The tension that had been building snaps, replaced by the absurd comedy of being caught like teenagers.
"Shh," I whisper dramatically against her ear. "If we're very quiet, maybe he'll think we're not home."
"Luca!" Another round of pounding. "Open the fucking door!”
I groan, dropping my forehead to her shoulder. "My brother always did have shit timing."
"Some things never change.” She presses a quick kiss to my lips. "Better not keep the Don waiting."
I reluctantly rise, slipping my pants on before I hear the front door open. “Mother fucker.” I quickly head to the living roomwhere I find Alessandro having just barged in. "Ever heard of waiting for a fucking answer?" My voice is low and dangerous.
Alessandro's expression doesn't change. "We have a situation."
"A situation that couldn't wait five minutes?" I snarl, stepping closer to him. "Get out. I'll meet you in your?—”
"No." The firmness in his voice stops me. "You seem to forget who’s in charge here.”
“Don Dante. Can I get you coffee?” Katerina joins me, dressed in stretchy pants and an oversized T-shirt.
“No,” he barks. Then as if he remembered his manners, he says, “But thank you.” He turns his attention back to me, his jaw tight. "The Bratva sent a message. They're demanding your life in exchange for peace."
Behind me, I hear Katerina's sharp intake of breath.
Alessandro continues. "They're giving us twenty-four hours to deliver you to them, or they'll declare open war."
I shrug.
"This isn't a joke." Alessandro's eyes are hard. “What the fuck did you do to piss them off?"
I laugh with bitterness. “I don’t suppose you asked them what they did?”
“I don’t care what they did. I want to know why they want your head or war.”
“Why? We both know you think I’m not worth a war. It’s deja-fucking-vu. You going to bow down to the Bratva too?”
The vein on his forehead throbs. He might kill me right here, right now.
16
KATERINA
“Watch yourself, Luca.”
This isn’t going well.
Just moments ago, I'd been lying in Luca's arms, imagining mornings like this could be a part of our future.
A fresh start.
But as happens, reality breaks in. How quickly dreams can shatter.
"You slaughtered at least six of their men," Alessandro says. "Including Pyotr Petrov, Katerina’s brother. Does she know that?"
The reminder sends a whirlwind of anger mixed with guilt. Why would Pyotr have betrayed me so cruelly?
“Yes she does. Let me ask you, Don Dante.” Luca says Alessandro’s name with a sneer. “Did they tell you why they kidnapped my son?”
Alessandro’s brow furrows as he glances at me. “What?”
