Epilogue One
Anatonia
Months later
We’ve been at peace for a few months now. I had to prove myself against some men who thought they could overthrow me and take me out. But with Vitaly and the other Brigadiers at my side, I’ve ruled my family. I’ve led them to honor and prosperity. We don’t run women or drugs, but we do run guns and gambling.
I called Capo Carlo a week after I killed Konstantin and told him it was done. He and I work together now. I still give him the respect I always have, but now there is a new tone in his voice when he talks to me—pride. He’s proud of me and of who I’ve become.
Vitaly and I have been working on redecorating this monstrosity of a house. Today I set the designer on a special room I want decorated. I’m sitting at my large desk as a phone rings from inside it. I open the drawer and look down at the burner phone only a few people have the number to.
“Da.” I answer.
“Anatonia.” Domino’s voice comes across the line.
“Is the family safe?”
“Yes, but I need your help.”
“Name it.” I’ll help him where I can, but I won’t be able to fight in my current condition.
“Is there anyone you would trust to protect the family? I have to take off for a bit.”
A name rolls through my mind. A name I haven’t thought of in years, but I know he’d help. He’s more trained than me. He’d be perfect.
“I do know someone.”
“Can you give me their info?”
“No, let me call him. I’ll send him that way. How soon do you need him?”
“ASAP.”
“On it. If you need me, let me know. I’m sure I can help without leaving here.”
“No, you stay put.” He hangs up and I slip the phone back in the drawer. I grab my other phone and dial the number I haven’t used in years.
“Ciao.” His Italian accent comes across the line.
“Hello, Dante, I have a job for you. Head to the Morellos in Sicily, they need a bodyguard. Protect them or you’ll have to answer to me.”
“Don’t scare me like that, bella. I’m quaking in my boots.”
“No, you aren’t, cugino.” I call him cousin like I used to. “I can’t travel for a bit and I need your help.”
“I’m on it.” He hangs up with a laugh and I pray the island of Sicily survives my cousin.
“Kotenok, who were you on the phone with?” Vitaly asks from the doorway.
“Domino needs help, so I sent my cousin.”
“You have a cousin?”
“Yeah, on my dad’s side.” I don’t explain more because there isn’t much I can tell him. “The designer was here earlier. I have an idea for a room upstairs. Want to see?” I stand from my chair and walk to him. I’m in my normal dress of black slacks and a button-down shirt.
He takes my hand and walks with me upstairs. We circle around the large landing open to the floor below and head down the hall toward our master suite. I pause at the door next to it. The room was originally set up for my uncle’s mistresses. I have tasked the designer with giving it new life. I open the door and smile. The pale sky-blue color of the walls with clouds and rainbows is exactly what I wanted. Sitting in the center of the room is a lone, round crib. I didn’t have time to shop for more as I knew I’d only be able to hide this from him for a day or two.
Vitaly takes it in before turning to look at me, his eyes big. He’s been trying to get me pregnant since before we left the States, and it finally happened.
“Does that mean what I think it means?”
“Yes.” I nod, and he picks me up and spins me around.
I slap my hand over my mouth to keep from throwing up all over him. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted and didn’t know I needed.