And in this moment, as I sit between my family and my future, I realize something deeper than bloodlines or vengeance.
We are all just trying to survive.
Matvei isn’t smiling right this second, but god, we’ve been through a lot at this point. His parents, exiled. His brother, gone. Almost losing me. His vow to Rafail…
He looksat peace.
The pressure of his hand on my thigh increases slightly. I feel it and lean in closer to him.
Old instincts whisper,run.
But I stay.
I stay and choose what I thought I never could.
I meet his gaze, and he surprises me with a soft, shy smile.
My heart tumbles in my chest and my eyes grow misty. Something about his vulnerability in that smile makes everything slide into place like pieces of a puzzle.
The wine suddenly tastes sweeter, his touch heavier, the room warmer. I feel like my heart expands to twice its size, sitting beside my new family…and the man I love.
Epilogue
Anissa
Matvei smirksat the scent of burning sage in the air that still lingers.
“What’s that supposed to do?” he whispers. We stand in front of each other in the Kopolov family home, holding hands. We’re forgoing most of the pomp and circumstance around our marriage. It’s time we make this official.
“Sage,” I whisper. “Wards off evil, cleanses, and all that.” I shake my head and smirk back. “Your family needs a damn purification, so it’s one small thing we can do.”
“Ahh,” he says, nodding. It’s a small thing. Witchy, he’d call it. But I need to feel like this isn’t just another Bratva transaction, another ceremony of duty. I need to feel like thismeanssomething.
I choose him.
He chooses me.
Matvei’s dressed in a tuxedo, looking hot as hell in the fitted black. He looks like the devil himself come to claim me.
Rawr.
I amso ready.
The Kopolov men flank either side in their dark suits, wearing silent stares. Ekaterina Romanova and Polina stand on either side of them, Polina dressed in elegant gray, holding Rafail’s hand. Ekaterina dressed in silver, her matching silver hair pinned like a crown around her head. She catches my gaze and winks at me as if to sayyou’ve got this.
I don’t have parents anymore, but I’ve got…family.I look at Zoya, her wistful eyes smiling at me and Yana, graceful and poised. Rodion, with his signature smirk, and Semyon, serious as always, but welcoming, which is a lot coming from him.
Rafail steps forward. His gaze sweeps the gathering like a general preparing troops before battle. He doesn’t look at me right away but at Matvei. Then he turns, and his steely eyes land on me with the weight of history behind them.
I know, I know.
“You gave everything in allegiance to this family,” he says to Matvei, his voice rough with command and respect. “And we know what the old laws say. But rules,” he continues, his eyes glinting, “Are written by men who fear change. Laws are rewritten by those not afraid of what lies ahead.” The weight of his gaze falls on Yana. She swallows and gives him a small smile.
My chest tightens. My pulse pounds.
“We’re at war,” he continues. “The Irish will not stop until we’re gone. Destroyed.” He lifts his chin. “But the death of my parentsdidn’t end us. We’ve stayed together, through every travesty sent our way. And we stand together now.”
His eyes flick to Matvei. “Today, we join Matvei and Anissa together. Their vows will forgive past grievances. All of them.” Matvei’s grip tightens in mine. “Today signifies a joining of two people. A blood oath that fortifies. And after this, the past no longer belongs to us.” He nods to me. “The Kopolov claims you as their own, Anissa. Through your union, we gain strength.”
