POV: KATHERINA
The wedding was beautiful, and I couldn’t imagine anything better than this.
Years ago, when Luca abducted me, I lost the hope of getting back this happiness and peace in my life, but now I don’t think I’ve felt this blessed before.
My students surprised me by singing a beautiful song, and the wedding cake was wonderful. The townsfolk we invited got along with our family and friends, and there was nothing but joy and happiness.
I watched Luca as he spoke to some of the elders of the town and received their blessings before going to Benjamin.
I still find it surprising that this is the man I fell in love with. Luca always tells me that I’ve changed him and his friends, but I know I’ve done nothing like that.
A lot of us adapt ourselves to the way society works, and even without our knowledge, adaptability becomes our way of life, while we forget our true aim and the values we want to live by.
Sadly, not many of us recognize and come out of it, as Luca did. So, I haven’t changed him. I’ve only given him hope and a light push on the back.
“You’re happy,” came Cruz’s voice from behind me.
“Why shouldn’t I be?” I asked, not taking my eyes off my husband. “It’s my wedding, after all.”
Cruz came forward with a glass of champagne in his hand and stared at me while I sat comfortably in my chair.
“Rick says you give him a hard time controlling you,” I stated, making him smirk evilly at me.
“I’m dead to the world―”
“Not to the Mafia world,” I interjected.
“Right. And come on, it’s fun.” He shrugged, but I knew he was angry and wanted revenge.
“Are you jealous that Rick replaced Luca and you didn’t?” I smirked this time, but he just gave me a perplexed look.
“Why would I be jealous of my own best friend? Also, the boss decides who must take over, not us. We already knew that Rick was next in line because why not?
“Rick, Leo, and Luca were the biggest catch for our boss, without whom the Italian Mafia wouldn’t have become the deadliest, and they wouldn’t have got me,” he smirked.
“Rick is perfect, Katherina. I’m not fit for that position, trust me.” He threw a wink my way.
I smiled at him and looked back at Luca.
“You both are settled then?” he asked.
“We wouldn’t have gotten married if we didn’t want to settle down,” I mocked.
“In spite of knowing that it’s not over?”
I looked at him confused, and he continued.
“Luca did want this life. A peaceful one with a wife in his arms and children of his own, and you’re so dutiful to give him all of that.
“But you should remember that Luca may have left the Underground, but the Underground hasn’t left him.”
“Will Accardi give him trouble?” I asked calmly, but inside I was a rising volcano.
Cruz shook his head. “Our boss will do nothing.’
“Then will his own friends give him trouble?” I gritted my teeth, glaring at Cruz.
“Of course not. We are not just friends; we are family, and family doesn’t hurt each other. We take care of each other,” he affirmed. “You should be worried about his past, Katherina.”
“Karen is alone, and she can’t enter England without Benjamin’s knowledge, and even if she did, Luca could handle her without any effort,” I said, determined.
“Exactly. She’s alone and defeating her is damn easy. A hyena never challenges a lion alone, Katherina. It always comes with its clan and then kills the lion.”
***
POV: LUCA
“And what about the cake order?” I asked one of my staff, Jackson.
“It’s done, boss. Brandon has taken it to deliver,” he replied.
“I think you may leave now. It’s almost nine, and there are only a few customers left.”
“Yeah, sure, boss. Uh…I think I asked ―”
I cut him off. “You will have an increase in your wages as of next month.”
“Thank you very much, boss. Good night!” he smiled and left the bakery.
I finished checking today’s collection before heading toward the flower shop.
“Jessica?” I called the assistant, appointed by Katherina.
“One sec, boss,” I heard her voice coming from the storeroom, probably putting everything away as it’s closing time. I went through the day’s orders till Jesicca appeared.
“I need to count the cash and leave now,” she said in a heavy voice before settling beside me.
“John left?” I asked about another person who works here.
“Yes, he had to take his mother to the hospital, so I let him leave.”
“How’s your daughter?” I asked. It’s a hard topic to talk about, but I need to know.
She gave me a sad smile.
“The doctor said her chances are slight, and they can’t guarantee that the operation will be successful.”
Her ten-year-old daughter was diagnosed with leukemia, and she’s doing everything she can to save her only daughter.
Her husband died in the army, and she’s living for the sake of her child. I raised her salary, but the cash was not enough.
