Chapter 32 - Anna
Since Gabriel told me about Isabella being an FBI informant on the run, it’s all I’ve been able to think about. After he broke the news, we had dinner, talked for a bit, and went to bed. I didn’t eat much since my chest was tight and I had a sour stomach from processing everything.
I feel alone, scared, and, as a running theme since taking this fucking assignment, in over my head with no help.
I knew they'd kill me if they found out. Now I had proof. Gabriel told me exactly what they were planning to do to someone like me. Little does he know, his words might be my death sentence disguised as a warning.
No matter how strongly I feel for Gabriel, no matter how intense his feelings are for me, I know it may not be enough to save me. Love alone won’t protect me from the world he belongs to.
And despite everything, my heart is foolish enough to crave him, even while my instincts scream at me to run.
Through it all, I've done my best to hide it, pretending nothing has changed, praying Gabriel won’t notice my fear.
He hasn't changed since telling me. He's been his sweet attentive self. It's mindfucked me so much that he's actually made me fall for him more, which is crazy.
Either way, I've done my best to hide my current mental chaos, and tonight we have something to distract me.
Enzo is having a party for some important Chicago artist, and we're making our first appearance as a couple.
Lydia has been so gracious as to go out and get all the makeup I had written down and even managed to obtain a specific pair of heels I'd shown her.
Since coming here, she'd really grown on me. Gabriel's gone a lot, so it's nice to have her around.
So when I walk into the kitchen ready for the party, I'm happy to find her there.
"Wow, Sofia, you look stunning. A little too much cleavage showing for me, but hey, I know women do that nowadays, and Gabriel will love the view he gets," she said smiling.
"Oh my goodness, Lydia!," I say blushing. "But thank you. And thanks again for getting everything. I feel very pretty, and it's all thanks to you."
"Oh hush now, it's you that makes those things shine."
Gabriel walks into the kitchen, and I turn to see him. It's a black-tie event, so of course he comes out looking like a Greek god.
He's wearing a black suit, shirt, and tie, with matching pants and shoes. His attire makes his green eyes pop and the all-black look really does something to me. It's like a forbidden apple, and all I want to do is take a bite.
Damn, I surprise even myself sometimes by how much I care for him, and he doesn’t even know it.
"You look very handsome, Gabriel," I say with a huge smile.
He smiles, "You're the beautiful one here, Bella."
I feel myself turn red. It's these moments where he's able to make me forget about what's going on, and I can just be Sofia. Anna and her mission momentarily fade away. But, as always, the break in chaos is fleeting. As quickly as the warmth spreads through me, a coldness follows.
The burden of my deception crashes back. Gabriel killed Luca for me, for Sofia. What would he do if he knew the truth about Anna? The conflicting emotions swirl inside me - desire for the man before me, fear of the killer he can be, and shame for the lies I'm living.
"Shall we?" he asks, extending his arm for me to grab.
I force a smile, hoping it masks my turmoil. But even as I reach for his arm, a part of me wonders how long I can keep up this charade before it destroys us both.
We pull up to Enzo's home, and I feel a bit anxious.
"And you told Enzo about us, right?" I ask.
"Yes. Please don't worry about anything. Let's have a good time."
As we make our entrance, I'm in awe of the beautiful works of art, each one more captivating than the last. I have only been to a few art shows in my life, and most of the time I would wonder how someone could toss some color on a canvas and charge money for it, but not tonight.
As we moved into the main room, a particular painting caught my eye.
"Gabriel, look at this," I say as we walk up to it.
It was an image of a naked woman laying carefree on a bed, the curtains flowing in the breeze. I don't know why, but I loved it.
"You like it, Bella?" he asks me.
I shake my head, "Yes, very much."
I lean in to read the plaque. It says Lady In Waiting, and then I see the price. "Oh my, it's one hundred and ten thousand dollars."
Gabriel laughs, "Yes, but it is beautiful, and the artist is very talented."
I stand and stare at the painting for a few more seconds before we move on.
Gabriel walks confidently with his arm possessively around my waist, guiding me through the sea of well-dressed guests.
We come to a room, and I immediately see Enzo. I always forget how tall he is and how commanding his presence is. He makes eye contact with Gabriel and waves us over to him.
"Sofia, very nice to see you," he says and kisses my cheek. "Now Gabriel, will you please tell Theo here that I don't need a wife just yet? I'm fine being a bachelor."
"You're not married?" I ask, the question escaping my lips before I even had time to think.
Enzo smiles and looks down at me with his piercing blue eyes, "No, darling. I just, well, couldn't find the time."
"Well start thinking about your legacy, Enzo," Theo says, "to pass on the Bonventi name and keep an eye on things when you're ready to retire."
"Retire? Please, I'm not even 50 yet. I know you Greeks like to relax, but I've got too much to do and at least 30 or more years left. I'll find someone, right Gabriel?"
"Of course, of course you will," Gabriel says.
I suppose it makes sense he's single. He's a very intelligent, calculated man—at least that's how his report read—so I could see him wanting to fill that spot with an alliance or something that enables him to gain more than just a wife.
"Well, just think about it sooner rather than later. And you, Sofia, how have you been? I remember we met at the Capstone," Theo says to me.
I smile and nod, "You have a good memory. I am doing very well, thank you."
I feel Gabriel's arm pull me close to him, a subtle cue that I'm his.
I like it.
"Good to hear. Well, if you all will excuse me, I need to freshen up my drink," Theo says and walks away.
