Epilogue
Katerina
I stare at my reflection, hardly believing I’m getting married today.
So many nights I wished for this day.
So many days I believed I’d never see this dream come true.
The wedding isn’t extravagant.
No expensive dress.
No outlandishly decorated venue.
Just a small ceremony arranged before we leave for Chicago.
I run my hands down the pretty ivory dress, over my belly where our child grows. I have some nerves about it, as I imagine all mothers do.
But I know this time will be different.
This time I won’t be alone.
“You look pretty, Mommy.”
I turn to find Enzo standing in the doorway, and my heart nearly bursts.
He's dressed in a miniature suit, his dark hair slicked back, looking so much like his father.
"Come here, my little man." I hold out my arms and he runs into them. "Are you ready to carry the rings?"
He nods solemnly. "I practiced. I won't drop them, I promise."
I smooth his hair, remembering all those nights I'd watched him sleep, wondering if Luca would ever know his son.
It’s a miracle that we’re here together today, pursuing the dream that had been stolen from us.
"I know you won't." I kiss his forehead. "You're the best son any mother could ask for."
A soft knock at the door, and Valentina appears. Despite her own complicated future, she's smiling. "It's time."
I take Enzo's hand, feeling excited about walking into my future with the man I love and our son.
"Ready?" I ask Enzo.
He grins. "Ready."
Together, we step into our new lives.
The garden is transformed, white flowers everywhere, faces turned toward me, but I only see Luca standing at the end, his gray eyes locked on mine.
My heart thuds against my ribs as I register again the reality of this moment.
And of course, how handsome and sexy my betrothed is.
Alessandro stands beside his brother.
Valentina watches with a bittersweet smile, her own future sealed by different vows.
Adriano stands beside Valentina.
I can’t read his expression.
If I were to guess, I’d say sorrow.
How fortunate I am that Luca and I have survived this ugly world and found our way back to each other.
I don’t have blood family anymore, except Enzo. There’s a bittersweetness to that.
Of course, I can’t go unrepresented, so Maksim is here.
For him, attendance is necessary as this ceremony isn't just a wedding but an official transfer releasing me from my position as ambassador between the families.
Maksim remains subdued, his dark blue eyes darting nervously whenever Luca glances his way.
The man who terrorized me, who threatened my son, now looks like he can't wait to leave.
I wouldn’t say he was fearful, but he’s definitely on edge.
I avert my gaze, not wanting his presence to ruin this moment.
I reach Luca, and his fingers intertwine with mine. Solid. Real. Permanent.
My eyes lock with Luca's as we exchange vows. This is really happening. Dreams do come true.
“Here’s the rings,” Enzo holds up the pillow, and Luca and I slip the pretty gold rings, the symbols of our everlasting love, onto each other’s fingers.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the officiant declares.
As Luca pulls me into a kiss, Enzo presses against our legs, joining our embrace.
Over Luca's shoulder, I see Maksim’s eyes darken.
He doesn’t like feeling like he’s lost. But not even the Pakhan can dim the light of this moment.
I turn my attention back to Luca.
To my husband.
“You look radiant,” Luca says, his blue eyes twinkling at me.
“That’s happiness you see.”
The reception remains in the garden and is uneventful, if not tense at moments. Luca often tracks Maksim’s movements, often positioning us between the Pakhan and Valentina.
"He won't get near her today," I whisper, sliding my hand into Luca's.
"If he tries, I'll cut his hands off," Luca murmurs, his voice filled with murderous intent.
Across the terrace, Valentina keeps Cristian Bonetti close.
There's something in the way she looks at him, something familiar in how his eyes follow her when she moves.
It reminds me of Luca and me, years ago, before everything fell apart.
It breaks my heart because it can go nowhere. Even if she weren’t engaged to Maksim, Alessandro isn’t likely to approve of a marriage between her and a soldier.
Not when marriages can offer political and business advantages.
It makes me sad for her because she deserves what I have now, a marriage built on love.
"She'll be alright," I say, though I don’t entirely believe it. "Valentina's stronger than any of us."
Luca nods, but his vigilance never wavers.
Two hours later, the engine of the private plane hums as New York disappears below us.
Beside me, Enzo presses his face against the glass, his breath fogging the surface as he watches the city shrink.
"Look, Mommy! Everything's so small now!"
