I hand Rosalie the morning-after pill, then say, “You don’t have to take it. The choice is yours.”
“I’m so taking it,” she mutters, quickly swallowing it down with some water. “I’d like to actually live a little before having a baby.”
Right. She hasn’t had time to be happy. I want that for her.
I take hold of her hand, and weaving our fingers together, I ask, “Do you want to come with me to get Luna?”
“At your parents’ place?” Worry creases her brow. “Do you think they’ll be okay with me after I snubbed them for three years?”
“Of course, they’ll be okay,” I assure her. “They understand.”
Her features tighten with nerves, and her tongue darts out to wet her lips. “I’m nervous.”
“I can see that,” I chuckle. “You trust me, right?”
She inhales deeply, then nods. “Yes.”
“I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you nervous?” I ask so I can understand where she’s coming from.
“I’m about to go to my boyfriend’s parents. What if they disapprove? I’m not exactly a mafia princess like Mariya.”
A dark frown forms on my forehead as I tilt my head. “You think you’re not good enough for me?”
“Ah… it’s just… you’re the head of the bratva, and I’m the girl who got kidnapped twice.”
“Where’s this coming from?” I ask, actually blown away.
Her shoulders sag, and she looks vulnerable as she admits, “I come from a family of sex traffickers, and I have nothing to offer you. I’m just… me.”
Letting go of her hand, I step closer and frame her face. “You’re not just you. You’re moya Malen’kaya Roza. You’re the woman I love, the woman I killed for.” I lean closer, making sure I have her attention. “Rosalie, I’m not worthy of you.”
“Yes, you are,” she whispers, her eyes starting to shine. “You changed my life in so many good ways. If it weren’t for you…” she shakes her head, “I’d either be dead or married to Greco. You’re the only one who gives me choices. You’ve always done what’s best for me, even when it broke your heart. Don’t you see it, Viktor? You’re everything to me.”
I press my forehead to hers. “That right there is why my parents will accept you with open arms, moya Malen’kaya Roza. You love me, and that’s enough.”
“Okay,” she whispers. “But if you let go of my hand, I’m making a run for it.”
A smile spreads over my face as I hold my hand out to her. When she places her palm against mine, I say, “It’s you and me, moya Malen’kaya Roza. Forever.”
“Forever,” she agrees.
“Now, let’s go tell my parents the good news.” I pull her out of the house and follow the path to my parents’ place. I don’t bother knocking as we enter through a side door. “Where are you?” I call out.
“The kitchen,” Mom answers, then we hear excited barking.
As we cross the entrance hall, Luna comes running out of the kitchen, her paws slipping on the polished tiles. Her tail wags, her butt wiggles, then she’s making happy whining noises as she reaches Rosalie, who crouches down.
“Aww, Mommy missed you so much,” Rosalie coos, wrapping her arms around her dog.
“And I’m chopped liver again,” I mutter. Patting Luna’s head, I smile at their happy reunion.
Mom comes out of the kitchen with a wide smile, then pauses when she notices Rosalie.
Rosalie quickly straightens up and grabs hold of my hand. She gives my mom an awkward wave. “Hi, Mrs. Vetrov. I’m sorry, ab–”
“Na-a-a,” Mom silences her. “There’s nothing to apologize for.” She walks closer, her eyes drifting over the bruises on Rosalie’s face and the cast on her arm. “What happened?”
“The Cosa Nostra,” I mutter.
Dad comes down the stairs and takes one look at Rosalie, then mutters, “Christ. I heard shit went down. I’m glad you’re both okay, though.”
Mom glares at Dad. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Ah… because I just heard about it five minutes ago.”
“Oh,” Mom deflates, and it saves Dad from being in trouble. She turns her attention back to Rosalie, then rushes forward and pulls her into a hug. “Oh, sweetheart,” Mom coos as if she’s talking to a baby. “Everything will be better soon. I’m so sorry they hurt you.”
With Rosalie’s fingers squeezing the life out of mine, I say, “Let her breathe, Mom.”
Mom quickly lets go, giving Rosalie a smile. “Sorry, I’m a hugger.”
“It’s okay,” Rosalie tries to reassure her while stepping closer to me.
I glance at Dad, who has a pleased smile on my face. “Good job yesterday. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I gesture at Luna, who’s sitting next to Rosalie’s leg. “We just came to get our baby. Thanks for taking care of her.”
“You’re not staying for dinner?” Mom asks. “I made pot roast.”
Looking down at Rosalie, I ask, “Do you want to stay?”
Still a little nervous, she nods. “Sure. That will be nice.”
Just then, we hear Uncle Alexei’s laughter and Aunt Isabella snapping, “Wipe that smile off your face. I swear, your farts stink so bad, you’d swear you’re already dead and decomposing.”
“Eau De Koslov,” he chuckles.
“You’ve got the eww part right.”
They come around the corner, then see us all watching them.
“You’re back,” Uncle Alexei says, his eyes snapping to Rosalie. “And now I understand why you killed four men.”
“Sweet Jesus,” Aunt Isabella murmurs as she rushes forward. “What the hell did they do to you?”
“Real subtle,” I mutter. Letting go of Rosalie’s hand, I wrap my arm around her. “Can we talk about anything but the trauma she suffered, please?”
Uncle Alexei grins at me. “I heard you used the move I taught you to break Greco’s neck?”
When I nod, he comes to pat me on my shoulder. “Badass.” He stops in front of Rosalie. “Are you going to stay with us?”
Squeezing right against my side, Rosalie nods.
Uncle Alexei’s gaze flicks between us, then he says, “Didn’t I call it?”
“We all called it,” Dad mutters.
“Yeah, but I called it first.”
We watch them argue as they walk to the dining room. Leaning down, I whisper. “They’re talking about us getting together.”
“I figured as much,” Rosalie whispers. “They’re super intense. I see where you get it from.”
When we head to the dining room, Luna follows us and lies down next to Rosalie’s chair.
“She’s not going to let you out of her sight,” I chuckle as I sit down at the head of the table, with Rosalie to my right.
Rosalie leans down to pet Luna’s head. “Mommy’s good girl.”
When she straightens up, I lock eyes with her and murmur so only she will hear, “Daddy’s good girl.”
Rosalie’s cheeks light up, and she quickly checks to see if Dad or Uncle Alexei heard, but they’re too busy talking about the vacation they’re planning.
“Where are you going this year?” I ask.
“Bali,” Uncle Alexei answers. “It’s the women’s turn to pick.”
To my surprise, Rosalie says, “The pictures I saw of Bali are beautiful.”
Just then, Mom and Aunt Isabella carry in the food.
Mom smiles at us, “You could come with?” Her eyes settle on me. “You haven’t taken a vacation since you took over the bratva.”
I glance at Rosalie. “What do you think?”
“Me?” she gasps. “Why me?”
I tilt my head, the corner of my mouth lifting. “Because we’ll be going on vacation. You have a say too.”
Her eyes widen. “To Bali? Us? This year?”
Everyone starts to laugh, which makes Rosalie blush harder.
Lifting my hand, I brush my knuckles over her cheek. “Do you want to go on vacation with my parents?”
“Ah…” Rosalie glances around the table before looking at me again. “You can decide.”
Turning my attention to my parents, I say, “Give us some time to think about it.”
When everyone’s seated and we’ve helped ourselves to Mom’s pot roast, the conversation flows easily, and Rosalie seems to relax.
It’s the first time we’re doing something together as a couple.
I love it.
