Mag-log inCHAPTER THIRTY-ONE:The restaurant buzzed with the Friday night crowd, plates clattering and laughter rolling from table to table. Lyra wiped her hands on her apron and stepped out of the kitchen just in time to see June balancing a tray of breadsticks with fierce concentration.“Careful, baby,” Lyra called softly. “You’ve got this.”June made it to the table without dropping anything and beamed when the customers clapped. Lyra’s heart swelled so big it hurt.Dimitri appeared behind her, arms sliding around her waist. “She’s a natural. Just like her mom.”Lyra leaned back into him. “And Theo’s already talking about expanding the menu. Kid’s have big ideas.”“Like his dad,” Dimitri murmured, pressing a kiss to her neck. “Speaking of which… we need to talk. Back office. Five minutes.”The tone in his voice made her stomach tighten. She followed him through the busy kitchen into the small office at the back. He closed the door and turned to her, face serious.“Elena called,” he said with
CHAPTER THIRTY:“You really think we can do this without it blowing up in our faces?” Lyra asked, hands planted on the restaurant counter as she stared at Dimitri across the polished wood.Dimitri looked up from the stack of menus, eyes fierce with that same intensity that had once terrified her. “We already survived worse. This?” He gestured around the newly renovated space—warm lights, fresh paint, the smell of garlic and herbs already drifting from the kitchen. “This is the easy part.”“Easy?” She laughed, but it came out shaky. “Opening night in two hours. Half the city still whispers about us. What if someone from old life shows up looking for payback?”He rounded the counter in two strides and pulled her against him, strong hands steady on her waist. “Then we handle it together. Like always. No more running. No more hiding. This place is ours—Donnelly & Voss. A restaurant, not a front. Good food. Good memories. That’s the legacy we leave.”Lyra searched his face, heart still rac
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE:Three months later, the backyard smelled of fresh-cut grass and wildflowers. Lyra stood in front of the full-length mirror in their bedroom, smoothing the simple white dress over her hips. It wasn’t extravagant—just soft fabric that flowed when she moved, with delicate straps and a touch of lace at the neckline. Perfect.“You look beautiful,” Dimitri said from the doorway. He wore a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, dark pants, and that same intense look in his eyes that still made her stomach flip. The scars from that final night had faded to faint lines, reminders they both carried quietly.Lyra turned, smiling. “You clean up nice yourself. No blood this time. Progress.”He crossed the room in three strides and pulled her close, careful not to wrinkle the dress. “Couldn’t stay away. I need to see you before everyone else does.” His voice dropped low. “Still sure about this? Marrying the former mafia king in front of our weird little family?”“Never b
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT:The sunrise painted the sky soft pink and gold as they pulled up to the new house. Lyra’s hands still wouldn’t stop shaking. June and Theo had finally dozed off against her in the back seat, exhausted from terror and tears. Dimitri sat beside her, pale but alive, fresh bandages visible under his torn shirt.Viktor killed the engine. “I’ll take my first watch. Elena’s meeting us with a doctor.”Lyra nodded numbly. “Thank you. For everything.”They carried the kids inside and tucked them into bed. June clutched her stuffed bear like a lifeline. Theo murmured something about pancakes in his sleep. Lyra lingered in the doorway, watching them breathe.Dimitri came up behind her, wrapping his good arm around her waist. “They’re safe. We all are.”“Are we?” she whispered, turning into his chest. “Every time I close my eyes, I hear that knife against Theo’s throat. Konrad’s laugh. How many more brothers does he have?”“None that matter.” Dimitri tilted her chin up, eyes
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN:A scream ripped through the quiet house at 3:17 a.m.Lyra bolted upright in bed, heart exploding in her chest. Dimitri was already moving, gun in hand before his feet hit the floor.“Kids,” she gasped, racing down the hall with him right behind.Theo’s door was open. Empty bed. June’s room too.“No,” Lyra whispered, voice cracking. “No, no, no!”Dimitri checked the windows. “Glass broken. Footprints outside. They took them.”Lyra grabbed his arm, nails digging in. “Mace is dead! You said it was over!”“Apparently someone didn’t get the memo.” His voice was ice-cold, but his eyes burned with fury. “Stay here. Call Viktor and Elena.”“Like hell I’m staying!” She snatched her own gun from the nightstand. “Those are my babies out there. I’m not waiting while some ghost from your past takes them.”Dimitri rounded on her in the hallway, face inches from hers. “Lyra, listen to me. This isn’t the warehouse. This is our home. Our new start. If you go running out half-cock
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX:The hospital room smelled like antiseptic and fear. Lyra hadn’t left Dimitri’s bedside for twelve hours straight. Machines beeped steadily, each one a small mercy. The bullet had clipped his lung but missed his heart by inches. The doctors called it a miracle. She called it stubbornness.She held his hand, thumb brushing over his knuckles. “You scared the hell out of me,” she whispered. “Don’t you ever do that again.”His eyelids fluttered. Slowly, painfully, they opened. “Lyra?” His voice was rough, barely there.“I’m here.” Tears spilled down her cheeks. She leaned in, pressing her forehead to his. “You’re in the hospital. Safe. Mace is dead. It’s over.”Dimitri tried to sit up and winced. “Kids?”“Safe with Elena at a new place. Viktor’s watching them like a hawk. June keeps asking when you’ll come home for pancakes.”A weak smile touched his lips. “Pancakes sound good.” He squeezed her hand, eyes clearing a little. “You okay? You got hit too.”“Graze. Nothing c







