Chapter 32
32
Anya
I t feels like a haze.
I don’t think I registered the moments in which Nico, Booker, and Chance got us out of that warehouse and back to the Asimov mansion—now cleared of all Sokolov men. Their former military friends patrol the grounds, while Sergei and Andrei instruct what’s left of my father’s fleet to prepare for a return to business under Zoya’s careful guidance.
Sitting in a chair in our tearoom, I rest for a while.
Hours pass as Nico handles what needs handling with the federal authorities, passing them everything they’ve collected in terms of evidence and information to help build an iron-clad case against the Sokolovs. My testimony will be the last nail in the coffin, and I am more than happy to give it, if it brings an end to everything.
“God, I’ve missed you,” Nico says as he walks into the tearoom.
He’s joined by Chance and Booker. They’ve removed their Kevlar and are back to their jeans and flannel shirts—my mountain men, returned to New York.
“And you’ve been sitting here, waiting, like a good girl.” Chance chuckles as he takes me into his arms as soon as I get up.
I lose myself in their embrace and shower each of them with ardent kisses, welcoming the warmth and affection. “I’m so sorry,” I tell them. “I had no idea what Breonna was up to. I really thought she was helping me.”
“It’s okay, baby,” Nico says, cupping my face in his hands. “We handled it. Maybe let us do things our way next time.”
“It’s not that I didn’t trust you—”
“You just didn’t want to see us get hurt; we figured,” Chance replies, his good mood back and a sparkle in his eyes.
We settle on the sofa, talking about what happened and what comes next. I find comfort and safety in their arms, in their presence, and for the first time in ages, I am tempted to believe there are better days ahead.
“We’re going to do our share in the courts,” Nico reminds us. “Testimonies, interviews, statements, the whole shebang.”
“I don’t mind. God, am I awful because I’m relieved that Leo is dead?” I mumble.
“No, not after what he did,” Nico says. “But it certainly gave me no pleasure to kill him.”
“I know,” I tell him. “But you saved me.”
He gives me a pained look. “I saw him reaching for his gun. I knew how spiteful he could be, how psychotic and unhinged, when he realized he couldn’t have his cake and eat it, too.”
“That fucker was ready to go scorched earth,” Booker mutters. “The world is better off without him, that’s for sure.”
“And the Sokolov syndicate will crumble without him,” Zoya says as she enters the room. “None of the other families will even consider them part of the Bratva anymore. As soon as you mentioned the presence of federal agents outside, Ivan Abramovic understood it was over for Leo Sokolov.”
Booker nods slowly. “Maybe that’s why he decided to go for his gun.”
“Death felt like his only option,” I whisper.
“The Bratva would’ve dealt with him in prison,” Zoya says. “The boy was a loose cannon. An opportunist. A backstabber. Personally, I’m glad he’s out of this world. It means you’re finally safe, darling.”
I hug my grandmother as she tells me all about how the Hayes men tracked her down, how they planned the entire intervention, and how everything my brother and I worked toward would finally lead to a better outcome for our family.
It’s so good to see her again. My family weren’t the easiest people to be around, but I still miss them. My mother, my father… Aleks, most of all. Zoya wipes my tears as she sits next to me, pushing Booker off the sofa entirely. He doesn’t object. He understands, smiling as he settles in the armchair.
“What happens next?” I ask them.
“That is entirely up to you, child,” Zoya says. “I plan on securing the Asimov seat at the big boys’ table. Your father had lucrative businesses going, many inherited from your grandfather, some of his own. It would be a shame to lose it all.”
“It would mean a hefty passive income for you,” Nico says. “For you both.”
Zoya nods once. “Precisely. Besides, I still have some spunk left in me. Until I find someone to lead the business, someone I can trust, I’ll man the ship.”
“I’m sorry I’m not cut out for any of it,” I say and sigh deeply.
Nico reaches an arm around my shoulders and pulls me close, planting a soft kiss on my temple. “Anya, you’re an artist. And you are finally free of all this. Think of the possibilities.”
“Maybe think about where you’re going to live and how often I’m going to be able to visit my grandchild,” Zoya quips.
That brings a blush to my cheeks. “Ah, you know.”
“I also know you’re in good hands with these three fine men,” she replies.
“Oh…”
“Relax,” she laughs lightly. “Love is love, no matter what shape or form. As long as you’re taken care of, as long as you are safe and happy, nothing else matters, at least not to me.”
Nico and his brothers exchange curious glances.
“You’ve become quite progressive over the past few years, Mrs. Asimova,” Chance replies.
“I suppose time has softened me up a bit. And after I lost my son, my daughter-in-law, my Aleks… The last thing I want is to lose Anya, too. Again.”
“Right with you there, ma’am,” Chance mutters.
Zoya gives me a warm, reassuring smile. “Don’t think this is new information to me, by the way. Aleks told me about you three. There were rumors whispered here and there, but I never imagined you’d actually want to build a relationship with someone, least of all my granddaughter.”
“Mrs. Asimova, Anya is one of a kind. You know that,” Nico says.
“Yes, she is, which is why you’d best make sure she is the happiest woman alive, every damn day of what had better be the rest of a very long life,” Zoya replies. “Otherwise, there will be repercussions.”
Booker holds back a smile. “We’re well aware of how powerful and reaching a Bratva family can be, especially now that you seem to be getting your ducks in a row.”
“My soldiers will be the least of your concerns,” she shoots back. “I will hunt you down myself and skin you like rabbits.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Grandma, come on.”
“I mean it. Keep my baby safe. Make her happy. She deserves nothing but love, peace, and room to explore her full potential.”
“We will do all that and more, Mrs. Asimova,” Nico kindly assures her. “Assuming, of course, that Anya says yes to coming back to Seeley Lake with us.”
I gasp, wide-eyed as I look at him. “You want me to come back?”
“Of course. The lodge feels so empty without you,” Chance replies. “We’ll turn one of the other guest rooms into a studio for you. There’s a great art school in Missoula you can attend, should you choose to, but in the meantime, we still have a family to build.”
I cradle my belly and take a deep breath. “That’s right.”
“So, are you saying yes?” Chance asks.
“Are you kidding me? I can’t get out of here fast enough,” I say, then jump from the sofa and throw my arms around his neck.
Drunk on his cologne, I kiss him deeply and whisper a promise in his ear. Just for him.