but for a moment, a memory of Anton tellingGianna and me to wash our hands before we eat the treats that Mellie, the cook, left out in the kitchen for us flashes in my mind. Maybe we’re not a normal family, but I’ll choose to keep these memories. That’s how I’ll honor the man who was there for me when I was a little boy.

“What do you want?” I ask Mikhail, though I have a fairly good idea what he’s come for.

“His eyes.”

Cleaning my knife on Anton’s pants, I sheath it again and make my way to the stairs. “He’s all yours,” I tell Mikhail as I head back upstairs. Back to Mia.

We know who betrayed her now, but we still need to put an end to Tsepov’s idea that he can use her.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Mia

Whatever it was Eric did in that basement, I don’t know, but when he stalks into the bedroom he and I share while staying with Gianna, his single-minded focus on me is enough of an explanation for what he needs right now.

The revelations of the day are still swirling in my mind. Gianna’s butler told Riccardo Angelo where I would be. Angelo then leaked it to the Russians to counteract any potential alliance between Gianna’s and Mikhail’s family. That Gianna had a casual meeting with the man just moments after learning he was playing her against the Russians is mind-boggling. It makes no sense to me.

“Take off your shirt,” Eric commands.

With his face set like he’s ready to put his knife to my throat, I figure I might as well take the orgasm instead, so I pull off my shirt.

“Why do you think Gianna took what Riccardo did so calmly?” I ask.

Eric is right in front of me now, his hand moving to the sheath attached to his belt. So much for avoiding the knife play by being a nice girl and taking off my shirt.

“What are you doing?”

He doesn’t answer, instead, he pulls out his knife and runs it through the bit of fabric connecting the cups of my bra between my breasts.

When he pushes my shoulder to make me fall back onto the bed, saying nothing, I have enough of his shit.

“Fuck off, Eric. You want sex? Fine. But you better put your ass on that bed and let me be on top. I’m not about to let you push me around.”

He stares at me for a moment, then his lip twitches up at the corner. “I’m not sure I’m in the mood for that.”

“Well, too damn bad, asshole.”

I stand up, which, with him being right in front of me, is somewhat more challenging, but given that I don’t give a shit about giving him his personal space, I manage. After all, he obviously isn’t after having personal space right now.

Eric’s gaze darkens as he watches me. His eyes narrow, assessing me with a mixture of irritation and amusement. With a swift motion, he sheaths his knife and steps back, allowing me some space.

“You’re different, Mia,” he remarks, and I’m not sure what that emotion is I hear in his voice.

I meet his gaze head-on, refusing to back down. “You’re damn right I am. And I’m not about to let anyone push me around, not even you.”

He chuckles, a low rumble that sends shivers down my spine. “Fair enough,” he concedes, and if the bulge in his pants is any indication, he’s not put off in the least.

I take a step forward, closing the distance between us again. Despite the tension crackling in the air, there’s an undeniable pull between us. I’ve fucked Eric to distract myself, but this time it’s different. This time I want to fuck him because I like his attention on me.

“So, what now?” I ask, my voice softer. “Are you going to lie down and let me have some fun?”

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