Chapter 28 Katerina
KATERINA
I’ve done a few crazy things in life, but this has to be the craziest.
What other choice do I have, though?
I've played the mediator for so long, caught between the Dantes and the Bratva, maintaining a delicate balance that kept everyone alive.
But the balance is broken and lives are at risk.
Now more than ever, I need to use what I know and my skills to forge peace.
If I fail, Luca dies.
I know he’s right now plotting his revenge, a scheme that will likely get him killed.
What I’m doing is so frightening to me that when I made the decision to follow through, I first had to get sick.
But I’m nothing if not determined.
So I washed my face and brushed my teeth and enacted my plan.
I left Enzo sleeping, asking one of the staff to keep her eye on him until Luca returned.
Then I made my way through back corridors out into the garden and to the back corner of the property.
With security enhanced, I wasn’t sure I’d make it there.
And when I reached the back fence, I worried the old gate would be guarded.
But that corner of the lot is so overgrown and the gate has been forgotten.
It’s how it had been seven years ago when Luca and I used to use it to sneak out.
I send a silent prayer that Enzo will understand someday, that Luca will forgive me.
My choice is clear—offer myself to the Bratva in exchange for peace. For my son's safety. For Luca's life.
It takes effort to push the rusted gate open.
I’m able to move it enough to slip through.
Once outside, I hurry away from the compound and then use my phone to call for a rideshare.
Once in the car, I feel some relief at escaping unnoticed, but now the real fear rises.
I have no illusion that Maksim won’t kill me if I can’t convince him to accept me in place of Luca.
My driver drops me on the street, a quarter of a mile from Maksim’s estate.
I don’t want to put this innocent woman in the crosshairs of this war.
I walk toward the gate, dread growing with each step.
Two men emerge from the shadows, faces I recognize from diplomatic meetings years ago.
They say nothing as they pat me down, removing my phone.
One of Maksim’s men exits the house and meets me to escort me inside and to my doom.
"Katerina." Maksim descends the stairs, arms outstretched. "Welcome home."
I force myself to accept his embrace.
Three kisses, Russian style.
"I was beginning to think you'd forgotten where you belong," he says, stepping back to examine me.
"I never forgot," I reply, willing my voice to stay steady. "I just needed time to see clearly."
His smile is predatory. "And what do you see now?"
My heart is beating a million miles a minute. But for Enzo, for Luca, I will do what I need to do.
“That you’re willing to kill a child… a Bratva child—”
“Tsk-tsk.” He shakes a finger at me. “Don’t blame me for putting your child in danger. If you need to blame someone, blame Luca Dante.”
“When does this end?” I ask. “You killed Lorenzo. You’ve pushed the Dantes back on their heels.”
He crosses his arms and studies me. “I’m surprised you don’t want revenge for killing your brother.”
“My brother kidnapped my son.” I shake my head. “This back and forth revenge is only going to destroy everyone.”
“All I ask is for Luca Dante. I have no beef with anyone else.”
I straighten my spine, trying to look strong and determined. "I'm not here to help you kill Luca Dante. I'm here to offer myself in his place."
Maksim's eyes crinkle with amusement. "You? You’re already Bratva. And even if you weren’t, we have no use for you.”
It’s not easy to hear how little he regards the role he and Lorenzo Dante forced me into.
I’ve always known I’ve been underestimated as a woman, as a diplomat. I’m a glorified pawn.
“You know, if you hadn’t kidnapped Enzo, we wouldn’t be on the brink of war. Really, Maksim, what did you think would happen?"
Maksim's smile fades. "All you had to do was get the information your brother asked for. Pyotr was right. Your loyalty isn’t to your family anymore."
“My son is my family and you kidnapped him!”
Maksim's eyes narrow and I realize shouting at him isn’t wise.
I take a breath to calm myself. "You abducted an innocent child to manipulate me. You speak of loyalty and family while using children as pawns."
“The child was never in danger.”
I shake my head.
“The Bratva used to have honor. We protected our own, yes, but we didn't target children." I've crossed a line, but I can't back down now. "Luca did what any father would do. What any man of true honor would do."
Maksim towers over me. "You dare speak to me of honor while defending the man who butchered your own brother?"
