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I love Andrei, I know that, but as I cling to Ezra and catch Mikhail staring at me . . . something shifts into place. A feeling. A sense of belonging. I’m not just Andrei’s, I’m theirs, and all three of them are going to take care of me in their own ways.
As we settle into the limo, I grab each of their hands and pull them to my chest. “I need to tell you guys something.” My heart hammers like a drum. This might be a little fucked up after what just happened in the alley, but?—
“I love you.” I look at Andrei first, then Ezra, then Mikhail. “I love all of you.” In different ways. For different things. But it’s love, just the same.
Andrei smiles at me from across the cab. “That’s beautiful, baby. I love you, too.” He doesn’t come closer, but I have a feeling he’s giving the others room.
Ezra’s hand slides into my hair, and his lips brush my ear. He grumbles, sending tingles down my spine. “You honor me, lisichka. I will treasure it.”
It’s not a love confession, but it melts my heart just the same.
As Ezra kisses my neck, Mikhail grins at me. “You love me too, huh? That’s hot.”
I roll my eyes. Also not a love confession, but if he has more to say, he’s saving it for later when we’re alone. That’s okay. Mikhail’s love is the one that scares me the most, and I’m not sure I want an audience when he unleashes it.
Taking a deep breath, I settle back into the seat and let my eyes drift closed. “What do we do now?” Everything feels so fucked up. My loved ones hate each other, with no reconciliation in sight. Liam’s been beaten, although it was at least partially deserved for how he handled me. I’ve got a Bratva to run, but I’m not sure where to start.
Andrei is the one who answers me. “We get married, of course.”
My eyes fly open. “You can’t be serious. You still want to get married? With everything that’s going on?”
“I’ve always wanted to marry you, Valentina. The circumstances surrounding us won’t change that.” He smiles at me, displaying a confidence that seeps into my bones and secures my own in place.
“Three days, then.” I bite my bottom lip and try not to be nervous. In just three days, I’ll marry the current pakhan of the Bratva and secure my place as not only his wife, but his queen.
It’s what I’ve been waiting for my entire life.
Five years ago, I would have accepted the role blindly. But now, I’m not only accepting my fate, I’m choosing it willingly.
Somehow, that feels like a world of difference.
Chapter 29
Valentina
The day before my wedding, I’m jumping around in a sports bra trying to learn self-defense.
After Liam assaulted me outside the club, my men want to make sure I can defend myself.
I want to make sure I’m never put in that situation again.
“You need to bend knees, lisichka. Lower center of gravity, or you will fall over with lightest push.” Ezra demonstrates, shoving his palm against my chest with so little effort that it’s annoying.
I tumble backward into the padded wall. Sweat drips down my back. We’ve been working on the same maneuver for thirty minutes, and I’m still struggling with the fundamentals. Spread your feet apart. Bend your knees. Use your opponent’s momentum against them. Be quick, or be impossible to push around.
With Ezra as my opponent, it all feels useless. He’s a mountain, immobile and hard as rock everywhere.
I drag in a lungful of air. The training room is in the back wing of the house, down a flight of stairs, and tucked into a corner next to an underground gym. I didn’t know we even had a gym, let alone a padded room for martial arts or boxing or wrestling or whatever else people do in here.
That bothers me. I should know this house like the back of my hand after spending my entire life here.
I need to pay more attention. I need to learn all there is to know about the Baranova estate and its surrounding territory. Thankfully, I have three masters to teach me everything there is to know about our Bratva.
“We take break,” Ezra grunts, helping me to my feet. He’s been just as determined as me during our training, even going so far as to wake up at the break of dawn so that we can get started before the rest of the house wakes up.
Between self-defense with Ezra, shooting and stabbing lessons with Mikhail, and wedding planning with Andrei, I haven’t had a moment to breathe.
Ezra watches me closely as I drink from a metal water bottle. “You are tense. It is not good for bride to be stressed.”
