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His vow echoed her own.
“The Don title has not been in my family for long. At any time, someone else can always come and rally enough support to change the succession. Around your region, there are some good leaders–Marco, Luke, and even Antonio. They could easily surpass me.”
At her silence, he pressed. “Don’t you think?”
She tilted her head. “Are you looking for flattery?”
With a sharp laugh, Gio drew back, shaking his head. His neat curls fell over his forehead, lending an almost boyish look to his otherwise impassive face. He regarded her like she was a creature from another planet. “No,” he said simply. “Just the truth.”
For some reason, she believed him. He didn’t seem the type to require ego-stroking.
So, after ensuring the others were still distracted, Ana fell into deep contemplation over his question. Her fingers rubbed the edge of the fireplace by where she stood.
“Those men are all good candidates,” Ana admitted after some thought. “They’ve gathered a lot of support over the years, especially from those who want a change in lineage. Plus, the Pennsylvania factions are much larger than New York’s, guaranteeing them a larger base. But…” she said, “none of them are suited for the job.”
Her hands folded together as she glanced away, intensely aware of him. She could sense his frame growing alert, attuned to her words.
“I feel that it takes more than brute force to become Don. Any man can seize power, but few know how to lead. To earn the command of the Family, you need something more than violence and threats.”
“And you don’t think I’m capable of threats?” His tone was cool and dangerous, sending tremors up her spine.
He was capable of it, could deliver it with deadly precision; she was sure. If she were to leave this conversation unscathed, it would be because he allowed it. Not because of any defense she could muster up against him.
“You are.” Ana stood unwavering. “But you would do it thoughtfully and effectively. That’s why the others cannot surpass you.”
Gio stared at her for a long time after that, moving over her face in search of something she could not tell. As deeply as he unnerved her, he thrilled her just the same. Kindling a longing inside her that she’d never felt before.
Would they ever see each other again?
And talk like this–in a hidden corner–without restraint.
As his mother called out for him, glancing over at her curiously, Ana followed him out to join the others. She assumed her social mode, where she conversed and laughed with his family with perfect poise.
But she didn’t dare seek him out again, focusing entirely on everyone else for the remainder of the gathering. What they had shared was a moment in time–a kind conversation he had patiently accommodated. And she was grateful for it, nothing more.
But when everyone began filtering out hours later, he caught her hand in his–black obsidian eyes landing on her. Heat brandished up her arm as she patiently waited.
“I will call on you next week,” he said.
Before he followed the rest out.
It felt like a promise.
But also a threat.
Chapter 14
Present
Ana shivered, a faint moan escaping her as his hand trailed lower.
Intimidating…
It was mindboggling that he’d felt that way while she had been aflutter with nerves. Gio certainly didn’t seem intimidated now as he parted her legs before filling her deeply in a way that nothing else could.
Her gasp was lost in the shower. The water and the loud smack of his hips against hers drowned the sound out.
The memory was all a blur. That entire time in her life had been a whirlwind. Gio had called on her the following week as he’d sworn to do, and after the subsequent meeting, he had called to forewarn her that his parents would offer a betrothal for her as well.
