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Ours.I like the sound of that.
“Okay.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I concede. “There’s been enough blood spilled already. And I don’t want to be responsible for killing those kids’ father. Even if he is a piece of shit. But just so we’re clear, if he ever comes back—
She holds up her hands. “The gloves are off. I won’t stand in your way.”
I nod with satisfaction. “Alright then.”
She gives me a shy smile from underneath her eyelashes. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“What happened that night?”
I hesitate, not sure where to begin. And then it comes out of me in a steady stream. The words just roll out, one after another. Vadim’s betrayal. Adrik’s parentage. All the secrets. All the lies. It’s not until I’ve word-vomited all over her that I realize I’ve beenwaitingto tell her all this.
I want toshareit with her.
What a strange thing thatis.
“So… that’s everything.”
Emma looks stumped for words. She just stares back at me with her lips slightly parted. Highly distracting.
“Ruslan… God, I’m so sorry. Your father must be devastated.”
“He was—and he will be when he finds out the rest of it. But this was the only way. I couldn’t trust Adrik or Vadim with freedom. I won’t risk your lives again.”
Emma shakes her head. “It’s a lot. I’m sorry I didn’t give you the chance to explain sooner.”
“I didn’t deserve the chance to explain myself, Emma. What I said was terrible. You had every right to leave, every right to want to protect the kids from me. But I meant what I said to them: I want to be their father. I love those kids. And—I love you.”
“Wow,” she breathes softly. “You’ve never said that before.”
“I was scared to say it. But… I’m not anymore.” I take both her hands in mine. “I want you to worry about me, Emma. I want you to wait up for me and ask me what the fuck I’m doing. I want you to be there for me when I’m old and gray. I want you in every conceivable way and I will forever.”
Her eyes grow even wider. Those blue irises are mesmerizing. “Forever is a long time, Ruslan.”
I shake my head. “Not nearly long enough for me. But it’ll have to do.”
She smiles. Tentatively at first and then more and more freely. Like she’s really starting to believe me now.
“Does that sound good to you?”
She laughs and throws her arms around me. “It sounds like paradise.”
EPILOGUE: EMMA
FIVE MONTHS LATER
Ruslan Oryolov.
The big, bad Bratvapahkanof New York City. Hotshot CEO, shark of a businessman, and all-around tough guy.
I’ve never seen him sweat so much.