I smile, running my fingers through his hair. "That's because we're flying so high."
Luca sits across from us, watching our son with adoration.
The look on his face makes my heart swell.
Luca is even more of a father than I’d expected or hoped.
“Are you having fun?” he asks.
“Yes!” Enzo grins. “I love it.”
“Good, because we’ll be flying back and forth quite a bit."
I knew Luca was successful, but I’ll admit the luxury jet surprised me.
I assumed we’d fly First Class.
But then we arrived at his Chicago penthouse and I’m beginning to understand the size and magnitude of what Luca has built here.
The home has floor-to-ceiling windows framing Lake Michigan.
The rooms are so vast Enzo could ride his bike through them.
"This is all ours?" Enzo’s wide eyes take in everything.
"All ours," Luca confirms, his arm sliding around my waist. "Want to see your bedroom?”
“Yay!”
Luca guides down the hall. “Here you go, buddy.”
"This is MY room?" Enzo's voice rises to a pitch I've never heard before.
I peek past them and my heart nearly stops.
The space has walls painted in vibrant blues, shelves lined with more toys than Enzo has ever owned, and centered beneath the window, a bed shaped like a racecar, complete with working headlights.
He had to have called ahead to have this arranged.
I’m truly moved by his thoughtfulness even as I worry about spoiling Enzo.
"Yes. You like it?”
“I love it, Daddy. Thank you.” Enzo wraps his arms around Luca’s legs, hugging tightly. “Can I look at the toys?”
“Of course.”
Enzo rushes off, inspecting each item in his room, looking unsure where to start first.
"Thank you." I squeeze Luca’s hand as Enzo explores his kingdom.
“For what?”
For everything. All of it. “For not giving up on me. For all this.”
He smiles as he leans in and kisses me. “Don’t you know, Katerina? I’m nothing without you.”
I’m not sure I deserve it, but I’ll take it. I see now that I’ve not fully understood Luca’s life in Chicago.
I doubt his siblings do either.
It’s not just the private jet and penthouse.
It’s about how those around him act.
In New York, he’s the black sheep, the exiled son.
Here, he's king.
His men straighten when he enters a room.
Their eyes lower in deference.
They hang on every word.
And it’s not out of fear.
It’s ultimate respect and reverence.
Later that night, after tucking an exhausted but ecstatic Enzo into his new racecar bed, Luca leads me to the primary suite.
The room is stunning, sleek and masculine with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of Chicago's glittering skyline.
Everything about it screams Luca.
Powerful, unapologetic, breathtaking.
"What do you think?" he asks, his arms encircling me from behind as we gaze out at the city lights.
"It's beautiful." I lean back against his chest, careful not to put too much pressure on his still sore wound.
"Change anything you want," he murmurs against my ear, sending shivers down my spine. "The décor, the furniture, hell, even the penthouse if you don't like it. This is your home now too."
I turn in his arms, studying his face. "You'd let me redecorate your bachelor pad?"
His laugh is warm. "This was never a bachelor pad. Just a place I slept." His hands frame my face, thumbs brushing my cheekbones. "But I've been looking at houses. Something with a yard for Enzo to run in, for our new baby to grow up in."
"Houses?" After years of living in the cottage on Dante property, always aware I was there on borrowed privilege, the idea of a real home, our home, is overwhelming.
"I want to build something permanent with you, Katerina." His gray eyes hold mine and in them I see all the love I’ve ever wanted from him. "Not just a house. A life. Everything I've built here in Chicago means nothing without you and our children to share it with."
I swallow the lump in my throat.
“And so we’re clear, I’m talking about forever. You're stuck with me, Mrs. Dante. No take-backs."
I laugh, glad he’s able to see my past fears as something to poke fun at instead of worry about. "Promise?"
In response, he kisses me, deep and all-consuming, walking me backward until my legs hit the edge of the bed.
We fall together onto the mattress, his weight a delicious pressure above me.
This is real. This is happening.
The man I loved and lost and found again is promising me forever.
Our son is sleeping peacefully down the hall.
Our second child grows inside me.
The future is bright and certain in a way I never dared to believe.
As Luca's hands slide beneath my shirt, I realize this is what happily ever after feels like.
Not a fairytale ending, but a beginning.
Our beginning. Finally.