Epilogue
Vitya
One Week Later
S vetlana walks into the living room, wearing the white dress she’d bought last week that I haven’t been allowed a peek at, and everything inside me stills. My wife is stunning. She didn’t want a traditional wedding dress, so she’s chosen a white dress that hugs her curves in a way that makes it hard for me to think about anything other than fucking her. The silky-looking fabric stops right above her heels, but there’s a long, open slit going up one leg that gives me glimpses of her toned thigh and calf with every step she takes. The dress isn’t cut too low, but it’s low enough to show off the tits that are swollen from her pregnancy.
“Change of plans,” I tell her. “We’re staying in. No one else is allowed to see you in this dress.”
She laughs like I’m joking and steps closer to me. Her eyes run over the black suit I’m wearing, and I suddenly feel self-conscious standing next to her. She’s so far out of my league it’s not even funny. I’m a nobody, just some guy from Moscow who’s become a career criminal, but she is utter perfection and worthy of someone far greater than me.
“You deserve so much better,” I tell her, running my knuckles along her cheek and memorizing every detail of her beautiful face. With a soft smile, I add, “But I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.”
“There’s no one better than you,” she whispers. “And you’re stuck with me too.”
I laugh and bring my lips to hers, savoring the taste of my wife. “I can’t wait to see what you’re wearing under this dress, pcholka .”
“Play your cards right and maybe you’ll find out.”
With a laugh, I smack her ass and give her a wink. “Oh, I’m definitely finding out, sweetheart, but first things first.”
Grabbing the garment bag from where I’d slung it over the back of the couch, I hand it over to her with a wink. “I got you something.”
“You didn’t have to get me anything,” she says, but as the words are leaving her mouth, she’s smiling and unzipping the bag. When she sees the wool coat inside, her eyes light up. “It’s beautiful,” she whispers, taking it out and holding the long, black coat up to her body.
“It’s getting colder outside, and you need something heavier to keep you warm.” I take it from her, holding it up so she can slip her arms in. “I wanted to get you fur, but I knew you’d just feel guilty wearing it.”
“I would have,” she agrees, smiling up at me. “I love the wool. Thank you.”
I step back, running my eyes over her. “God, that looks good on you.”
She smiles and gives a little twirl for me. The coat is long, covering her from neck to ankle, so it’ll protect her from the cold, but it’s cut in a way that makes it look stylish and feminine.
“You have no idea how badly I wanted to get you one of those jackets that looks like a giant sleeping bag,” I tell her.
She raises a brow at me. “I bet you did. Probably in two sizes too big so I can wear an extra sweater under it and everything.”
“Just think of how warm you’d be,” I tell her.
She laughs and runs her fingers over the large buttons running down her new coat. “I think I’ll be just fine in this, and it’s beautiful and isn’t big enough to hold all three of us inside it.”
“We could always get you a snowsuit like Samantha.” I smile at the image. “God, that’d actually be really fucking cute.”
Sveta shakes her head at me with a smile playing at her lips. Pressing her body to mine, she cups my face and pulls me closer. When her lips are almost touching mine, she whispers, “I’m hungry, Vitya.”
I laugh and slide my hands inside her coat so I can reach around and cup her perfect ass. I swear it’s filling out a bit, just like the breasts that are now pressing into my chest, and I groan at the feel of her pregnant body, loving every single change it’s going through.
“I really wish that was you begging me for my cock, but I’m guessing you’re being serious, and you just really want supper.”
Her breathy, soft laugh hits my lips as my cock strains against my pants. She feels it and gives a sexy moan.
“I’m always hungry for you, Vitya, you know that.”
I smile and squeeze her ass harder. “And you can show me just how hungry later. My pregnant wife wants food, so that’s what you’re getting, but first we need to do one more thing.”
“What?”
I kiss the tip of her nose. “Let’s go check on Samantha, and I’ll show you.”
