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I gasp, swatting his chest. “How much of our conversation where you listening to?”
“Pretty much all of it. I didn’t want to interfere with your moment with your sister.”
“So, you’re good now, is that it?”
“Good? Blah. I’m not good. But for you, I can maybe try to be.”
“I’m going to hold you to it.”
Another knock on the door makes me frown. Both Marco and Franco enter. Their huge statures make the hospital room feel tiny.
“Gentleman.” Viktor stretches lazily, purposely trying to annoy them, I’m guessing.
Franco sneers and steps forward, but Marco stops him. “Viktor,” Marco says, stepping in front of Franco. “We’re here to make sure you’re still going to uphold your end of the deal. No more killing innocent people. You don’t come after our family. You help us with any enemies. And you don’t go on a destructive killing spree. If you can agree to these terms, we have a deal. But if you slip up, the deal is done.”
Viktor keeps his eyes on me as he responds. “You have a deal, boys. I’m not going to slip up.”
Franco scoffs. “How can you be so sure?”
“Because I love this girl right here.” He winks at me. “And I’m not going to put her at risk like that again.” He turns to the men. “You have my word.”
Marco nods once. “Then we have a deal. Once you’re out of the hospital, I’ll have you sign a contract. Until then, get better. You’re going to need it for the work you’re going to be doing for us.”
“Oh, goody.” Viktor rubs his hands together. “I love dirty work.”
Marco looks exasperated while Franco looks like he wants to walk over to Viktor and punch him again. “Good. That’s all.” He gives me a nod before leaving the room. Franco shoots both Viktor and me one more sneer before leaving as well.
“So.” Viktor turns to me with the energy of a puppy instead of a man who’s in a hospital bed. “You didn’t answer my question. You really love me?”
“I really do.”
“Good. Me, too. Now, lean down so I can kiss you.”
And I do just that.
* * *
“Doyou think this is a good idea?” I ask Viktor as we stand outside my family’s home in New York. It’s been about a week since the doctor signed off on Viktor’s health.
“Family’s love me. Trust me.” He rings the doorbell. I sigh, shaking my head.
Steve, the guard, answers the door and lets us in. The warm smell of roast beef hits my nostrils as we enter the foyer. Steve gives Viktor a wary look but doesn’t say a word as he walks away, giving us space.
Mom comes into the foyer, pausing when she sees Viktor.
“We’re here for dinner,” I say lamely. Mom invited us to a family dinner, even though I know she’s still hesitant about Viktor. I don’t blame her.
After a beat, Mom approaches Viktor with determination in her step … before she slaps him across the face. I stare in shocked silence. Oh god. What’s Viktor going to do?
But Viktor just chuckles and holds out his hand to Mom. “I deserved that. But I’m going to show you that I can be the best son-in-law you’ve ever had.”
“Marco is hard to beat,” Mom responds.
“Then I plan on having fun trying to beat him.”
Mom purses her lips, then eyes Viktor’s outstretched hand before reluctantly taking it. “All right. For Gemma’s sake, I’ll try to like you. But it’s going to take time.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
