Page 66 of Hers to Command

“I am not saying that, Mr. Solntsev. With the marriages between myself and the head of the Angelo syndicate, and the marriage of my brother to Gianna Bruno, head of the Bruno syndicate, I have arranged agreements with the Italian factions to secure my family’s organization and businesses in this section of the city, keeping our turn intact. There are currently new arrangements in place that secure the borders of Russian-controlled territory. Your son did not appreciate these changesand gathered a few men around him, but I am sorry to tell you that his efforts had no chance of succeeding. He did not present a problem to me, my husband, or my sister-in-law, especially since he was additionally distracted with his frequent visits to said club employee whom I understand he met with every other day or so.” Calling Gianna my sister-in-law is about the weirdest part of this entire call, but it’s also essential. I need Solntsev senior to grasp that I couldn’t possibly have needed to resort to murder when dealing with his son since I have the backing of not only my own men but two massive syndicates. Even if that’s not exactly true. It’s all about the image I’m trying to paint.

Solntsev exhales sharply, the sound heavy with fury and grief. “You should pray, girl, that I never find proof otherwise.”

I take the threat in stride, forcing a calm smile he can’t see. “I’ll have my people contact you regarding the arrangements. My condolences for your loss, Mr. Solntsev.”

Before he can respond, I hang up, setting the phone down with a shaky hand.

It’s done.

I bluffed my way out of this mess.

Hopefully.

I lean back in my father’s chair,my chair, staring up at the ceiling as the adrenaline slowly drains from my body. I might have swept Dmitri’s death under the rug for now, but Solntsev’s anger won’t fade so easily. I can only hope that Dmitri was enough of a fuck-up before he arrived here that his father believes that he never made any actual strides toward controlling my territory.

And I need to make sure that’s the only story leaving this city.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Riccardo

There is a quick knock at my office door, followed by Bethany appearing a moment later. After Anya left, I decided it was time to come to my actual office after working too many days from home in the past weeks.

Toni has been keeping one ear on any talk coming from my men, and it sounds like a few of the older guard are still harping about me marrying Anya. It’s time I show my face and remind them I don’t tolerate any shit-talk in my business.

“Toni’s on his way up,” Bethany says. “He has an update for you.”

“Perfect timing,” I reply, leaning back in my chair. The sunlight streaming through the window casts long shadowsacross my desk, illuminating the stack of papers I’ve ignored all morning.

I told Toni that I have a plan, and I do, though he’ll only get to hear about half of it. Still, that half will have a better chance of succeeding if he’s involved, soyeah, his timing is great.

Bethany hesitates, waiting for further instructions.

“Send him in as soon as he gets here,” I say.

She nods and retreats, the soft click of the door closing behind her, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I know I’ll need to approach Anya differently if I want her to agree to my new terms for our marriage. Something lasting. Something not temporary.

And sex is only fifty percent of that plan, because that part’s already working quite nicely in my favor.

A sharp knock pulls me from my thoughts. The door swings open, and Toni steps in.

“Boss,” he says, nodding as he drops into the chair across from me.

“Let’s hear it,” I say, cutting straight to the point.

“Customs flagged one of our containers at the airport this morning,” Toni begins, resting his forearms on his knees. “But our guy came through. Cleared it before anyone got too curious.”

I nod. “Good. Anything else?”

“Nothing major,” he replies, then hesitates. “Well, except the chatter about Dmitri. Word’s spreading fast, but so far, no one knows who pulled the trigger. You think Gianna suspects?”

“Not yet,” I say, though the tension in my jaw betrays my calm tone. “That’s why I need to get ahead of this.”

Toni’s brow furrows. “You’re calling a sit-down with Gianna?”

“Not just with her.” I lean forward, my elbows resting on the desk. “Get in touch with Sergei. Ask him to check with Anya. See if she wants to extend the invitation herself, or if I should. We can have dinner at our place tonight. Make it casual.”

Toni’s expression flickers with surprise, but he recovers quickly. “You’re going through Sergei for this?”

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