She laughs and slips her hand in mine when I lead her to the door. “My brother just came and got her less than thirty minutes ago, and you want to check on her already?”
I grab my jacket and her hat and scarf while saying, “I do, yes.”
She knows I’m up to something, but she has no idea what. I keep her body pulled in close to mine in the elevator, and when the doors open and she sees her entire family waiting for us and dressed in their finest, she laughs and looks up at me.
“What the hell is going on, Vitya?”
I laugh and kiss her. “I want wedding photos, pcholka . I know you’re hungry, but I promise it won’t take long.”
Katya walks over with a smiling Samantha. I’ve been planning this for days, and she and Alina had gone shopping earlier, picking Samantha out the cutest pink dress, and when Sveta sees it, she laughs and holds out her hands for our daughter.
“You look so pretty, Sam,” she tells her, kissing her face and then looking back up at me with glassy eyes. “I can’t believe you did all this.”
“Don’t you dare start crying,” I say with a laugh. “The photographer is waiting and ready to go. I need some pictures we can frame. I want our apartment filled with family photos. You can cry later all you want,” I promise her.
“Okay.” It comes out as a shaky whisper, but she takes a deep breath and keeps it together while I help her out of her jacket.
When we walk further into the packed room, she looks around at her family, and when I see her lip tremble, I sigh and shake my head. Looking at everyone, I say, “Way to go. Now our wedding photos are going to look like I’ve forced her to marry me.”
“It’s the pregnancy hormones,” Sveta says with a laugh. “I can’t help it.”
Katya laughs and nudges Vitaly. “Reminds me of our wedding.” She looks over at me and says, “I was forced to marry him, though, so the terrified smile on my face was completely authentic. I thought I’d married a monster.”
Vitaly cups the back of her head and kisses her. “And instead you got a giant sweetheart.”
The laugh I give has him arching a brow at me. He’s trying to look pissed, but the truth is we’ve gotten pretty close the last few weeks. Being a grandpa has softened him, and I’ve never seen him look so excited as when we told him Sveta was pregnant. He and Lev are still gloating about being the first to have two grandkids.
The photographer starts setting up, and as soon as he’s ready, he starts with photos of just me and Sveta. I told him beforehand that I wanted hundreds, possibly more, and he’s taking me at my word. Eventually, we bring Samantha in and get a ton of the three of us, and then we add her parents and Val, until we eventually have everyone cramming in for a huge family phot o
“Sandro, Dario, get your butts over here,” Sveta calls out to them. “You’re part of the family too.”
Dominic’s cousins are both in suits, but they’ve been hanging back, not wanting to intrude, but I knew Sveta would want them in the photo so that’s why I’d made sure to invite them. Alessandro squeezes in by Dominic, and when Dario hangs back near the corner, the photographer waves him in closer until he’s positioned behind Mia.
We all smile as he takes photo after photo, until I hear Sveta whisper out of the corner of her mouth, “Jesus Christ, Vitya, I’m hungry.”
I laugh when I hear Vitaly from right behind me, saying, “Me too, honey. I feel like it’s been hours since I’ve eaten.”
“Oh my god,” Katya whispers, “it’s been like an hour tops.”
“Jesus, you two are terrible,” I say with a laugh. Reaching into my suit jacket, I pull out two packages of gummies and toss them each one.
“My favorite,” I hear Vitaly say, right as Sveta lets out a soft, “Hot damn. Thanks.”
“Admit it, the real reason you agreed to marry me is because I always carry snacks in my pocket for you.”
She smiles and pops a gummy in her mouth. “I mean, that did go a long way in your favor.”
I laugh and look at her family. “Can you believe this girl? I saved her life and this is how she treats me.”
They laugh while she smiles up at me. “That’s my line, Vitya, and I did save your life.”
I cup her face, laughing when she keeps chewing. “And I saved yours.” I lean closer and whisper. “You never have thanked me for that.”
She smiles up at me. “No, I haven’t.”
