“So I’m free?”
“You’re free.” He grins. “It didn’t pan out how we planned, but the ending’s the same. You’re a free woman, Sera. Free to marry whomever you want. But”—he lifts a finger sternly—“give it a few more years.Pleasedon’t you and Lev run off so soon. I can’t do another wedding.”
“Nah. First, you need to marry Vanessa. It’d look bad if your lil sis got married before you.”
He stands and suddenly reaches into his pocket, pulling out a ring box, which he immediately pops open to a ruby surrounded by a few smaller diamonds. Sleek and simple yet filled with a silent power—exactly like Vanessa.
“Jeweller phoned this morning before Lev’s call, so I made the trip.”
“You’re gonna ask her to marry you?”
He shuts the box with a smile wider than anything I’ve seen of him yet. “Not sure when exactly, but soon,sì. I want to marry her for real this time.”
“This time?What the hell does that mean?”
He only laughs.
59
LEV
After Serafina is released from the hospital under strict orders to receive ongoing medical care from Zeno’s private doctor, Anastasia, Dimitri, and Katya return to Moscow while Zeno, Vanessa, and I camp out at his villa. Serafina spends a couple days back in Ostia with her mother. Gabriella invited me to stay, and Serafina begged with pleading eyes, but for once, I was able to deny her something, preferring she have the time alone.
I need Serafina too—especially as I do everything in my power to avoid Vanessa and Zeno, often finding myself around Nero since there’s nothing else to do. He asks a lot about my sister, most of which I ignore, and spends a lot of the time drinking. I text Serafina as often as she needs but encourage her to also spend that time with her mother, knowing once we’re home, I’ll have her for the rest of our lives.
So, a few days post-accident, when we head to pick up Serafina and return to Moscow, my skin is itching to get my hands on her, then out of Rome.
She bolts from the doorway, looking much more healed than we dropped her off. Still, I’m careful hugging her to prevententicing any aches as I lift her off the ground and kiss her, indifferent about the audience.
“I really wish you stayed here,” she says when I pull back.
“Me too, but did you enjoy your time with your mama? How are you feeling?”
She touches her forehead, grimacing. “I get headaches easily, so I won’t be returning to school for a bit, but I’m alright. Mostly, I want to go home.”
The building behind us looms—the definition ofhomefor her—and she follows my gaze, already shaking her head. “This will always be home, but the past couple days away from you taught meyou’remy new home.” Her palm rests on my heart. “Besides, we’re behind on our shows, and if I’m not returning to class right away, seems we have time to kill…”
Nothing has ever sounded better.
We’re interrupted by Gabriella, who comes up behind us to hug Serafina goodbye a final time. The two share whispered words, and then Gabriella’s arms are suddenly around me, yanking me down to her height.
Every warning signal in my body flashes in horror and terror. A stranger is touching me—embracing me—and it takes a lot to remind myself she’s an innocent civilian, to not react, that she’s Serafina’s mother.
She releases me with a knowing smile. “Grazie,Lev. Once again, you’ve saved my daughter’s life.”
“She saved herself.”
Gabriella swats the air. “She’s told me all about you and her. I can’t say I’m entirely surprised. Zeno sings your praises; I’ve seen what you do for her, and she clearly loves you, so the only thing I ask, from a mother’s heart, is for you to make her happy. And one day, please come visit so I get to know you better.” She glances to where Vanessa and Zeno stand nearby. “All of you. Seems my family is expanding in the most unexpected ways.”
Before Vanessa can agree—since she won’t turn down an invitation from Gabriella—I reply, “We’d love to. Thank you, Gabriella.”
Serafina grins, but it’s Vanessa’s choked curse grabbing my attention. As Zeno says goodbye to their mother, Vanessa mouths,I’m proud of you.
Two days after returning to Moscow, Vanessa texts me to come down to the Bratva gym. It isn’t abnormal she’d want to run extra drills, though her timing feels strange. With Dimitri’s father no longer an issue, war with Zeno long over, and the Vitales dealt with, there’s nothing to prepare for.
There are a lot of cars in the parking lot when I arrive, which may explain it. She’s probably hosting a meeting and using the gym as a large enough space to hold us all.
The sight I’m greeted with as I round the main part of the gym, with its many mats and various workout equipment, sends my heart racing. Not with the number of soldiers in attendance but the wall they form, edging the floor of mats where Vanessa stands in the centre.
