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idea. This thing came from the last Pakhan. He never explained it to anyone—not that I think he knew. But I believe it’s some ...
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“What kind of ritual?” “This kind.”
A sparkling diamond ring. It sits atop a carved golden band, shining like a raging fire. Natalya gasps.
“Is that what I think it is?” “I wasn’t bluffing in the board room.” “You want me to marry you?” “When you’re ready.” “Do… do you mean when I’m ready to accept, or when you think I’m ready to accept?” “A little bit of both.” “… Please don’t lie to me.”
“What exactly do you think I’m lying about?” “That I’d have any choice. That I have any choice right now. You… you said it yourself earlier. I’m not free to leave.” “Do you want to leave?”
“That’s not the point.” “To me it is.”
“It’s beautiful.” “Fitting for a girl like you.” “Why would you marry me?” “Because I want to.” “It can’t be that simple.” “It is.”
“Be honest with me,” Natalya
“Why are you doing this? Why me?”
“You want the honest...
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“The truth is: I don’t know. I’m only doing what my heart tells me to do. And the only person it ever tal...
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“Well, I do. And it was buried beneath frozen ground for decades. Then I saw you at the club, and something inside of me knew that you we...
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“I’m so fucking confused,” she rasps. “I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know what I want.” “I do. I want you. And I know, deep down, you want me too. That’s why I’m so tough on you—because I need you to see it. Because if you don’t, then what happens to my heart?”
“You can bury it again…”
“No. You shocked it alive. And if I bury it, it will be buried alive....
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“Do you actually care for me? I thought this was some game…” “It was… at least, I thought it was. But I know better now. This is bigger than any game. This is the future. My future. Your future. Our future. I ...
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“I missed yo...
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“So let’s see this through. What do you say?” “I guess I can try.” I wipe more tears from her soft cheeks. “That’s my good girl.”
What now?” “Now we go to bed.”
“Is that the other reason you brought me out here today?” “The third and final.” “I don’t know if I can,”
“I’m so… exhausted.” “Then let’s sleep in each other’s arms.”
“I’m sorry, I just couldn’t hold it anymore…” “Why didn’t you go earlier?” I ask, patting the mattress beside me. “Because you were holding me so tightly.” “Shit. You should have woken me up.” “No. It’s alright. I… I kind of liked it.” “Does that mean I didn’t scare you off last night?” Natalya crawls onto the bed and I push the covers aside. Her silken form caresses my side.
“I think I’m still processing what happened,” she
Her finger starts to trace my chest. I hold her tight. “It was a lot to put on you all at once. But you handled it beautiful...
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I take her hand and gently kiss the small cut on the tip of her ring finger. She brushes the back of that hand along my palm, stopping at my wrist. Her warm touch soothes my old ...
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“Maybe, but I’ve never been this worried about keeping someone alive… and happy.” “You want me to be happy?” “I want you to be s...
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“No,” she answers honestly. “I’ll change that.”
“Wait. What’s this?” she asks, her fingers falling onto another scar of mine.
“Everybody needs someone to fight for, to kill for, to die for,”
“But you’re not alone anymore. You have Valentin …” “And you. And you have me. I’ll fight for you, Natalya. Kill for you.” “Die for me?”
“Our marriage might be the death of me,”
“But I’ll make sure it’s just the start for you.”
“What is that supposed...
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of my tattoos have their own meanings. I got most of these when I was a foot soldier for the old Pakhan. A Bratva boss marks his men after both their successes and their failures. That way, no one can question their loyalty, their history, or their skills, because each man carries a written record of everything he’s done, good and bad. There’s no hiding. The rest of these tattoos are from my time as Pakhan. So far, they’re all victory marks.”
“I had no idea your world was so complicated.” “Complicated? No. To me, it’s simple—even if those before me liked to dress it all up in ritual and tradition. I’ll take the tattoos. They’re enough. With these, a man like me can go anywhere in the world and get the respect he deserves. It also means it only takes one look at a stranger to know who he is.”
“Yes, exactly.” Her jaw drops. “They’d do that?” “Yes. As I have. Each man carries his resume with him. You can’t hide it.” “So… what does this tattoo mean?”
“Wait, there’s another scar behind it.”
four of us became blood brothers when we overthrew the old Pakhan. We would never have succeeded if it weren’t for each other.” “You have...
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Luca went back to Russia,” I assure her. “I haven’t heard from Luca since he left. But Victor seems to be doing pretty well. He’s a boss under the New York Pakhan.” “I didn’t know you could be blood brothers with more than one person.”
“Enough of that. You got your fill of ugliness yesterday. Today, you’re going to be spoiled.”
“Come on. We’re going out breakfast, or brunch, or lunch… or whatever the fuck time it is.”
“You’re taking me outside?” “Don’t act so shocked,” I smile back at her. “It’s about time I show you off.” “Do I have to?”
think I’d rather spend the whole day in bed. I’m still so tired…”
You’re getting spoiled today, angel. Deal with it.” “Okay, fine.”
“Wait. I don’t even have any clothes here,” Natalya realizes. “You have that dress from yesterday.” “You want me to wear that thing again?”
“Honey, if it were up to me, you’d never wear clothes again. But then I’d have to keep you locked away, because no man gets to see that body and live. Understand?”
“I understand.” “Good. So those are your choices. Get ready and come with me, or stay naked and be locked inside forever.”
“I choose the option with food.” “Smart girl.”
yank her out of bed and spank her ass in the direction of the bathroom. She stumbles down the hall and I finish getting ready. Then I grab her dress and wait outside the door.
“Here you are,” I nod, handing her the dress. “Put it on before I change my mind.” Natalya hesitates and the bulge in my pants grows. “I wouldn’t want that.”