I kiss the cute smirk right off her face while her family cheers us on. I hear the camera clicking, knowing the photographer’s capturing every second of this moment, and I can’t wait to blow this one up and frame it.
“God, I love you so damn much,” I whisper against her lips before kissing her again. My whole life is in this room—my pregnant wife, our beautiful daughter, and the crazy family that’s now become my own—it’s perfect, and I can’t imagine anything better than this. At first I’d been so mad that she’d saved me, and now I’m just so fucking grateful that she did. I would’ve missed all of this if her stubborn ass hadn’t insisted on giving me her blood. My stubborn, willful pcholka has saved me over and over again, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life showing her exactly how grateful I am.
Svetlana
One Month Later
My heart lights up when I see Vitya holding our daughter and walking towards me. She’s smiling, already reaching her arms out, and as soon as they’re close enough, I grab her and pull her against me for a hug. Vitya cups the back of my head and kisses me before sitting down next to me on the couch.
“Feeling better?” His blue eyes run over me, concerned and worried, and it’s so damn cute it makes me smile.
“I’m fine, just a bit of morning sickness,” I tell him. This last week it’s hit me hard, so he’s been taking over the mornings with Samantha. I miss seeing her cute little face when she wakes up, but being able to sleep through the worst of the nausea has helped a ton.
Vitya kisses me again and rests his hand on my stomach. “Go easy on your mommy, little one,” he tells our baby in Russian. I’m still amazed at how easily Vitya has taken to being a daddy. He’s jumped right into family life and hasn’t looked back. He’s a lot more like my dad than he may realize. Now that he’s no longer my official bodyguard, he’s been working closely with Luka and Max, but he always makes sure he’s here when I need him, and he’s made it clear that his first priority is making sure Samantha and I are taken care of.
“I’m really glad you saw sense and stopped fighting me,” I tell him, making him laugh.
“I didn’t stand a chance in hell and we both know it. I was barely able to resist you when you acted like you couldn’t stand me, Sveta. There was no way I was going to be able to resist you when you showed me just how sweet you can be.”
I give him my best smile. “I’m always sweet.”
“Yes,” he agrees, and then quickly adds, “unless you’re using your stinger.”
We both turn to Samantha when she starts squealing as loud as she possibly can. Vitya laughs and lifts her into the air before bringing her face to his so he can kiss her cheeks. She’s a daddy’s girl through and through, and it’s the cutest thing to see. Resting a hand on my stomach, I can’t help but wonder if we’re having a boy or a girl. I think Samantha would love to have a little sister who’s so close in age to play with, but I also can’t stop thinking about how cute a little boy would be—dark hair and blue eyes just like his daddy.
When I look up, Vitya’s staring at me with the sweetest look on his face. “I can’t wait to meet them. I want to know what they look like, if they’re going to have your eyes or mine and what their personality will be.” He laughs and says, “Maybe we’ll have twins.”
“I’m not so sure I want to push two babies out at once,” I tell him. “I think I’d rather just do one pregnancy at a time.”
He gives me a wink. “I’m not so sure you’re going to get a say in that. You’ll be amazing no matter how many babies are growing in there.”
I laugh and hold up a finger. “One, Vitya, one baby is in here, and you can stop talking about twins now.”
Samantha reaches up so she can gnaw on one of his fingers while he says, “Can you imagine three babies under the age of two?”
“No, and I don’t want to,” I tell him with a laugh. “All we’ll be doing from the time we wake up until the time we go to bed is change diapers and get spit up on.”
He grins and gives me another wink. “We’ll find time for other things. I’m not one to brag, but I think I’ve gotten pretty damn good at quickies.”
I laugh, but I don’t correct him. He’s definitely not wrong. The man can get me worked up faster than anything, and he never leaves me unsatisfied, no matter how little time we may have.
“You are a miracle worker,” I agree, making him smile even bigger.
“I just know what your body likes.”
