Katherine checked her phone for the tenth time. However, there still weren't any messages or missed calls from Damon. It was unlike him to ignore her completely. Usually, he at least texted her if he was busy. Her level of disinterest at the nightclub that evening hadn't gone unnoticed by her friends. They tried to cheer her up and it had worked for the majority of the night. She forgot about Damon and focused on spending his money. However, he invaded her thoughts once more as she rode to the villa in silence.

Katherine was the ultimate chameleon. She could blend into any setting for the right price—and there was always a price. Katherine had spent the majority of her youth bilking wealthy men out of thousands of dollars. She was beautiful and had an exotic look about her. Men found her irresistible and Katherine saw nothing wrong with using her feminine wiles to get what she wanted. She knew that some women, like Rose, disdainfully called her a whore. However, Katherine thought it was foolish to have sex with men without receiving compensation. If she was going to spread her legs to have lackluster sex with uninteresting men, then she was damn well going to be paid handsomely for it.

Fortunately, lackluster sex wasn't in Damon's impressive repertoire. He was an absolute mad man in bed. Katherine could write love poems to his laudable skill set. She had been with Damon a little over eight years. Their relationship was by far the longest she had ever had. Katherine loved Damon. However, all the glitz and glam that came with him made her stay even after he married Bonnie. Over the years, he bought her racks full of designer clothes, expensive shoes, and fur coats. Damon even had one of the three bedrooms in the penthouse converted into a walk-in closet for her. She had her own bank account and access to his credit cards. Every couple of years she received a new sports car from Velocita. Damon ensured that she wanted for nothing. She had never wanted to be exclusive before he demanded it from her four years ago. That's when their relationship changed.

Katherine was angry despite enjoying her stay at the Salvatore's villa in the Canary Islands. She couldn't believe that Damon had ended their two weeks together early in order to swan off after his wife. However, she had erased most of that frustration with a string of vicious texts to Bonnie. Katherine couldn't stand Damon's simpering child bride. The women had crossed paths on a few occasions mostly due to Katherine's machinations. Frankly, she didn't understand Damon's interest in the girl. Furthermore, she took a perverse amount of pleasure from taunting Bonnie with the details of their affair.

Katherine wasn't some delusional girl that idolized Pretty Woman. She knew that there would never be a time where she would become Damon's wife. She didn't have the background or patience for such a thing. However, she liked being desired above all else. Damon's affection for Bonnie made her feel unsteady. She was concerned that everything they had built would come crashing down around her. When he first married the girl, Damon would still see Katherine several times a week. Now it was down to a half dozen times in a month. Sometimes he popped by the penthouse in the middle of the day for a quickie but it wasn't the same. She could feel herself losing Damon as his affection for Bonnie grew. The jaded side of Katherine would argue that she feared losing her meal ticket. However, the honest part of her, that she vehemently ignored, knew that losing Damon would hurt.

Katherine grabbed onto the driver's shoulder as she climbed out of the SUV. She needed the older man's assistance because she was drunk but it was also to protect her modesty. The black mini dress with its diamond shaped cutouts left very little to the imagination. If Katherine wasn't careful someone was bound to get an eyeful of her bare crotch. It was nearly three o'clock in the morning so she needn't worry about looky-loos seeing her. However, she knew from experience that the old curmudgeon reported to Damon regularly. Damon tolerated most of Katherine's behavior. However, he had a few rules that were non-negotiable. Rule #1 she wasn't allowed to have any other sexual partners. Rule #2 she wasn't to embarrass him publicly. Rule #3 she couldn't use any needle drugs. She knew the last rule was because of Bree's near fatal overdose.

She tugged her dress into place once she was standing on the ground in front of the driver. She smiled up at him. 'Thank you, Felipe."

"Will that be all for the night, Miss?" He asked dutifully.

"Yes, I'll need you back here at noon. I am having lunch with the girls."

Felipe closed the door and nodded. "I will be here at a quarter til, Miss."

Katherine walked toward the beachfront villa and called over her shoulder. "Good night."

He stood there and watched as she made it to the door. "Good night."

