Epilogue #3
Lev stands last, his movements sharp, aggressive. He stares at Lucian, then at Adrian, his eyes burning with barely suppressed rage.
Then he turns and follows his father toward the door.
Ivan pauses at the threshold, glancing back at Lucian.
"Two months," he repeats, and then he's gone.
The second the doors shut, Adrian throws his hands up, pacing the room in a fury.
"You are out of your fucking mind," Adrian says. "This is completely crazy, Lucian."
He walks back and forth, his boots heavy against the hardwood, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides.
"You just agreed to marry a Volkov," Adrian continues, spinning to face Lucian. "A fucking Volkov, Lucian."
"Enough," Lucian says, his voice low and even.
Adrian ignores him.
"The same family that tortured Elena. And now you're going to marry into them? Are you insane?"
I step forward, positioning myself between Adrian and Lucian. My hand lifts slightly, a gesture meant to calm, though I know it won't work.
"First off, they had nothing to do with that, and I killed the person who did. And secondly," I say, turning to Lucian, "it's a massive risk, Lucian. The Bratva doesn't forgive, and they don't forget. Natasha Volkov is a wildcard. They could be leading you straight to the slaughter."
Lucian doesn't move. He stands at the head of the table, his hands resting lightly on the back of his chair.
Adrian opens his mouth to speak again, but Lucian raises one hand, palm out, and Adrian stops mid-breath.
"Are you finished?" Lucian asks.
Adrian's jaw tightens. He doesn't answer.
Lucian steps forward and places both hands flat on the table, leaning forward slightly.
"We get Los Angeles," he says. "The Volkovs pull out completely and take the remains of the Bulgarians with them. They leave it entirely to Matei without fear of them coming back."
He pauses, his gaze sweeping over each of us.
"We get their routes through Europe. Every port, every smuggling line, every bribed customs officer that Dimitri built using Ivan's name."
Another pause.
"And now, we'll get the entire Bratva supply chain, clean of Dimitri's rot. We gain enough to reach heights we've only ever dreamt of."
His gaze hardens.
"And most importantly, we secure peace. For all of us."
Adrian shakes his head.
"At what cost, though?" Adrian asks. "Your life?"
Lucian straightens up.
"If that's what it takes."
Matei shifts beside me, his arms folded across his chest.
"Lucian, we would never ask you to..."
"I'm not asking for permission," Lucian says, cutting him off. "It's done."
Adrian turns away, his hands gripping the back of a chair.
"You can't just..." Matei says, but he's interrupted.
"I told all of you I would sacrifice whatever was necessary to ensure we succeed. I run this family and I've made my decision."
"But it's your life," Matei says.
Lucian stops. He turns his head and looks at Matei.
"This family is my life, brother. All of you are my life."
The room goes still, and no one speaks.
Lucian's gaze shifts to me, and he stares at me for a long moment.
"Always for the family, right?" he says.
The words punch through me.
My own words. The same thing I've said a thousand times, the same justification I've used to rationalize every lie, every manipulation, every life I've taken.
I nod slowly.
"Yes."
Lucian holds my gaze for another beat, then turns toward the door.
"So, everyone stop complaining," he says. "Let's get ready for my wedding."
He leaves without waiting for a reply.
Adrian stands frozen, staring at the closed door.
Then he explodes.
"Fuck this."
He storms toward the door, yanking it open so hard it slams against the wall.
Matei exhales slowly, shaking his head.
"Lucian's making a mistake," he says quietly.
"Maybe," I say. "But it's his to make."
Matei looks at me.
"You really believe that?"
I don't answer.
Matei pushes off the table, adjusting his jacket.
"I need to make sure Adrian doesn't do something stupid."
He walks out without another word, leaving me alone in the room with Danika.
The quiet settles over us, and I turn toward her.
She's leaning against the mahogany paneling near the window, her arms crossed. Her blue eyes lift to mine.
"I'll never fully understand this world we live in,” she says. “Even after all I've done."
I step toward her.
"Neither will I," I say.
My hands find her waist, gripping her firmly, possessively.
"But whatever it is, you're in it," I say, my voice low. "And that's all that matters."
I lean down and kiss her.
Her lips are soft, and she sighs against my mouth, her hands sliding up my chest, her fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt.
The kiss deepens, and for a brief, welcome moment, everything else fades.
When I pull back, she's looking up at me.
"So, I'd assume you know her?" I ask. "Natasha."
A slow, warning smile spreads across her lips.
"I do."
I raise an eyebrow.
"What's she like?"
Danika's smile widens.
"She's beautiful," she says. "Sharp as a knife."
She pauses, her gaze flicking toward the door before returning to mine.
"She's Ivan's only daughter, which means she's spoiled, dangerous, and used to disposing of men who get in her way," she says, and her fingers trail down my chest, stopping just above my belt.
"And I'm pretty sure she's going to think Lucian just got in her way more than any man ever has."
I frown.
"You think she'll try to kill him?"
Danika tilts her head, her expression thoughtful.
"Maybe not right away," she says. "But Natasha doesn't like being told what to do. And she definitely doesn't like being used as a bargaining chip."
She leans in close, her lips brushing my ear.
"Actually," she whispers, "she's going to hate him."
Thank you for reading!