Enzo leans into Gabriel and whispers something, gives me a smile, and walks off.
"Everything okay?" I ask.
"Always when I'm with you. Now, let's get you something to drink."
We walk to the bar, and Gabriel hands me a champagne flute.
"I'm going to have to leave you to your own devices for a little while. There's a meeting that I need to be in."
"Oh, okay," I say, surprised. "Well, how long will you be?"
"Shouldn't be more than 20 minutes," he says and smiles, "Take a look at the artwork on display, and when you're done, I'll be out."
I smile and shake my head. "That sounds like a good idea."
Gabriel rubs my cheek and leans in, giving me a kiss. His lips warm me to my core, and for a brief moment, I forget where I am. When I open my eyes, I'm almost shocked by how crowded the room is.
"I'll be back, Sofia. Go enjoy the paintings."
I watch as Gabriel exits the room, and something in my mind tells me to move.
Go. Go.
I set my drink down and follow him. I weave between people, keeping an eye on his movements. Up ahead, I see him with Enzo and another man. They talk for a brief second and then walk down a hallway.
Don't lose them.
I push past some people and get to where the group once stood. I linger, acting like I'm observing an art piece while sneaking glances down the hall. I watch as they enter a room at the very end of the hallway and shut the door. I stare down the hall and see there's another door on the right.
Maybe I can get inside that room and hear through the wall?
It's not my best idea, but it's the only one I've got.
I take a look around to make sure no one notices, and then I start walking toward the door.
I turn the handle and open it. It's a small powder room.
Perfect.
I lock the door and press my ear against the wall to listen. I hear mingled chatter, and I can't make anything out.
Then it goes quiet.
Someone starts to speak, and I recognize the voice—it's Enzo.
"Gentlemen, our unity tonight signifies more than just a gathering of friends. We stand united against those who believe they can undermine our strength," he says.
The discussion continues, voices blending together until I hear Sean Delaney's name. My ears perk up.
"As you all know, to make my amends to Enzo and the Bonventi family, I gave them Isabella Romano," Sean says.
My heart races at the mention of Isabella's name. What is he talking about?
The conversation shifts to a planned attack on the Russians at a blue warehouse in four days. I file away the information, knowing it could be crucial.
"Fine. That all sounds good for us. And Enzo, with Isabella, is she still an issue?" someone asks.
There's silence, and I stop breathing. I'm so focused on hearing what he's going to say.
"She's dead. On of my men finally found her and handled it."
I move my head away from the wall and cover my mouth.
They Fucking killed her.
My nerves overtake me. I turn to the toilet and throw up.
If they did that to her, what is Gabriel going to do to me if he finds out?
I have to contact the FBI. Maybe it's time I'd be extracted after all.
Shit, I don't know what to do, and why the fuck do I feel so sick?
I rinse my mouth out, straighten my hair, and wait for the men to leave before slipping back into the party. My eyes search for Gabriel, and when our gazes lock, I force a smile, fear and desire running wild within me.
"Bella, there you are," he says, kissing my cheek. "Which artwork is your favorite? Still the one we saw when we arrived?"
"Yes, the, uh, Lady In Waiting. It's beautiful."
He grabs my hand and squeezes. "Okay, come with me."
We weave in and out of the crowds of people until we arrive at a table where a man with a clipboard and computer is sitting.
"The Lady In Waiting painting, is it still available?" Gabriel asks.
"Gabriel, are you serious?" I blurt out.
He turns to look at me. "You like it, don't you?"
"Yes, yes, I just—"
"Then you shall have it."
The man looks over his clipboard and then types something into the computer.
"Yes, sir, it's available. Asking price is $110,000," the man says.
Gabriel pulls out his wallet and hands him his credit card.
"Gabriel, please, you don't," I say and lean into him. "It's one hundred and ten thousand dollars," I whisper in protest.
He looks at me. "You are mine, Bella, and if you want something—you get it."
Once they finish and set up a time for delivery, Gabriel turns to me and whispers in my ear, "Let's get out of here and get you out of that dress."
I smile and nod. "And you out of that suit."
On the drive home, Sofia and Anna wage war in my mind. I need to contact the FBI, but Gabriel's presence is… dammit.
"I need a car," I say without thinking.
Gabriel gives me a glance.
"What? I do. I can't be cooped up all the time. I want to go out. Get coffee, run errands—you know, be a normal person."
"But Lydia can get you everything you need," Gabriel says without looking at me.
"Yes, but sometimes I want to go get things. Browse around, be a human. You can't keep me caged up in your home, Gabriel."
There's a long pause.
"Okay, you're right."
We pull up to his home, and I get out. "Follow me," he says, and we walk to a garage, and the door opens. Inside are four sports cars. I don't know what they are, but they look expensive.
"I don't need something like this," I say.
We walk around to a separate garage, and it opens to show a black two-seater convertible Mercedes.
"This one," he says.
"Really?" I ask, surprised. I've never driven anything like that before.
"Is it okay?" he asks.
"Yes, yes, of course."
As he hands me the keys, his grip tightens. "Some rules, Bella. I always know where you're going. You always come home to me. And no man but me ever sits in that car with you. You're mine. Non-negotiable."
The possessiveness in his voice sends heat coursing through me. "I agree," I breathe.
"Good. Now, let's go upstairs. You're wearing too much," he commands.
I follow, knowing Sofia will surrender to his touch tonight, while Anna plans her next move with the FBI. The duality tears at me, but in this moment, all I want is Gabriel's hands on my body.