She unlocked the door and walked into the darkened two-story villa. She visited the Canary Islands often enough that this place felt as if it was her second home. Katherine had dreams of retiring in a place like this. She couldn't stand the hustle and bustle of the city.

Katherine set the alarm and then braced herself against the wall as she stepped out of her stilettos. Afterwards she padded through the darkened house and went into the kitchen. She was hungry. Katherine hadn't eaten since breakfast.

She searched the subzero freezer until she found a pint of mint chocolate chip. It wasn't a balanced meal but it would do in a pinch. Katherine pulled a spoon from a nearby drawer and then ambled into the living room. She sprawled out on the couch and opened the carton of ice cream as she watched the ocean's waves crashing against the shore. It was almost comical how her life had changed from her troubled youth.

Katherine's father had abandoned their family after losing all of their money to his gambling debts. Her family ended up living in a poverty-stricken neighborhood on Boston's south side. Her mother would carpool out to the suburbs where she cleaned the houses of the affluent. Katherine had come a long way from the girl that used to steal lacy underwear from the store by stuffing them into the sleeves of her winter coat.

She finished the pint of ice cream and left it on the coffee table. The house cleaner would take care of it in the morning. She sauntered into the bedroom as she struggled to pull off her dress. It was late and she had drunk far too much in her annoyance. She had called Damon several times since they parted ways and he hadn't responded to her. His aloofness only fueled her rage. Katherine didn't like being ignored but knowing that it was because of Bonnie drove her mad.

Once in the bedroom she peeled off the gauzy material and climbed into the bed. She hoped the cool caress of the silk sheets would calm her down. Katherine would hate to do something rash in her agitation.

Her eyes fluttered closed as sleep began to overtake her. The sound of the ocean right outside always soothed her.

Katherine was on the edge of sleep when she heard the unmistakable sound of a round being chambered in a gun. When her dark brown eyes opened, Lorenzo St. John was standing over her with a menacing look on his face.

He pressed the barrel of the gun so that the cool steel kissed her forehead.

She relaxed minutely and slowly eased into a sitting position. She swallowed thickly. "You scared me…"

"That was rather the point, love."

Katherine turned on the lamp and rolled her eyes. "Is this your idea of a joke?"

Enzo sat on the edge of the bed and put the safety on his gun. "No, this was meant to be a warning."

"From whom?" she asked incredulously. Enzo was Damon's loyal soldier and had been for many years now. Of all people, he would know that she was untouchable.

"Mr. Salvatore didn't appreciate the series of naughty pictures and text messages that you sent his Missus yesterday. He also found out that this isn't the first time you've contacted her. You've been very naughty, Kitty Kat."

Katherine was rarely shocked by anything. However, Bonnie showing some backbone was a serious departure. She couldn't believe that the girl had actually grown a pair and told Damon about the texts. She pouted prettily at Enzo and asked, "What is he going to do take my black card away from me?"

Enzo grinned. "You don't seem to understand the severity of what you did. You picked exactly the wrong time to fuck around with his wife, Katerina. The boss is very tense right now and he sent me to give you a stern warning. The next time you contact his wife or take pictures of him without his knowledge I am to put a bullet in your pretty little head."

Her mind raced as she tried to figure out what the hell was happening. She only heard bits and pieces of Damon's conversation with Rose the other day. She really only knew that Bonnie had taken his daughter to Shadow Hills. Damon's reaction seemed extreme but he never joked about killing people. If this was the message he ordered Enzo to give her, then he meant it. "He's threatening to kill me because of a few pictures?"

"Let's just say the boss is a little more family minded these days. The little Missus is up the duff." He knew better than to say anymore to Katherine about the situation. They were friends but she would throw anyone under the bus to save her own ass.

"I can't believe that he actually did it. He knocked up the little bitch," Katherine muttered. After four years of marriage, she had started to believe that Bonnie was simply infertile.

Enzo added, "With twins."

She wet her lips as she tried to think of a way to appease Damon. He was easier to manipulate when they were face to face. Having an ocean between them could prove to be a major obstacle. "I might have made a miscalculation."

"You think?" He chuckled and nudged her hip. "Move over."

Katherine shifted positions to make room for Enzo in the bed.

