I shifted and wrapped my arms around him. “I’m fine. This is the right thing to do. My mother would want this for our memory and to honor the love she shared with my father.”

  “I understand. Don’t worry about your safety. The entire block is surrounded. If he tries anything, he dies by my hands.”

  After pressing my hand on his chest, I gave him a look. “No murder inside this house. Not again. Plus, you made me a promise.”

  A quick glance at the walls in the room reminded me of the horror that had occurred inside the house. While forensics had removed the extra blood, there’d been no repainting, the carpets still stained. Something my… grandfather needed to see.

  “Then I’ll take him outside.” He was only half joking. He flicked his eyes toward the front window just as we both heard a blip on his phone. After glancing at it, he nodded. “He’s here.”

  I took a deep breath. “I’ll handle this.”

  “I’m sure you will. You have the pictures.”

  With a quick nod toward the table, I shored my shoulders. “Yes, I have everything I need since you’re here.” While it would appear Vissarian would keep his promise to me about Antonio, that didn’t mean the bastard didn’t deserve punishment for what he’d done.

  “Weren’t you the one who said flattery will get you nowhere?”

  “I know exactly how to get to you.” All the teasing in the world wasn’t going to make this any easier. It seemed time ticked away slowly. When there was a knock on the door, I smoothed my hands down the front of the power suit I’d insisted on purchasing. I needed to look the part of a badass who refused to take shit from anyone.

  Including from a man I considered a monster.

  Even before I walked to the door, Bella growled. I’d been right about her keen senses. She could tell a bad person from a mile away.

  I opened the door, uncertain what to expect. I’d refused to look at the internet, not wanting to learn anything about Giovanni prior to the meeting.

  He seemed as surprised as I was, taking a deep breath as I glared at him.

  The monstrous man looked like the pictures of my father I’d found, only older. The same jawline. The same hair only silver instead. He even had the same eyes.

  The realization was unnerving.

  “Fallon,” he said. The same voice.

  “Mr. Bruni.” I refused to call him a Don. I couldn’t care less about some bullshit respect owed to the man. He would never get that from me. “You’re allowed in. What I have to say won’t take very long.”

  “Understood.”

  I threw a look at the men he’d brought with him. “They aren’t welcome.”

  A smile curled on his upper lip. He nodded to the assholes who took a step back.

  “You remind me of your father,” he said as I closed the door behind him.

  “Yes, well, I also have part of my mother in me, a beautiful woman you had killed.” I knew what the supposed story was, but this was my way of attempting of getting to the truth.

  He said nothing as I walked him into the living room, but when I turned around, I could tell he was genuinely shocked at what I’d said.

  “I did not kill your mother.”

  “Of course. An aversion to getting your hands dirty. You ordered your thugs to do so.” I’d heard the story told to Vissarian. But it didn’t matter right now. I needed to lash out, to let him know nothing he could say or do would change anything.

  He flitted his eyes to Vissarian. “No, Fallon. I did not. Whoever did will be found. Vissarian Dmitriyev. I’m not surprised you are here.”

  “Why is that?” Vissarian asked.

  Giovanni laughed. “I do try and keep track of my family. I am well aware of who you are and what you are capable of. You blamed me for Megan’s death. All those years ago.”

  “Because you and your kingdom are the reason Fallon’s entire family was crucified.”

  I locked eyes with Vissarian. Bruni deserved his anger.

  Maybe he was faking it, but it appeared Mr. Bruni was a bit shaken. Not that I felt in the least bit sorry for him.

  “I’m sorry about what had occurred over the years,” Bruni said, too casually for me.

  “Yet you didn’t mind being in bed with the Russians,” I threw out. In a very short period, I’d learned a lot about mafia politics.

  He seemed surprised, opening his eyes wide. For a split second. “Often we do difficult things that are most beneficial to our families.”

  “Ri-ight. Did you know I was almost kidnapped in Cuba?”

  No, he didn’t.

  “What happened?” His voice was also gravelly. Just like what I remembered about my father.

  “I’m going to make myself very clear. I am not for sale under any circumstances. I will not be used as a pawn for you to gain power with the Dmitriyevs’ Russian uncle.”

  That much he had known. He’d been a willing participant in everything that had occurred.

  Vissarian bristled, but I stepped in front of him.

  “Yes, well, the politics of Russia are not of my concern.” Giovanni thought he could get the upper hand.

