Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Katya
Unlike my chaotic spa trip, the phone call with Leon goes smoothly.
He’s very good at communicating, at least it seems that way so far.
We were able to pick a date, go over our wants and needs, and settle in a time for me to move in all within a half an hour of talking.
It’s refreshing, having our plans laid out so easily.
Next week, we’ll say our vows at a hotel venue that’s in a space of neutral territory between our families.
We’ll celebrate with our friends and family, and give me more time to get to know him and his children.
A week to plan a wedding sounds like an impossible feat, but with money, all things are possible.
Leon assures me that all the logistics will be handled by his people, and I only need to worry about getting my dress.
Although, he offers to have that taken care of as well.
He gives me a number to send all of my preferences to, like flower colors, seating arrangements, and more.
Of course, any details that I don’t care about or have no notes on will be handled without bothering me, which is a huge weight lifted from my shoulders.
Despite our marriage being a legitimate one, we’ve made no plans for our wedding night.
The contract Leon had drawn up has no mention of consummation requirements or deadlines, and given his emphasis on the importance of his sons being my focus, I don’t imagine the topic will come up.
When mentioning the hotel arrangements for after the wedding, he referred to my room and his room separately, which is a bit of a relief.
He’s a very good-looking man, but I’m someone who needs to know a person before jumping into bed with them.
I don’t feel safe or comfortable otherwise, and it has nothing to do with them or anyone else and everything to do with me.
My brain is where my body takes its cues, and if I’m not completely trusting and relaxed around a man, I can’t do much more than kiss him.
At least, that’s what I’ve discovered in my little experience.
Any attempts at intimacy I’ve previously made have been a disaster when I’ve tried to rush.
Even my teenage hormone-riddled brain couldn’t handle following rogue desires and running into things too quickly.
I could want a man and still never go further than touching over the clothes unless I trusted him entirely.
And I don’t know that I’ve ever trusted someone completely.
Most of my experiences with pleasure come from myself alone, and part of me is excited to change that, even if it doesn’t happen right away. All the better, actually.
Feeling no pressure in that area of my marriage makes going into the wedding much less stressful than I once imagined it would be.
As a woman with mafia ties, mafia family no less, you grow up knowing that it’s possible you’ll be married off to a complete stranger one day, and I’m lucky that that hasn’t become my reality.
I had a choice in my match, and it seems to me that I’ve made a good one.
“A week,” my mother repeats, eyes remaining wide open. She looks even more surprised than she did yesterday afternoon when I came home with news about Chloe breaking into the spa and being escorted away by Ares.
We’re all sitting at the table for breakfast, the morning after my phone call with my future husband. I told her and her husband that I would be talking with Leon, and of course they expected a debrief to follow.
Giving my mother a reassuring smile, I nod in understanding. “I know it’s short notice, but he assures me that his family has done this before. Cassio, their consigliere, they planned his wedding to Ana Knight just as quickly, if not more so.”
“I…” She clears her throat, gathering her thoughts. “I don’t doubt their ability to do so, I just assumed we’d have a bit more time with you before you had to go.”
My heart softens and I reach across the dining table to take her hand. “We can see each other as often as we like, you know? Our families will be allied, and Leon hasn’t made any travel or visiting restrictions.”
“Right,” Mom confirms, seemingly shaking off some of her reluctance. “It’s just all very fast. A few weeks ago, you weren’t looking for future matches and now you’re going to be a wife and a stepmother in a matter of days. Aren’t you overwhelmed?”
“Honestly, Mama, I think you’re more overwhelmed than I am. I’m mostly concerned about finding a dress that can be altered and ready in time. Leon offered to help in that area too but I figured that with Linus’ connections—”
“It’ll be done,” he cuts in with a decisive tone. “You should start looking for what you want today and tomorrow, and I’ll make sure any fixes you need are taken care of quickly. We have plenty of people on our payroll to make it happen.”
“Thank you.” I smile, relieved by his confidence. “I know the wedding will be last minute and may interrupt some of your schedule, but you don’t have to stay long after it. I’m sure you and Dante can discuss the particulars that work for you both.”
Linus nods and gives a small hum. “I have nothing on my schedule that can’t be rearranged. We’re in peaceful times, Katya. I have no doubts that your wedding will be thrown together quickly but everything you want as well.”
“What about my dress, Daddy?” Gaia pipes up happily, finally finished with her syrupy waffles. “Will it be ready in time? I must look perfect.”
Mother and I share an assumed look, but Linus takes her question entirely seriously. “Of course, darling girl. You can pick whatever you like as long as Katya approves it. You’ll be her flower girl so you must represent her well, hmm?”
“Yes,” she agrees, bobbing her little head. “I will be the best flower girl and wear the prettiest dress and show Kat how to walk in her tall shoes.”
Our mom can’t smother her laugh, covering her mouth too late.
My eyes narrow at my little sister and I grimace. “I tripped in my heels one time, Gaia. I know how to walk in them. I wore my first pair before you were even born.”
“Of course,” she replies with a sympathetic look as sweet sarcasm rolls off her.
Patronization is not something a six-year-old should be able to master, and yet…
I scoff and she giggles.
“You’ll have to remember to mind your manners,” Mom points out softly, still smiling despite herself. “We’ll be meeting Katya’s new family and they may not understand your humor yet, little love.”
“You should be especially nice to Leo and Bastian,” I add in quickly, tone serious. “You don’t need to be their friend if you don’t wish to be, but they only recently lost their mother so playing tricks on them would not be appropriate, okay?”