Enzo kicked off his boots and scooted onto the bed more. He said, "The good news is that he's angrier at someone else. You are just a more convenient target at the moment. If you lay low for a while, Damon will cool off. You should stay here for a few weeks. Maybe you could invite Rada out here. She could bring your sister and Nadia for a visit."

She studied Enzo's guarded expression. "What aren't you telling me, Enzo? I would never ask you to betray Damon's confidence because I know that you wouldn't do it. Nevertheless, we are talking about my life here. Do I need to end things with him and cut my losses?"

He was silent for a beat. "He's talking about ending things with you but I don't think it is as serious as that just yet."

"I'd beg to differ considering I woke up with a gun pointed in my face."

Katherine was no fool. She knew exactly the type of people she was dealing with now. Her mother had warned her against pursuing Damon because of his family's underworld reputation. However, she had reasoned that Damon was a college graduate. It wasn't likely that he was a gun toting gangster. In their time together, she had learned that gangsters came in different types.

Enzo rolled his eyes. "I just wanted you to understand that this was serious. I know that you are used to Damon putting up with your shit but he's not in a good place now. He doesn't have the patience to overlook your tantrum."

She bristled at the suggestion that her actions were little more than a childish tantrum. She opened her mouth to object.

He put up a hand to silence her. "Sending those pictures to Mrs. Salvatore was definitely a tantrum on your part. Don't deny it."

"I guess I can own up to that. It was just that I had two more days with Damon and he just took off with no warning. He didn't even stick around to say goodbye to me. And he's been ignoring my calls and messages since then…for her," she spat.

Enzo considered her for a moment and then said, "If you breathe a word of this to anyone I will break your neck myself."

She nodded in agreement. Katherine needed to know what she was dealing with here. Ending her affair with Damon wouldn't be her first choice but survival was always her endgame. She could always find another arrangement with another man.

Katherine said, "I won't say a word, Enzo. I know that you are the only one on my side."

Enzo had been against Damon's marriage to Bonnie from the beginning. He thought the girl was too young to be anyone's wife. He certainly didn't think that Damon was the right person to be her husband. Enzo had known from the beginning that their relationship would be an unmitigated disaster. While he knew that Katherine didn't have the background, he always thought she was a better match for Damon. She was more his equal than Bonnie would ever be because of the age difference.

"Damon had to cut short your time together because his wife had an unfortunate run in with his old man. I'll let you draw your own conclusions about what happened," he replied.

Katherine swallowed thickly and avoided Enzo's gaze. She knew all too well the danger that Giuseppe Salvatore posed to young women. Katherine didn't like Bonnie but she had sympathy for her situation. She couldn't imagine living in the same house with him. Katherine went out of her way to ensure she never crossed the elder Salvatore's path.

She tapped her fingertips against Enzo's thigh in contemplation. She said, "I think that I will take your advice, Enzo. It has been a few weeks since I've seen Nadia. I'm sure Nadia and my mother would love to vacation here with me. We'll probably stay until after the New Year."

He nodded. "I am sure that she is missing her mother."

Katherine pointedly glared at Enzo because she knew what he was driving at. He was always making little jabs about the secrets that she kept from his boss. "Damon has no interest in knowing about my real life. He likes that I am available to him at a moment's notice."

"His heart is not made of stone. Nadia is…."

"She is none of his concern," she snapped. "She is my daughter and I decide who is allowed to be part of her life."

Enzo held up his hands in surrender. "I only brought it up because knowing the truth would stay his hand."

"The truth?" she scoffed. "You don't even know the truth, Enzo."

The hitman knew that he was treading in dangerous territory but he cared for Katherine. He could see the writing on the walls even if she couldn't. Her relationship with Damon was going to come to an end sooner rather than later. Damon wouldn't risk losing Bonnie for good. Katherine's next benefactor might not be as generous or nice as Damon was.

"I know that Nadia is either Damon's daughter or his sister. Either way he wouldn't be inclined to kill her mother. He would also make sure that the two of you wanted for nothing no matter your relationship status."

Katherine didn't doubt that. She saw how quickly he adapted to the role of father after Bree disappeared. Despite his flaws, Damon believed in the importance of family.

