Page 104 of Twisted Embrace

“Thank you for the protection.”

“Don’t thank me yet.” I ended the call and took a deep breath. The messy secrets buried inside every family always came into the light when least expected. I knew that far too well.

“They’re closing in,” Mattia said.

“That looks like Grigori himself,” Romano snickered, the night vision software capable of providing clear identities even in the dead of night.

“Would you like me to bring him to you?” Mattia asked, the grin on his face and nod of respect something I hadn’t anticipated.

I pulled out the switchblade selected for the evening. I would take some time with the illustrious leader, although I refused to keep my bride waiting but for so long. “That would be perfect. Romano. Would you do me the honor of letting Don Rizzo and Don Caldone know it’s time?”

For the first time since his arrival, his eyes sparkled. “I would be happy to, Don Lazarro.”

As I locked eyes with Mattia, I realized how much I was looking forward to the night’s festivities.

But not nearly as much as what the future had to offer.

A family. Even if there were no children, I would soon be an uncle and a husband.

For once in my life, I had something to be proud of.

CHAPTER 28

Four weeks later

Joy

In the weeks that had passed since Italy had been turned into a battleground, the relative quiet had become the norm. It was strange that a part of me missed the action, although I wouldn’t admit that to anyone, including the man I’d recently married, for fear I’d be called crazy.

I stood staring into the mirror, wondering if I’d finally crossed the bridge into complete insanity. I’d almost died four times, yet I was complaining about days filled swimming in a pool, lunching with Lucia, getting to know her sister Sophia, and adding my touches to a house Enzo had refused to allow me to see in person just yet. Yes, that had to make me looney tunes.

Maybe I was still coming down from the rush, almost as if my life had been one blockbuster action movie and fans were waiting with bated breath for a sequel. At least I could joke about the horrors I’d experienced and witnessed. Nope. I was just nuts.

Enzo had kept his promise, returning less than three days later. While he’d changed before his arrival, he’d forgotten to scrub his face. The caked blood was the only indication I’d gotten that he’d finished what he’d started out to do, killing the Moscow Pakhan. I’d heard the man’s son had survived, which meant there was a chance the new leader of the vicious gang, as I liked to think of them, would return some day with a vengeance.

For now, both the Petrov and Volkov syndicates had been decimated. I’d wanted to learn the gory details, but Enzo had refused. His reason? He didn’t want to drag me into hell.

I laughed and twisted back and forth. The dress I was wearing was similar to the one I’d had on at the bridal shop just before fleeing.

Only this one wasn’t stained with blood. And it was much shorter at my request.

While we’d been married two days before at an intimate ceremony attended by family only, today was a celebration of a union between powerful forces and the impending birth of a beautiful baby. Over two hundred people had been invited, Mattia’s house opened to family and friends.

Even he’d gotten into the spirit, enjoying the party-like atmosphere that had consumed the staff and every family member of the last few days. With D’Artagnan’s recovery going well, the baby kicking up a storm, everything on the horizon looked bright as the sun-kissed day fate had provided.

And Dar was none the wiser that part of the reason for the party was to introduce the baby boy to the world, if only in spirit.

I’d learned my true heritage, Grigori’s sister having a torrid affair with Igor Petrov, his penance accepting blame for a murder he didn’t commit. It had either been that or face death. While the KGB agent had refused to tell Enzo how my birth mother had died, we’d learned her name had been stricken from the Volkov family tree, which meant her own brother had killed her for the infraction.

I might never learn how Igor had managed to keep me a secret for so long, threatening the couple who’d raised me that if they told anyone about my existence, they’d be terminated. I’d been able to spend some time with both of them, learning that the terror they’d felt in being forced to take an unwanted child into their home had quickly turned into the love I’d felt while growing up.

They’d both known that one day the ugly secret would come to light, shattering my world into a million pieces. That’s why my father had tried to provide me with tools to protect myself. I loved them even more for what they must have gone through while raising me as their own.

And my sweet husband had sent a private jet to Florida, Mattia offering his home for them during the festivities. I felt grateful and happy. Thankfully, the premonitions had ceased, my nights filled with mind-blowing sex instead of utter terror. Although I knew one day they’d likely return. At least my husband knew to take me seriously. Images of his face poured into my mind and my nipples hardened. A part of me couldn’t wait until the party was over.

How terrible of me.

I touched my neck, feeling the loss of the locket even though my mother hadn’t sent it as a gift, the Volkovs doing so in order to keep track of my whereabouts. Still, it was a symbol of my past that I missed for some strange reason. However, new memories were already being created, the wedding photograph highlighting Enzo’s happy eyes and smiling face, a rare treat coming from a man who insisted he was pure evil.

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