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I lifted my head from his shoulder and pondered. The question had come back, though a bit more different.
If I did have the chance to turn back the hands of time, would I have done things any differently?
Did I regret killing him?
I glimpsed at the sky, which had darkened considerably, and a satisfied smile graced my lips. I sighed. I didn’t just take his life with no valid reason. I did it to protect the ones I cared about. I did it for Nikolai and our unborn baby.
If the hands of time were turned back and we found ourselves in the exact same situation, I knew what I would have done.
I turned away from the pool’s view and faced Nikolai. His eyes held a cloud of emotions, but above all, I saw admiration as he looked at me. I saw myself in his eyes and I could feel the love radiating between us.
Love.
Nikolai loved me. He didn’t have to say it; all his actions proved it.
To answer his question? Yes. I would have held that gun and pulled the trigger a thousand and one times again if it saved Nikolai.
I smiled brightly. I had found peace.
“No,” I said firmly. “I don’t regret it, Nikolai. If I could do it again, I would. It doesn’t matter who it is. I can’t bear the thought of losing you. I just can’t.”
“And I can’t bear the thought of losing you too,” he cupped my cheeks with his warm hands. “Giselle, I... I think I’ve fallen madly in love with you...”
Hearing him say the words aloud made my heart soar.
“...I can’t think straight when I don’t have you by my side and, when there’s even the slightest thought that you could be in danger, my mind becomes a fucking mess. I find myself wanting you, needing you, craving to have you. Your kisses, Giselle... they drive me insane. I can’t think of any other woman except...”
I raised my head and pressed my lips against his. He groaned deeply and I withdrew. He held my gaze, dazed.
“I love you too, Niko,” I traced a finger down his to his chin and cradled his face. “I guess I always have but seeing you get shot that day made me realize I didn’t want to live this life without you in the picture. And I’m sorry for breaking your trust by leaving. I promise it’s never going to happen again. I am going to stand by you for as long as forever, Nikolai.”
“And I will stand by you for as long as forever, Giselle.”
He pulled me close and sealed the fate of our love with a kiss.
Chapter 28 - Nikolai
Exactly one month had passed since our war with the Cosa Nostra and Angelo’s death. Giselle still hadn’t gotten over killing Angelo yet, but she’d found it easier to live with it.
After Angelo’s death, his cousin, Luca, took over the Cosa Nostra. He’d offered for us to be allies but Sergey rejected the offer with my advice.
We didn’t have to be rivals though, all he had to do was avoid our territories and we wouldn’t have any need for another war.
Luca was still a Pietro and an Italian after all, it was in their nature to backstab and switch sides at the slightest inconvenience. It wouldn’t take long before he’d betray us and cause another war.
“Alexei was killed last night,” Sergey announced. Three of us swirled our heads up, our shock precarious.
Alexei was our cousin and Sergey had put him in charge of our legal and illegal businesses in New York.
I slugged my drink. The alcohol trailed down my throat, creating a burning sensation in my stomach. “How did he die?”
Sergey pursed his lips, and I could see the murderous rage in his eyes. “Shot by the outfit.”
Vlad cocked his eyebrow. “I thought he had things under control.”
“There’s only so much you can do when the enemy is out for blood.” Sergey ran a finger over his beard, contemplating. “We’ll need someone to keep things under control in New York and reclaim our territories.”
“Who do you have in mind?”
