Epilogue 1 #3
Konstantin tsked as he leaned in and nipped the base of my neck. “Not yet.”
An electric jolt ran through me as I was still adapting to being fully out with him in public, given his past situation with the law, and if I were honest, I wasn’t used to his displays of affection but loved it deep down.
“Argh, you are so…” I slightly angled my body back at him as he grabbed my shoulders and hoisted them front and forward.
“Don’t turn around,” he cautioned in a low but steady tone.
“I told you before.”
“Ugh, you’re being so painful now. Just what type of surprise are you planning, Mr. Volkov?”
“You love me so deal with it. And just be patient; you’ll see soon.”
“Who put you in charge?”
“Since you started screaming my name every night, I guess—”
“Shut. Up.” My hand went up in the air, fingers dug in my palms. “Seriously, when will you learn some manners?”
Konstantin circled around me until we were face-to-face.
He looked as handsome as ever with a new leather jacket, a white crew neck shirt, black jeans with boots that color-matched mine. His hair perfectly tousled as one piece of hair escaped, lingering at his temple. “If you keep quiet, afterwards you can teach me how to be a good boy.”
“Really?”
“Mmhm, you can do whatever you want to me… later.”
How can I say no to that?
“Okay, but you better keep your promises.” I jabbed my stiletto-shaped red nail into his chest, fluttering my lashes up at him.
He took my hand and lifted it to his lips, breath blowing against my knuckles. “I’m a man of my word, baby.” He promised as he kissed my hand and winked at me.
His silly words made my cheeks flood with blush. God, this man was too good to be true.
A few minutes passed as my impatience tethered; as abruptly, he released a sigh of relief and smiled.
What was he so happy about?
“Alright, you can turn around. Slowly.”
He gave me the green light.
“Well now I don’t want to!” I played hard to get.
He released a breathy chuckle, ordering with little amusement. “Kotyonok, turn around.”
“Well, who's begging now?”
“I’m serious.”
I folded my arms, one over the other, backtalking. “I am too. If you want me to turn around, you have to give me a clue.”
He deeply exhaled, his eyes flickering to somewhere behind me as he motioned over with his head.
“Well—” I began, bobbing my head with attitude as the most precious voice rang in my ears.
“I told you she wouldn’t listen to me so why don’t you help me, buddy?” He spoke to someone. What could be so important that he couldn’t just tell me?
Just who in the world —
“Mama.” One soft, mellow voice called out to me.
My heart stammered, halting for a mere millisecond before it regained its ferocious momentum, and it burst with renewed hope. “It can’t be…” My lips trembled as I looked up at Konstantin, who held a soft smile.
“Turn around, kotyonok.”
Tears fogged my sight as I looked at Kon, shocked. “I don’t know if I can.”
If Konstantin hadn’t turned me from my waist, I wouldn’t have had the volition to do so.
My eyes caught and lingered on the big, happy grin of my baby boy.
Looking all over him, the green hazel eyes and soft brown hair that replicated mine, tanned skin from being in the heat of Colombia, his Hogwarts-designed t-shirt, blue jeans, and Nike sneakers, he was all of me.
“Ollie? Baby!” My lungs cried out.
“Mama!” He said in return as he ran with his two little feet towards me.
I sprinted to him as I opened my arms wide and caught him in my arms. His little warm body clung to my shoulders as I couldn’t believe he was here… with me. Breathing in his soft, clean baby scent, which made my heart melt.
Kon strode behind me and I turned to him.
“How? How did you get him here?”
“I knew how much he meant to you. I knew you needed him like he needed you, and I didn’t care what I had to sacrifice or give; you two needed to be with each other.”
My tears fell without remorse.
The disarray of the world faltered, and the missing cracks became complete.
He never broke his promises.
Kon always kept his word.
“Mama,” Ollie buried his tiny hands in my hair, steady on my shoulders. “I missed you.”
Those three little words were enough to make my existence and the whole time we were apart bearable.
“My god, you don’t know how much that means, baby.” I sniffled, looking down at him. My shaking hands threaded gently through his hair, feeling the world in my hands as he peered up with his little mischievous gaze at me. “I almost thought you forgot about me.”
“Very silly Mommy. Never.” He grinned, his big chubby cheeks rounded.
“Yes, I was very silly.” I hummed because nothing else mattered now. “You've gotten so big! I can’t believe it. And you’re so handsome.” I pecked his face with kisses all over.
Ollie giggled with his full body.
“Well, can you blame him? I mean, look who you choose as the father.” A resonant, commanding, sultry voice that was used to give death orders teased from behind me.
