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Before he can make good on his threat, Mariya acts. With a sudden, fierce motion, she slams her elbow into Ahmet's stomach. The blow lands with enough force to make him double over and lose his grip on her.
Seizing the moment, Mariya breaks free and darts away from Ahmet's reach. I don't hesitate. With two quick, controlled shots, Ahmet drops to the ground. Just like that, it's over. The man who had turned our lives into a living nightmare is no longer a threat.
Mariya runs over to me, and we embrace tightly, holding each other as if letting go would mean losing one another forever. Our hearts beat fiercely against our chests in relief as the adrenaline subsides.
"I love you," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "I love you so much."
"I love you, too," she replies, her voice muffled against my chest. "I was so scared."
"We're safe now," I assure her. "It's over."
As Mariya and I exit the compound and step into the courtyard, the weight of the night's events begins to lift. Ahead of us, my brothers wait, their expressions a mix of relief and satisfaction.
I'm met with firm handshakes and warm brotherly hugs, a welcome contrast to the cold danger we've just escaped. Mariya, still reeling from the ordeal, is welcomed with gentle embraces, a sign of respect and solidarity.
"Thanks for coming," I say to my brothers, my voice heavy with gratitude. "I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't shown up."
Andrei claps me on the shoulder, his eyes sincere. "It's the least we could do for family," he says. "I told you, you're one of us, Damien. Always have been."
The others nod in agreement. Their words, simple yet profound, resonate deeply. I've felt like an outsider for so long, struggling to find my place in a world that often seemed foreign and unwelcoming. But here, in this moment, surrounded by my brothers, I feel a sense of belonging, a connection that goes beyond blood.
"We're sorry for the times we made you feel like you weren't part of the family," Andrei says. "You've more than proven yourself to be one of us, regardless of your last name."
It's a heartfelt moment that mends old wounds and solidifies bonds. Mariya squeezes my hand, her presence a silent support. I look into the faces of my brothers, seeing not only allies but a united front, a family bound by loyalty.
"I'm ready to get back to Moscow," I say. I’m longing for normalcy and peace. The events of the night have left their mark, and the desire to return to something familiar is overwhelming.
Andrei nods, his expression serious. "That's good because this isn't over yet," he says, his tone grave. We still need to bring down Vadem."
The mention of that name brings back the reality of the situation. Our victory tonight is significant, but it's just one battle in a greater war.
Chapter 34
Mariya
As the doors of the private jet close, sealing us off from the rest of the world, the tension that has held us in its grip for weeks finally releases. Damien and I find ourselves alone, truly alone, for the first time since the chaos began. Our eyes lock, a silent conversation passing between us before we're drawn together, lost in a whirlwind of kisses.
The jet's engines hum to life, but the sound fades into the background, drowned out by the rapid beating of our hearts. His hands are tender as they roam over me, each touch reigniting the fire that's always burned between us.
"Is it true?" Damien's voice breaks through the haze of passion, tinged with a mix of disbelief and awe. "Are you really...?"
I nod, my eyes searching his for any sign of hesitation or fear. "Yes, I'm pregnant."
For a moment, there's silence, his gaze piercing. I brace myself, fearing his reaction, fearing that this unexpected twist might be too much, that it might push him away. But then, his face breaks into a smile, radiant and genuine, dispelling my fears like shadows at dawn.
I can’t help but ask. “Are you happy?”
"Over the moon," he whispers, his voice filled with emotion. He pulls me closer, his embrace shielding me from the world. In his arms, I feel a sense of safety and belonging that I've never known before.
In the quiet sanctuary of the private jet, suspended somewhere between the bedlam we left behind and the unknown that awaits us, Damien and I find solace in each other's arms. Our kisses are not just expressions of passion now; they are declarations of love, each one more fervent than the last.
"I love you," I whisper, the words tumbling from my lips like a sacred vow. "I never knew I could feel this way."
Damien's response is immediate, his voice a low rumble that resonates within my soul. "I love you, Mariya. More than I ever thought possible." His eyes, those deep pools of emerald, hold a fierce determination. "I swear, I won't let anything happen to you or our baby. You're my world now."
His promise wraps around me like a warm blanket, banishing the lingering shadows of fear and uncertainty. I trust him implicitly, not just with my life but with the life growing inside me.
We kiss again, losing ourselves in the moment and in the profound connection that binds us. Each touch, each caress, speaks volumes about the journey we've been through and the bond that has only grown stronger.
