Page 32 of Hers to Command

Gianna cuts in before Mikhail can keep going. “You’re right in that Dmitri is positioning himself, and Mikhail may have some insight into the Russian mindset that we don’t, given his family connections.”

I glance at Mikhail, skeptical. More insight? The guy’s good at pulling a trigger and cutting out eyeballs, but strategic thinking? Not so much. I don’t voice that, though. I’m not here to pick a fight with Gianna—or Mikhail, for that matter.

“I’m not so sure,” I say carefully, keeping my voice measured. “Dmitri’s making his play, but the Bratva is still fractured. And if your syndicate’s considering moving into their territory, we needto establish boundaries first. Otherwise, I’ll have to view it as a breach of our agreement.”

Gianna’s eyes flash, but she keeps her cool. “We’re not moving anywhere yet, Riccardo. And I don’t plan on making a move without there being a conversation with you first. But we need to plan for every possibility. Dmitri won’t wait for us to sort things out.”

Mikhail shifts in his seat, his agitation obvious. “We need to act now. Dmitri’s already pissing all over the place to mark his territory and I, for one, don’t fucking like it.”

Gianna gives him a sideways glance, her expression unreadable, but then she raises an eyebrow at me, a silent question hanging between us. Is this about territory? About control? Or is this personal?

I hold her gaze for a moment before speaking. “You’re right. He won’t wait for us while we make any kind of detailed plans. So there are two options. We split the territory fairly, or we back someone other than Dmitri to take over the turf. The former gains us territory, but the problem of having to deal with the push back from the Brotherhood and the established Bratva goons. Even the city officials may need an extra dose of cash to make them overlook things. In the latter case, if we decide to back someone from the Bratva to oppose Dmitri, we should consider someone who already has both experience and a name within the Bratva.” I pause for a moment, then throw out the suggestion that I hope I won’t regret later on. “Anya could be that person.”

Mikhail’s expression hardens instantly, but his eyes narrow slowly, as if he’s just figuring out what I’m implying.

“Anya?” Gianna’s voice is smooth, but there’s an edge to it. “You think Mikhail’s sister should take over?”

“It makes sense,” I say. “She’s Adrik Tsepov’s daughter and therefore has a claim to inherit. She knows the men, and sheknows the business. And with the right backing, she could hold the Bratva together.”

Before I can say that we all have a connection to her, so there would be no unfair advantage to either side, Mikhail interrupts, leaning forward with a scowl. “Hold on a second. You’re suggesting my sister step into that mess? After what’s been going on?”

I glance at him, choosing my words carefully. “It’s an option worth considering. The Bratva respects bloodlines, and Anya’s position—“

Mikhail cuts me off, his voice rising. “Her position? What position? Father never wanted her in the organization. You think just because she’s related to our father, she’ll automatically be accepted? Think again.”

“Actually, I was thinking she’d be accepted because she has the guts to go for what she wants. And from what I’ve seen from her in the past week, she’s got the motivation to step up against Dmitri.”

“From what you’ve seen of her?” Mikhail is seething, and Gianna seems disinclined to interject herself.

“Yes. Your sister came to me last week to suggest we get married. It got her the back-up she needed to avoid being married off to Dmitri as your father intended, and I got some useful intel in exchange. We went to city hall yesterday morning.”

Gianna’s eyes widen slightly, but I don’t react. This is exactly why I didn’t want Mikhail here. Well, for practical purposes, anyway. I do enjoy rubbing in the fact that I’m fucking his sister.

“You married her?” Mikhail accuses, his voice dripping with fury. “I can’t believe she would do something like that. She’s fucking smarter than that! What the hell did you do? Manipulate her into it?”

Before I can respond, Mikhail lunges forward, his fists clenched, but Toni, ever the enforcer, steps in between us before Mikhail can make a move or I can plant my fist in his face the way he deserves. Gianna rises to her feet as well, her voice sharp but controlled.

“Mikhail, enough.” She puts a hand on his shoulder, pulling him back. “You’re not helping.”

Mikhail, still seething, glares at me. “You stay the hell away from her. You think just because you married her, you can use her to take control of the Bratva yourself?”

I remain seated, my expression calm. Toni is ready if Mikhail pushes things further and, as much as I wouldn’t mind the chance to have it out with him, it wouldn’t be the smart thing to do right now. Gianna gives Mikhail a firm look and nods toward the door. “Step outside. I’ll handle this.”

Toni moves with him, watching closely as Mikhail reluctantly steps away, his body tense with barely contained rage. It’s impressive how well Gianna has him under control. Then again, she wouldn’t have married him if he were a loose cannon. The second the door closes behind them, the tension in the room shifts.

Gianna exhales, shaking her head. “You actually married Anya Tsepov? Seriously?”

I lean back in my chair. “I didn’t manipulate her either. The marriage was her idea. I just liked what she had to offer.” I smirk, knowing Gianna knows as well as me that the parallel to her and Mikhail’s marriage is already working in my favor, even though I have to smooth things out with my own people.

Gianna raises an eyebrow. “Convenient, isn’t it?”

I meet her gaze. “Indeed. Dmitri was breathing down her neck, and being married to me gives her protection. And it gives both of us leverage.”

Gianna folds her arms, considering my words. “And you think putting Anya in charge of the Bratva is going to solve all our problems?”

“It could solve enough of them,” I say. “At the very least, it’ll keep Dmitri from taking full control. And if we cooperate, we can still push him out before he consolidates his power.”

Gianna looks at me, her expression unreadable. “But she is your wife. Don’t you think the Russians will find that a bit of a problem? You’ve got to realize that. Even if I were to work out an agreement with you, since she’s technically my sister-in-law, none of Adrik’s men are going to buy that.”

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