Chapter 54
Mary
“You’re being weird.”
Anton doesn’t look up from his phone. “I’m always weird.”
“Weirder than usual.” I steal a piece of bacon from his plate. “You made me pancakes, eggs, bacon, and hash browns. That’s excessive even for you.”
“You’re eating for two.”
“The baby is the size of a plum. She doesn’t need this much food.”
“She needs protein.”
“She needs you to stop dodging my questions.” I lean across the counter. “What do you need to ask my grandmother?”
His mouth tilts up. “You’ll find out.”
“Anton.”
“Malyshka.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.” He finally looks up, eyes dancing with amusement. “Finish your breakfast.”
I glare at him. He smirks back.
This has been going on for twenty minutes. Ever since he mentioned Grandma, he’s been infuriatingly vague.
“Is she okay?” I try a different angle. “Is something wrong?”
“She’s fine.”
“Then why—?”
“Eat.” He pushes my plate closer. “The faster you eat, the faster you find out.”
I shove a forkful of pancake in my mouth. Chew aggressively. Swallow. “Happy?”
“Ecstatic.”
“You’re enjoying this.”
“Very much.”
“I hate you.”
“No, you don’t.” He stands and moves around the counter. Cages me in with his arms on either side of me. “You love me.”
“Debatable right now.”
He kisses me. Soft. Quick. “Finish eating. Get dressed. We leave in thirty minutes.”
“What if I refuse?”
“Then I’ll carry you to the car in your pajamas.”
“You wouldn’t.”
His eyebrow raises. Challenge accepted.
“Fine.” I take another bite. “But you’re telling me in the car.”
“Maybe.”
“Anton—”
“Thirty minutes, malyshka. Clock’s ticking.”
Twenty-eight minutes later, we’re in the SUV.
I’m wearing jeans and one of Anton’s T-shirts because nothing else fits comfortably anymore. My hair’s in a messy bun. Minimal makeup.
I look like I’m going to brunch, not to see my grandmother for some mysterious, important conversation.
“You’re staring at me,” I say.
“You’re beautiful.”
“I’m in your T-shirt.”
“Exactly.” His hand finds mine. Laces our fingers together. “You look perfect.”
My chest warms despite my suspicion. “Flattery won’t distract me.”
“Worth a try.”
We drive in silence for a few minutes. Vegas morning traffic. Sun already brutal even at nine AM.
“Is this about the baby?” I try again. “Does Grandma want to talk about—?”
“No.”
“About us? About you being—?” I lower my voice even though we’re alone. “About your job?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
He brings my hand to his lips. Kisses my knuckles. “Patience, my love.”
“I don’t have patience. I’m pregnant and curious, and you’re being deliberately mysterious.”
“I know.”
“You’re evil.”
“I know that too.”
I huff. Turn to look out the window.
And freeze.
“Anton.”
“Hm?”
“Why are we going to Grandma’s neighborhood?”
“Because that’s where your grandmother lives.”
“But—” I sit up straighter. “That’s Jasper’s car.”
“Is it?”
“And that’s—” My heart starts racing. “Is that Lev’s SUV?”
Anton says nothing. Just keeps driving.
We pull into Grandma’s driveway. Behind Jasper’s car. Next to another black SUV that I definitely recognize.
“Anton.” I turn to stare at him. “Why is everyone here?”
“You’ll see.” He kills the engine. Comes around to open my door. “Come on.”
“I’m not moving until you tell me what’s happening.”
“Then I’m carrying you.”
“You wouldn’t—”
He scoops me up. Just like that. One arm under my knees, one behind my back.
“Anton!”
“You had your chance to walk.”
He carries me up the driveway. Up the porch steps. Kicks the door open.
And stops.
Because everyone’s here.
Everyone.
Grandma’s in her kitchen, Nurse Ruth beside her. Jasper is leaning against the counter, looking like he’s about to vibrate out of his skin. Mateo, next to him, camera around his neck.
Lev and Dima are standing near the door. Both in suits. Looking uncomfortable but… Are they smiling?
Boris is here too. Leaning against the wall. Arms crossed. But his eyes are warm.
“What—?” I start.
Anton sets me down. Gently. But keeps his hand on my waist.
“Mary-Cat,” Grandma says. Her eyes are wet. “Come here.”
I look at Anton. He nods.
I walk forward on shaky legs. “What’s going on?”
“Anton asked if he could come by this morning,” Grandma says. “Said he had something important to discuss.”
“With me?” I look back at Anton. “Or with you?”
“With her,” Anton says quietly. “First.”
My heart is pounding. “Anton—”
“Let him speak, honey,” Ruth says softly.
Anton moves to stand in front of Grandma. And then—
He kneels.
Gets down on one knee in my grandmother’s kitchen.
My breath stops.
“Grandma… Morgan.” Anton says, his voice steady despite the tension in his shoulders. “I’m here to ask for your granddaughter’s hand in marriage.”
The room goes silent.
I can’t breathe. Can’t function. Can’t process what’s happening.
“I know I’m not what you would have chosen for her,” Anton continues. “I’m a killer. I come from a world that’s dark and dangerous. I can’t promise Mary a normal life or a safe one.”
Grandma’s watching him. Silent. Listening.
“But I can promise that I will love her. Protect her. Put her and our child above everything else in this world.” His hands are clasped in front of him.
Formal. Respectful. “She makes me want to be more than what I was. Better than what I thought I could be. And I’m asking—respectfully—for your blessing to make her my wife. ”
Tears blur my vision.
