Page 135 of Gilded in Blood

The pleasure builds differently this time, deeper, warmer, like it’s coming from my soul. I’m moaning into his mouth, legs wrapped around him, completely lost in him.

“I love you,” I gasp, tears pricking my eyes from the intensity.

He kisses me again and comes right after, burying himself as deep as he can go and coming with a low groan, filling me with heat.

“I love you, Milana,” he whispers against my mouth as he empties inside me. “So much.”

We stay like that for a long moment, breathing each other in, hearts beating together. He finally releases my hands, kissing my wrists gently before pulling me into his arms.

I’ve never felt more loved. More his.

EPILOGUE

Milana

Six Months Later…

Artyom looks at me seriously, lowering his voice. “For the last time, are you sure you still want to do this? If you’ve changed your mind, it’s not too late for us to just cancel the wedding and do away with him.”

It's my wedding day, and for the last five minutes, my brothers have been making sure I’m absolutely certain this is what I want.

“Mhm,” Mikhail agrees from where he’s gently rocking his baby boy, Lev, in his arms. Lev is half-asleep against his shoulder.

I level both of them with a look as I wait for the make-up artist to finish applying my lipstick before speaking.

“Would the two of you stop trying to convince me not to marry my fiancé?”

They both back up slightly, hands raised. “We were just saying,” Mikhail mutters.

Just then, the door opens and the women all walk in.

Kira walks in first, their baby girl, Nastya balanced comfortably on her hip, with Calina and Irina following close behind.

Kira doesn’t even make it three steps into the room before narrowing her eyes at her husband.

She looks from him to me, and back to him again. “Were you trying to talk her out of getting married again?”

Artyom opens his mouth. “Well⁠—”

Without another word, she transfers Nastya into his arms.

The baby barely settles against his chest before Artyom’s entire demeanor changes. The intimidating Bratva boss disappears.

In his place is an utterly devoted father adjusting the pink headwrap on his little girl’s head with surprising gentleness.

Mikhail quickly stands as well, bouncing his sleepy son a little higher on his shoulder.

“We'll leave you ladies to it. See you at the altar kiddo.” He comes and kisses my forehead while Artyom gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze before they both leave the room.

I can’t help but laugh. The way my brothers, so strong and deadly, immediately turn soft when their wives are involved, never gets old.

The makeup artist steps back from her work. “There.” She smiles proudly. “All done.”

The women look at me and say, “Wow, you’re so beautiful.”

Then Calina presses both hands over her mouth.

“Oh…” Her eyes immediately fill with tears. “Don’t mind me. It’s the hormones.” She fans at her eyes.