Epilogue - Anoushka
The shrill cry pierces the quiet of the morning. I jolt awake, bleary-eyed, as my breasts ache with the letdown of milk. Another hungry wail from the bassinet, and I push myself up, wincing. My body is still recovering, but my heart swells at the sound of my daughter's voice.
I lift her gently, cradling her downy head against my chest. Her tiny fist clutches at my nightgown. "Shhh, my love," I whisper. "Mama's here."
I change her diaper with practiced hands, then settle into the rocking chair to nurse. Her lips root hungrily, and I caress her petal-soft cheek as she drinks. A fierce protectiveness wells up in me for this tiny, perfect being that Nikolai and I created.
Nikolai appears in the doorway, hair rumpled with sleep. His eyes soften as they land on us.
"How are my best girls this morning?" His voice is gravelly but warm.
"Tired and happy," I say, smiling up at him.
He kneels beside me, brushing a kiss over the downy crown of our daughter's head. "I can't believe we made something so beautiful."
"She has your eyes," I say. And your ruthless ability to wake me at ungodly hours , I think wryly. I had hardly slept the previous night.
Nikolai chuckles. "Poor baby. She got my temper, too, I think. When she wants something, she tends to cry until she gets it."
“When does she not get something she wants?” I cluck with displeasure. Nikolai spoils her way too much.
Although, at this age, it hardly matters. But I know I’ll have a handful to deal with if this excessive coddling continues by her father into her later years.
The baby finishes nursing and drifts back to sleep in my arms. Nikolai gazes at her, his expression tender.
"I never knew I could love someone this fiercely," he says.
"Me too." I lean my head on his shoulder. "Our little family."
Nikolai wraps his arms around us both. For a moment, the world is reduced to just the three of us—together.
***
That evening, after a few blissful moments in the shower alone, I sigh and get dressed. I go outside to find Nikolai already finished and waiting to go.
"We should get going. My family will be waiting," I tell him.
Nikolai nods, though his jaw tightens slightly. He's still uneasy around the Zolotovs despite my reassurances. Old habits.
I dress the baby in a ruffled pink onesie and matching headband, then pack the diaper bag. Nikolai watches me, amused.
"I love how you always dress her up like a little doll."
"Our daughter should look her best when meeting her uncles for the first time," I tell him.
While my sisters-in-law were an integral part of helping me through the first few days of motherhood, my brothers were unfortunately out of town. The baby was two weeks premature. In a hurry, like her mother, Genevieve had commented.
Truthfully, I want to show off our perfect little girl. Having her has healed the rift between the Orlovs and Zolotovs. She represents a new beginning.
Nikolai just shakes his head and smiles indulgently. He carries the bassinet and diaper bag, and I carry the baby as we head out to the car.
The drive to the Zolotov estate is short. Boris, Lev, and Damien are waiting on the front steps, faces alight with anticipation. As soon as I lift the baby from her carrier, they descend in a chorus of "oohs" and "ahhs".
Lev tickles her tummy. "Hello, little one. I'm your Uncle Lev."
Boris makes silly faces until she gurgles. "You've got the Zolotov smirk already!"
Damien just stares, enraptured. "She's so tiny..." he whispers.
My heart swells, seeing my brothers so taken with their niece. The past doesn't matter now. We are a family again.
Nikolai squeezes my shoulder, sharing my joy. The future for all of us looks bright.
I carry my daughter into the sitting room, where Ivan, Mikhail, Sergei, and Vanya sit on the sofa, talking to some of our cousins who have just arrived from Russia. Vanya rises to embrace me the moment she sees me, mindful not to disturb the baby.
At her heels, Lara follows. “Oh, look at those toes,” Lara giggles.
“How was your flight?” I ask her lightly.
She looks at me with round, pretty eyes. “So worth it, now that we get to see this little nugget,” she coos.
"Let me see her," Vanya says, taking the baby from my arms. "Oh, she's just beautiful. Look at those big brown eyes!"
I beam with pride as Vanya runs a gentle finger over the baby's peach-fuzz hair. From the corner of my eyes, I see Ivan introduce our cousins Abram, Vladimir, Denis, and Mark to Nikolai. Mikhail subtly puts an envelope into Nikolai’s coat pocket. “For the baby,” he insists when Nikolai tries returning it.
"Motherhood is the greatest blessing," Robin says wistfully as she joins us and peers into Vanya’s arms. "But also the hardest job you'll ever have. Don't hesitate to ask me anything."
I'm touched by her offer.
"I'm sure I'll need lots of advice," I say. "Especially from someone as experienced as you."
She smiles at me exuberantly. After all, we’re just two mothers sharing our love for our children.
The tender scene is interrupted by a blur of pink as Pippa bursts into the room. "Where’s my goddaughter? Let me see her!"
Before I can react, she has swept the baby from Vanya’s arms, smothering her with kisses. "You precious little angel! Your god-mommy Pippa will always be here for you!"
I laugh at her dramatics. But beneath it, I'm grateful for her devotion. With my sisters by our sides, our daughter will never lack for love.
***
I glance around the room, taking in the familiar faces of my siblings and cousins. Lev sits nearby, flashing me a charming grin as he leans forward eagerly for a peek at the baby. Beside him, Damien is uncharacteristically quiet, his usual scowl replaced by something like wonder as he gazes at my daughter. Even Boris looks misty-eyed as he pats Nikolai on the back in congratulations.