She said, "His family would take her from me, Enzo. You see how Giuseppe keeps his family under his thumb. He would want to do the same with my Nadia and I won't lose her. It is better that she lives in anonymity with my mother. I was taking care of my family long before I met Damon Salvatore. I will continue to take care of them once he's no longer in my life."

Enzo fell silent. "And if Mr. Salvatore was no longer a problem?"

Katherine shrugged. "Perhaps but that bastard will probably outlive us all."

Enzo couldn't tell her anything more. However, he had been searching for Giuseppe for the last few days. The man was living on borrowed time.

"Every story comes to an end, Katherine. I just want to make sure that Nadia has a good life. I want her to be able to go to college."

She softened at Enzo's concern for her daughter. "I know that you care for her."

"Not only her," he replied.

Enzo had never crossed the line with Katherine because he knew better. Damon would kill him with no questions asked. Moreover, he didn't have the type of money that made Katherine's panties wet. Nevertheless, they were friends and he always looked out for her.

Katherine didn't dare look in Enzo's direction. He was her friend but she knew that he wanted more from her. "I know that you think that I am shallow but I'm not stupid. I always knew that this arrangement with Damon had an expiration date. I've made good use of our time together. I won't suddenly be plunged into poverty when it ends."

He decided to relent because Katherine wasn't likely to change her mind. She was stubborn for a woman that liked to live life on the edge.

"Are you staying to keep an eye on me? Or will you have to fly back in the morning?"

Enzo said, "I was in Madrid when Damon called me. I've been…handling some business there. I think I'll stick around a few days, if you'll have me."

She grinned. "It'll be a lot less boring with you here. My friends are going to love you. We're going to get you laid."

He huffed out a laugh. "I don't need to get laid."

"Trust me, Enzo. I know when a man is in need of some feminine attention. You're practically living like a monk these days."

It was true. He hadn't been in a serious relationship in years. His lifestyle meant there were always willing women in the offing. However, he hadn't been interested in random flings for a long time now. At 35 years old, Enzo felt it was time to settle down. He just hadn't found the right woman yet.

"You could always hook me up with Veronika," he teased.

Katherine laughed heartily. "My sister is too young for you. Besides, my mother would have a heart attack."

"Rada loves me," he argued.

"That doesn't mean that she'd want you with her little girl. Besides, Veronika actually has a future."

Enzo knew that was down to the sacrifices Katherine had made for her sister. She was paying out of pocket for the younger Petrova sister to get her bachelor's degree in nursing. Veronika was set to graduate in the spring. "And you are saying that I don't."

Katherine said, "Not one that I would want my sister to have any part in, Enzo. There is a reason that I've never let her meet Damon."

He jeered, "That's because she's six years younger than you. You're worried that he'll want her instead."

She scowled at him because it was true. Rose's insults had struck a chord in her at the penthouse. Katherine was on the wrong side of 30 now. Damon would be looking to replace her with someone younger in the near future. However, being in her 30's wouldn't stop her finding a new benefactor. She would just have to hunt for older prey. A 60 year old would still find her to be young and tempting.

"Well, then I guess it is fortunate that Veronika already has a boyfriend."

Enzo looked genuinely surprised. "When did that happen? I thought Rada kept her on a short leash."

Rada tried to prevent Veronika from turning out like Katherine had. She didn't approve of her eldest daughter's lifestyle despite the fact that it allowed her to stop cleaning other people's houses.

She shrugged. "It's not as if she can follow her to class every day. Besides, it's not as if Mom knows. Veronika met a boy at school and has been keeping it a secret from her."

"Good for her. Nika is a good kid." Enzo glanced at his watch and said, "It's late and I am exhausted. I should go to one of the guest rooms. I haven't slept much in the last few days."

Katherine rolled her eyes and said, "You can just stay here, Enzo. It's not as if anything is going to happen."

Enzo climbed out of the bed. "And if the maid arrives early tomorrow morning and finds us in bed together? I'll see you in the morning, Kitty Kat. I'd prefer for my retirement package not to include a bullet to the head."

"It was worth of shot," Katherine said teasingly. She turned off the lamp as he started walking out of the room. "Good night, Lorenzo."

"Night," he replied with a wry smile. He closed the door as he left the room.