The Mafia's Undoing-Chapter 147: The Safe Choice

I stepped outside. I needed air and space.

I couldn’t breathe in that hospital room; it was too choked up for me.

I could feel Tony’s presence as he followed me outside.

"Katherine-"

"Don’t start now, Tony, please. Don’t tell me it’ll be okay and tell me this is the last time because you and I both know it won’t be."

"We’d find out who did this and would stop them-"

"And then what?" I was already shouting now as I couldn’t control my anger. "Another enemy appears or another threat from your father’s past? Your past? When does it end, Tony?"

"I don’t know-"

"Exactly, good answer because you don’t know, and because this life never ends, and the danger that comes with it. The constant fear that everyone I love will be targeted because of you!"

"What are you saying?"

"I’m saying I can’t do this anymore." Tears began streaming down my face. "I can’t watch Elliot almost die. I can’t live wondering who’s next. Susan? Elliot? Me?"

"Katherine, please. Don’t do this."

"I love you." The words hurt me to say, but I had to continue. "God help me, I love you so much. But I love my brother more, and this time I chose Elliot. I choose safety, and I choose a life without constant danger."

"We can protect him with maximum security. FBI protection-"

"Like we protected him last night?" My voice broke while I spoke. "He was shot on a college campus, surrounded by people with security cameras everywhere, and they still got to him! If they had wanted him dead, they would have succeeded!"

Tony was desperate now. "Please. Don’t leave. We can figure this out."

"There’s nothing to figure out. As long as I’m with you, everyone I love is in danger, and that’s the truth. The undeniable, unavoidable truth. And I can’t live with that anymore."

"Katherine-"

"I’m done, Tony. We’re done."

The words hung in the air, and to me, they were final even though it was devastating.

Back at our apartment, I began packing everything: all my clothes, books, and my life.

Tony was watching, and I could see him feeling helpless and broken.

"Where will you go?"

"Away. Far from New York. Far from you and far from this life."

"For how long?"

"I don’t know. Maybe permanently."

"Katherine, I love you. Doesn’t that matter?"

"It matters." I was crying again. "But it’s not enough. Love doesn’t stop bullets, and love doesn’t protect Elliot. Love won’t undo your family’s legacy."

Everything was already packed with suitcases by the door.

I took one last look at Tony, memorizing him.

The man I love. The man I was leaving.

"I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, but I can’t do this anymore."

"If you leave now, I won’t follow." His voice cracked. "I’ll respect your choice and give you the space you need. But Katherine, know that I’ll always love you. That will never change."

"I know. I love you too, and that’s why this hurts so much."

I kissed him one last time.

Tasting the salt from our tears and memorizing the feel of his lips, his arms. Him.

Then I walked away.

Out the door and out of his life.

Because loving him might kill everyone else I cared about.

I drove away from Manhattan.

Elliot was beside me. He’s been discharged from the hospital. His shoulder was bandaged, and he was recovering.

"Where are we going?" he asked.

"Somewhere small. It’s quiet and safe. Near Columbia, so you can still attend classes, but it’s far away from Tony’s world."

"You’re in pain and emotional distress. Your heart rate is elevated due to your tears."

"I’ll survive."

"Will you?"

I gave him my honest answer: "I don’t know, but I have to try."

He nods and accepts this. "For what it’s worth, I understand your decision. It’s logical - self-preservation."

"Thanks, Elliot."

"Though statistically, moving away doesn’t guarantee safety. If someone wants to find you, they will."

"I know, but at least I’m trying."

We arrived at the small town. It was two hours from Manhattan and one hour from Columbia, which was close enough for Elliot to commute to classes and far enough from Tony’s world.

I rented a small apartment. It was a simple, quiet two-bedroom apartment. I also called my bestie, Suzie, to let her know we had arrived safely.

It was nothing like the penthouse I shared with Tony, and that was the point; this was exactly what we needed to start afresh, back to my humble beginnings.

I was unpacking when my phone buzzed from a text message from Tony: "I understand, and I’ll stay away. But if you ever need anything - anything at all - I’m here. Always. I love you."

I cried again, reading it over and over.

Then I deleted it.

I couldn’t afford to keep it. Can’t afford to hope.

This was over. We’re over.

And I need to learn how to live without him.

But how do you live without your heart?

Three weeks later.

I was already settling in, working remotely and helping Elliot heal. We were building a new life, which was safe and straightforward.

Everything Tony’s world wasn’t.

Running errands, grocery shopping... just the normal everyday life.

I was in the produce section, selecting apples, when someone called me.

"Katherine? Katherine Blaire?"

I turned to see a man. It was a familiar face from a lifetime ago.

"Pete? Pete Anderson?"

"Oh my God, it is you!" His smile was genuine and warm. "I thought I recognized you from the news coverage. You’re even more beautiful than I remember."

Wow, Pete was my high school boyfriend. First kiss. Prom date. Before college. Before Tony. Before everything. The guy who liked me then even with my chubby fat.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I live here. Have been for years. I’m a single dad taking care of my daughter, she’s six."

He was smiling, looking at me with interest. Hope.

"What about you? The news said you were in New York. Thought I recognized you but wasn’t sure - you were with that heir to the Marvin empire. Anthony, I think?"

"That’s over. I’m starting fresh. A new life here."

"In this town? Really?"

"Really."

He was studying me now and seeing the changes.

"Well then. Welcome to the neighborhood, Katherine Blaire."

His smile was kind, safe, and normal.

Everything Tony wasn’t.

And for the first time in weeks, I think maybe... just maybe... I could survive this.