I make a point of dropping my eyes to the zipper of his jeans. “Yeah, me too.”
“Ah, the truth comes out. The real reason you’re with me is because of what’s swinging between my legs.”
“You know damn good and well I was in love with you before I ever saw you naked. That just ended up being a really big perk to the whole Vitya package, and had my dad kept his word and you’d lost it, I would’ve still loved you and stayed with you.”
He laughs and says, “That’s very sweet, and I’m so glad we’ll never have to put that to the test.”
“Me too. I think I’d end up crying more than you over the loss of it. We’d have to find an extra large shoebox and hold a funeral.”
“Jesus,” Vitya groans, “don’t even joke about that.”
Leaning closer, I kiss him and rest my head on his shoulder while Samantha baby talks and plays with my hair. We sit together until it’s time for Vitya to go take care of something with Luka. I’ve managed to talk him out of making me have a bodyguard when I’m alone in the apartment, but that’s only because Danil and Niki installed a few security cameras that Vitya can access on his phone at any time. He still worries, though, and I’m under strict orders to never leave the apartment without a bodyguard. Gavril is the man Vitya and my dad agreed should be watching over me, and after I met him, I understood why. I’d never seen the man before, but he’s been working his way up in the Bratva, and apparently he’s proven his loyalty in ways that make him the ideal man for the job. He’s trusted and respected and it doesn’t hurt that he’s also in his late forties and the loyalty he feels for my family also extends to his wife. Honor is everything to Gavril, and Vitya is relieved to know that the man won’t be looking at me in any way that crosses the line.
The few times I’ve left the apartment with him, I’ve felt safe. He doesn’t make sure my hat is pulled down or that I’m wearing my scarf, but I only want my husband doing those things anyway. Vitya does always make sure there are snacks in the glovebox of the SUV, though, which I think is the sweetest thing ever.
“Don’t leave without Gavril,” Vitya reminds me when he stops to put his jacket on after kissing Samantha goodbye.
“Of course I won’t,” I tell him. “Stop worrying. Have I shimmied down any trellises lately?”
“Not that I know of,” he says, raising a brow at me, “but I wouldn’t put it past you.”
I laugh and step closer. Reaching up, I lace my fingers behind his neck and pull him down to me. “My days of trying to escape are over,” I tell him. “I’m right where I want to be.”
He smiles and lifts me up so he can give me a proper kiss goodbye. The kiss is slow and deep and when he pulls back, the first thing I say is, “Hurry home so you can finish what you just started.”
He laughs and gives my ass a squeeze. “Deal, pcholka . Take a nap while I’m gone so you can stay awake for it. I want more than a quickie tonight.”
“I think I can manage that,” I tell him. “Better make it worth my while though.”
He laughs and kisses me again. “Don’t I always?”
“You do,” I admit, leaning down so I can kiss the dragon tattoo on his neck. “You always do.” I kiss him again and breathe in his scent before saying, “Be careful and come back to me as soon as you can.”
“I will, baby. Don’t worry.” Setting me down, he cups my face and kisses me once more. “I love you, pcholka .”
“I love you too.”
Stepping back, I watch him open the door. He gives me a smile before shutting it behind him, and then I lock the door. I know he’s standing on the other side, waiting to hear the locks click into place before he’ll leave.
I’m walking back to check on Samantha when there’s a knock at the door. Looking at the small screen that’s now mounted on the wall near the door, I see my brother’s face looking at me as he raises his hand to knock again. Before I’ve even reached out to open it for him, I know something is wrong. That weird twin link we share is lighting up like crazy, so instead of saying a hello, I open the door and ask, “What’s wrong?”
He tries to brush my worry off by giving me a smile and shutting the door behind him. “Nothing’s wrong, Sveta. I just figured I’d come down to visit.”
He gives me a quick hug and then heads in the direction of Samantha’s happy squeals and baby talk. When she sees him, she smiles and starts kicking her legs like crazy. He laughs and unbuckles her from her seat so he can pick her up.
