Stolen By The Bratva King (NYC Russian Royals #2)

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

One month later…

Emery

“ I declare Bright Futures Family Home open,” I say. I snip the ribbon, and it flutters to the ground. “Everyone, please—come on in.”

Many people showed up for this event; politicians, businessmen, and anyone who needed a feel-good photo op.

The press cameras are flashing like crazy, and instead of hiding, I pop my hip and give them good face. Desi steals the show, though, striking poses and mugging for the photographers.

“Dr. Emery Bright.” A microphone appears in front of me. “Tell us about the groundbreaking work your new foundation has done.”

I smile and clear my throat. “Bright Futures was financed as a joint venture between my husband and my father; a real family business in every sense.”

I gesture behind me. “We have two state-of-the-art medical facilities—one here, and one at New York Presbyterian. We have some work to do to get it off the ground, but we’re ready to receive vulnerable people who need sanctuary and support.”

The press lady nods politely. She knows not to ask about my hot-as-fuck husband, who is standing beside me, trying not to draw attention. It’s impossible, though, not looking the way he does.

Flashbulbs dazzle me, and I have to turn away for a moment. Leon holds up a palm in silent rebuke, and the photographers slink away to take pictures of the higher-profile guests.

“It’s okay, Emery,” Leon says, taking my hand. “But it’s you they want to see. Does anyone need a photo of the Mayor’s bald spot?”

“I know.” I tuck myself beneath his arm. “What a crazy time it’s been, getting this together. It all happened so fast, but everything did.” I grin up at him. “Turns out a lot can happen in a month.”

“You still thinking about our deal?” he asks. “You’re a long ways overdue to leave me now. Whatever you’ve seen of me is all there is, so you better have made your mind up.”

Roman appears from behind us. “I heard that,” he says, handing me a glass of Prosecco. “You really gonna stay hitched to this idiot?”

I shrug. “Meh. He hasn’t watched a single Studio Ghibli movie, and he has shitty taste in friends, but I can fix him.”

Roman smirks at my sass. “I got news for you. Leon here watched all the Ghibli films while you were missing.”

I stare open-mouthed at my husband, and Roman bursts into laughter.

“Yep. He was fucked out of his skull on whisky, so he probably doesn’t remember much about them. But I know he cried at Howl’s Moving Castle.”

Leon rolls his eyes. “I was emotional, drunk, and yes—I was worried about Sophie, okay? Howl dragged his dumb ass into danger without a thought for the consequences.”

I arch a brow at him. “Wow,” I say, a teasing edge creeping into my voice. “Who’d do something like that?”

“Alright, moya zhena ,” he says, nudging me. “You said you can fix me, so it’s on you.”

Viktor approaches with a plate full of buffet food. “Fucking excellent, this,” he says, stuffing a canapé in his mouth. “The place looks amazing. Demyan Brodsky said he’s gonna split his time between here and the hospital, help get the facilities up and running?”

“That’s the plan,” I say. “And Leon is taking some time off.”

Viktor’s eyes widen. “Woah. So, who’s holding the fort while you’re away?”

“Me,” Roman says, stealing a mini fruit tart from Viktor’s plate. “The things I do for you assholes, honestly. I retired for a reason , Leon.”

“Roman, back in the fray!” Viktor says, through a mouthful of crumbs. “There goes the neighborhood.”

“For fuck’s sake, Viktor.” Roman pinches the bridge of his nose. “Don’t talk with your mouth full.”

He turns back to Leon. “My point—unless Viktor ate it—was that you need to relax. You’d better be having the best sex of your life while I’m back in town, being a better pakhan than you could ever?—”

“I’m not gonna discuss my intimate life with you,” Leon says, dropping a kiss on the top of my head. “But if you’re stepping up, I’ll take that as an order.”

I blush, and Leon decides that’s our cue to take our leave.

Leon leads me away from the scrum and down one of the corridors that leads off from the building’s foyer.

Before I can ask where we’re going, he opens a door into a play lounge, one of the new areas that’s off-limits to the guests.

To my surprise, Desi is already there, motoring a small toy car around on the striped rug.

“How does he do that?” I ask. “The guy just appears . Wasn’t he next to us two minutes ago?”

“I told him to come meet us here,” he says. “He has something to tell you. I’m sorry, but he insisted on doing it himself.”

Desi puts aside his toy and pulls me to the floor. It’s difficult to sit in my fancy dress, but I manage, and he crawls into my lap, his head on my chest.

“Emery.” He runs his fingertips over the fold of fabric at my neckline. “I found my family.”

My breath catches. I glance up at Leon, but his expression gives nothing away, and I curse inwardly.

Damn him. What a time to be stoic. We’re about to lose the little boy we’ve grown to love, and he’s gonna give me the poker face?

I know better; he’ll be devastated.

We’ve had social workers and police scouring for months, trying to track down anyone with a connection to Desi. In the meantime, he lived with my father, but we were there every day; he only didn’t live with us because he hated the noise and bustle of Manhattan, preferring the spacious peace of my father’s home.

Desi adores my dad, but he and Leon became the best of friends, and although Leon’s Serbian is now excellent, Desi prefers to speak English and the few Russian phrases Leon taught him.

They hang out a lot; Desi has gotten Leon into fishing, and they’re powering through the Studio Ghibli back catalog. They often simply sit close together, taking comfort from one another without saying a word.

My husband lost almost all his family, and it was his hope that he’d be able to use his resources to find Desi’s relatives and return him to them, with a hefty trust fund to secure his future.

Locating his family was exactly what Leon wanted. It doesn’t mean letting him go won’t break his heart.

I hold Desi tightly and steady myself, keeping my voice light. “That’s wonderful, Desi! Who told you? You must be so excited!”

To my astonishment, he starts to cry. Not deep, wracking sobs, but the tears of someone who’s overwhelmed rather than simply sad.

“Oh, baby.” I sweep his hair off his forehead. “What’s wrong?”

“I found my family,” he says again. “But not in a different place.”

He looks at Leon, then turns his small face up to mine. “You are my family. You, Leon, deda Alec…” his voice tails off, and swallows, finding his words again. “I can live with you always? Please?”

I whip my head to face Leon. “When did he ask? Oh my God, Leon. Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.” He crouches beside me and Desi. “Go for the big one, Desi. Don’t be scared.”

The little boy touches my face and draws a deep breath.

“I love you,” he says. “Will you be my Mami and Papa?”

With that, I’m a wreck.

I bundle him in my arms and bring his face to mine, showering him in kisses, and he giggles like a maniac, trying to scramble out of my grasp.

“Yes, of course we will!” I cry. “We love you too, Desi.

Leon’s grin could stretch around the world.

“I know we spoke about this a hundred times, and you wanted to keep him. But the kid was in charge of his own destiny, and I wanted him to choose us, just like you chose me.”

“Hence the dramatic reveal?” Desi leaps into Leon’s arms, and I wipe the mascara from under my eyes. “You’re such an asshole.”

“Haha, you asshole,” Desi says, and Leon wags a finger at him.

“ Nyet , Desi. Mami is right, but you don’t get to say it.”