Chapter 33 - Anna
Iblink and rub the sleep from my eyes. I reach out, expecting to find Gabriel's warm body beside me, but my hands find coldness instead.
He's already up.
I push back the sheets and sit up. As I do, a wave of nausea hits me. Today’s the day I'll reach out to the FBI, and the thought of lying to Gabriel twists my stomach into knots. I've become so entangled in everything that the idea of betraying him is starting to feel like a betrayal of myself.
I drag myself out of bed, my movements sluggish and slow, as if not wanting to continue on with this day.
I move across the room and into the walk-in closet.
Two days ago, Lydia had taken all my measurements and gone shopping for me.
Some of it I would never wear, but the casual things like shirts, tops, and pants were fine.
I thumb through my options and opt for a simple pair of jeans and a white V-neck shirt, with some black flats.
I'll bring a blazer just in case it's cold.
It's an outfit that won't draw attention.
My nausea intensifies as I head downstairs.
The smell of freshly brewing coffee fills my nose as I enter the kitchen.
I find Gabriel sitting at the island, looking handsome in a crisp white shirt, his hair slightly disheveled.
The fabric is tight on his chest, highlighting his muscles and showing his tattoos. He smiles when he sees me.
"Good morning, Bella," he says, sliding a mug of coffee toward me. "Sleep well?"
The rich aroma does little to settle my stomach.
"Yes, and you?" I ask with a slight smile.
"How can one ever have a bad night's rest when they share a bed with you?"
I feel myself turning red and reach for my coffee, hoping the bitterness will erase my changing color.
He takes a sip from his mug, which reads, 'I paid for my sister's college and all I got was this stupid mug.'
"From Livia?" I ask, pointing to the mug.
His expression tells me he's shocked I know her name.
"Yes, I… how did—"
"Lydia. She's really fond of her. What else do you think women talk about when you leave us alone for too long?" I say, trying to brush it off and hoping Lydia isn't in trouble. "The weather?"
"I suppose you're right," he says and laughs. "Weather talk is for old men anyhow."
I take another sip from my coffee and realize the acidity isn't helping settle my stomach or nerves; it's making it worse. I set it down on the counter, vowing not to take another sip.
"So," Gabriel says and stares at me with his piercing green eyes, "What are your plans for today?"
The question, though I knew it was coming, rocks me a bit. I haven't been asked what I wanted to do since being taken by Gabriel the night of Bill's death. And now, I just get to leave and be free.
"I thought I'd spend the day downtown. Do a bit of window shopping, enjoy being outside."
Gabriel's eyes narrow slightly, and for a heart-stopping moment, I think he's going to walk back on my freedom.
But then he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his wallet. "Here," he says, sliding a credit card across the counter. "Buy yourself a few things, and pick up a nice outfit for dinner. I'm taking you somewhere special in a few days once my business is taken care of."
After the job at the blue warehouse, I assume.
"Gabriel, you don't have to."
"I want to," he says simply. "You're mine, and I take care of what's mine."
I nod. That possessiveness in his voice always seems to stoke a fire within me that could rival the sun.
"Also," he says and stands, "keep this with you from now on."
He hands me a brand-new phone. "The pin is 4512," he says as I look it over.
"And it works?" I ask, realizing right after how stupid it sounds.
"No, it's just for you to hold," he says, laughing. "Of course it works. Mine, as well as Lydia's number, is already programmed. I want to be able to get ahold of you anytime I want."
And track me, obviously.
"Okay, thank you. I wasn't expecting the nice car, credit card, and now a phone. That's on top of all the stuff Lydia's got me over the last few days. Oh, and let's not forget the painting."
Gabriel grabs me firmly and pulls me toward him. He leans in and kisses me with such passion my nipples harden, and I feel a wetness growing between my legs.
How the fuck can he do that with just a kiss?
"I'll always take care of you, Sofia. And that reminds me, your 'Lady In Waiting' painting is being delivered today. If you're not here, I told Lydia to leave it in the billiard room until you get home. I want you to pick a place to hang it."
"Me? Oh, I don't—"
"I'm sure you'll pick a good spot. Now, I have to make some calls in my office before heading out for a bit. I will see you later, Bella."
Before I can respond, he turns the corner and disappears down the hall to his office. I open my purse to place Gabriel's card inside, and my eyes widen when the handle of my gun pops out. I scramble to conceal it and close it.
I grab the keys on the counter and head outside, hoping the fresh air will ease my nausea.
It takes me more time than I'd like to admit before I figure out you don't actually need to stick a key into the ignition to start the car; you just need to press a button.
When the car comes to life, the screens light up with blue accents that, when paired with the cream interior color, make me feel like I'm in a million-dollar car, or at the very least one celebrities are caught by the paparazzi in.
As I drive downtown, toward my rendezvous with the FBI, I can't get past the notion that this is all going to blow up in my face and I'm on borrowed time. I turn on the radio and blast it to clear my mind. I roll down the windows and let the breeze drift my mind to other thoughts.
When I get close to my destination, I know two things are probably certain. One, there has to be a way for Gabriel to track this car, and two, he's definitely tracking the phone.
With those things in mind, I find a parking garage that's not too close to the boutique masquerading as an FBI location, and I decide to accidentally forget the phone in my car.
I walk inside the boutique store and into the hidden room.
I pick up the phone in the room, and as soon as I do, it immediately starts ringing. On the fifth ring, a familiar voice answers, "Agent Harris."
"Agent Harris, it's me, Anna Bennett. I—"
"Shit, okay, stay there. I'll be there in 20 minutes."
"I don't—"
"Do not leave. I repeat, do not leave. Stay put. We're coming to you."
He hangs up without letting me speak.
