“Sure, they do. They just want a plan.” She puts her hand on my arm. "Promise me you won't do anything rash."
I want to promise her. I really do. But it would be a lie. “I have to do what I think is right for my family.”
“Stubborn bastard.” She gives me a shove and huffs off down the hallway. I feel bad for disappointing her, but what choice do I have?
I make my way to my room expecting to find Katerina and Enzo resting. I need to see them, to memorize their faces before I make my next move. I may not have many chances left.
I ease the bedroom door open, relieved to find Enzo's small form curled beneath the covers.
His face is peaceful in sleep.
I step closer, resisting the urge to touch his cheek and wake him.
But the other side of the bed is empty.
No Katerina.
I look in the bathroom and the closet, anywhere she could be. She’s not here.
I step into the hall and see one of the maid staff. “Have you seen Katerina?”
“It’s been awhile. She asked me to keep an eye on the boy until you returned.”
My brow furrows at the odd request. Watch Enzo until I return, not until Katerina returns. “Did she say where she was going?”
“No sir.”
“When did she leave?”
She checks her watch. "Maybe an hour ago?"
I curse under my breath as my mind spins with possibilities. I hope to hell she’s somewhere in the house or maybe she’s gone to the cottage to pick up things for Enzo.
I check the kitchen, the library, the gardens.
Nothing.
With each empty room, the dread in my gut grows.
Something's wrong. I can feel it in my bones.
I head down to the cottage, calling her name.
Each time, my voice gets louder and filled with more dread, checking every possible space only to find them empty.
It’s clear that she’d gone.
Did the Bratva still find a way through security?
Or is Alessandro’s suspicion right and she’s gone to meet with the Bratva?
28
KATERINA
I’ve done a few crazy things in life, but this has to be the craziest.
What other choice do I have, though?
