Page 47 of Fractured Empire

Safety is something that we’ll always take seriously. Having the family all in one location is a vulnerability as much as it is a strength. We could all be taken out in one fell swoop if there was a bomb or a perfectly targeted attack, but we’re a family, and having all of us together is one of my father’s favorite things.

For now though, it’s just me and the boys waiting in the lobby. Katya is going to be arriving soon, and proper introductions are due. Though I’ll only be meeting Katya’s mother and little sister for the first time, meeting Linus and Ares as their future in-law rather than the Underboss of The Outfit is sure to be…interesting. Thankfully, I have two precious children by my side who tend to steal the attention away from me.

Explaining that Daddy is getting married to those two precious children, on the other hand? That conversation had every bit of attention laser-focused on me.

“I see Kat,” Leo says in a gasp, fisting my dress slacks with his tiny fist, shaking it to get my attention. He tries to point with his other hand, but forgets he’s holding a de-thorned rose and almost drops the red flower in the process. Fumbling to keep it from hitting the ground, he catches it and lets out a breath in relief. “I got it.”

“Good recovery, bud,” I tell him, dipping my head proudly.

Looking back up, I catch sight of Katya heading in our direction. For a second, I freeze, just taking her in. She’s in a tight white blouse and a black skirt with dark tights and boots up to her knees. When we met before, her clothing was looser and more conservative, hiding what she had below. But this outfit…it fits her like a glove and she’s even tighter than I imagined.

Tighter?

Jesus Christ, I’ve spent too much time with Armani.

We’re with our families, for fuck’s sake.

Walking by my fiancée is her stepfather and stepbrother on one side, and who must be her mother and little sister on the other. Despite having a different father, the little girl next to her looks a lot like Katya. Long blonde hair, round eyes, and identical cheekbones. Features they seem to have inherited from their shared mother.

Adela Gabris, formerly Lukáčová, is a slim woman who doesn’t look old enough to have a twenty-three-year-old child. The former Slovakian mafia wife looks every bit of her new role. As Linus Gabris’ wife, she kept the mafia side of things, and shifted into the Greek Empire’s role for her too. She’s only ever spotted while wearing sleek, stylish clothing that’s conservative enough to make her appear gentle and caring—the embodiment of a mother. And even though she isn’t the heir’s mother, she’s treated with the respect that should be afforded to her station.

Leo’s excitement can’t wait even a moment longer when Katya and her family are within a few feet from us, finally within appropriate speaking distance. “Kat!” he bursts out, keeping his tone just below yelling. “I have a flower for you. Do you remember me? I’m Leo.”

My betrothed’s face morphs into something soft as she takes in his words. She looks touched, and there’s no hiding how cute she finds Leo’s little declarations to be as her lip pouts out.

“Hello, Leo,” she greets, coming closer to meet him as he reaches up and extends his gift to her. “I remember you and your brother very well. How could I forget such kind and funny boys so soon, hmm?”

He smiles, looking almost bashful as she gently accepts his flower.

“Thank you,” she tells him, smiling in return and putting the rose beneath her nose before inhaling. “I love it.”

Before anyone else can get a word in, Bastian steps forward, extending his own rose to Gaia Gabris. “Welcome to our family.”

The little girl looks surprised for only a moment, and then thrilled shortly after. She accepts the flower much more greedily than Katya, almost snatching it up. Not with any sort of malice or purposeful rudeness, but with excitement she can’t bear to contain.

“Look, Mama, I have a flower just like Kat.” She turns up to her mother, lifting the rose with pride as she shows it off.

“I see that,” Adela tells her, smothering down what seems to be amusement. “Now what do you say?”

Realizing she’s forgotten her manners, Gaia turns back to my son with a determined look. “Thank you, Bastian. I already know your name because Kat told me what you look like.”

Her older sister winces at her tone, but doesn’t deny giving her the information. Gaia reminds me a bit of Elio, saying whatever she likes without feeling ashamed or out of place. She has a mind of her own, that’s for certain, and I’m sure she’ll get along with Leo well because of it. Bastian won’t be scared away either—he’ll simply get used to her spunk the more time they spend together.

“We got you gifts too,” Gaia says, continuing to smile. “It’s candy but Katya says we have to give it to you later.”

“That’s very wise,” I speak up, seeing my future wife flush. “Candy after dinner is best.”

“There’s flowers for your mommy too,” Leo pipes up happily. “From my Rayna.”

“Where?” Gaia asks, her eyes lighting up.

“In your room,” Bastian answers softly. He may be quieter than Leo, but he’s older. And he speaks in full, almost perfect sentences. He always practices what he might need to say to make sure he never misses a word. He had the benefit of growing up with tutors in both of his languages, unlike Leo. “Father says it’s not appropriate for other men to give flowers to a married woman.”

I have to bite my tongue to keep from laughing at his paraphrasing. I definitely told him about giving flowers to married women, but I said married women in the mafia, specifically. Most men would see it as a sign of respect in the normal world if you gave his wife flowers when meeting her for the first time, especially if you’re joining families. But made men can be rash and unpredictable. It’s common for a woman in the family to extend a gift instead, in case the husband sees the action as offensive and does something to retaliate.

“I’m sure they’re lovely,” Adela says with a little smile. She looks down at Bastian and Leo, eyes going back and forth between the two boys before settling on Bastian. Her eyes linger on him for a beat longer before flashing up to mine. “You’ve raised two very gentlemanly boys.”

“They make it easy,” I assure her, brushing the compliment off. “It’s nice to officially meet you. Katya has spoken highly of her mother in our conversations.” I don’t reach for her hand, and she doesn’t offer it. Finally giving my attention over to the head of their family, I dip my head toward Linus. “We meet again.”