Page 186 of The Bratva King

Nik is talking to his brothers. Maksim has his arm slung over the back of a chair, laughing at something. Sergei stands with his hands in his pockets, watching the room. Three men raised in the same house, and by different degrees of the same violence. I know enough of their history now to understand what it means that they're laughing.

Sofia joins me with a toddler hand in each of hers. She looks exhausted in the best way.

“We’re going back to the house,” she says. “I need to get these guys to bed. Nik asked if we could take Luke. Is that okay?”

“If his father says it is, it is,” I reply. “Thank you so much for staying with him this week. I’ve never been away from him, and I’m trying so hard not to freak out.”

“I get it. Sergei forced me to take a honeymoon a year after the twins were born. It was wonderful. Luke will be in his house with his people. I promise you that he’ll be okay.”

“Thank you.”

I watch her wrangle the children as we go find Luke. He’s wearing his headphones and playing a game on the tablet. After a long, stimulating day, we knew he’d need some downtime.

“You’re going home with Aunt Sofia and Uncle Sergei,” I tell him.

“Is now when you fly on the plane?”

I smile and touch his knee. “Yes.”

I don’t ask if he’s okay or tell him he will be. The therapist has spent the past two months helping us prepare Luke for this moment. It’s a huge step, but I feel okay with it. Terrified, but okay.

“Okay.”

Nik and I walk Luke to the SUV. After a quick goodbye, they are on their way. My heart is pounding, and I think I might be the one to crash out.

But Nik is there. He takes my hand. “Dance with me. I like holding you.”

I smile. “One more dance.”

When we walk back in, Maksim and Lila are on the dance floor, swaying to some bluesy country song. Their love radiates from them. I wonder if Nik and I look like that.

I loop my arms around his neck, and he leans his forehead down against mine.

"Your vows were beautiful,” I tell him.

“I tried.”

We dance, which is nothing more than a gentle rocking of our bodies. His arms hold me tight. I think about a lifetime of reaching for this man.

“I love you,” I say on a soft exhale.

“I love you, my lioness.”

For the first time in my life, I know I’m right where I’m meant to be, with the family I’ve chosen.

Bonus Epilogue

NIKOLAI

The wheels touch down at Van Nuys just after six. LA heat is different from Vegas. Thicker. But cooler.

Roman texted three days ago. Bring cash if you’re a betting man.

I’m not. I learned young that the only bets worth making are the ones where I control the outcome.

Gabby kissed me goodbye at the door, telling me to behave. That makes me smile even as I climb down the steps. I smile now. A lot. Well, a lot for me. I’m counting down the minutes until I can get home to my family.

My hand slides into the pocket of my black slacks and fingers the plastic dinosaur Luke gave me. He does that. Kid has more dinosaurs than a toy store.