MR. ANTHONY

MR. ANTHONY
Eric's POV

"Gia, you need to calm down. The rescue team said they will get to her."

"I don't know how you're able to stay so calm, but I can't do that. This is Brianna we're talking about!" Gia's voice shook with frustration and fear.

"Dax isn’t answering his calls. The guy who picked up said he went in with the rescue team."

"Then let's just go there!"

"But we were just there this morning when they found the kids—"

"I don’t care! I want to go back, now."

"Alright, let’s go."

It’s not that I’m not worried—I am. But everyone else is already falling apart. Someone needs to stay level-headed.

I grabbed my car keys, and Gia and I rushed out of my house. We were halfway to the site when my phone rang. My heart pounded as I checked the caller ID—Dax. I picked up immediately, putting it on speaker so Gia could hear.

"We found her," Dax’s voice came through, tight and urgent. "She’s badly injured but alive. Head to the downtown hospital. I’ll be waiting for you there."

"Wait—Dax, slow down! Don’t hang up yet!" My grip on the steering wheel tightened. "How bad is it?"

"I don’t know the full extent, but her right leg is broken."

"What?!" Gia gasped, her panic spiraling out of control. "No, no, no—"

"We’ll be there in a few minutes," I said firmly, cutting the call and speeding toward the hospital.

Gia was trembling, her hands clenched into fists as silent tears streamed down her face. She was terrified, and despite my best effort to stay composed, a pit of dread settled in my stomach.

When we arrived at the hospital, we found Dax in the waiting room. His expression was grim.

Dax looked even worse than he had this morning—exhausted, disheveled, and tense.

"Where is she?" Gia asked, her voice laced with desperation.

"In surgery," Dax replied, rubbing a hand over his tired face. "The doctor said we just have to wait."

"I just hope she’s okay," Gia murmured, wrapping her arms around herself as we all sat in silence, waiting anxiously.

An hour later, the doors to the surgery room finally swung open, and we rushed toward the doctor.

"Doctor, how is she?" Dax was the first to speak, his voice sharp with worry.

"The surgery was successful," the doctor said, his tone reassuring. "She’ll be moved to her room shortly."

"Is she awake?" Gia asked, her hands clenched into fists.

"Not yet, but she will be once the medication wears off."

"Can we see her?" I asked.

"Yes, once she’s settled in her room, you’re free to visit."

"Thank you, Doctor," Gia whispered, relief washing over her face.

Brianna’s POV

"You scared the living hell out of me, Brianna!" Gia’s voice trembled as she sat beside my hospital bed, eyes still red from crying.

"I’m sorry, Gia," I said for the third time. "It won’t happen again."

Dax stood near the window, silent and brooding, arms crossed over his chest. He hadn’t spoken to me since I woke up. His silence weighed heavier than Gia’s scolding.

"Next time you make a reckless decision like this, try to think about us," Gia continued. "Mom is going to scold you to death when she finds out."

"I know," I sighed. "I’m sorry I worried everyone, but I couldn’t stand by knowing those kids needed help. I had to do something."

"You could have called for more backup instead of running in alone!" Gia argued.

"I wanted to! But that stupid guy was getting on my nerves."

"This is exactly why you need to work on your temper," Eric muttered, shaking his head.

I shot him a glare. "Leave my temper out of this. It’s gotten me this far, and I’m perfectly fine with it."

Eric held up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. Just saying."

I sighed, adjusting myself in bed. "Tell Mom and Dad that I’m fine. The doctor said I need two to three months for my leg to heal, but I’ll be running again in a month. Just watch me."

Gia let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "Brianna, you always have a way of making things sound less serious than they are. The doctor said two to three months, and you’re already cutting it down to one?"

"Because I know myself," I smirked. "Don’t worry about me, Gia. I’ll be fine. You and Eric should go home and rest. I need to talk to Dax."

Gia narrowed her eyes at me, clearly suspicious, but before she could argue, Eric placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Gia, let’s just go," he urged.