No fucking way. There was no way this pain in my ass came to see me.
Well, who else did you entrust your son to?
Swerving to a forty-five-degree angle, there he was, dressed in the finest Brioni black two-piece suit he could afford, unbuttoned as he wore a black undershirt with the first few buttons undone, revealing his bronze chest and a rosary he religiously wore, along with black oxfords, a one-of-a-kind Patek Philippe watch, and Ray-Ban sunglasses.
The perfect mix of elegance, seduction, and devastating power. “You.”
“Hello, mi amor.” Marcello flashed a charming wide smile as he removed his glasses, revealing his rich brown prideful gaze. “Long time no see.”
I shook my head, trying to fight a smile. “And this is how you welcome me? The mother of your child. Eres un patán.” You’re a jerk.
“Well, given all accounts and grievances, I hope this pays off my debt.” He ran a hand through a side of his dark waves.
Adjusting Ollie on my hip, I walked over to him and stood in his way as he towered over me but he never diminished my presence.
I rose to my tippy toes, cupping one side of his cheek, giving him a kiss, and then embraced him.
The bottled-up words broke out without force as I whispered.
“Thank you for keeping him safe. Thank you for bringing him to me. For allowing me to see and be with him again.”
He kissed the top of my head gently, saying. “You are his mother. I would never take that right from you.”
I backed away, acknowledging everything I put him through. “I know, but I was scared I would never have the chance again. I know how much problems I’ve caused you and everyone—”
“Shush,” He waved his hand like it was insignificant. “It's all taken care of. No more need to worry.”
“Still, it doesn’t erase the hassle I’ve put you and your family, the boys, through.”
“You are my family, Blair. You and our son. And it doesn’t matter what you did. I’d slaughter the whole world for you both if needed.”
“So you’re not mad anymore?”
“I was never mad at you. Just the circumstances.”
“So does that mean I can see him, live with him, and everything?”
Gazing down at my son like he was going to disappear, another tear dropped down, not wanting to spend another moment apart. I couldn’t.
Ollie jumped, raising his little hand and touching my cheek. “Mami, don’t cry.”
“Sorry, baby. These are happy tears.” I made up.
He tilted his head, lips pouted in confusion as he turned his head to his dad. “?Qué?”
Marcello slightly bent his knees and met Ollie at eye level, ruffling his hair. “No te preocupes, mijo. Mami is okay.”
I wiped the mess away with my sleeve as Konstantin watched like a stranger who wished to be a part of what this was.
“Oh my god, I’ve completely forgotten. Marcello, this is Konstantin my—”
“We’ve met.” He said robust, cutting me off.
“Oh, have you?” My eyes rounded slightly, gazing back at the two, my lover and baby daddy, who were mobsters and now glaring at one another.
This was awkward.
His features were dark and tense, yet there was an underline hint of admiration, like he was observing a worthy adversary. “Yes, and given his past, questionable at the very least, a Bratva man. I mean, you couldn’t have gotten with a regular prisoner?”
“I couldn’t help it. You see, my ex didn’t teach me any better, so if I couldn’t be with the leader, I’d be with someone who had power.”
“Well, I can’t blame you; besides his past connections, onslaught of killing sprees, and brutal yet formidable reputation, the Russian fucker is too good looking.”
“Thank you,” Pride indulged my words. Konstantin was more than what any man could be because he was meant for me. “And how about you? Have you found a lucky pretty lady? Well, not prettier than me because obviously it’s hard to get better than what I am.”
One side of his lips rose. “I actually got married.”
A mocking chuckle slipped out against my better will.
“Oh really? Someone married you?” I couldn’t believe him, not because he wasn’t handsome or couldn’t attract any woman he wanted, but because he swore he would never marry.
Back when I was nineteen, I didn’t have a problem nor ever envisioned myself marrying him, so I liked what we had. Never thinking of changing it.
He angled his face back, lifting his two fingers and directing someone who was sitting by a nearby bench to come.
“I was joking.”
“I wasn’t.”
I squinted at the incomer as I wondered who in the world would bring this man to his knees— but when she rose from the bench, I became mystified.
Her deep, rich red hair glittered like rubies, and her skin, all peachy, glowed in the golden cast of the departing sun as she took graceful, elegant steps.
Her body made for ballet, as she was lean but poised, and the emerald green sundress she wore with a silk shawl made her look like a doll come to life.
She walked over to Marcello’s side; her head barely met his shoulder as she slid her arm in his as I saw the golden wedding band.