Chapter 12 Gemma #2
Alexei sounds genuinely curious, so I answer.
This time, I don't have to pretend to be bitter. "Adrian stopped being family when he chose to sell me off."
"So this is revenge? Wounded pride?"
"This is pragmatism. You want Adrian's territory. I want—" I pause. What do I want? Not Adrian dead, right? "I want Adrian to know how it feels to lose something."
Alexei chuckles. "Hell hath no fury."
I ignore his words. "Do what you want to Adrian, but I want your assurance that Sera and my nephew will be safe."
"Sera. Your brother's wife?" He pretends not to know her, but he does.
"Yes. Whatever you do to Adrian, she and the children stay out of it. That's my condition."
"And if I kill your brother?"
I hate that the thought barely affects me. But it's Adrian's fault. I'll never forget what he said to me at our mother's grave. I'm expendable to him, so he's been rewarded with the same.
"Like I said, Adrian has made his choices. Sera and the children are protected by the code." There's a code of conduct, no wives and children, but the Russians, specifically Alexei are known to throw that out when it's convenient.
Alexei taps his fingers on the desk. "And what makes you think you have any leverage to make conditions?"
"Because I know things even Saint doesn't know.
Hell, even some things Adrian doesn't know.
" His eyes spark. "I learned at my mother's heel.
And unlike my brothers, I never thought I was too good to be educated.
I know every weakness, every vulnerability, every secret.
" I lean forward. "You want Adrian's empire? I can give it to you."
He's quiet for a long moment. Then he laughs.
"Pretty little princess, coming into the wolf's den to make deals. I love it."
"I'm not a princess." The words come out harder than I intended.
"No?" He stands, comes around the desk. Stops too close. "Then what are you?"
I stand too, refusing to be intimidated. "I'm the most dangerous thing in this room." It's about time these men realize that. I am Bianca Nero's daughter. It's time they remembered that.
He looks at me. Really looks at me. Then he smiles, genuine this time, not mocking.
"Alright, Gemma Marini. I accept your terms."
Something flickers in his eyes—amusement? calculation?—but it's gone before I can identify it.
"You give me intel on the Neros. I leave your sister-in-law and her spawn alone. And we keep this between us."
"And you don't tell Saint." I add this at the end. Saint stays out of this. He doesn't get to play. This is mine.
"And I don't tell Saint." He extends his hand. "Deal?"
I stare at his hand. This is it. The point of no return.
If I shake his hand, I'm betraying every member of my family, including my husband. But as I hesitate, I remember all that's been done to me. So, I hold out my hand.
"Deal."
Alexei's grip is firm. Cold. "I'll be in touch. Don't come here again—too risky. I'll send someone to you."
"How will they find me?"
"I'll figure it out. I'm very good at finding things I want." He releases my hand. "One more thing."
"What?"
"Saint's going to find out eventually. You know that, right?"
My eyes narrow. "You said you'd keep it quiet—"
"I will. But you're not as subtle as you think. And Saint's not stupid. When he figures it out..." Alexei shrugs. "Well. That's between you two."
I swallow hard. "I can handle Saint."
"Can you?" He tilts his head. "Because from where I'm standing, you're playing a very dangerous game. And I'm not sure you understand the stakes."
"I understand perfectly."
"Saint Marini is a lot of things, but forgiving isn't one of them. When he finds out his wife went behind his back to make deals with me..." He smiles. "I almost feel bad for you. Almost."
"I'll deal with it when it happens."
"Brave. Or stupid. I haven't decided which." He moves toward the door, opens it. "Igor will escort you out. And Gemma?"
I turn back.
"Welcome to the game. Try not to die."
Igor escorts me to the back exit. Different from where I came in. Smarter.
As he opens the door, I glance back one last time.
Alexei is watching me go, and there's something in his expression that makes my stomach twist.
Not the amused smile he gave me during our negotiation.
Something colder. More satisfied.
Like a hunter watching prey walk into a trap.
But when he notices me looking, the expression vanishes, replaced by his easy smile.
I step out into the alley, and Igor closes the door behind me.
I check my watch. Forty-five minutes since I left campus. Shit.
I take the subway back, every minute feeling like an hour. When I get to Butler Library, Heather is at a study table on the third floor. She hands me my phone without a word.
"Thanks."
"You okay?" She looks concerned. "You're shaking."
"I'm fine." I check my phone. Three missed calls from Emmanuel. Two texts:
"Where are you?"
"Mrs. Marini, Sera's guards say she's not meeting anyone today. Please respond immediately."
Fuck.
My heart pounds. Of course, Emmanuel checked. Of course.
I text back: "Sorry, plans changed. Sera couldn't make it, so I stayed to study. Heading out now."
I make my way back to the student center, trying to calm my breathing. Trying to think of a plausible excuse.
When I get there, Emmanuel is waiting outside his car, arms crossed. His expression is tight.
"Mrs. Marini."
"Sorry, Emmanuel. Sera had to cancel last minute, so I—"
"Get in the car."
The tone of his voice makes my blood run cold. He knows I lied. Maybe not where I went, but he knows.
I slide into the back seat. Emmanuel gets in the driver's seat and pulls into traffic.
The ride back is silent. But I can feel his disapproval radiating off him. His eyes keep flicking to the rearview mirror, watching me.
He knows something is off. Maybe not what, but something.
And if Emmanuel suspects, how long before Saint finds out?