Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63638 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63638 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Family starts trickling in. Mia’s the first, with a bouquet nearly as big as Anya herself. Her husband, Pete, slyly slips Anya a card, and I’m sure there’s way too much cash inside. Mia and Pete don’t have any kids of their own yet, so they dote on ours. Who am I to tell them not to?
Sasha arrives next, arm around his new wife, looking as proud of Anya as if she were his own. He’s grown into his role over the years, not just as my second but as my enforcer. He handles most of the day-to-day now, leaving me to focus more on the books and less on getting my hands dirty.
I trust my brother with my life, my family, and even with the Bratva. The business has changed, softened in some ways, evolved in others. But Sasha and I built something together that’s stronger than anything my father ever left me.
The best part is, there hasn’t been a real threat since Semion. Not one that lasted more than a day, anyway. Anyone who tries knows what we’re capable of. And they know that coming after me means coming after my family. Which means I stop playing by the rules.
But these days I don’t need to be feared as much as I used to. I find that respect works just as well.
The sun starts to set, casting golden light across the backyard. Laughter fills the air, and Tatiana is chasing fireflies while Anya opens cards on the patio. Nicole is stretched out beside me on one of the cushioned chairs, her head on my shoulder.
“I miss your mom,” she says softly. “She would have loved today.”
“Me too.”
It’s been three years since Mom died, but sometimes it still feels like yesterday. But she got to hold all three of her grandchildren when they were born. She got to walk with me down the aisle at my wedding in Amalfi. She taught Anya art and brought my children endless laughter. We all miss her terribly, but that’s just because of how much we loved her and received her love in return.
“She would’ve been so proud of Anya today,” Nicole says.
“She always was,” I remind her. “She adored you too. She always said you brought light to my life.”
Nicole snorts. “I brought a lot of drama,” she retorts.
“You gave me a family,” I murmur, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “You brought me home.”
We sit in silence for a while, watching our kids play and our family mingle. The lights twinkle on as the sky fades into shades of lavender and navy. I reach for her hand, and she laces our fingers together like it’s second nature. I think about how lucky I am. I kiss her knuckles, and she turns to me with a soft smile.
“What are you thinking?” she asks.
“That if I had to do it all over again, I’d still answer that text.”
She chuckles. “Even knowing how stubborn I can be?”
I grin. “Especially because of that.”
She leans in, brushing her lips over mine. “I love you.”
“I love you more.”
“Nope,” she says. “Not possible.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Wanna bet?”
She laughs again, and the sound is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. I pull her into my arms then, sweeping her clean off her chair. She lets out a laugh that melts into a gasp as I crash my mouth to hers, kissing her like it’s still the first time. Like it’s the hundredth time. Like it’s the last time I’ll ever get to.
Fifteen years, and she still tastes like forever.
When I set her down, the kids are watching us in mortification.
“Ewwwww!” Tatiana cries.
“Get a room!” Nikolai shouts, grinning despite himself.
Even Anya, usually the cool one, is shaking her head with an exaggerated sigh, like she’s disappointed but not surprised.
Nicole laughs against my lips, but I don’t let her go just yet.
“This isn’t over,” I murmur against her skin. “When the kids go to bed, I intend to finish what I started.”
Her eyes sparkle with heat and affection. “I’ll be waiting for you,” she whispers.
I watch as she gets up and goes to mingle in the crowd. She, Mia, Anya, and Sasha’s wife, Dahlia, all huddle in a circle, giggling like schoolgirls, and I can’t help but wonder what’s got them so worked up.
Nikolai and Sasha are playing a game on the game console we brought out for the party, and Tatiana is playing tag with her grandpa. My family is safe and they’re happy, and that’s all I could ever ask for.
The End