Page 108 of Fractured Empire

“Speaking of which,” Gino says, pulling his gun from the small of his back. Sure to not step too close to the open flames, he lets off ten rounds, shooting each body five times. “There, that’s better.”

“What was that for, exactly?” I ask, giving him a baffled smile.

“They talked shit about my future boss’s brother. Couldn’t let it slide, man.”

Scoffing, I push him away and start heading toward the door to get fresh air outside. “You think you’re going to outlive me, old man?”

“I think Maria will kill me if I don’t live to be a hundred and fifty, so probably.”

Laughing echoes into the night, and the crackle of a burning building follows suit.

Chapter Forty-Three

Katya

One Month Later

The soft tones and gentle rhythms of Debussy’s Clair de Lune float around my sitting room, filling the air with a calm, glowing ambiance. Bastian’s small hands glide over the piano keys naturally, more than impressive for his young age. We played a song together only a few minutes ago, but this one is all his.

Sitting to the side of the piano bench so he can have the middle, I watch him with wonder, adoring every moment of spending this time together. Leo wanted to swim today while Bastian seemed reluctant so Leon and I quickly came up with a compromise. Swimming for those two, and music for me and my little buddy. This is only our third time playing together since I moved in, but Bastian has gotten so much more confident in demonstrating his skill.

The past month has been nothing short of magical, growing closer to every single member of this household. The kids and I have spent every single day together, laughing, playing, and learning as well. Bastian has a gift for his early mathematics, picking up adding and subtracting with his fingers easily. Meanwhile, Leo has really taken to writing. His letters are solid and he comprehends the alphabet extremely well especially considering English is his second language.

The kids aren’t the only ones flourishing, though.

Leon and I have been on three more dates, each of them more romantic than the last. He’s taken to showering me with extravagant gifts, mostly flowers and jewelry that are always so lovely that I nearly tear up. I’ve essentially moved into his bedroom at this rate, given that I sleep there almost every night. We can’t keep our hands off each other, and I’m not complaining about it.

My husband never fails to make me feel like I’m floating.

It’s probably too soon to say so, but I’m almost positive I’ve fallen completely in love with him. I have no frame of reference as far as being in love is concerned, but I don’t know if anything else can explain the way I feel about him. He makes me smile just by walking into the room, and he never fails to make me feel beautiful when I catch the way he looks at me. And I look at him the same way, at least I’m certain I must.

The song comes to an end, pulling me out of my thoughts and an easy smile paints my lips. Kissing the top of Bastian’s head, I pull him in for a side hug.

“That was beautiful, little love.”

“You could have done it better,” he replies with a shy lift of his shoulders.

“I’ve been playing piano for much longer,” I counter, shaking my head slowly. “And I was never as talented at your age. You’re going to out perform me in no time if you stick with it. You could be a professional by the time you’re a teenager if you wanted to be, you know? You’re a very gifted player, Bastian.”

He blinks up at me. “You think so?”

“Oh, I know so,” I correct, tapping his little nose. “Do you want to play something else now? Or would you like a break?”

He opens his mouth to reply when the door crashes open with a soft bang.

“Kat,” Leo shouts, rushing into the room on his small legs. “Kat, Kat, Kat! Guess what, guess what, guess what?” He’s panting as he runs up to me and his brother, bouncing on his heels as he comes to a stop in front of us.

“Where’s the fire?” I chuckle, looking down at his rosy cheeks and wide grin. “What’s up, little man? What’s the news?”

He takes a deep breath, preparing to blurt out his reply. “Daddy says my Rain-uhh comes to see us tomorrow! He say she can watch my bruther and me if you go on date wif him. You have to say yes. Say yes, puh-lease. Rain-uhh bring my baby Vaughn if you say yes.”

Normally when a man sends someone to ask you out on his behalf, it’s either awkward and or creepy. Leon just made it fucking adorable.

“I think that would be lovely,” I tell him, patting his head and brushing my fingers through his hair to try and calm him down. “I would love for your Aunt Rayna to come watch you while Daddy and I go on a date.”

Gino has been coming over with his wife and kids the past couple of times Leon and I went out, and the boys were excited to see them. But when they get visits from Leon’s siblings, their enthusiasm is unmatched.

“Yay,” he screeches, shooting a fist up in victory. “I have to go tell Daddy. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mommy! I love you!”