Grandma looks at him. Then at me. Then back at him.
“Are you asking permission?” she says slowly. “Or telling me you’ve already decided?”
“Asking.” Anton’s voice is firm. “Because she deserves to have someone who respects where she comes from. Even if I’m not worthy of her.”
“You’re right. You’re not worthy of her.” Grandma’s voice is matter-of-fact. “No man would be. But she chose you anyway. And I’ve watched her become someone I barely recognize; someone stronger, braver, more alive. So yes. You have my blessing.”
Anton’s shoulders relax slightly.
“But,” Grandma leans forward, “if you ever make her regret choosing you, I know people. People who know where to hide bodies.”
Anton’s mouth curves. “I believe you.”
“Good.” Grandma nods once. “Now stand up and ask her properly.”
He stands. Turns to me.
And I’m crying. Full-on sobbing in my grandmother’s kitchen surrounded by everyone I love.
“Mary,” Anton says.
I can’t speak. Can only stare at him through tears.
He crosses to me. Takes both my hands. And kneels again.
This time, in front of me.
“I’m not good at speeches,” he starts.
“You’re doing fine,” I manage.
His mouth twitches. “I’m not good at being vulnerable. Or soft. Or any of the things a man should be when he asks the woman he loves to marry him.”
“Anton—”
“But I’m going to try.” His eyes lock on mine. Dark green. Intense. “Because you deserve the words. You deserve to know that three months ago, a drunk woman stumbled into my temporary apartment and changed my entire life.”
Jasper makes a choked sound behind me. I ignore him.
“You were supposed to be a complication,” Anton continues. “Someone to get rid of. Instead, you became everything. The reason I came back from Moscow. The reason I want to be better. The reason I believe I can be more than just The Reaper.”
My hands are shaking in his.
“I love you, Mary. I love the way you sing off-key karaoke. I love how you talk to our baby like she can already hear you. I love that you chose me even when you knew what I was.”
He reaches into his pocket. Pulls out a small box.
Opens it.
The entire room goes silent.
Because that’s not just a ring. That’s a statement. Pink diamond. Enormous. The kind of stone that has its own security detail.
“Holy shit,” Jasper breathes. “Is that…? Anton, is that a five-carat pink diamond?”
“Five point two,” Anton says without looking away from me.
“I’m going to faint. Mateo, catch me. I’m fainting.”
“You’re not fainting,” Mateo mutters.
But I barely hear them. Because Anton’s looking at me with those eyes.
“I bought this for you,” he says quietly. “Not a family ring. Not something passed down. This is mine to give. Yours to keep.” His thumb brushes over the stone. “Pink. Like you blushed that first night when you told me I was hot. Like you are right now.”
I am blushing. Furiously.
“One stone,” he continues. “One love. One woman for the rest of my life.”
Oh God. I’m crying again.
“Will you marry me, Mary? Will you wear this and let everyone know you’re mine?”
I’m sobbing too hard to speak.
So I nod. Again and again and again.
“Yes,” I finally gasp out. “Yes. Yes. A thousand times yes.”
He slides the ring onto my finger. It fits perfectly.
And then he’s standing. Pulling me into his arms. Kissing me like we’re the only two people in the room.
Except we’re not.
Because suddenly everyone’s cheering. Jasper’s crying—actual tears streaming down his face. Ruth is dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. Grandma’s smiling so wide her face might crack.
Even Lev and Dima look pleased. Boris nods once. Approving.
“I can’t believe you planned this,” I say against Anton’s chest. “You evil genius.”
“I told you. I always have a plan.”
“When did you even—”
“Yesterday. While you were sleeping.” He pulls back to look at me. “Jasper helped. So did Dima.”
“We threatened to kill him if he messed it up,” Lev offers helpfully.
“Very romantic,” I mutter.
“It worked,” Lev says.
Jasper crashes into us. Arms around both of us. “I’m so happy I could die. This is the best day of my life, and it’s not even my wedding.”
“Jas—”
“Look at this ring! Look at this proposal! Look at how perfect you are together!” He’s ugly-crying now. Mascara running. “I’ve designed your wedding dress in my head already. It’s going to be stunning. You’re going to look like a goddess. A pregnant goddess—”
“Breathe, Jasper,” Mateo says, pulling him back.
Grandma moves to us next. Hugs me tight. Then Anton.
“Welcome to the family,” she tells him. “Officially.”
“Thank you,” Anton says. His voice is rough. “For trusting me with her.”
“Don’t make me regret it.”
“I won’t.”
Ruth hugs me next. Then Lev. Then Dima… who looks deeply uncomfortable, but pats my head awkwardly.
“Boss made a good choice,” he says.
“Thanks, Dima.”
Boris is last. He shakes Anton’s hand. Nods at me.
“Congratulations. Baby is lucky to have parents like you.”
And that’s what breaks me. What makes me start crying all over again.
Because this. This right here.
This found family. This collection of impossible people who shouldn’t fit together but do.
This is what I’m marrying into. What I’m building. What our daughter will grow up knowing.
Not just Anton. Not just love.
But family. Real, messy, beautiful family.
“Thank you,” I say to the room. To all of them. “For being here. For being—” My voice breaks. “For being our family.”
“Always,” Jasper says immediately.
“Always,” Grandma echoes.
The others nod. Even stoic Dima.
Anton’s arm tightens around my waist. His other hand is on my stomach.
“Always,” he whispers. Just for me.
And I believe him.