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“Alexei.”

I open the box again and take her left hand. Her fingers tremble against mine.

“I didn’t tell you everything,” I say. “I do want something.”

Her hand stiffens.

“I want Misha’s cars under my desk and his shoes blocking my office door.” My thumb moves across her palm. “I want you taking my coffee, arguing with my doctors, and telling me when my plans are wrong.”

Her fingers begin to relax.

“I want to raise our son with you. I want him climbing into our bed in the morning, and I want you checking my breathing at night because you still don’t trust my heart to behave.”

Her eyes shine, but she holds my gaze.

“I love you, Vera. I know why you ran, and I know why you stayed.” I lift the ring from the box. “Choose me because I’m who you want. Every door stays unlocked, every document stays yours, and you can leave if I ever give you a reason.”

She wipes beneath one eye with the heel of her hand. “That was better.”

“Is that a yes?”

“You’re very impatient.”

“I’ve sat through two attempts at this proposal.”

“The first one didn’t count.”

“Vera.”

She holds out her hand. “Yes.”

I slide the ring onto her finger. She studies it for one second, then climbs over me and settles with her knees beside my hips.

“Careful,” I say, holding her waist.

“You’re about to ruin this.”

She cups my face and kisses me before I can mention the remaining signatures.

My secure phone rings inside the bedside drawer, and its screen lights the narrow gap.

Maksim’s emergency line.

37

ALEXEI

Vera has worn my ring for less than ten minutes when Maksim’s emergency line lights up.

Vera objects when I reach for my shirt and again when I stand. I button it while she watches from the bed, the emerald bright on her hand, then she follows me to the door.

“Maksim told you to rest, and it’s four in the morning.” She places her hand over mine on the doorframe.

“He’s still telling me not to come.”

“Then?”

“I’ll be back before you miss me.” I squeeze her hand and kiss it.