“How’s my favorite niece?” he asks while giving her a kiss and grabbing a handful of toys she can play with when he puts her on his lap.
“Stop avoiding me, Val.” I take the seat next to them and tuck my legs up under me while I turn to face him. Propping my arm against the back of the couch, I rest my head in my hand and wait. He’s quiet for a long time, but I refuse to budge. I wish Vitya was here to witness my patience, because I think he’d be amazed.
Val looks over at me, letting me see everything in his familiar blue eyes that he hasn’t yet put into words, and I quickly reach out a hand to grab his. I can tell he’s deeply worried about something, and I can’t help but ask, “Did someone find out about you and Yelena?”
“No, but they’re about to,” he sighs and squeezes my hand, knocking me on my ass with his next sentence. “She’s pregnant, Sveta.”
I’m too stunned to speak. I open my mouth and then close it only to immediately open it and try again. When it’s obvious nothing is going to come out, I give up and hug him instead. I squeeze my brother in a tight hug while Samantha plays with her toys, completely oblivious to everything else. Val leans into me, letting me hug him until I’m finally able to speak again.
“Vitya and I will be with you every step of the way, Val. Everything is going to work out. You’re going to be a daddy, and I’m going to lose a cousin but gain a sister-in-law.”
My brother grips me tighter and kisses my cheek. “Best fucking twin ever,” he whispers so Samantha won’t hear him cuss.
“I’ve only been telling you that our entire lives.”
He gives a soft laugh, pulling back when Samantha starts fussing. Squeezing one of her toys so it plays music, he holds it out to her, and she’s back to being all smiles when she reaches for it.
“She’s so scared,” Val says. “Obviously we didn’t plan for this to happen, but I love her, and I’ve always known I was going to marry her one day and that we’d start a family. This changes nothing for me, but she’s so worried about how her mom and dad are going to react.”
“They’ll learn to accept it,” I say. “They all will.” I squeeze his hand, waiting for him to meet my eyes. “They’ll all learn to love it, Val. Uncle Matvey and Aunt Alina will be so lucky to have you as a son-in-law. No one will ever love and take care of Yelena like you do. They might not see that immediately, but they will see it. It’ll be a shock at first, but it’s going to be okay. You two aren’t alone in this.”
He sighs and leans his head back. “I know we aren’t. This just isn’t how I wanted it all to come out.” Scrubbing a hand through his dark hair, he leaves it disheveled and turns his head to the side to face me. “I need to go meet Yelena. I just didn’t want you hearing about this from anyone other than me.”
“Just say the word, and we’ll be there,” I remind him.
“Thanks, Sveta. Don’t say anything to anyone besides Vitya, though, yeah? I’m not sure when Yelena wants to tell everyone.”
“Of course,” I tell him. “I would never say anything.”
He gives Samantha another kiss before putting her in her saucer play seat before turning to give me another hug.
“It’s going to be okay, Val. I promise. Nothing is going to tear this family apart, not even a little bit of cousin love. ”
“You’re such an ass,” he says with a laugh. “We’re not related, and you damn well know it.”
I look up and smile at him. “Exactly. Things could really be so much worse. I’ll be sure and remind everyone of that when you spill the news.”
He returns my smile, looking slightly better than when he’d first gotten here. “Please do, sis.”
After he’s left, it’s hard to focus on anything other than what he’s just told me, and despite what Vitya said about squeezing in a nap, I’m too wound up to try and take one. I spend the evening with Samantha, letting her smiles and infectious laughter take my mind off things. It works until it’s her bedtime and she falls asleep on me. Once she’s in her crib, I can’t sit still, so I pace the apartment until finally giving up and deciding to work on straightening up the mess we’d made in the living room, and that’s how Vitya finds me when he walks in an hour later.