As I introduce each cousin to the new arrival, I'm touched by their sincere delight. Abram tickles her toes playfully while Mark lets her curl her tiny hand around his finger. Vladimir’s gruff voice softens as he murmurs, "Welcome, little one."
In this room, surrounded by those who care for us, Nikolai and I relax into the role of proud new parents. The stresses of our unusual lives momentarily fade away.
Lara, noticing how tired I am, offers to take over with the baby. I hand her over gratefully, giving Lara a look of complete reverence. She chuckles and laughs when I call her a godsend.
While I love being a mother, I understand now why they say it takes a village to raise one.
Too soon, I glance at my watch, a rueful look on my face. How time flies. Though, I still do look forward to the rest of the evening. I find Nikolai deep in conversation with Boris, Ivan, and Abram and pull him aside. "We should get going," I say regretfully. "Your family will be waiting."
As I begin to gather our things, Nikolai pulls me aside gently. His eyes smolder as he gazes down at me, his voice a low rumble meant only for my ears. "But first, I was hoping we could steal a moment alone."
My pulse quickens at the promise in his words. Since the baby's arrival, passion has taken a backseat to parenthood. But Nikolai's desire still burns hot, and I feel my own spark to life in response.
Wordlessly, I let him lead me from the room. Nikolai's hand is warm on my lower back, sending a shooting spark of electricity through my body as he guides me down the hall. We slip into an empty guest room, and the click of the lock falling into place sends a thrill through me.
He wastes no time, his mouth hot and hungry on mine as his hands roam my body. I cling to him just as fiercely, our pent-up need cresting like a wave.
“God, I’ve missed you,” he tells me.
I’ve missed him too. We’re always together, but never like this.
“You’re telling me,” I moan as I lean into him, my hips thrusting into his, my hands reaching for the buttons of his shirt.
“No time,” he moans as he stops me and guides my fingers down to his belt. I quickly help him get rid of his trousers while he lifts up my dress and pulls down my panties.
“So, a quickie, huh?” I grin into his mouth as he kisses me.
He just groans into my mouth, his hands now clamped against my ass. I moan as the wetness seeps down my legs.
"You're just as eager as I am, my love," he growls, his fingers slipping between my thighs and stroking me there. My breath hitches as he grazes against my swollen center, sending shivers down my spine.
He lifts my legs around his waist, and I feel his hard length press against me. I gasp, our eyes locking in the dim light. "Fuck me, Nikolai."
In one swift moment, he carries me to the wall, slamming me against it for support. With my legs still wrapped around his, he plunges into me, a rough thrust that sends a jolt through me. I cry out, my hands digging into his back as he fucks me hard and fast.
Nikolai's breath is ragged as he moves against me, his lips finding mine in a frenzied kiss. I feel him hit that sweet spot inside me, and my eyes roll back in pleasure. "Yes, yes, harder, Nikolai," I beg, my body pulsing with need.
He gives me what I want, his thrusts becoming more erratic and animalistic. Each stroke sends waves of pleasure coursing through me, and I know I'm not far from the edge.
"Oh, Anoushka," he moans, his eyes flashing with desire. "You're so tight around me, I can barely stand it." Our breaths quicken, the room filling with the sound of skin slapping against skin, our gasps and moans. I push into him, wanting him deeper, swimming in such intense pleasure that I feel like a dam about to burst into a torrential storm.
His thrusts become more frantic, his grip on me tightening. He's close, I can feel it. "Anoushka," he gasps, his voice strained. "I can't hold on much longer."
"Then don't," I beg, my voice husky with arousal. “I’m close. I’m close, too,” I moan.
He nods, his eyes blazing with passion. With one last brutal thrust, he releases, filling me with his pulsing heat. I cry out, feeling his warmth soak me just as I burst into flames down there, the sensation of my orgasm seeping up my lower back and running down my legs. I tremble so damn hard that if he lets go, I won’t be able to hold myself.
I gasp for air—while I came, I forgot to breathe.
I collapse against him, boneless and breathless, my heart pounding as if it's trying to escape from my chest. Nikolai holds me close, his breath hot and heavy against my neck.
But soon, too soon, he pulls out and helps me down to the ground.
He sees the disappointment in my face and laughs. “How about tonight? We can try another one of these… quickies, you called it?”
I smile, still catching my breath. "I'd like that." My eyes twinkle as I look forward to the rest of the evening with his family and our daughter.
Before it’s just me and him again.
*****
THE END
Hi there! I hope you liked reading “Arranged to Marry the Bratva”.
A much older Bratva guy pays for me, then takes me as his bride.
I’ve been trapped by my overprotective brothers all my life.
The one time I let loose, I get into a tricky situation. That’s when he shows up.
He pays the money, takes me with him, and tells me we’re getting married pronto…
I’m the quiet one, the innocent girl who always plays by the rules.
But suddenly I find myself married to a possessive, tattooed gangster.
He watches me on CCTV, tracking my every move.
He gets reports on me, carefully describing all of my secrets.
I went from one cage to another, always controlled and heavily protected.
I’m ashamed of the things he makes me do, but he just uses them.
I feel guilty of the way my body responds to his demands, but I have no choice.
He’s laid claim to me, and I want to be a good wife. But will he discard me the first chance he gets?
Or can this paid arrangement turn into something more?