"Yes, listen to Eric," I added with a small grin. "I promise to treat both of you to a nice dinner once I’m back on my feet."

"No way, I’m not going anywhere," Gia insisted, her arms crossed stubbornly.

"We have a meeting with your father, so we need to go," Eric reminded her.

Gia huffed but finally relented. "Fine."

I smirked. "I’ll see you both later. And please, make sure Mom isn’t angry before you bring her here. Otherwise, she’ll never let me hear the end of it."

Eric turned to Dax. "Dax, please look after her while we’re gone."

"You don’t even have to ask," Dax replied.

With that, Eric and Gia left, and I let out a small sigh of relief.

"Thank God," I muttered. "Now, can you feed me the news? Tell me everything—about the case and all the victims involved."

Dax’s expression darkened. "You’re out of the case."

I frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

"Brianna, you got injured because you acted recklessly."

"I was just trying to help! The guy you left in charge was being an ass about going in to save those kids."

"So you decided to put yourself in danger instead?"

"Is that not better than sitting around and doing nothing?" I shot back, frustrated. Why was he so mad at me? I thought I’d be getting credit from my partner, not a lecture.

"You could have gotten yourself killed, Brianna! Do you even understand how I felt when I realized you went in there alone?" Dax’s voice was tight, raw with emotion. "I couldn’t think straight. I thought I lost you… again."

His frustration was deeper than I expected. I didn’t fully understand his emotions, but I knew he was only scolding me because he cared.

I decided not to argue anymore. Resting my head against the pillow, I forced myself to sleep. I couldn’t talk to him until he calmed down.

Eric’s POV

Gia was tense. I could tell from the way her hands fidgeted in her lap.

"Relax," I said, trying to ease her nerves. "You’re amazing, Gia. I wouldn’t have gotten this far with the company if you hadn’t been by my side."

"Thanks," she murmured, but her fingers still twisted together anxiously. "I just can’t help it. I haven’t seen him since I moved to Chicago."

I sighed. "Gia, you’re great, and he should be the one worried. He’s the one who’s disappointed you over and over again."

She gave me a small, sad smile. "I’m fine. I don’t really mind living without him, as long as I have your family with me."

I hated how she had to downplay her pain.

We continued talking until I spotted Gia’s father walking toward us. He wasn’t alone. My father was with him.

As the founders of their companies, they joined us at the table, immediately delving into business talk. Gia and I sat mostly in silence, listening to their ideas.

The prospect of working with Mr. Anthony wasn’t necessarily bad, but I couldn’t ignore the resentment bubbling inside me. He had abandoned Gia, and now he wanted to act like a father?

Disgusting.

Despite my feelings, the meeting was productive. By the end of it, we finalized a business plan that would push our company to the next level.

Mr. Anthony leaned back, nodding in approval. "I must say, you really trained my daughter well. I’m grateful for that. Your father must be proud of you."

I forced a polite smile. "Thank you, sir, but I didn’t do much. Gia and I are both young—we learn from each other."

I kept my tone respectful, but the thought of how he had neglected her made my blood boil.

"They’re both exceptional," my father said with a proud smile. "Gia is like a daughter to me. She practically grew up under my roof."

"I know," Mr. Anthony admitted, his expression shifting into something almost remorseful. "And I’m very grateful for that. At least her mother won’t be too angry with me for… neglecting her."

I stiffened.

Wait. Was he seriously trying to play the victim right now?

Gia, who had barely spoken throughout the meeting, remained silent. I knew she had nothing to say to this man, and honestly, I didn’t blame her.

If I had a choice, I wouldn’t let Gia work for this man—let alone let him anywhere near her.

My father chuckled lightly. "Gia is smart, kind, and incredibly talented. She’s a remarkable young woman. You’re lucky to have her as your daughter, Anthony."

Mr. Anthony smiled, nodding. "I know. That’s why I came up with a brilliant idea—one that will benefit both our families."

My jaw tensed.

Then, he said something that made my blood run cold.

"Why don’t we have Eric marry Gia?"