I didn’t reply. Instead, I walked out of the store.
When the customers were finally gone, I closed the stores and walked home, where my wife was waiting for me.
It’s been a month since we got married, and each and every day has been beautiful with her.
We went on our honeymoon to one of the islands owned by my boss. My boss couldn’t come to our wedding, and as an apology, he asked us to spend our time on the island, and he took care of everything.
I know the island very well and also what we do there.
I didn’t want to scare Katherina and ruin our honeymoon by saying that we do business on that island, so I kept her away from the secluded areas while she enjoyed the landscape and the resort.
After two weeks of our memorable times on the island, we turned last Monday.
I opened the door to our house and entered to be greeted by the delicious aroma of food.
“Honey, I’m home,” I said and changed the channel where the cripple was playing tonight before heading up the stairs to freshen up and change my clothes.
When I came back down, the dinner was set in the living room, and the channel was back to sports.
“I can’t miss watching this game. Chris was too determined that they’re going to win,” she replied as I took a seat next to her.
I’m not a fan of American football. I have always loved soccer, and that’s what I watch every time.
She served my plate and snuggled closer to me, watching the game, and I rolled my eyes when Christopher came on the screen.
I never liked him from the beginning and never regretted breaking his legs.
It was never my intention to put him in a wheelchair for a lifetime, but I knew how hard I had to hit him to deliver a message to his mother and the late Bill.
My phone started to ring, and when I saw the caller ID, I immediately answered.
“Too late to call now?” came Rick’s voice.
“No. I was having dinner, watching the dickhead’s match,” I replied nonchalantly, earning a slap from Katherina on my arm.
I heard him chuckle on the other side. “You know, it’s funny that you’re so adjustable. She’s wrapped you in her little finger.”
“Totally, and I’m not complaining about it, Rick” I smiled. “How are things in the Underground? Is everything all right?’
I heard him take a deep breath. When he spoke, his voice was deadly serious.
“Eight years ago, before the Bangkok attack, you, me, and Cruz went to Russia, you remember that?”
“Yeah, we had a deal with the Russians.”
“Yes, I also met Caroline.”
I stayed silent, waiting for him to continue.
“I got information about Karen. A clue, actually. Karen is working in the same bar as Caroline's.” His voice was tense, and I could already imagine what was running through his head.
“Nothing will happen to her. She doesn’t know anything about Karen,” I replied.
“What if Karen knew?”
“Impossible,” I snapped back.
“Luca ―”
I motioned Katherina to be quiet and got up from my seat and went out of the house to the porch.
“Listen to me, Rick, there is no way that Karen knows about Caroline, you understand me?”
“She’s a lawyer, Luca. She collected every fucking detail about you. I don’t think she wouldn’t have dug some up on me.”
“Just tell me the damn status, Rick.”
“Karen’s been in Russia for the past week, and she’s been visiting the hotel that belongs to the Russian Underground. I can’t help but suspect.”
“The Russians are on good terms with us, Rick. Why would they help her?”
“That’s exactly what I thought. We have a deal, and we are on good terms, but do you remember the party at Alberto’s?’”
“Si.”
“The men who attacked were the mayor’s, but they work for the Russians.”
I connected all the dots.
“Surely, Karen didn’t have only the cops’ support.”
I felt the urge to say that I’d be there in Rome by morning, but I just couldn’t.
“I know you can’t come. I don’t even want you to. I just thought you should know, man. And…and I’m worried, Luca. I left Caroline just so she could live.
“I can’t bear the thought of anyone hurting her.”
I felt the fear in his voice. The same fear he had years ago when he had Caroline in his arms.
“Did you tell the boss about this?” I asked.
“Yes. He asked the Russians about it, and they told him that they didn’t help anyone. He didn’t believe them and ordered us to finish Karen and everyone who’s helping her.”
“You need any help, don’t hesitate to ask. I’m here for you, man. Just be careful.”
“I will.”
With that, he cut the call.
I ran my hand over my face, feeling the throbbing pulse in my temple.
The Russians were on good terms with us. We supplied the girls they needed, and in return, they supplied us with drugs. I don’t understand what went wrong.
“Luca, is everything all right?” Katherina stepped out with a worried expression.
“Yeah,” I lied, giving her my best smile.
She kissed me softly before staring into my eyes, and I kept telling myself that I could never ever go back to the Underground.