I pace around the small hidden room, and it starts to feel increasingly claustrophobic. I grapple with the questions: what do I tell them? How much do I reveal?
The truth?
That I've fallen for a ruthless hitman and I've compromised myself in ways I never thought possible.
I close my eyes.
Breathe, just breathe.
Then there's the information about the blue warehouse, the planned hit on the Russians. That's valuable intel, the kind that could potentially bring down multiple crime families. That's originally why I'm here, after all. It's why Bill...
A lump forms in my throat at the thought of Bill. What would he think of me now? Would he be proud of how far I've infiltrated, or ashamed of how much I've lost myself in the process?
I feel as if I'm on a battlefield where duty clashes with desire, where loyalty fights with... love?
Is it?
I don't know, but it's something I've never felt before, and now I'm torn between the woman I was and the woman I've become. Anna Bennett, the FBI agent, sworn to uphold the law, to bring criminals to justice. And Sofia, the mistress of a mafia hitman.
I close my eyes, trying to silence the war within me. But all I see is Gabriel's face, all I hear is his voice, all I feel is his touch. I remember the very first night we spent together, the passion that consumed us, the connection that transcended everything I'd ever known.
But, he's a killer. A criminal. I've seen firsthand the violence he's capable of. And yet, there's a tenderness to him too. A vulnerability that he only shows to me.
So, do I tell them everything? Or do I hold back? Give them just enough to keep them satisfied without compromising Gabriel or my position within the Bonventi family?
The rational part of me knows what I should do. I should tell them everything. It's my job, my duty. But the part of me that's fallen for Gabriel, that part wants to protect him, even if it means betraying everything I've ever stood for.
The door opens suddenly, startling me from my thoughts. Agent Harris enters with another man I've never seen before who's holding a bag.
"Anna," Agent Harris says, his tone serious. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," I say, lying. I am anything but.
"This here is Agent Greens," he says, pointing to the man I don’t recognize. "He's the one who's been running this operation."
I nod as Agent Harris closes the door behind them.
Agent Greens eyes me. "You seem to be doing well, all things considered."
"I've managed."
"What can you tell us?" Agent Harris asks.
Agent Harris points to a chair. "Please, have a seat. I'm sure you have a lot to share."
I hesitate, then share the basics. "Luca's dead. The Russians killed him. Gabriel took me from the Capstone. I'm living with him now."
"As his mistress?" Agent Greens probes.
"Something like that," I say, my voice tense.
Agent Harris leans in. "Anna, do you realize how dangerous this is?"
"Dangerous?" Agent Greens interrupts. "This is unprecedented access to the Bonventi family, just as we hoped."
Hoped?
"Look, Anna, I'm going to be upfront with you," Harris says. "I was one of the ones who wanted to pull you. You're fresh out of training. Your lead on this is dead, and Isabella thought you were compromised. So, I need to know right now, are you?"
I take a deep breath and push every contradicting thought out of my head and lie. "I'm not compromised. Let's just focus on keeping me safe, unlike Isabella."
"I'm sorry, what do you mean?" Agent Greens asks and leans forward. "You know where she is?"
"Wait, you don't?"
The men look at one another and then back at me.
"No, we've been trying to make contact, but it's been hard since Luca's death," Agent Harris says.
"Well, it'll be impossible now. She's dead. The Irish killed her."
I hide my shock at how easily that lie comes out.
As they process this, I notice something on Agent Greens' notepad that makes my blood run cold.
"What does this mean?" I demand, pointing. "*Compromised Collateral Asset #225: W. Tannings.* That's Bill's last name."
The agents exchange a loaded glance before Agent Harris sighs. "Anna, there's something you need to know about Bill."
"What?" I ask, dread filling me.
"Bill was a double agent for the Russians," Agent Greens says bluntly. "His plan was to have you captured during the ambush."
"No," I say, my head spinning as I try to process this horrific revelation about my mentor. "That's not possible. Bill would never—"
"It's true," Agent Harris cuts in. "His real aim that night was to get you in that room and have the Russians capture you."
"However, the Russians went rogue, killed Bill, and planned to kill you to cover their tracks. They didn't plan on Gabriel," Agent Greens says.
"Did you know they were going rogue before the hit or after?"
There is a moment of silence as Agent Greens stares at me.
"You have to understand the bigger operational picture here. It's the fucking mob we're talking about," Agent Greens says.
"Did you know?" I ask firmly, looking directly into his eyes.
"Yes. It was a calculated risk we had to take. Maybe they wouldn't have—"
"You knew Bill was compromised, you knew they were going rogue with the hit, and you still sent us in? Me in?"
Agent Greens doesn't budge, doesn't move a muscle, but Agent Harris shows shame, spreading his hands in a placating gesture.
Rage and betrayal surge through me. "You used me! You lied to me!"
"We need you to be professional," Agent Greens says coldly. "You're our best chance at taking down these crime families."
"I can't fucking believe this," I blurt out.
My breath starts coming in shaky gasps. My mind is trapped between the treachery of my once-called mentor and the ruthlessness of my current employers. I've never felt more alone.
I have nothing. Even Gabriel would destroy me if he found out who I really am.
I can't breathe. Can't think. "I need air," I gasp, fleeing the room.
Outside, I run down an alley and hide behind a trash can. I bend over and throw up. It's all just too much. I knew I was out of my league, and so did everyone else around me. I was just a pawn.
After a few moments, I make my way back toward the car. I pass a small drugstore and stop.
I need to check.
I walk inside and buy what I need without so much as saying a word to the cashier, an older woman who just gives me a smile.
I walk to the back bathroom and enter a stall.
The next five minutes are a blur, and before I know it, I look down at the stick in my hand and almost fall over.
Fuck.
I’m pregnant.