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“I’ve missed you, zhena.”
He releases my chin and addresses the group. “I apologize for my intrusion, but I’d been expecting Valentina home by now. I get antsy when she’s late.” He gives Mikhail a pointed look. “Despite having the fastest car in the city, you still managed to drag today out as long as possible.”
Mikhail chuckles, but it’s lacking its usual splendor. “What can I say? Valentina’s an addictive little minx.” He winks, and I want to murder him. “Can’t blame me for stealing her away a little longer.”
Andrei hums softly. “Perhaps she needs an accessory. A collar? A tattoo?” His eyes travel up and down my body, like he’s imagining his name inked on my skin. Snapping his fingers, he reaches inside his jacket pocket. “Ah, I know what we’re missing.”
A tiny, black velvet jewelry box.
I stare at the little black box, really nervous now.
“What do you say, zhena?” He pops open the lid, revealing the most gorgeous black diamond ring I’ve ever seen. The gemstone is cut into a razor-sharp diamond shape, with the top edge crested by a band of square white diamonds in a matching point. Above this, sparkling black and white diamonds form the tip of the crown, the setting cast in a warm rose gold.
Andrei slips my hand into his and presses a kiss to my ring finger. “I’m afraid your mother’s ring went missing after she passed. I searched for it everywhere, even for replica photos to have a replacement custom made, but I couldn’t find anything.” He pulls the ring from its holder with his other hand. “I hope this one reminds you of who you are, Valentina.”
And who you belong to, the voice in my head adds.
He slips it onto my finger, and it’s a perfect fit. I hold the ring up and twist my wrist in the light. I’ve never seen anything so sparkly before, and I absolutely love it. A little sparkle may be my new favorite accessory.
“Thank you,” I breathe, getting choked up. “It’s beautiful, Andrei.” I poke the sharp tip with my thumb and pull back quickly when it stings. And dangerous, too.
Andrei’s smile softens as he gazes at me. “A pakhan’s wife deserves only the best. I will give you my best, as well,” he vows suddenly. “You have my word as your husband.”
Overwhelming joy fills me to the brim. I know Andrei and I got off to a rocky start when I first returned, but I have no doubt that Andrei means what he says. I’ve never known him to lie. And now that he knows I want him, not just because I was told all my life to marry a powerful man within the Bratva, but because it’s him . . . things feel different. Things feel right.
The world feels and looks more vibrant than ever, and I wish more than anything that my mom could be here to witness this. She always told me that life has a funny way of giving its support, and I know she’d be happy to see my new support system growing more and more each day.
I was so alone when I was an eighteen-year-old pakhan’s daughter. I had my mother and fiancé with me, but it wasn’t enough.
Now I have three men to love and a new sister, and I’m sure I’ll make more friends as I settle down here in the city.
The hope for a warm, full future is overwhelming.
A single tear slips free, and embarrassment quickly floods my system. A pink blush spreads across my cheeks and down my neck. “I don’t know why I’m crying.” A nervous, embarrassed giggle catches in my chest. “A bride shouldn’t cry when her fiancé gives her a ring.”
Andrei kisses my cheek, smoothing away the teardrop with his warm lips. “I will kiss away all your tears, zhena, every time.”
We gaze into each other’s eyes, and I long to say so many things I have no hope of articulating. I still love you. I still want you. I’m hopelessly, addictively enthralled by you.
A loud pop breaks the silence, and both Mikhail and Celia whoop loudly as they work in tandem to pour champagne. “I always keep some on hand for special moments like these,” Celia says with a wink. Her warm eyes glitter like the diamonds on my ring. “Congrats.”
Mikhail hands both me and Andrei overflowing champagne flutes. “Congrats, malyshka.” Nodding to Andrei, he presses a kiss to the top of my head and returns to his seat on my left. As we start divvying up the takeout, both men’s hands wander beneath the table, one on each of my thighs.
I laugh as the men tell stories about each other and their experiences as unruly teenagers. They didn’t meet until Andrei officially joined the Bratva at sixteen, but by then, Andrei was already well-versed in Ezra’s dark brooding, and the three men formally met.
“On a routine supply run,” Mikhail clarifies, taking another sip of champagne.
“Nothing was routine about it.” Andrei stabs a piece of chicken with his fork. “The rooster ate one of the diamonds.”
“Ezra had to dig that one out, didn’t he?”
A wave of longing for the third man missing from our group stirs in my chest. I wish he were here.
As though reading my mind, Andrei squeezes my thigh. “Ezra’s busy tonight,” he murmurs close to my ear, “but he’ll be back tomorrow. I would have brought him otherwise.”
I nod. “Maybe we can do this again. I like this.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.” He smiles, and it takes my breath away.
