Chapter 16 Katerina
KATERINA
“Watch yourself, Luca.”
This isn’t going well.
Just moments ago, I'd been lying in Luca's arms, imagining mornings like this could be a part of our future.
A fresh start.
But as happens, reality breaks in. How quickly dreams can shatter.
"You slaughtered at least six of their men," Alessandro says. "Including Pyotr Petrov, Katerina’s brother. Does she know that?"
The reminder sends a whirlwind of anger mixed with guilt. Why would Pyotr have betrayed me so cruelly?
“Yes she does. Let me ask you, Don Dante.” Luca says Alessandro’s name with a sneer. “Did they tell you why they kidnapped my son?”
Alessandro’s brow furrows as he glances at me. “What?”
I nod.
"Look at me," Luca demands. "Would you have done any differently if it were your child? Or is your heart so dead you wouldn’t give a fuck?"
Alessandro’s jaw tightens.
"What does this mean?" I ask, more worried over what might happen to Enzo than to either of them.
Alessandro surely isn’t okay with their kidnapping my son.
“That depends."
"On what?" Luca demands.
"On whether they believe saving one child is worth risking them all." Alessandro looks between us.
For a moment, I think Luca might try to strangle Alessandro with his bare hands. “Did you really just suggest a child’s life is worth less than those motherfucking Bratva who’ve been plotting to bring you down? You’re a disgrace as a Don—”
“Luca.” I try to intervene. I don’t need Luca making things worse for Enzo. Looking at Alessandro, willing him to understand, I explain, “Pyotr took Enzo… was using him to get me to betray you.”
Alessandro slowly turns his attention to me. “What do you mean?”
“Oh, now you want our side of the story.”
“Luca, you’re not helping.” I glare at him. Antagonizing his brother isn’t the answer.
Luca lets out a small growl. "Pyotr kidnapped Enzo and I went to retrieve him. That fucker held a gun to my son's head. None of them would be dead if they’d just left my son alone.”
Alessandro shakes his head. "And that justified killing all those men?"
"I'd kill a hundred more." Luca steps forward, his shoulders squared.
"You want to hand me over to the Bratva?
Fine. But understand what message that sends.
Anyone can take a Dante child and we'll apologize for getting him back.
" Luca gives Alessandro a disgusted look. “And it tells them you’re their pussy bitch. Face it, you might as well hand over everything to them now.”
This time it’s Alessandro with murder in his eyes. "Don't lecture me on family or business, Luca. Where’ve you been over the last years as we’ve had to deal with—”
"Where I was ordered to go," Luca growls, taking another step closer.
I want to reach for him, pull him back, but I'm frozen in place as these two titans clash.
"And now you're back, playing hero, making decisions that affect us all without a second thought." Alessandro's voice rises. "Did you consider that your actions might put every person in this house at risk? That your son might lose both his parents instead of just one uncle?"
Luca's fists clench at his sides. "Why would I give a shit about the people in this house? I’m certainly not going to put any of them above the safety of my son.”
"Alessandro." I step forward, placing myself between the brothers. "It’s terrifying to have a child in danger. You don’t think straight, but—"
Alessandro's gaze cuts to me, cold and dismissive. "With all due respect, Katerina, this is a family matter."
"A family matter?" My voice doesn't quaver. "My son was kidnapped. My brother is dead. I think I've earned the right to speak.”
“If what you and Luca are saying is true, your brother was working against mine. Consider yourself lucky we don't hold you accountable for his actions."
Luca stiffens, his energy shifting to predatory. "Don't speak to her like that." Luca's voice is deadly quiet. "Ever."
Alessandro ignores him, addressing me directly. "Your position here was always precarious. Now it's untenable. The Bratva will view you as a traitor, and we—"
"We what?" Luca closes the distance to his brother. "You’re a mother killer now, Alessandro? You’re going to sacrifice a child, a child who has Dante blood running through his veins?”
The tension between them crackles like live wire. I can see Alessandro's restraint fraying at the edges.
“This discussion is over," Alessandro announces, straightening his already-perfect tie. "The family is convening. You will be present, Luca. And you will accept whatever decision is made."
Luca's laugh is harsh. "You forget I’m not a part of the family."
"Family meeting. Be there, or consider yourself excommunicated from this family. Again."
Luca laughs. “Oh… so scary.”
"You've never understood Father's decision. It wasn't just about breaking rules, Luca. It was about keeping you alive."
