Page 38 of Fractured Empire

“Thank you,” I breathe out, relieved. “I’m…she really hurt my feelings, but even if she never apologizes or regrets her words, I wouldn’t want her to be punished for them. We’ve been friends for so long, and I’ll always care about her.”

“I know,” Linus acknowledges. “Just remember that her response had more to do with her than it had to do with you.”

He sounds so sure of his assessment, and I suppose I should believe him.

“Now, shall we go over the proposed contract? Dante contacted me himself as soon as you left, and Leon sent over the paperwork not too long ago. From what I’ve gone over so far, they’ve offered very good conditions. They must really like you.”

I can’t help but smile, thankful to hear it. “They were all very kind. I think I’m going to like being a part of their family.”

“As someone who took you into his family once upon a time, I can tell you that they’ll be just as fond of having you as I have been. You’re a good girl, Katya.”

His sincerity washes over me and I swallow down the emotion that comes along with it. “Thank you, Linus. I wouldn’t have been able to consider this arrangement if I didn’t feel so comfortable leaving my mother and Gaia with you.”

We share a comforting look and then delve into the documents.

With each page that I read, I feel more and more secure in my decision.

Not just reassured in my choice, though.

I’m excited for what’s to come…and even a little flattered.

Chapter Seventeen

Leon

Part of me expects Linus to reach out to me personally after Katya leaves, to hear his dark voice threatening me over the phone or grilling me about my intentions with his stepdaughter. But the phone call never comes.

He communicates with my father about our match, and accepts the contract from me via email without any further need to speak with me himself. I know that our families have a long-standing history of cooperation, with no bad blood ever brewing between us, but I know if I had a daughter, I would need to speak to the man who thinks he can marry her before giving my blessing. And maybe that’s just it.

Katya isn’t his daughter, not by blood, and not in practice. He’s a parental figure for her, yes. After losing her biological father young, Linus came into her life and fell madly in love with her mother. But the disconnect is there, and I don’t know if Katya would appreciate him acting on behalf of her father who isn’t here to size me up himself. Or hell, maybe Linus wouldn’t even mind overstepping if he felt like he needed to. He might simply just trust my father enough to feel safe handing his stepdaughter over to us.

It isn’t like she won’t be able to see her family again as it is. This won’t be a marriage that changes her allegiance, really. There’s no war going on and she’s not a peace treaty match. She’s a woman who’s marrying into a new mafia, but not being stolen away from her past life. Her mother and sister will be free to visit here whenever she likes, and if it’s feasible, I can take her back down to see them in return too.

It’s odd thinking about having a wife who actually wants to see her family. Bastian and Leo will have another set of grandparents, if this all goes well. They’ve never really had a grandmother, and I think they would like that. They love their papa so much, and love being spoiled by the people in their lives. I didn’t even consider what being remarried would mean for the boys’ extended family at first, only what it meant for them to have two parents at home. Having a grandma and grandpa…having a little cousin in Katya’s sister Gaia, it should be good for them.

The Morettis have always been a large family, and we’ve never shied away from adding to our numbers.

The morning after I’ve sent my provisional contract over to the Gabris family, I’m getting breakfast ready for the boys. Rayna is helping them pick out their clothes for the day while Apollo feeds Vaughn a bottle and I finish plating up eggs and toast. I’m rinsing off a bowl of fresh berries for the side when my phone buzzes in my pocket with an incoming message. I look around to make sure my sons aren’t running into the kitchen yet and pull it out.

To my surprise, it’s a new contact that pops up. One that’s just been entered into my device less than twenty-four hours ago, and hasn’t even been given a picture yet.

Katya

My little sister is demanding that I tell you she wants to be a flower girl. I’ve told her about a thousand times that we haven’t started wedding planning yet, but she wants to make her wishes known.

Katya

Also, good morning :)

I chuckle at her delayed greeting, shaking my head as I imagine a little girl forcing her to text me. A little pang hits me in the chest when I think about how that could have been me and Jade, if I got to see her grow up. Missing out on so much of my sister’s life is not something I think I’ll ever fully get over, but I try not to dwell on it too often. There’s nothing I can do to change the fact that she was kept from us, as sad as it is.

Drafting a quick response, I text her in return.

Leon

You’re welcome to have whoever you want as a flower girl. We can talk wedding details later on today if you’d like though? If everything is okay with the contract?

Thinking that I can hear little feet coming down the stairs, I add in another message.