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As long as Katarina is happy, I don’t care where we live. Ever since she arrived, my life has undergone a remarkable change. No longer is it empty. Now I’m looking forward to what tomorrow brings me.
“Thank you, Nik,” she says, and rests her head against my shoulder. “For everything.”
“Always,” I reply. “Do you feel up to eating something light?”
She shakes her head. “Not yet. I still feel rather sick. But I’d love to curl up on the couch and put on a cheesy movie. I need something easy and funny to get me through this.”
“I’ve never been one for romantic comedies,” I muse. “But for you, I’ll give it a go.”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re more into dark romance,” she teases. “By the way, did you read the books you gave me?”
“Nope, I got the summary off the internet,” I admit.
“That’s so stupid.”
“So are we,” I point out. “Nevertheless, we’re going to make this work. You have my word.”
She smiles. “I know, Nik. That’s why I said yes.”
With a smile, I lead her downstairs, make her comfortable on the couch, and put on The Proposal. As I lie beside her, playing with her hair, I realize I can’t go back to the dark and empty place I was in until a few days ago. She’s brought a new kind of peace that I never thought possible. I’ll always belong to Katarina. And she belongs to me, and the evil demon she tamed inside me.
I close my eyes and silently thank my mother for sending me an angel. In my head, I give a grateful smile to Ivana, the love of my life, for allowing me to open my heart again. I’ll protect this woman and treat her with the respect she deserves.
She’s given me a precious gift, and with all my heart and soul, I plan on returning it a thousand times.
THIRTY-TWO
KATARINA
The speakers in Nikolai’s entertainment room are state-of-the-art. The music flows through my veins, bringing joy and a sense of calmness that I haven’t felt in a while. The mix is almost flawless, and if it wasn’t for the throbbing bass I usually enjoy, this would be a perfect piece of art. I add a filter and a mild dose of reverb to the master to soften the sound, take away any harsh tones, and slightly darken it. There’s a touch of white noise over the speakers for some background details, and it’s done.
Satisfied, I play the completed mix.
When the song comes to an end, a clap from the door gets my attention. I turn to Nikolai and grin.
“What do you think?” I ask him.
“I think you have a great ear,” he comments. “What is it?”
“Since you suggested the idea of starting my own record label, I’ve been in touch with one of the bands I like. Back then, when I brought their music to the label execs, they rejected them,” I explain. “I never stopped thinking that the label was wrong to do that, so I called the band and offered to produce their album.”
“You didn’t tell me you knew how to do that,” Nikolai says.
“I took some courses.” I grin. “And I’ve spent enough time around the studios to know what I’m doing. This is just a demo I’m playing around with, but once things settle down, I’m hoping to rent a space and bring in the band to record their songs.”
“You won’t need to rent anything,” he tells me. “I’ll buy you an adequate space. You’ll hire the people you need and use the connections I have. You’ll go big, serdtse. You’ll do things Volkov style.”
“I do like the sound of that,” I admit, and subconsciously rub my belly.
“Good.”
I put on a random playlist and gesture for Nikolai to join me for a dance. He accepts my invitation without a second thought. We move gracefully around the spacious entertainment room and spend a good half an hour just listening and dancing to the music.
I allow myself to stare at him, intrigued by the man who once tried to break me. When he notices me ogling him, he turns around and pulls me to his chest.
“What’s going on inside that pretty head of yours?” he asks and kisses my forehead.
“For starters, I’m amazed that you’re still dressed,” I tease, and reach for him. “Though I can always take care of that.”
