“We teach her to be strong. To never let anyone control or diminish her.”
The future we’re planning sounds impossible given our world, but I find myself believing in it anyway. Maybe love really can overcome blood and violence. Maybe redemption is possible for monsters who choose to change.
“I love you,” I tell her, the words easier every time I say them.
“I love you too.”
“And I already love our baby.”
“Even though we don’t know anything about them yet?”
“I know everything I need to know. They’re half you, which means they’re already perfect.”
She smiles, the expression radiant in the moonlight streaming through our windows. “You’re going to be a wonderful father.”
“We’re going to be wonderful parents.”
I pull her closer, marveling at the fact that in less than eight months, there will be three of us in this bed.
Our child will grow up safe, protected, and cherished. I’ll make sure of it.
Even if it costs me everything else.
34
KASI
This family gatheringfeels like a job interview where the wrong answer gets you killed.
Fifteen men in expensive suits fill the main dining room, their voices mixing into a low rumble of power and privilege.
I recognize some faces from previous meetings. Tony Benedetti with his calculating stare, Steve Moretti still charming after all this time, old Lorenzo Torrino who treats me like a granddaughter he’s proud of.
Others are new. Distant cousins, business partners, men whose names carry weight in circles I’m still learning to navigate.
“Gentlemen,” Alaric announces from the head of the table, “my wife has some proposals regarding our international operations.”
All conversation stops. Fifteen pairs of eyes turn toward me with expressions ranging from curiosity to skepticism to outright hostility.
“Mrs. Moretti,” Tony Benedetti says with his trademark smile that never reaches his eyes, “we’re eager to hear your thoughts.”
I stand, the folder of documents I’ve prepared clutched in my hands. Three weeks of research, financial projections, and risk assessments. If I’m going to be part of this family, I need to prove I belong here.
“The European expansion has stalled because we’re approaching it like Americans trying to do business in foreign markets,” I begin. “We need to think like Europeans who happen to be based in America.”
“Explain,” Steve requests.
“Take the German operations. Klaus Mueller values precision, transparency, and long-term stability. We’ve been offering him quick profits and aggressive timelines. That’s not what motivates German businessmen.”
I pull out the first set of documents, spreading them across the table. “These revised contracts focus on sustainable growth, detailed quality control measures, and partnership benefits that extend beyond immediate profit.”
Lorenzo Torrino leans forward, studying the papers with sharp eyes that belie his advanced age. “You rewrote Klaus’s contracts?”
“I restructured them to align with German business culture. Same basic terms, different presentation.”
“And Klaus approved these changes?”
“He signed yesterday. Full partnership agreement, expanded territory rights, guaranteed exclusivity for five years.”
