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“Yes.”
“Best damn days of my life.”
“Is there a three?” I ask.
“Three, you, me, and baby live happily ever after. He’ll like it there.”
“She. She’ll like it there.”
His smile is radiant. I’ve never seen it so wide, so bright, so full of joy. “A girl. I’m having a girl.”
“We’re having a girl.” I give my head a quick shake as I’m losing myself in the moment. “What about my home? My business?”
“Sell the home. You can keep the business, but there’ll need to be changes in how you run it. That’s the one sacrifice, baby. Being with me means bodyguards and safety protocols. But you can have a home office. Whatever you want, I’ll outfit you to run your empire.”
I arch a brow. “You’re not going to launder money through my store, are you?”
He holds back a laugh. “Bookstores aren’t good business for laundering.”
“Why not?” I ask defensively.
“Not enough money runs through them.” He shrugs like he’s sorry about that. Then he runs his hands up and down my arms. “It’s a big ask, Kate. I know it. But if you give me this chance, I’ll make sure you’re happy?—”
“Except during the bossing? Because Lucy says that I don’t have to take that.”
“That’s when I knew you loved me.” His comment surprises me.
“What?”
“Niko told me you were taking Mafia wife lessons from Lucy and Elena. I knew then that you could be mine if I just was brave enough to reach out to you.”
“When did he tell you that?”
He swallows and his expression turns guilty. “The night I killed Babichev.”
I slug him in the shoulder. “That was weeks ago.”
“Come rule the Bratva with me, Kate. You won’t regret it. I’ll see to it that you don’t.”
The logical part of me thinks the in love part of me is nuts to agree to this. Marrying into a life of crime? That’s nuts. But the woman in love wants everything he’s promising. The love. The happily ever after.
I waggle my finger at him. “I won’t be a doormat.”
He smiles wide again. “Good, doormats are boring. So is that a yes?” His hands go to my waist. “Come on, baby, tell me you want me. Tell me you love me. Tell me you’ll marry me.”
I take a breath. “I want you. I love you. I’ll marry you.”
His arms band around me, and his lips fuse to mine in a kiss that reaches the tips of my toes.
He scoops me up. “Let’s consummate this agreement.” He carries me to the bedroom.
“Consummation is for marriage.”
“We’ll do it then, too.” He gently lays me on the bed and lies next to me. “As soon as you want.”
I brush my fingers through his hair. “Do you want to wait until after the baby?”
“I don’t, but I will if that’s what you want.” His hand caresses my belly, then he leans over and kisses it. “Hello, baby girl.”
