Chapter 20
KATYA
T he moment I get the news that my friends are found, safe and unharmed, I rush over to Dimitri’s house.
He answers and, without a word, steps out of my way as I run to Evie. The two of us hug without saying anything either. This is where I feel my most centered—with my best friend.
“You’re ok,” I say, letting her go.
“And so are you.”
“Ava and Luna?”
“They’re good. Nikolai and Maxim made sure they made it home safely. You knew they would.”
“I know. I’m just so glad you’re ok.”
“Me, too. Dimitri told me a little about how you went full Rambo on Luca’s guards.”
“Why does everyone keep saying that?” I laugh. “It was nothing. I had to fight, and that’s what I did.”
“You’ve been fighting for a long time. Your marriage with Anton.”
I hold my hand up. “Don’t worry, Evie. I’m happy with Anton. I lov—” I stop myself, but Evie gives me a knowing look.
“Does he know that?”
“Not yet.”
“Then you need to tell him.”
Dimitri walks over to us. “Katya, can I talk to you?”
There’s a petty part of me that wants to say no, but I know Dimitri and I need to talk. So, I give Evie one more hug and follow Dimitri into his office.
“What?”
I expect him to scold me for putting my life in danger or to say I’m stupid for loving Anton or to yell at me for still being mad at him.
But what I don’t expect is for him to say, “I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry?”
“For making you marry Anton and then judging you for making the most out of it. I saw you today, and you looked … powerful. I’ve never seen my baby sister look like that before. I know it’s partly because of Anton’s influence. I know he didn’t hurt Evie. I was wrong for ever thinking he would kidnap her.”
“Anton has grown, you know. Just like you have.”
“I grew because of Evie.”
“And Anton grew because of me, and I grew because of him.”
Dimitri’s eyes soften as he sighs. “Good point. I’m tired of fighting with you. I miss having you in my life. What do you say? Can you ever forgive me?”
I look at my brother—my strong, confident, brave brother who’s done so much for me—and hug him.
He tenses for a moment before hugging me right back.
“I already forgave you,” I whisper into his chest. His arms around me tighten. I know that no matter what happens in my life I can always count on Dimitri.
Because of that, I let him hold me a little while longer.
ANTON
Nikolai’s eyes widen when he sees me standing on his doorstep. “Anton.”
“Hey, Nik. I think it’s time you and I talk.”
With his usual stoic expression, he lets me into his home. It’s a place I know well from years prior. Back when we used to be partners.
Now, we have a chance to be partners again.
“How’s Ava?”
“Ava is safe. Resting. It was a tiring day.”
“I bet.”
We both stand in silence for moment. It’s up to me to talk, I know that. “Your scar healed up nicely.”
He doesn’t move an inch. “I know.”
“No thanks to me.” I try to laugh, but since Nik isn’t laughing, it falls flat. “Ok, fine. I know I betrayed you in the past. I gave you your scar. It’s a reminder of what I did. I was power hungry. I mean, I still am, but now that I have Katya in my life, I feel … calmer. Not as angry. Not as chaotic. I know what I did to you was fucked up. And I know that’s why you were ready to believe Luca’s plan when he set me up for Ava’s kidnapping. I deserve you hating me. And I know there will never be a complete trust between us again after what I did to you.
“But,” I continue, “I want to try.”
Nikolai’s eyes move a fraction of an inch, but otherwise, he doesn’t give anything away.
“I didn’t ask for help when dealing with Luca because I’m used to going at things alone. But I should have asked for help. If I had, maybe Ava wouldn’t have gotten kidnapped. Maybe you would’ve been better prepared. And that’s one thing I’ve learned in this: I can’t do this alone. So, I really do want to be business partners again. I won’t fuck you over. Katya won’t let me.”
For the first time since inviting me into his home, Nikolai’s lips twitch. “If you do, then do I have permission to kill you?”
“You do. But you’re not going to need to. I know I’ll probably have to spend years regaining your trust, but I’m willing to do it.”
“You have changed, Anton. I’ll give you that.”
“All thanks to my wife. You’ve changed, too.”
“All thanks to my wife,” he says, nodding behind me. Ava stands in the living room, watching the two of us.
I give her a nod, and slowly, she nods back. I turn back to Nikolai. “I won’t hurt you or her. Not when I know what it’s like to love someone.”
“You love Katya?” he asks.
“Why? Did you think me incapable of having a heart?”
“Honestly? Yes.”
I smile. The truth is, I deserved that. “Things are going to be different around here. Trust me.”
“I’ll try, Anton. I want to try.”
“Then let’s make it happen. Let’s make New York City ours. Well, ours and Dimitri’s and Maxim’s. Let’s make us so unbeatable we never have to worry about anyone coming after our wives again.”
“Now, that’s something I can get on board with.”
Slowly, Nikolai extends his hand out to mine.
And I shake it.
KATYA
Anton and I arrive home at the same time.
I run out of my car and over to him. “I need to tell you something.”
“Is this good news or bad news?” He slings his arm around my shoulders and walks us toward the front door.
“I hope good news. Anton. Stop.” I turn to face him. “You need to know something. I’ve been hesitant to say it for a while because I wasn’t fully sure how I felt, but now, I know.” I inhale deeply. “I love you.”
He goes still. What is he thinking? Is he scared? Is he happy? Is he disgusted?
Then he moves.
I gasp when his hands cup my face, and he kisses me. I cling to him with everything inside me, infusing our kiss with all the happiness I feel.
“I have to tell you something, too,” he says against my lips. “I love you.”
“I can’t believe we’re at this point.”
“I know. So, what are we doing talking about it?” He lifts me up into his arms and carries me inside.
The dead bodies have been cleaned up and so has the blood. Anton works fast during a crisis.
He carries me into his—our—bedroom, and within minutes, both of us are naked, kissing and holding each other like we might die without the other.
Anton rolls me onto my side and gets behind me, raising my leg over his hip. “God, baby. Now that I’ve said it, I want to keep saying it.” His fingers move down to my clit and play with me, warming my body up. I arch my hips back and forth, trying to match his pace, but he keeps teasing me too much for me to do that.
“Tell me.”
“I love you,” he says right into my ear.
“So, then, take me,” I moan, pressing my hips back against his.
Anton doesn’t disappoint.
He thrusts right into me, filling me up perfectly. I rest my head on his shoulder and gaze back at him. Our eyes meet as our bodies move as one.
I grab the back of his head and pull him toward me for a kiss. I can never get enough of this man. This man who I thought I would hate. This man who I thought I would have a terrible life with.
This man who surprised me. Who saved me. Who comforted me when I was scared.
Who turned out to be the love of my life.
Just as soon as we become one, we come together, moaning against each other’s lips.
Anton’s seed fills me, and I know that there’s a good chance I could get pregnant. I’m content with that idea. A family of my own is a very nice thought.
He slips out of me, holding me close to him as we both lie there, catching our breath.
“You want to know something?” I ask.
“What?” I can hear the smile in his voice.
“I could do that forever.”
“Well, then, what are we waiting for?” He flips me onto my back, making me laugh, and stares down at me with so much love in his eyes.
“Nothing,” I reply. “We don’t have to wait for anything anymore. It’s just you and me.”
“And my mom.”
I groan, swatting his arm. “Don’t remind me.”
He chuckles as he gives me one more kiss. “It’s you and me, baby. Let’s take the world for ourselves.”
“That sounds perfect.”
It really does.
The End