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“You’re going to be in Miami another week,” I said. The original plan was for Andrew to continue working and only come down for the wedding, but Ivan had thought that was too stingy and twisted their arms into accepting his South Beach apartment for a week’s vacation after the wedding.

She snickered. “Yes, but you’re going to be on your honeymoon and I’m going to be on the first vacation I’ve taken since Andrew and I were on ours. Basically, I don’t think either one of us is going to have time to get together after today.”

“Not until Christmas, anyway,” I said. I was determined to keep my old friends, no matter how hectic my new life was. They were important to me, and thankfully, Ivan understood that and his generosity spilled over to them.

She gave me her present then, a sweet locket with a picture of her and Andrew on one side of the heart and my dad on the other. I blinked back tears so I wouldn’t ruin my lashes and give Hetty a stroke having to reapply them.

“It’s not corny?” Lynn asked.

“Not at all.” I clasped the locket to my chest and then tucked it into my jewelry box. “He’s finally getting justice,” I said. We had just learned that my father’s killer and the horrible, false friend who’d paid for the murder were both in custody without parole.

“They’re sure to die in prison,” she said.

I nodded, not at all worried about the outcome of their trials since Ivan promised justice, and he always kept his promises to me. “I think he’ll finally be able to rest in peace.”

We shared a silent moment, then she gripped my shoulders and looked at me seriously. “Are you really sure about this? I mean, it’s all kind of sudden. You don’t have to marry him just because you’re pregnant.”

I burst out laughing, but of course I couldn’t tell her I was already married to Ivan and had been for months now. Lynn would never believe, let alone understand, everything we’d been through together to form our unbreakable bond.

“I’m sure,” I told her.

“Okay.” She hugged me, then fluffed my skirt some more. “I guess everyone with eyes can see how much he loves you.”

“And I love him just as much.”

Hetty hurried in with my bouquet, fresh bird of paradise and magnolias from our garden. “Everyone’s ready whenever you are,” she said.

I shooed her and Lynn ahead of me and as soon as they were out the door, I tucked my little gun in my garter. Ever since I took out Sergey Balakin, things were quiet and peaceful, but I wasn’t going to take any chances on the happiest day of my life. Even with the discreet guards dressed as guests stationed everywhere and Ivan and his brothers sure to be packing, I just felt better with the cold steel against my thigh.

The wedding in our back garden was perfect. Thousands of twinkle lights, mountains of flowers, and a feast fit for the gods, my golden god included. No gun fights broke out, just a beautiful ceremony and a raucous reception afterwards. Each of Ivan’s brothers jostled for a turn to dance with me, and I was delighted to be accepted so readily and treated like a true little sister. When I was dancing with Aleksei, a slow song started up, and Ivan jumped in between us, gruffly proclaiming they’d hogged me enough.

He took me in his arms and we swayed to the music under the lights and stars. I linked my hands behind his neck and pulled his head down for a lingering kiss.

“I love you,” I said. “Did you know that?”

“I was hoping,” he answered with a grin. His face grew serious and he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “You changed my life, my queen. I thought it was complete, but it was only when you danced into it that I learned what real happiness was.”

My lashes couldn’t withstand such a sweet speech and tears slid down my cheeks. He leaned over and kissed them away.

“I’ll always be your queen,” I promised.

A huge explosion sounded overhead and I jumped, whipping up my skirt to reach for my gun. Ivan laughed, pointing to the sky over the waterway. A brilliant shower of colors erupted above us.

“Fireworks, not fire power,” he said, patting my skirt over my gun. “My sweet, bloodthirsty wife. I never need bodyguards when you’re around.”

I stood on my toes, gripping his shoulders. “You better not go anywhere without bodyguards,” I warned. “Not even if I’m around. I can’t bear to lose you.”

He swept me off my feet and gave me a searing kiss that touched my soul. “You never will, my queen,” he promised.

And he always kept his promises.

Epilogue - Reina

We stared into the bassinet, transfixed by our tiny, perfect daughter. Anya Diana Morozov, named after both of our mothers. She was only three months old and I couldn’t imagine life without her. I was certain Ivan felt the same. He reached down and tucked his finger under her hand, smiling when her miniature fingers curled around his big one.

“You’ll wake her,” I said, reaching out to stroke her downy head.

“Don’t you want her to be awake when my brothers get here? I want to show her off.”

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