Page 82 of Fate and Family

The lobby is all glass, giving the space lots of light and air. From the outside, though, it’s reflective, hiding everything. And it’s all bulletproof, hurricane-proof, and tornado-proof. I kind of miss the old building—the exposed brick made it feel less sterile. This place is sleek and modern, all metal and glass, like a futuristic operating room.

Alana’s assistant, Macie, is in the lobby talking to a group of men in suits. The moment she spots me, she rushes over.

“Are you in trouble, Dimitri?”

“Can I see her?”

Macie glances at her tablet and taps a few times. “Hey,” she says into her headset. “Clemmons is here with his Secret Service detail, and... Dimitri’s here too.”

“What? Since when does Dimitri work for Clemmons?” Alana’s voice comes through, sharp and direct.

Macie glances at me and at the men in the lobby. “I don’t think he’s here for Clemmons. Who should I send up?”

Without any hesitation, Alana says, “Dimitri.”

Macie points me toward the elevator, and before long, I’m standing in her office, which is nicer than anything I’ve ever owned. Bulletproof glass, sleek modern furniture—it’s a fortress disguised as a work of art.

Alana glances at me, her eyes sharp. “If you’re on the verge of a breakdown, you’ve picked the worst possible person to help. I can call Waverly or Izzy. Hell, even Lena Goodlove would be a better option.”

“The singer? You know her?”

She glares at me like I’ve said the stupidest thing in the world. “What’s wrong?”

“Everything. A few months ago I fucked my girlfriend into an identity crisis, I’m a shitty father, I can’t do anything right, I’mloading Ian with more trauma than should legally be allowed, I can’t change the battery in a smoke detector, and I sent my kid to school with BDSM gear in his backpack.”

Alana drums her fingers on her glass desk. “Did he wear it?”

“No. But I’m worried about their group Halloween Ninja Turtle costumes.”

She leans back in her chair. “I’m no expert, but that sounds like a perfect summary of parenthood. Talk to Izzy to confirm.”

I roll my head back and stare at the ceiling. “You’re not helping.”

“You’re the one who came to me.” She keeps drumming her fingers, the rhythm steady. “When was the last time you talked to Katya?”

I groan. “Just after we found out Waverly’s ex was killed. So, like, two months ago.”

“Yeah, that really pissed Wave off. Tiny terror mode unlocked,” she says. “So let me piece this all together: you feel like a shitty dad, you haven’t spoken to your girlfriend in months—much less slept with her—it’s the anniversary of your new life in America, which has been underwhelming and far less glamorous than your previous one, and you came to the worst person for advice. Wow, self-sabotage much?”

“And I got beaten up by a broom today, too.”

“Tell me what’s actually bothering you.” She watches me like she can see into my soul. Like if I lie, she’ll know. And she’ll send her flock of Canada geese from the pond across from the office to murder me in my sleep.

“I feel stuck. I don’t have much to offer anyone, and I can’t figure out why Katya is with me at all.”

Alana is silent for a moment. Then she says, “Everything good in my life over the past three years is directly connected to Katya and her love for you. We found out about the Majesty tattoo because of her, which led to us being able to keep Waverlysafe. Izzy and Drew are alive because she tipped us off that Izzy’s ex was on the move. Maria still has her father because Katya saved him. I became fully incorporated into the Four Families. And most importantly, you, Uri, and Ian are all alive because she loves you. And for that, I thank both of you. She wouldn’t give up her whole life if you weren’t pretty fucking great.”

Her words warm my soul. I don’t think I’ve ever heard her say so much without an insult or an order. And the thing about Alana? She doesn’t lie.

“Feel better?”

“Kinda.”

“Great. Now get going. Keeping the Chief of Staff waiting is a power move, but it could backfire.” She pauses, opens her mouth, and closes it again. “Wait a few more months, and all of this will be over. Now that Waverly’s joined my little team, things are moving.”

I’m not sure what that means. But it feels bigger than any of my problems.

Chapter

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