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And then she looks back, towards Max, and I see something else in her eyes.
Something that I know can never, ever work. Not with him.
I open my mouth to say something, to tell her that she should stay, start a new life here. But something in her face stops me.
It needs to be her choice. No one else’s. Even if it’s the wrong decision in the end, even if it breaks her heart, it will be her choice.
Max looks over then, as if feeling her eyes on him, and their gazes lock for a moment. He looks away almost immediately, but I can see the decision settle on Sasha’s face, and she takes a deep breath.
“I’ll come back to Manhattan,” she says quietly. “I want to stay with Anika and Yelena. I’m sure Caterina could use the help sometimes. And I’ve grown very attached to them. I’d like to be their nanny, of sorts. If you’ll have me,” she adds, looking nervously at Viktor and I.
“If that’s what you want,” I say gently, and Viktor nods.
“It’s your choice,” he says firmly, echoing the thoughts in my head.
Sasha glances at Max, and then back at us.
“I’m coming back with you.”
---
Viktor and I take seats towards the back of the plane, a little distance away from the others. We both feel the need to have a moment to ourselves, and he reaches for my hand almost as soon as we sit down, his fingers lacing through mine. “Luca, Levin and I talked more this morning,” he says quietly. “There’s investments we’re looking into in Manhattan. Sex clubs and dungeons, nothing as elegant as you might have hoped,” he says with a laugh. “But it’s a good investment, and one that I know. And besides that—”
He pauses, and I see a flicker of nervousness cross his face before he continues. “Levin has a contact with the syndicate that he once worked for. They need someone to train spies and assassins for their organization, and Levin would be an excellent choice for that, and to help me run it.”
I blink at him, taking it all in. It’s more than he’s ever told me about anything involving his business, and I know what he’s doing—trying to include me, to make this the equal partnership that I now know we both want. I remember Sofia telling me about the things Luca talks to her about, how much they share, and I feel a swell of warmth in my chest as I squeeze Viktor’s hand.
“Assassins and spies?” I raise an eyebrow. “I’d have a hard time believing it, if it were anyone but you. I’ve never heard of such a thing. But if that’s what you want to do, I support you.”
“Is it enough?” Viktor looks at me, and I can see the worry plainly in his eyes now. “Is this what you want, Cat?”
I nod, holding his gaze with mine as I lean up to kiss him softly. “It is,” I murmur. “And most of all, I want you.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” He reaches into his jacket then, and I gasp softly when I see what he pulls out.
It’s a black velvet box, and I can hardly believe what I’m seeing as he opens it.
Nestled inside is an engagement ring, a blood-red oval ruby flanked by round diamonds on a yellow gold band. It looks gorgeous, like an antique unearthed from some ancient castle, and I stare at Viktor as he slides it out of the box and holds it out to me.
“I saw this when I bought our wedding bands,” he says softly. “I had no idea then what this marriage would become. I wouldn’t have believed anyone if they had told me. But I’m grateful that it did, Caterina. I’m grateful for everything that you’ve done for me. You’ve made me a better man—not different, just better.”
He takes a breath, the ring still hovering above my hand. “I can’t change entirely, Cat. I am still the man you married, theUssuri, the man who can do what you saw in that room in the mountains, and not flinch. But I swear to you, I will never again take a woman away from her home, and force her into a situation in which she has no choice. That part of my life, I’m done with. I may be a bloody man still, as we all are. But I will be a better one, for you. For our daughters. For our family.”
Slowly, he slides the ring onto my finger. It’s a perfect fit, and it shimmers in the sunlight coming through the window of the plane, gleaming like blood on my outstretched hand. Blood and light, reflected on my skin.
“Caterina, will you marry me?”
I look up at him, this man that I love, my Viktor, and I nod.
There was never any answer but the one that I say out loud, a breath against his lips as he leans down to kiss me.
“Yes.”
When he finally pulls away, I hold onto his hand, my heart beating hard in my chest all over again.
“I have something for you too,” I say quietly, and I move his hand down to my stomach, pressing it against my still-flat belly.
Viktor stares at me in astonishment. “Caterina—”
