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I nod, then cup the back of her neck, pulling her in for a soft kiss. I hope she can feel how much this means to me, how our souls are now tied together forever.
Looking away from Katya, I take a deep breath and let out the last of my pitiful tale. “My mother told me everything in life comes at a price. Her highest goal was wealth, and she willingly sacrificed her health and safety to attain it.”
“Butyoudidn’t have a choice!” Katya says with a surprising amount of anger. “Your mom had no right to sacrificeyoursafety for the sake of living the high life. How dare she?!”
I didn’t think it was possible to smile after talking about such personal, painful things, but seeing my woman all worked up and ready to defend me has a grin pulling at my lips.
“I told her the exact same thing before walking away for good,” I murmur. “My mother knows she can call me if and when she’s ready to start a new life, but I’m not holding my breath.”
Katya rests her forehead on mine, her hand coming up to cover my heart. “Thank you for sharing that with me,” she whispers. “So, how did you end up with the Di Salvos?”
Gathering her hand up in mine, I kiss her knuckles before setting it back down on my chest. “I had nothing and no one, but I knew there was one place an Italian down on his luck could find work. Down by the docks.”
She nods, knowing what I mean. That’s where hopefuls line up to be recruited. If they complete an assignment quickly and efficiently, they get another one. And another. Until they’re either proven too weak to stomach the life or promoted out of the rank of recruit.
“I got my first assignment when I was eighteen, promoted to soldier at twenty, and then made Capo at twenty-five when I was given my own territory to manage. Last year, I joined the top-ranking officials in the inner circle. I…” I trail off, not sure why I said all of that.
“You’ve worked so hard to get to where you are today,” Katya says softly. “And now…” she shrugs and looks away from me, but I’m not having any of that.
Cupping her chin, I gently turn her so she’s facing me again. “And now?”
“I’m ruining everything,” she chokes out, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I showed up and complicated your life, and now I’m ruining everything you’ve built. I’m sor–”
“Don’t you dare apologize,” I warn her, tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear. “You’re not ruining anything. You have no idea how much you mean to me.”
“But I’m the enemy. How can this possibly end well?”
“You’re not the enemy,” I growl, not liking those words coming out of her mouth. “I know things seem… unclear right now, but we’ll figure it out.”
“You’ll lose everything, Valentino.”
“The only way I could lose everything is if you walk away from me,” I murmur, locking my eyes on hers. “I love you, Katya. I love everything about you. I love how strong you are in the face of danger and how selfless you are, even when you’re hurting. I love your smile and laughter, the taste of your kisses, and your sinful curves. Princess, I’m afraid I can’t let you go. I won’t.”
“You… love me?” she asks, disbelief evident in her gaze. Katya sniffles, her brow furrowing as she studies me.
“More than you could ever know,” I promise.
A brilliant smile lights up her face, even with tears still falling down her cheeks. She’s sunshine and rain and everything my dormant heart needs to grow.
“I love you, too, for the record.”
“Say it again,” I grunt, clenching my jaw as I stare at her lips.
“I love you, Valentino. I can’t believe it’s true, but I just… you make me feel so safe and wanted for the first time in my life. I don’t think anyone has ever called me beautiful before. I didn’t believe you when you said it to me the first time.”
“Katya,” I rasp, hating that she’s had so little love and acknowledgment in her life. I vow to compliment her at least ten times a day until she starts to see herself through my eyes. And then I’ll just keep on reminding her of her worth every single day for the rest of our lives.
“But you’ve shown me with your actions, your words, your entire being how much you care for me. I want to be the same for you. I love you.”
I take her lips in a gentle kiss that turns heated quickly. Our tongues tangle, our breaths mingling as we pour out everything we can’t say. Right as I start to slide my hands up Katya’s shirt, my phone rings. I groan, breaking our kiss, while Katya continues to nibble my neck and chest.
“God, you feel so good,” I breathe, hissing when she claws down my chest.
My phone rings again, and I know I need to answer it. Dante has been checking in on me a lot more the last few days. I’m trying not to be paranoid, but I’m starting to think he suspects me of betraying the family.
A third ring finally breaks my lustful haze enough to lean back and help Katya off my lap.
“Sorry, I should really take this.”
