29
LUCA
I feel like I might come out of my skin. Agitation crackles along all my nerves.
I keep replaying Katerina's distance, wondering if this incident has pushed her away again. I can’t blame her. I’m the source of what happened.
But if I hadn’t, he’d have still urged her to betray my family.
He’s the one who took Enzo.
I was justified in killing him and the men with him to protect them both.
But I made the mistake of thinking we’d be safe inside my brother’s walls.
My phone buzzes with another update from the security team.
Still no sign of her on the property.
I can’t believe she’d have left of her own accord.
Even if she was finished with me, she wouldn’t abandon Enzo.
But there’s no evidence anyone else got on the property or that she left.
Maybe she’s just hiding somewhere I haven’t looked yet. Perhaps she needs space to process the events of the day and doesn’t want Enzo to see her upset.
But as the clock ticks past another hour, my instincts scream that something's wrong. Where is she?
If the answer wasn’t crystal clear to me before, it is now. I have to hand myself over to the Bratva.
I'll walk into Maksim's compound with nothing but destruction on my mind.
I'll look that psychotic bastard in the eyes before I put a bullet between them.
I might not make it out alive, but neither will he.
And if that's what it takes to keep Katerina and Enzo safe, then it's a price I'm willing to pay.
My life for theirs.
It's not even a choice.
"Daddy?"
I turn to find Enzo standing in the doorway, his hair mussed from sleep.
"Hey, buddy. Good nap?" I crouch to his level, forcing my voice to remain steady.
"Where's Mommy?" He rubs his eyes, glancing around the room.
"I'm not sure. Did she tell you where she was going?"
He shakes his head. Four hours. She's been gone four hours without a word to anyone.
“I guess I should go find her.” I ruffle his hair, keeping my movements casual despite knowing after tonight, I may never see him again.
"Can I come?" His little face looks so much like Katerina's when he's worried.
