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“I am, too,” I said, hoping to lighten the heavy mood.
“But really, I’m glad to see you and that you’re safe,” he said, returning to that serious tone. “That was good thinking out there. I’m proud of you. But please, stay out of trouble. You’re going to send Vik into cardiac arrest.”
On cue, he appeared, looking exhausted with blood on his hands. “You will, one day.”
My brows furrowed as I inspected them, holding his wrists. “What happened?”
“It’s Kir’s. He was hit during the ambush, but he’s going to be fine,” he explained, moving my hands to offer me a hug instead. He squeezed me to the point of nearly crushing me. “Please tell me this is the last catastrophe for a while.”
“I haven’t exactly planned for any more,” I murmured, smiling despite how awful the whole situation had been. “I just hope all of this is over.”
“With Erasmo gone, we should be able to expect some peace for a little while at least,” Yaro said, reassuring with his words. “But everything here should be handled now. You two should head home.”
As Nik fell into place by my side again, I looked up at him to see just how much he agreed. He reached for my hand, and without needing to be told again, we left.
The walk to the SUVs had been quiet, and I could only assume he was just as in his head as I felt. So much happened in only a few hours, and it was hard to believe it was finally over. Erasmo was no longer a threat, and with Nik swearing fealty to my family, we had a fighting chance at being together without interruption.
Between the relief, hope, and lingering adrenaline moving through me, it was hard to think about anything else.
When we reached the vehicle and climbed inside, Nik hesitated before he could even start the engine. Letting go of a deep breath, he looked over at me in the passenger seat.
“I can’t begin to tell you how worried I was the moment I realized you were gone. I could hardly function, and if it weren’t for your family, things would’ve turned out very differently. Everything was put into perspective for me, and moving forward, I don’t want you to ever feel that fear again. I didn’t treat you or our relationship with enough care in the beginning, and for that, I will always be irrevocably sorry. I want to show you every day why we connected so well that night in Europe, and how capable we are of continuing that. You’ll never have to question my loyalty or my trust in you,” Nik said, pouring his heart out to me. “No more locks, asking permission to go places, or control imbalances. I tried to cage you, and while I made myself believe it was for your protection, it was so I could keep you for myself. But I know how wrong that was, and I don’t want to go back to that place again. You’re a free woman, and I never deserved to try and take that away from you in the first place.”
Tears swelled in my eyes then, unprepared to hear something so heartfelt. I reached over for his hand, grateful to feel his warmth again. “I’ve only ever wanted to make my own decisions, and now that neither of us has to worry about Erasmo or my family interfering, I don’t see why we can’t do things over again. To do it right and start how we should’ve from the beginning.”
Nik cracked a smile for me, then pulled my hand closer and kissed the back gently. “That’s more than I could ask for. Thank you for being able to look past how awful I was before. Things will be much different this time.”
As we shared our exhausted smiles and basked in the hope that sprang from all the chaos, I had the feeling everything was about to change for the better.
“I’m glad we met that night. And I’m even more grateful to have you here with me,” Nik murmured, leaning closer as his eyes softened. “I love you, Anastasia.”
My heart swelled, overjoyed to hear those words from him. Even if we were already married and had had sex before, it felt so different to receive that sentiment. To know that he truly meant it, and he was willing to do anything for us.
Blinking through my bleary vision, I smiled at him. “I love you too, Nik.”
Not wasting a moment, we both leaned in as he cupped my cheek, and our lips melded together like it was the first time.
The warmth and the jolts of pleasure that moved throughout my body made me feel grounded and centered again, reminded that not everything needed to be a struggle or difficult anymore. We had a real chance at being truly happy, and that prospect made me feel lighter than air.
The kiss deepened as we let ourselves soak in that bliss, and I couldn’t have asked for anything better.
When the exhaustion got the better of us and we decided it was time to go, Nik pressed another kiss to my forehead, started up the SUV, and we were off.
Still shaken by it all but safe in the end, we went home, and there was nothing I wanted more.
Chapter 29 - Nik
At one point in my life, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get married. I never thought I’d have one wedding, not to mention a second one. But it was worth it in the end.
After everything was resolved between her family and my previous associations, we managed to find ourselves a steady, comfortable groove. We became a real couple, and while our marriage was still completely valid, we decided it was only right to do it all over again. To prove just how committed to one another we truly were.
It didn’t take much to convince Anastasia, and with some dedicated planning, we came up with something that worked for both of us.
Given that everyone needed a break after it was all said and done, we decided on a destination mock wedding with everything minus the official paperwork and the fuss. Instead of a typical officiant, Vik decided to be the one to guide our redo wedding.
With the sparkling water and beautiful Maui sand behind us, I couldn’t imagine a more perfect place to marry my wife again.
Everyone was gathered, sitting in their chairs while I waited with Vik on the raised platform under a classic archway, feeling surprisingly nervous. It was almost like the first time all over again, but with less resentment and more love involved.