Face morphing into an expression of seriousness, Gaia nods. “I won’t joke or tease them. We should find gifts for them though, shouldn’t we, Daddy? Since we’re going to be family now?”
My shoulders relax, and I hadn’t even noticed them going tense.
Gaia is a sweet girl, but she can be sarcastic and rude without meaning to.
She gets her sense of humor from Ares, I think.
And we all understand that she means no harm, but if she hurt Leo or Bastian’s feelings, that wouldn’t be good at all.
Linus nods at his daughter. “That’s a lovely idea, my girl.”
“Yes,” I agree with a relieved smile. “We can pick them out something together.”
My sister nods. “When we get our dresses, we can look.”
“And Mom?” I ask, turning my attention back to her. “Would you want to be my maid of honor and stand by my side?”
She sucks in a small breath, her hands shooting up to hold her heart. “O-of course I would, Katya. If you want me by your side, I would be honored to stand with you.”
I swallow down the sting of knowing that in another life, Chloe may have been my first choice for a maid of honor.
We’d always jokingly discussed it when we were younger, but now, it’s not an option.
Still, having my mother with me isn’t a consolation prize or anything.
I think I always would have asked her to be a bridesmaid or to fill another equally as important role.
Gaia gasps with happiness. “Mama, our dresses should match color!”
“Perhaps you can pick out matching ties in that color for Ares and your father,” I suggest lightly. “So everyone knows that we’re a family.”
“Oh. My. Gosh. YES.” Gaia immediately starts planning, chattering to our mother about possible options when I find Linus’ gaze.
“I’d like you to walk me down the aisle,” I tell him before I can lose my nerve. “You may not be my father by blood, but you’re the leader of our family, and I wouldn’t be here without you.”
The shock that comes over him can’t be hidden or quickly shaken off. His eyes widen and his lips part, surprise hitting him too fast to be concealed and smothered by cool, unfazed emotion.
“You want me to give you away?”
The soft disbelief in his voice makes my heart clench.
“If you want to,” I confirm, swallowing nervously. “I would have you escort me down the aisle, and Ares sitting in the front row waiting for Gaia to finish tossing flower petals. We would be united as a family, and it would make me happy to see that.”
My stepfather nods seriously. “I’d be happy to give you away, Katya. You’re a very important member of my family and I wouldn’t have anyone think otherwise.”
“Okay,” I reply, clearing a thick emotion from my throat with a small cough. “It’s settled then.”
“Can we go dress shopping now?” Gaia asks, the question coming out more like an enthusiastic demand. She leaves no room for being denied when she knows what she wants, and I can’t fault her for it.
I lift an eyebrow at her, trying to look stern rather than amused. “Maybe you can let me finish my breakfast and go get dressed to leave the house before you pull me into a full day of searching for gowns?”
She sighs, loud and drawn out. “I suppose if you must be difficult about it. I’m going to get ready, though. I’m going to wear my new shoes.”
The fact that she still gets excited about new shoes despite being spoiled with a new pair at least monthly by her father is almost endearing.
“Remember not to rush, love,” Mom tells her, smiling. “We want to savor this week for as long as we can.”
“Sure,” Gaia says with a shrug. “But I’m excited to meet Katya’s new extra family. Ares says there are three hundred of them!”
Her dad snorts and my eyes widen. “There are not three hundred of them,” I tell her with a huff. “They are a big family, but not that big.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it.” Lifting her chin, my little sister dismisses herself from the table and skips out of the room without another word.
“I don’t know where she gets that personality of hers,” Mom says with a chuckle.
“Ares,” Linus and I reply at the same time.
As if summoned—like a demon—the man himself swaggers into the room on cue.
“You rang?” he drawls, leaning against the doorframe, tossing a green apple between his hands casually.
“Where have you been?” his father asks with a dark tone. It’s amazing how quickly Linus can go from an adoring girl dad to a strict mafia father when it comes to Ares and his antics.
“Taking care of our little Contos problem,” my stepbrother replies, unbothered by being questioned.
“What?” I flinch, hoping I’ve heard him wrong. “You didn’t hurt Chloe, did you?”
Ares smirks, giving me a little wiggle of his fingers in greeting. “Good morning to you too, sis. No, I didn’t harm a hair on your ex BFF’s head. She’d be tickled pink to know you still care whether she lives or dies, though. Too bad I won’t be telling her that.”
Linus pinches between his eyes and grimaces. “What have you done, Son?”
“A little light kidnapping and imprisonment.” Ares shrugs. “Nothing for you to worry about. Her father is well aware of what I’ve done and he has no objections.”
I can’t believe my ears. “You’re keeping her captive somewhere?”
“She’s fine,” he huffs, rolling his eyes. “You shouldn’t bother asking about her, she hasn’t asked about your well-being even once. Even after I informed her about her drunken activities as she sobered up.”
“Ares—”
“Enough about Chloe,” he stops me before I can insist on more information. “You have your stuff to deal with, and I have mine. End of.”
Affronted, I frown. “Since when is Chloe yours to deal with?”
“Don’t ask questions you don’t want answers to.”
“What does that even—”
“KAT!” Gaia shouts from upstairs. “Come help me with my hair!”
“Duty calls,” Ares says, grinning.
Realizing he won’t be telling me anything more, I get up from the table and try to shake the topic from my brain. I have too many things to think about, and I know Linus won’t let Ares go too far. If Chloe’s father knows where she is, she isn’t truly in danger, even if she isn’t happy to be there.
“KAT!” Gaia yells again.
“I’m coming!”
Sheesh.
I hope Leon’s family is ready to meet the chaos that is mine.