“Let’s go,” I say, heading straight past him to the cars.
We leave with the security team watching our backs. Simon climbs into the back of the car with me, letting the guard take the wheel. One by one, our cars drive out onto the street, and we begin to put distance between ourselves and Alek Mykros. The man I will never again think of as my father.
I feel numb and in shock, confused about everything I just experienced.
I turn to look at Simon; my face knotted with worry. “Do you think he will hurt Yakov. My brother is the reason I got out. He punched my father in the face.”
I tell Simon what Yakov did for me, and he wraps his arm around me and pulls me up against his side on the back seat. “So, there is hope for the future of the Mykros name?”
“What if he hurts him, though?”
“Then I will kill him,” Simon says, kissing my head. “I already wanted to kill him today. I still do. Selene, I can’t believe I got you back. I thought… I thought I lost you forever.”
“I knew you’d come for me,” I whisper, snuggling close up against his side. “I was scared, but I knew you would come.”
“Always,” he says. “I love you, Selene. I love you more with each passing day, and I will spend the rest of my life falling in love with you!”
My heart spills over with happiness as I look up at him with wide eyes.
“I… I love you too, Simon. I always have and I always will.”
He pulls me onto his lap and whispers against my ear. “Marry me. We can be a real family. I will never let anyone tear us apart.”
“Yes,” I laugh. “Yes, I’ll marry you. I’ll marry you over and over again.”
That night, we climb into bed with the twins snuggled between us. I can’t believe that the danger is over. I can’t believe that my dream has become a reality. I have my family. I have my children and the man I love!
Epilogue - Simon
It’s been four months since Selene said yes to marrying me.
Four months since we ended her father’s reign of terror over her and the twins. And me. Four months of peace and happiness in my family.
And these have been the four best months of my entire life. Yet somehow, I know that each passing moment with her will only lead to even more happiness.
We haven’t heard a word from Alek or her other brothers. Only Yakov. Selene and he exchange phone calls and messages in secret, behind her father’s back. Nothing like spying or feeding information, just checking in to make sure everyone is okay. Selene still longs to build a relationship with her other brothers, but so far, they have not been interested in talking to her. Maybe one day. Maybe not. For now, she has my brothers, and they treat her exactly like they treat my sisters.
Selene is smiling; she’s always smiling lately. She’s excitedly preparing food in the kitchen for one of her favorite nights of the week. Family night, hosted by her in her home,our home, where she can cook for my whole family.
I know how much these dinners mean to her.
Firstly, she’s never had a home where she felt safe, where she truly felt it washerhome. Secondly, she’s never had a family like this.
Every single one of my brothers and my sisters, and my brothers’ wives, all treat her like she is one of us. And they spoil the twins rotten. So rotten, I have actually asked them to calm down and stop buying them things, but my brothers refuse.
“Volkovs live like kings,” Adrian teased when he gave Arron his own tiny replica of a Bronco. One that, to my horror, really drives. It has made my evening runs a lot more exciting and tense.
“What’s the time?” Selene calls from the kitchen.
I scoop Solenne off my lap and set her down next to her brother despite her protests. “You have plenty of time, princess. It’ll be another half an hour before they arrive.” But just as I say it, Raya bursts through the front door.
“I’m here!” she calls out. The twins are on their feet, slamming into their favorite aunt with the full force of two hyped up five-year-olds. “Raaaay!” Arron shouts, clinging to her leg.
I grin and give her a side hug, working around the twins.
“I thought I’d come early so I can give Selene a hand. She always worries that everything has to be perfect.”
“Thank you, she’s in the kitchen,” I tell Raya as I bend down to pry Solenne off her leg.
