Page 64 of Bloody Savage God
“I’m fine,” Gianna says, but her face is cold as she looks at me. She waits until Anton closes the door behind him before she speaks again, not bothering to get up and greet me properly. “Mikhail, you know we cannot be seen associating with each other.”
I feel a wave of rejection wash over me, that has me itching to tear someone apart. I know no such thing. Not anymore. I risked a hell of a lot to come and make sure she is okay. I won’t let her push me away.
That was never an option.
“Actually, I don’t know that,” I say, my voice tight with frustration. “Things have changed. Your uncle put a fucking hit out on you.”
Instead of looking at least a little surprised, Gianna nods. “Yeah, I figured it was Mario.”
“Someone already came after you?” Rage rushes through me like a current, threatening to wash away any remnants of self-control I possess.
She nods. “Earlier today. In a parking garage after my dinner with Riccardo.”
Fucking hell.Not only did someone try to kill her, but she was out with Riccardo fucking Angelo? I should probably be more upset by the former, but since she’s sitting here, obviously fine, I can’t help the jealousy from taking over any other thought.
“You went to dinner with Angelo?”
Looking up at me with an exasperated expression, Gianna nods. “Yes. He’s the head of the only other Italian family operating in the GTA. And he’s got a hell of a lot of resources behind him. How successful do you think I’ll be setting myself up as my father’s successor if I start off in conflict with the Angelo syndicate?”
Of course, I know she’s making sense, but that hardly lessens the sting of jealousy. Nor do I usually operate from a place of logic. That’s my father’s and sister’s domain, not mine. Especially not when I remember all too well what Anya once said to me. That Gianna and Angelo, if they were to marry to consolidate their families, could potentially push us out of Toronto altogether.
“So what? You plan to marry the guy to get one over on your uncle?” I’m leaning over the table, staring her down as I wait for her excuses.
Gianna looks at me with a mix of irritation and amusement. “Don’t be ridiculous, Mikhail. I’m not going to marry Angelo. But I do need to be strategic. It’s all part of the game.”
I huff and push myself off, turning my back on Gianna to rein in my anger.
Everything is fucked up. The fact that Gianna is in danger, the fact that she’s seeing someone else, the fact that our families are at odds. It’s like there’s no way out of this mess. No one to kill to be done with the whole thing.
Except, there is someone whose death wouldn’t just be enjoyable, but damn convenient as well. It may not solve everything, but Mario’s death would be a damn good start.
Gianna leans forward, concern etched on her face. “Mikhail, are you okay?” I look back at her, feeling a sudden surge of emotion.
“Fuck no, I’m not okay.” I let out a frustrated growl, the tension between us palpable. “You cozying up to some dude pisses me off.”
Gianna stands up from her desk, her expression icy. “I’m doing what I have to do to protect my family, Mikhail. Can you say the same?”
I open my mouth to argue, but the words die on my lips as Gianna’s gaze bores into me. She’s right, of course. I’ve been reckless, acting on impulse and emotion rather than strategy and logic.
I’ve been acting based on my obsession with her.
“Fucking hell.” I get up, too, circling around the desk to stand in front of her. I won’t allow her to create this kind of distance between us. “What’s next then?” I’m prepared to let her take charge. I’ve obviously gone off the ledge already, anyway. Might as well seal my fate.
“Actually, you need to leave. With no one seeing, if possible. My uncle has started rumors about us already, and I can’t have that.”
“That’s not going to happen.” I’m not about to let her out of my sight. Not with a fucking hit out on her head.
She scowls, taking a step forward, as if to intimidate me. Instead, I soak up the electric tension between our bodies.
“You will leave, Mikhail. And we won’t see each other again.” Her words are cold, unfeeling, and I want to shake her. Hard. That might bring some of her passion back.
I lean forward, bringing my mouth so close to hers we’re almost kissing. “I’m not leaving, and you should appreciate that. You can use that. Show your uncle that you have me to give you fire power in a conflict if you need it. Show him he can put a fucking hit out on you and it doesn’t even worry you, because you have me to protect you.”
My father would kill me if he heard me. Fuck, so would Anya, but I don’t give a shit. Not when the woman I fucking love is trying to send me on my goddamn way.
Gianna shakes her head. “I don’t need your protection. What I need is the loyalty of my people, and I won’t get that if I’m associating with you.”
Like I’m some dirty secret.