"My brother died the moment he threatened his own nephew." I meet his gaze unflinchingly. "Pyotr betrayed his blood family for power. Tell me, Pakhan, which man truly understood what family means?"
His hand strikes my face with such force, my head snaps sideways. I taste blood but remain standing, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me fall.
"You've become more Dante than Petrov," he spits. "A shame your father isn't alive to see what his daughter has become."
"My father would be ashamed of what the Bratva has become under your leadership." I touch my split lip as I wait for another blow.
A tug-of-war plays out on Maksim’s face—strike me or change tactics.
He takes a breath and steps back, his face softening.
"Pyotr was spending time with his nephew.
I happened to call him to take care of something.
There was nothing dangerous or nefarious.
You should know that. The boy should know his Russian heritage, something you've clearly denied him. "
The audacity steals my breath.
I've witnessed Maksim rewrite history before, transforming brutal acts into necessary evils, but this manipulation of my son's trauma won’t stand.
"Don't you dare try to gaslight me. I deserve better than that." I step closer, ignoring the warning look from Maksim. "Even in our world, there must be lines we don't cross. Children should be protected.”
A muscle twitches in Maksim's jaw. "You forget yourself, Katerina.
You stand in my house, surrounded by my men, yet you speak to me with such disrespect.
" He circles me slowly, like a predator assessing its prey.
"You betrayed your blood family for a Dante.
You helped that murderer escape justice. These are not small transgressions."
His hand closes around my throat, not squeezing but present. "The traditional punishment for traitors is not pleasant. Should I demonstrate what happens to those who betray the Bratva? Perhaps on you? Or would you prefer I save that lesson for your son?"
Ice floods my veins at the mention of Enzo. I meet his gaze steadily, even as his fingers tighten slightly.
"Do what you must to me, but surely, you know that if you harm my son, there won't be a corner of this earth where you can hide from Luca Dante's vengeance. And if he falls, his family will continue what he started."
He laughs. “We all know the Dantes wouldn’t piss on Luca if he were on fire. He’s the exiled son. The disgrace.”
“Then why haven’t they handed him over? Using your logic, they’d be happy to pay the debt you feel they owe, and yet they haven’t.
And you know why? Because they know you betrayed the alliance.
They know you used one of their flesh and blood children.
They’re the Mafia, Maksim. Surely, you understand the code they live by. ”
Maksim's fingers release my throat only to grip my chin, forcing me to look into his eyes. The coldness there makes my blood freeze.
“And they should know my code.”
“Take me instead.”
"Your offer is denied. Do you truly believe I would accept your life in place of his? That your sacrifice would satisfy the debt?" His fingers tighten, and I realize my effort has failed. He’ll kill me and likely send my dead body back to the Dantes.
He pushes me back, his face morphing into consideration. “However, you may not be completely useless. I’ll keep you here as bait.”
My stomach drops. "Luca won't come for me."
"Oh, but he will." Maksim's smile grows predatory. "The moment he discovers you're missing, he'll tear this city apart looking for you. And when he comes for you, he'll walk straight into our trap."
He makes a sharp whistle and two men appear. “Take her downstairs.”
Two men seize my arms from behind.
I struggle, but their hold only tightens.
"Make her comfortable. She needs to stay presentable for when her lover arrives."
As they begin dragging me toward a heavy wooden door, panic surges through me. "You're making a mistake! The Dantes will—"
"The Dantes will do nothing!" Maksim roars, his composure cracking. "Not for a Russian whore who betrayed her own blood!"
“Underestimate them at—”
His laugh interrupts me. “Oh, I’m going to enjoy this. When this is over, after I've put a bullet through Luca Dante's skull while you watch, I'll make sure your precious Enzo understands what happens to children with mixed blood."
Terror shoots through me. "You wouldn’t—"
“I would," he cuts me off. "Your son will serve as an example. Perhaps we'll send him to the training camps in Siberia. Or maybe we'll just leave enough of him on Alessandro Dante's doorstep to send a message." He flicks his wrist in a dismissing gesture.
His men drag me down a narrow staircase.
The basement air is dank and cold, smelling of mildew and something that is probably death.
They shove me into a small room with concrete walls and a single chair bolted to the floor.
A camera blinks red in the corner.
They shove me in and slam the door shut, leaving me alone with the reality that I haven't saved anyone.
I've only ensured our destruction.