“I’m all for you greeting me on your hands and knees, sweetheart, but not like this.” His eyes run over me as he says, “What the hell are you doing on the floor cleaning?” He quirks a brow at me. “You’re supposed to be resting for when I fuck you tonight, or did you forget? Shit, did you forget? God, that’s depressing.”
I laugh and sit up. “Of course I didn’t forget. I was just too antsy to sit still.”
He walks over and helps me up. Cupping my face, he looks me over. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
“Yelena’s pregnant,” I blurt out, not bothering to work up to it.
“Jesus.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “We’re not supposed to say anything. They’re going to tell everyone, but he’s not sure when Yelena wants to do that.”
“We’ll back them when it’s time,” Vitya says, not hesitating for even a second.
I smile up at him. “That’s what I said.” It takes me a second to notice the dried, red dots marking his skin. “Is that blood? ”
“Fuck, I thought I’d wiped it all off me.” He sighs and gives a soft laugh. “Your cousin is fucking insane.”
“Sasha was there?”
Vitya just shakes his head and leads me to the bedroom. “Sasha is always around if blood is involved.”
I let him lead me down the hall, past all the framed photos of us. I smile as I look at them, just like I always do. They may not be traditional wedding photos, but I love them so much. My favorite is the one where Vitya is tossing my dad and me the fruit snacks from his suit pocket and everyone is laughing behind us. Mixed in with the wedding photos are pictures of us with Samantha, and there’s also several of my drawings that Vitya had framed. The last one is the one I’d drawn of him and his brother. I’d given it to him after he’d taken me out to celebrate our marriage. It’s one of the few times I’ve ever seen my husband speechless. I was worried that it might be too painful for him, but he’d said that he loved it, that it makes him feel like his brother is still a part of his life. That night we’d also decided that if we’re having a boy, we’re going to name him Seryozha.
Vitya stops to peek into Samantha’s nursery, making sure she’s okay and then whispering that he loves her before he wraps his arms around me, picking me up and carrying me into our bathroom. He starts the shower and undresses me before quickly stripping off his own clothes until he’s in nothing but the necklace he never takes off. My eyes run over his beautiful body, and my heart swells with pride when I see the tattoos that I designed for him that are now marking his skin. He’s quiet while I take in every perfect inch of him, giving me heated stares as his fingers ghost along my skin, teasing me with every light stroke.
When steam starts to fill the bathroom, he says, “Every time I step into the shower, I think about taking your virginity, pcholka . It’s like a conditioned response at this point. I turn on the water, and I get hard.”
I laugh and reach out to wrap my hands around his thick shaft. “It was a pretty fun night,” I say while slowly working his cock. His deep, masculine groan has my lips parting, wanting to taste him. I step closer, using my body to slowly push him into the shower before I get on my knees for my husband. I never thought I’d willingly kneel for anyone, but I’ll gladly drop down for Vitya. I’d do anything for him, and I know he feels the same way about me. We’re a family, and family is everything. No matter what the future holds, we’ll embrace it together.
With his powerful hands fisting my hair, I take him in deeper, watching as he comes undone at my touch and growls my name with his release. I barely have time to savor the moment before he’s lifting me up and pressing me against the shower wall. Wet, sculpted muscle presses against me, pinning my body in place as he gives me a sexy, wicked smile.
“My turn, pcholka .”
And then my husband drops to his knees. Strong hands grip my thighs, spreading me wide before I feel the wet heat of his mouth.
Vitya worships me, just like I’d done to him, and when I fall apart, his strong arms are there to catch me and keep me safe.
He’s always kept me safe, and I know he always will. Vitya was mine the second I saw him bleeding out on that floor over two years ago, and he’ll be mine until my heart takes its last beat, but even then, I won’t let him go. I’ll find him in whatever place we go to after this, because I refuse to be separated from him.
“Mine,” he whispers against my lips, kissing me as he picks me up and slides into me, joining our bodies like they were always meant to be. “You are mine.”
I couldn’t agree more.
THE END
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