  “The politics?” I asked. “Perhaps you should spend more time learning about them as the reason for the attack in Cuba was all about destroying whatever deal you made with Yuri Dmitriyev. How do I know this? Because my stepbrother, an employee in your… army betrayed you.”

  “Antonio? Hardly. I am not participating in any business with Yuri Dmitriyev, Fallon. I am sorry if you were led to believe something that just isn’t the truth.”

  Vissarian laughed. “We know the truth, Bruni.”

  “No, you don’t,” he said. Mr. Bruni’s voice was different, as if he felt remorse. Maybe guilt. Good. He could live with what he’d done for the rest of his miserable life.

  “Then why are you here?” I demanded.

  “To get to know my granddaughter who I care about very much.”

  “Do you know how my sister died?” I asked, throwing him a little.

  He lifted his gaze to Vissarian. “I heard she was gunned down while on vacation.”

  “She was killed because of loving me, an enemy of the people you’ve entertained going into business with,” Vissarian hissed.

  “I don’t believe that,” Giovanni said, laughing.

  “She was my fiancée, Bruni. You should know when she died, she was pregnant with my child. With your great-grandchild. She died because of your greed and being played by a monster who has sought revenge against my family for generations. I thought you should suffer the way I’ve suffered for fifteen years. But I won’t allow you to lay a single finger on Fallon. She belongs to me.”

  Giovanni was visibly shaken, but he hid it well.

  “I’m in love with Vissarian just like my sister was. This time you won’t be able to stop us from forming a family.”

  “Fallon. I didn’t have your father killed or your mother.”

  “Maybe not, but you are the reason they are dead. You. No one else.” Reaching down, I grabbed the file that had been prepared.

  “Here’s how we are going to play this, Bruni. You will not enter into an alliance with my uncle or any other Bratva in Russia. You will never try and contact Fallon again. You will not dare attack my family or there will be consequences. The Costa Cosa Nostra has convinced their extended family in Sicily to partner alongside my family and our corporation with the Hoffman Group. That means we will have significant power and presence in several countries throughout the world.”

  Vissarian allowed the news to sink in.

  “That means we will have significant control. Now, so you don’t go away empty-handed, we’ve provided proof that Antonio Esposito has been working with Yuri Dmitriyev to undermine your operation and when it came time, to help orchestrate your untimely death. I’m certain you’ll know what to do with the information. That’s entirely up to you. You are being given one chance of dealing with Antonio. If you don’t, I will. No one dares lay a hand on the woman I love.”

  I handed my grandfather the file, watching his eyes as he gazed at the vivid photographs, obviously recognizing some of the victims.

  “Antonio killed my mother and your Capo in this very house. The one I’ve decided to have torn down. One last time, Mr. Bruni. I never want to see you again.”

  He lifted his head, studying me and for a few seconds, I was certain I could see sadness in his eyes. Then it faded away, replaced with something else entirely.

  Guilt.

  He’d lost his wife, his daughter, his son and grandchild because of his greed. Now he was going to lose another.

  Perhaps I was being too harsh, but at this moment, I wanted nothing more than for him to suffer as he’d done to my father, my mother, my sister, and to the man I loved.

  No more.

  I was taking back my life.

  And giving it to the person that would forever be in my life.

  The man of my dreams.

  Ten weeks later…

  A co-pilot.

  For big commercial flights, sure, but for a private jet? I should be incensed. Granted, we were returning to Saba Island, not only for the Dmitriyev and Costa boys to conduct business with the Hoffman Group, but also for some much-needed relaxation.

  I was all for it.

  Except there was a strange man sitting next to me in the co-pilot’s seat, the same seat reserved for Bella. At. All. Times.

  “I’ll be right back. James. Right?”

  The guy with the salt and pepper hair tipped his head, flashing me his pearly whites. I also hadn’t been the one to select my… co-pilot. My darling hunk of a man had done that. He’d cited I’d needed time to relax and get into the groove of being his… What had he taken to calling me?

  Oh, yes. ‘My sexy but disobedient captain, my captain.’ The gorgeous man truly believed he was funny.

  Wrong.

  “At your service, ma’am,” James stated.

  “Not ma’am. You’re older than me. Just call me Captain Zimmerman.”

