“You could take care of me one more time,” I say, my dick thickening just thinking about her mouth on it again.
“Later. Rest.” She rises from bed, and I watch her, admiring her body, her beauty, her entire being.
Before she leaves, she helps me up and dresses me, which admittedly, is a little tough on the ego.
When she goes to pick up Enzo, I head down to Alessandro’s office.
I’m surprised to find I’m walking into a meeting.
Good timing, I think. I need guarantees that Katerina and Enzo will be released from obligations to both the Dante family and the Bratva.
It’s time to secure this future I’ve worked so hard to create.
Alessandro sits at his desk.
Adriano leans against the wall while Valentina sits on the couch.
We're not the children who once ran these halls, but sometimes, I can almost see the kids we once were.
“You’re up.” Valentina jumps up from the couch. “Moron. You need to be in bed.”
I shake my head. “I need to move a bit or my ass is going to grow roots in the bed.”
She pulls a chair closer to me. “Sit.”
I’d argue, but the trip downstairs to the office feels like I’ve just summited Mt. Everest, so I sit.
“I’m just reviewing my discussion with Maksim,” Alessandro says.
“Good timing, then.” Inwardly, I hope Maksim sees reason. I’m not physically able to deal with him right now.
"He’s agreed to our primary terms." Alessandro’s gaze meets mine. "Katerina and Enzo are free to leave with you. No repercussions from either family."
I arch a brow. "He agreed just like that?"
"Just like that?" Valentina snorts. "Alessandro threatened to unleash you on his entire operation if he didn't agree. Maksim practically begged to sign."
"Valentina," Alessandro warns, but the corner of his mouth twitches.
She shrugs. "What? It's true. Maksim is desperate to get Luca out of town before he slaughters what's left of the Bratva. The man's terrified of you."
Good. Fear is the best weapon in this world. It means it will be easier to keep Katerina and Enzo safe.
"With good reason," Adriano adds, and I swear I almost hear pride in his tone. “Besides, Katerina would be a liability if she stayed. The Bratva would never trust her again."
My fist clenches under the table. "Watch it."
"What? I'm stating the obvious. She chose you over her blood family. That makes her?—"
"My family," I cut in.
Alessandro clears his throat. "Adriano's right about the Bratva's perspective. But that’s not why we support this arrangement. You’ve earned the right to have your life back.”
I blink, caught off guard by his endorsement.
"After everything that's happened, you deserve to have your fairy tale come true,” Alessandro finishes.
Valentina snorts into her coffee. "Did you just say 'fairy tale'? Who are you and what have you done with our brother?"
