Page 56 of Fractured Empire

“Oh my God,” I exhale, standing up straight. “A puppy, Leon. Where did that come from?”

My new husband sighs and rubs the back of his neck as if it’s aching. “I honestly don’t know. I’ve been waiting for him to demand a kitten since he likes Rayna and Apollo’s cats so much. Ana has a dog, but they never saw Sirius as a puppy and he’s a trained security dog. I have a feeling Leo is looking more for a cute fluffy puppy buddy than a trained guard dog.”

“I’ve never had a dog,” I confess, hoping I don’t sound as worried as I might be. “Have you?”

“Not since I was a kid, and not a family pet. More like a working dog that could kill a grown man in ten seconds flat.”

“I think I’d prefer the fluffy puppy buddy option,” I reply awkwardly.

Leon chuckles and then hums. “Around my two young kids? I’d have to agree.”

First an engagement, then a wedding, and now a puppy?

I might be out of my depth here soon.

I guess it’s a good thing I know how to swim.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Katya

Meeting the rest of Leon’s family the night of my wedding was a blur of new faces, friendly welcomes, and overwhelming to say the least. I had so many new names to remember that as soon as I got back to Florida from the hotel, all I could concern myself with was packing and studying the various Moretti family members’ social media accounts. Some of them were more easily recognizable than others. The infamous ones who have made their names and faces known in our society over the course of their whole lives.

But there were others who were seen less, and others who were simply newer. No one could mistake Jade Moretti for anyone other than herself, despite only being introduced into our world a few years ago. She’s the spitting image of her father, with the Moretti signature eyes and dark hair. She was all the mafia world could talk about when she turned up at Empire Academy years ago, and even more so when she married the Morozov Bratva heir and immediately gave him two children.

She was the most bubbly member of the family that I met for certain. She made sure to get my phone number and has already texted me more than a few times. Rayna, Apollo’s wife, has been communicating with me too, just more casually and less often than Jade. Since Rayna will be there when I move in, I don’t think she’s felt the need to overshare any information that she can simply tell me in person.

Information that she could tell me at any minute now, actually.

The guards at Leon’s gate let me in without trouble, calling me Mrs. Moretti and looking at me with a sort of built-in respect. Leon had previously tried to insist on picking me up from the private airstrip that my plane flew into, but I wanted to keep him at home with the children so the process could be as seamless as possible.

So rather than picking me up himself, he left me a luxury SUV and an envoy of men to follow behind me as I drove to his—now our—home. The car was big enough to fit my four suitcases that mostly contain clothes and a few trinkets, my laptop, and my essentials. Anything else that I wanted to move has been shipped separately and will either be here tomorrow or is already waiting inside for me.

Leaving my things behind in the new car, I walk up to the front door and take a deep breath before letting myself in with my key like Leon suggested in his most recent text. The key came with my car keys, ready and easily accessible on a little silver loop. He told me that both the SUV he left for me, and the house key would be mine from now on, and even suggested I could buy another vehicle if the one he picked wouldn’t suit my needs. I’m unsure how I could possibly need another car, but I thanked him for the gesture either way.

The house is just as homey and warm as I remembered it, but I don’t have more than a few seconds to take it all in before I’m being greeted.

“You really came!” Leo yells, excitement streaming out of him as he squeals and rushes over in a stumbling run. His sock-less feet are helpful in keeping him from falling on the shiny tile floors. Turning over his shoulder, he shouts, “Bastian, she here!”

In his effort to alert his brother, he looks away for too long and ends up crashing right into my legs. Thankfully his head avoids my knees, and he doesn’t hit my calves hard enough to hurt. Instead, he goes with the flow, wrapping his arms around the back of my leg to hug me in greeting as he giggles loudly.

“Oop,” I chuckle, catching him and patting his back softly. “You almost knocked me over, buddy. You’re bigger and stronger than you look, aren’t you?”

“Yep,” he agrees, his little lips popping the P. “I knew I would see you first—I been watching all day for you!”

“Oh, have you?” I ask, gasping. “I hope I haven’t kept you waiting for too long.”

“Nope, not too long.”

Good, I think to myself.

I opted for an early flight, planning to arrive before lunch so that the children would have plenty of time with me before bed, hoping to make the transition easier but not popping in right before they pass out for the night.

“I’ve been waiting to see you today too, you know? I missed you.”

Leo’s eyes blow wide and he somehow glues himself further against my legs. “Really? And Bastian too?”

“Yes, sweet boy,” I reply without hesitation. “I missed the both of you so much.”