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Emma’s name flashed on her phone.
‘SOS.’
Scrambling to check, Ana groaned at the message.
Emma: Remember that a-hole client from Philly who wanted to talk to Antonio? He’s *here*. Coming to the gala.
Ana: How do you know??
Emma: Your cousin freaked & told me. He got a message from Russo asking to meet here tonight.
Ana: Shit. Did Russo arrive already?
Emma: Nope.
Emma: Why? Should I jump him?
Ana: Em…
Emma: *shrug*
Ana: Let’s just grab Tony before the gala to debrief.
Rubbing her forehead, she cursed her cousin under her breath as she searched through her other inbox for details on the account. Just what she needed before her first major event as Donna–work drama.
“Everything okay?”
Gio stood at the doorway, momentarily distracting her with his striking attire. The three-piece suit, with a blend of black and silvery gray tones, gave him the appearance of absolute power–and corruption. It threw his dark hair and eyes into sharper relief, especially as they narrowed on her.
“Uh,” Ana stared, flustered. “Yes, just Emma panicking over some work issues.”
“Sounds like she needs some time at the open bar tonight.” His lips lifted.
Ana laughed lightly as his eyes crinkled.
Their guests would be unwinding and enjoying the drinks and food. But for both of them and Emma, it would be all work. This was the first time in nearly a decade that all the factions were coming together. If they pulled off the event, it would showcase their leadership and position Gio as a great unifier. She didn’t want to dwell on what would happen if they failed.
“You look beautiful.” The compliment was quiet.
“Thank you.” She smiled shyly, watching him approach in the mirror. “You look dashing as well.”
Gio stood flush against her back, hands in his pockets. His expression was restrained. As it had been ever since her nightmare. For a while, after he had come to fetch her in Pittsburgh, he had seemed to open up–sharing his affectionate smiles and tender conversations more readily. But he had become so distant again since that night, infinitely more careful around her.
It had been a relief at first. She had felt like a live wire that could ignite at the slightest touch. But now, as his distance stretched on for weeks, she could feel the chasm widening between them. Whatever little intimacy they had built up–was gone.
Did he pity her after her panic attack? Worry for her…or perhaps was frustrated with her?
His eyes revealed nothing, black pools of obsidian.
Ana rose to her feet. She shifted her long brown hair until it cascaded over her shoulder and turned around, bumping straight into Gio’s hard frame. He didn’t budge at first, remaining fixed in position, watching her. But at her shiver, he stepped aside.
“Is the car ready?” she mumbled.
“Yes, all the checks are done. We should reach there an hour before it starts.”
Gio came around to her vanity table, surveying its contents, and said, “Don’t forget this.”
Oh.
