I look at Kira. "What do you think?"
"I think it's your choice," she says carefully. "I'll support whatever you decide."
"That's not an answer."
"Because I don't have one." She touches my face. "Part of me wants you to walk away. To take me and Anya and disappear somewhere safe. Somewhere our children can grow up without this violence."
"And the other part?"
"Knows that won't work. The bratva doesn't let people walk away. The only way to truly be safe is to control the danger." Her eyes meet mine. "If you take power, you can change things. Make them better. Be the leader your father wanted to be."
"That's a lot of responsibility."
"You can handle it." Her smile is sad. "You survived six years of hell. You can survive this too."
Can I? I'm not sure.
But looking at her, I know I have to try.
"I'll think about it," I tell Semyon. "Give me a few days."
"Take the time you need." He stands. "I'll keep things stable in the meantime. Make sure no one does anything stupid."
"Thank you. For everything."
"That's what friends are for." He heads for the door, then pauses. "For what it's worth? I think you'd be a good pakhan. Better than your father. Better than anyone."
He leaves before I can respond.
Kira shifts, settling more comfortably against my side. "How are you feeling? Really?"
"Like I got shot, fell from a building, and got my ass kicked."
"So, accurate."
I hold her, relishing the fact we’re alive and that fucker is dead.
“How is Anya?” I ask quietly.
“She's not ready to let go yet."
"Are you?"
She's quiet for a long moment. "I don't know. Part of me hates him for what he did. He started this whole nightmare. He’s been a horrible father to me. I don’t know if I can say I love him, but I believe Anya does.”
“You love her more than you hate him.”
“Yes. He's still my father. He wasn't always this person. That once, a long time ago, he was a good man." She sighs. "It's complicated."
"Family usually is."
I'm exhausted but I don't want to sleep. Don't want to miss a single moment with her.
"Maksim?" Her voice is soft.
"Yeah?"
"I love you. Whatever happens—whether you take power or we run—I love you."