"Save the revisionist history," Luca snaps. "He’d have killed me as easily as you want to do now. It would be a relief."
I step forward, trying to defuse the situation. "If we could focus on the current threat—"
"The current threat," Alessandro cuts me off, "is standing right beside you, Katerina. You should have come to me, not to him."
My cheeks burn with indignation. "Luca is Enzo’s father—”
“And I’m the Don. What’s going to happen when he goes back to Chicago?”
I flinch at the reminder that Luca is going to leave me again.
Luca steps forward, positioning himself slightly in front of me. "You've said enough."
I can feel Luca's restraint slipping.
"Alessandro," I say quietly, placing my hand on Luca's arm, "we want the same thing. Safety for this family."
"Do we?" Alessandro's gaze shifts between us. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're both willing to risk everyone under this roof for your own happy ending."
Luca lunges forward, and I dig my fingers into his arm to stop him.
Alessandro sneers. "Get dressed. Both of you. The family needs to hear exactly what happened and why."
"Mommy?”
I whip my head around to see Enzo, his dark hair tousled from sleep, eyes wide with uncertainty, looking at us from the hallway.
My heart drops. Enzo shouldn't be witnessing this.
"Enzo, baby," I say, immediately dropping to my knees as he runs to me.
My arms wrap around him instinctively, shielding him from the lingering hostility. "What are you doing up so early?"
His small body trembles against mine. "I had a bad dream."
A nightmare. Of course.
After what he witnessed yesterday, his uncle's death, the violence, how could he not have nightmares?
I pull back enough to look into his face. "Everything's okay now.” I brush his hair from his forehead. "You're safe."
He glances past me, taking in the two men whose argument he interrupted. "Don Alessandro looks mad."
I hear Alessandro sigh behind me, his tone softening for the first time. "I'm not mad at you, Enzo."
"Are you mad at my daddy?" Enzo asks.
Alessandro’s head jerks back and he glances at Luca as if it’s the first time he realizes Enzo is Luca’s son.
Luca moves to me and Enzo. "Sometimes, family disagrees," Luca says gently.
I feel the weight of the world pressing down on me. The family meeting could end with Luca being handed over to the Bratva or his exile again, this time for good.
“Let’s get you dressed,” I say, escorting Enzo back to his room and away from the conflict.
I cradle Enzo in my lap as we sit on his bed, needing to feel his warm, alive body.
"I don't want to go to school today," Enzo whispers, clutching me, his eyes filled with fear.
"You don't have to, sweetheart." I brush my fingers through his dark hair, my heart breaking for him.
No child should have to experience what he did yesterday. "You can stay home with me."
Relief washes over his face. "Promise you won't leave?"
"I promise." I pull him closer. “I'll be right here all day."
"What about Daddy?" Enzo asks, his voice small. "Will he stay too?"
I hesitate. He has to go to the meeting, and after that… I may never see him again. “Your dad has important things to take care of first, but I know he wants to be with you."
Enzo nods solemnly. "To keep us safe?"
"Yes. To keep us safe."
We sit in comfortable silence for long moments.
"Can we build a fort?" Enzo asks suddenly.
I smile, grateful for his resilience. "The biggest fort ever."
A soft knock at the door draws our attention. Luca stands in the doorway, his expression not as menacing as it was against his brother.
"How are you doing, buddy?" he asks, crossing to sit on the edge of the bed.
Enzo gives a half-hearted shrug. "Better now. I don’t have to go to school."
Luca smiles, reaching out to ruffle Enzo's hair. “Enjoy the day off. You deserve it.” He glanced up at me. “I need to go meet with the family.”
"I should be at that meeting," I say. “It’s part of my job—”
“Right now, your job is to be with Enzo." His eyes meet mine, steady and sure. "I'll handle Alessandro and the others."
I nod because I agree. “What if they decide to—”
"Whatever they decide, I'll come back and let you know. I promise."
"I'll hold you to that," I say, doubt creeping in again. He left once before without a word. It’s possible he’ll be forced out and not have a chance to say goodbye.
He leans forward, pressing his lips to my forehead. "Nothing could keep me away."
I give him a nod. With a final rueful smile, he leaves Enzo’s room.
I don't know what the future holds, but it doesn’t feel hopeful.
Not like it did when I woke up in Luca's arms this morning.
For the second time in my life, I fear my world is about to shatter.