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“More than anything,” he replies tenderly. “But we’ll make sure she knows how incredible they were. We’ll keep all their memories alive.”
The weight of grief lessens as joy takes hold. “They’re watching over you, my little angel,” I whisper to her.
“I think you’re right,” he says.
“Eden. Nikolai.” I look up, and Mercy and Larissa stand in the doorway, juggling gifts. A large balloon announcing “She’s a Girl” with a cute duck on it drifts toward the ceiling. Their arms are weighed down with gift bags, and their faces wear matching toothy smiles.
“Hey,” I greet them as they head straight for me and the baby. They make cooing noises as they awww at Ally sleeping.
“Look at those chubby cheeks!” Larissa reaches out to stroke Ally’s face while Mercy reaches for one of her tiny hands.
“Look at you, Edie,” Mercy says. “You’re a mom. I still can’t wrap my head around it.”
“I’m so happy for both of you.” Larissa smiles at Nikolai.
“Would you like to hold her?” I ask Larissa.
A storm of emotions crosses over Larissa’s face, and a tear leaks from the corner of her eyes as she nods. Carefully, I pass Ally into her waiting arms, and she purses her lips as she gingerly holds my daughter against her breast.
“Oh,” Larissa says, rocking Ally in her arms as she blinks back her tears. “Do you know how special you are,malyshka?”
I smile at them both. “You came together?” I ask Mercy.
Mercy smiles at Ally over Larissa’s shoulder. “Larissa picked me up. It didn’t make sense for us to take two cars to go to the same place.”
I glance at Nikolai, who conceals his smirk behind his hand. Everything has changed so smoothly, like it was never any other way. The baby is bringing our families closer together quickerthan I had hoped. The bad blood still exists among those who had tragic losses over the years, but the truce won’t be broken.
I smile at them both. “There’s actually something I’ve been wanting to ask you both.”
“Anything,” Larissa replies as she rocks Ally gently in her arms.
“Would you two be Ally’s godmothers?” I ask, feeling a bit nervous.
“Of course,” Larissa smiles. “I’d be honored.”
“More than honored,” Mercy adds. “With us as godmothers, you bet your ass that no one will ever mess with this kiddo.”
Ally’s eyes blink open, and she makes a noise that’s a cross between a burp and a sigh. Her eyes look up, searching for me, and a moment later, she starts crying.
“I think she wants her mom.” Larissa gently hands her back to me.
I gaze down at my daughter and make a silent vow. No matter what it takes, I will keep her safe. We’re a family now, and that’s the only oath that matters. “Welcome to your big and wonderful family, Ally.” I touch a gentle kiss to her forehead and inhale her clean baby scent.
“Mommy and I will always love you and protect you.” Nikolai leans in beside me. “I promise.”
And I know that’s a promise we’ll keep forever.
56
NIKOLAI
THREE MONTHS LATER
“Areyou sure you want to do this?” I ask Eden. Though it had nothing to do with me, I feel responsible. It was my Bratva that murdered Eden’s mother. Men that my father trusted.
“Yes,” she replies, staring straight ahead. “I have to have closure.”
We’ve traveled to the area where Aria was killed behind a safe house. Zakhar leads the way, searching for the spot. The tall maple trees surround the isolated house with boarded-up windows. Behind it, a faint path winds its way deeper into the woods, and overgrown bushes make it a challenge not to get lost. Eventually, the path leads to a small clearing containing a rotting tree stump.