  He saluted as his answer. Another funny guy. Great. As I slipped from the seat, heading into the back, I stood just outside the doorway, marveling at my new family. I’d easily become a part of the clan, realizing within a few days that they were just like every other family with their squabbles and family gatherings, including two wives who I already adored.

  Bristol and Marissa were as feisty as I was. That was needed to keep the Dmitriyev boys on their toes.

  It was the difference between the Dmitriyev and Costa families and everyone else in the world.

  They were richer than sin, but I had to admit, Vissarian had been right. They were all pretty down to earth.

  Even the Pakhan, who adored teasing me and his cousin.

  I’d chosen to keep the name I’d been born with, although news had leaked I was a now infamous Italian princessa. As if I cared. They were bantering while drinking champagne, telling stories and letting their hair down.

  I marveled at just how comfortable I felt being around them.

  I’d yet to return to my duties at American Airlines, but I would.

  Eventually.

  I had a good reason for waiting a while longer.

  A few months.

  A year.

  I tried to hide a grin as Vissarian caught my eye. As soon as he did, nothing else mattered around us. He placed his drink on the table, said something to his brother Sasha, and was on his feet sashaying toward me.

  He could do the best sashay I’d ever seen.

  When he wrapped his arms around me, I pushed one hand against his chest. “What are you doing?”

  “Loving on my woman.”

  “Your woman, huh?”

  Vissarian grinned and lowered his head, nuzzling my neck. The scent of his aftershave was delicious, the musky fragrance creating very naughty thoughts in my mind.

  The last few months had been a complete whirlwind, but as they said, karma would always find you. Antonio had suddenly disappeared. There’d been rumors his body had suddenly appeared in the Great Lakes, but I hadn’t paid any attention.

  Although I will admit, when my… grandfather had left, I’d had a feeling Antonio would be dealt with. True to his word so far, he hadn’t made any additional overtures or sent anyone to kidnap me.

  And while I wasn’t completely embroiled in Dmitriyev politics, I knew everyone was keeping a watchful eye on the other Russian brother and Pakhan in Moscow.

  As Vissarian had told me, it was only a matter of time before the feral cat struck again.

  But they would be ready. So would I.

  Nothing would stop us from protecting the little family we’d developed.

  Right on cue, Bella jumped up on Vissarian and given how much she’d grown in two and a half months, she managed to push him away from me so she could hog all the attention.

  “Oh, no, you don’t, sweet girl,” Vissarian cooed.

  Another thing I’d learned he could do. Coo.

  “I get to love on your mama. Plus, we have a few surprises on this trip. Don’t we, girl?”

  Woof.

  Bella’s tail whapped back and forth.

  “Surprises, huh? I don’t like surprises.” A lie, but I used it when necessary.

  “Get used to them.” He brushed his lips across mine.

  “Go back to your seat, big, bad boy. I’m about ready to land.”

  He pouted, his soft lips pressing together and every part of me tingled.

  “Yes, ma’am.” I’d be damned if he didn’t salute. And use the dreaded term like I was a hundred years old.

  I pushed him gently, even blowing him a kiss as a little tingle reminded me that my surprise trumped his. By a long shot.

  Settling in, I checked the gauges, satisfied we were right on course.

  “I’ve already called the tower,” James said.

  “Good for you. We’re going in. But first, a little announcement.” I turned on the speaker in the back, allowing thoughts and memories to slide into my mind. Megan had given me her blessing. I’d felt it. This was right. This was exactly where I was meant to be. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to come in for a landing on the beautiful Saba Island. Please return to your seats and place them in the upright position, fasten your tray tables, and prepare for a landing. Oh, and there’s one other thing.”

  I paused, tipping my head over my shoulder.

  As always, Vissarian was watching.

  Always watching.

  Love was a strange but beautiful animal and for whatever reason karma had decided to put us together, I felt blessed.

  I had a family.

  I had friends.

  And I had a home.

  With a growing family.

  “I understand congratulations are in order for one lucky couple. Who are about to become parents.”

  I dangled the carrot, knowing there were two other couples who would be shocked, curious, and possibly horrified.

  A full minute ticked by. Could they not connect the dots?

  Then I heard a single howl that filled the cabin from my sweet Bella. She knew. Why didn’t everyone else get it?

  Finally, as I was coming in for a final approach, I heard Vissarian’s soulful cry.

  “I’m going to be a father!”

  The End

  AFTERWORD

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