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“Ah, but if you found her first and convinced her to marry you instead, the alliance between the Russians and the Albanians would be dead in the water. And as your wife, no one would dare to touch the girl.”
I suck in a breath as I look from Nico to Matteo. I hadn’t considered this possibility, mostly because I never imagined Matteo would agree to it. But the smirk playing at his mouth suggests not only did he know what Nico was going to suggest and agrees with it, but also knows exactly where Katya is.
“What do you think, Luca?” my boss asks.
“You know I’d do anything for thefamiglia,” I respond, not yet ready to admit to the truth.
The idea of marrying Katya sends a bolt of want through my chest. Is it really possible that the thing I want most could also be what stops this war? What Nico says makes sense. If Katya is already married, then Anton cannot use her to form an alliance with the Russians. And he would never settle for anything less than thepakhan’sdaughter as an acceptable bride. Viktor would have nothing else to offer him, and their arrangement would fall apart. Without the support of the Albanians, Viktor is no match for the Rossi family.
“Well then,” Matteo says with a clap of his hands, “it’s settled.” He stands and walks to his desk and picks up a piece of paper, then he walks over toward the door, stopping to whisper in my ear as he passes me. “I’ll give you until this evening to take care of this.”
He presses the paper into my hand, then reaches up and places a hand on my shoulder, squeezing with a force that makes me fight back a wince. Matteo may be getting on in years, but he is still as strong as a bull. “Andcaro mio, this will be the only time you ever lie to me.” The threat is clear in his voice.
“Si, Don Rossi,” I respond, eyes downcast. He leaves the room without another word.
Nico stands and follows him out, clapping my shoulder good-naturedly and shaking his head with a chuckle as he goes. “I suppose I better get to the kitchen if we’re to be celebrating a marriage soon,” he calls over his shoulder.
Alone in the room, my shoulders sink as the tension slowly leaves my body. My meeting with Matteo went better than I could have ever hoped, but I’m not so sure Katya will see it that way. I was a fool to think that I could ever hide something like this from him, and I know his love for me is the only reason I’mstill standing. With a sigh, I turn to leave, glancing at the paper Matteo gave me as I do.
My lips tip up in a grin, and I chuckle in disbelief when I see it’s a marriage license, already signed by a witness and notarized. All that’s missing are mine and Katya’s signatures. That old bastard. He really does know everything. It appears I still have a thing or two to learn from my boss.
Time to get home and convince my princess to trade one marriage alliance for another. I smile to myself as I think of all the deliciously dirty ways I can convince her.
Twenty minutes later, the elevator doors open to my home and out wafts a delicious smell that has my stomach growling. There is soft music playing, and I follow the sound and smell to my kitchen to find Katya leaning over something cooking in a pot, her hips moving in time with the music.
She looks perfect in my house, wearing my clothes as she stirs something in the pot. I don’t imagine I’ve used the kitchen to cook since I bought this place three years ago.
“Katya,” I call out. She jumps back, her cheeks flushing prettily when her eyes lock on mine.
“Luca, you’re home.” She beams, flashing me a smile that has me falling deeper for this woman. “You’re earlier than I thought. I’m making chili, but it’s going to take at least half an hour before it’s finally done . . . Wait, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, princess,” I try to assure her.
“Then why are you looking at me like that?”
I approach Katya and press her back against the counter, careful not to let her get too close to the hot stove. She melts against me, and I can’t resist leaning in for a kiss. Then another.With immense effort, I pull back and look into her storm gray eyes.
“We need to talk. I have an important question to ask you,” I tell her.
Chapter Eight
Katya
Babushka, bless her soul, always told me that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.
She told me the story of how she used to make my grandfather his favorite dessert every time he visited the homeland. My grandfather had promised marriage to a pretty politician’s daughter, but once he grew addicted to my grandmother’s desserts, he immediately canceled his engagement with the politician’s daughter and married her instead.
I’m not sure of the validity of her story, but I was willing to trust her word when I made Luca chili. I figured if he was well-fed, then I would find a way to appeal to him to let me leave, if not to say goodbye to my family, then at least to play in my showcase performance for school.
I don’t hate it here with him. In fact, with Luca is the happiest I have ever been.
Having him pay attention to every word I say, watch me like the sun and moon hang over my head, and make love to me like it’s his one goal in life.
What more could I ask for?
The past two days have been nothing, but pure bliss, but . . . I’m restless. I have a life to get back to, one I want Lucato be a part of. My showcase performance is tomorrow morning, and Luca has forbidden me to attend.
I also want to see my parents, if only for closure on that relationship. I know too much has happened for me to ever return home. And I know my father will never accept Luca. But I want to knowwhy. I need to know. Why couldn’t he love me the way he loves my siblings? Why couldn’t he listen to me? Why would he promise me to a cruel man like Anton Berisha?
