When we step onto the back patio, Valeri says, “We’ll need to add in a security gate and post some guards, but the property is twenty acres, so we should have plenty of privacy.”
“Guards?” I ask, wondering if he’s joking.
He is not.
“Yeah, and I thought we could get a couple of dogs.”
When he sees I’m still trying to wrap my head around the idea of having armed guards on the property, he cups my face and kisses my forehead. “The apartment was safe because there was only one access point and there were always people around who could call the police or be witnesses if someone tried to come against me.”
He looks around at all the land we now have. “I will never have a moment of peace without guards. Anyone could sneak on the property, and the thought of someone hurting you,” he shakes his head and clenches his jaw, cutting off his own thought. “I won’t allow that to happen.”
“Okay,” I tell him, resting my hands on his chest. “We can have as many guards as you want, and I’d love to get a dog. I always wanted one but was too afraid at the idea of having to leave the poor thing with my dad all day.”
“We can get as many as you want. Volodya has three, and you’ll see Ruslan tonight. That’s Vasily’s Tibetan Mastiff.”
“Sounds big.”
He laughs. “He is. He’s attached himself to their son and follows him around like it’s his only mission in life now.”
I laugh at the image and wrap my arms around Valeri, resting the side of my face against his chest while I watch the waves crash against the shore, trying to wrap my head around the idea that this beautiful place is my home now, and the gorgeous man I’m holding is my fiancé.
Chapter 14
Valeri
Evie’s eyes widen when I pull up in front of the guarded gate outside Vasily’s house, waving to the armed man on duty before he pushes a button to let us in. The gate swings open while she lets out a soft breath and scans the land around us. It’s still light enough for her to get an idea of how big the place is. She sees a house off in the distance and points at it.
“Is that their house?”
“No, that’s where Andrei and Svetlana live. I’m sure they’ll be here tonight too. You haven’t met Andrei yet, but he’s been with us since Vasily took over in Moscow after our dad was killed. Svetlana grew up with us and has been like a sister. Her mom’s been cooking for the Medvedev family since before I was born.”
I wave a hand at the land around us. “Vasily has forty acres, so he has a couple of other houses on his property. There’s another one up here on the left that a bunch of the guys live in. Vasily had it built after he brought Nina here because he was sick of Ilya’s one-night stands walking around and causing trouble.”
“That was nice of him.”
I laugh because nice isn’t a word that’s often used to describe him. “He’d do anything for her,” I tell her, reaching over to give her hand a squeeze. “Both my brothers are completely devoted to their wives. The same way I am and will be devoted to you.”
She smiles and lifts my hand up to kiss it. I catch sight of her diamond and smile. I love seeing it on her. I’d chosen something that she would’ve never picked out for herself. Had I taken her to the store, she would’ve picked out the smallest ring she could find, not wanting to spend money or draw attention to herself, but my beautiful fiancée was made to shine, damn it. She’s done hiding away, and she’s worth every penny of that ring’s price tag.
I pull the car next to Volodya’s and get out to open her door. When she’s standing next to me, I cup her face and lean down to kiss her. “Relax, baby. They already love you.”
She smiles and nods, but I can tell she’s still a bit nervous. Grabbing her hand, I pull her towards the front door. Right after I knock, Nina throws open the door and waves us in. She gives me a big hug and then wraps her arms around Evie.
“It’s so good to see you again,” Nina squeals and then grabs Evie’s hand when she sees the ring. “Maddie, get over here and look at this!”
I laugh while they huddle around Evie, looking at the ring and hugging her again.
“Damn, Valeri, you did good,” Maddie says, walking over to give me a hug. “Congratulations, I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks, little sis,” I tell her, kissing the top of her head. When Svetlana walks out from the back, they wave her over. “Evie, this is Svetlana, and that’s her husband Andrei and their daughter Alina,” I say, pointing him out to her.
“Hey, Evie,” he calls, leaning against the counter with his daughter in his arms.
Evie waves at him and then returns the hug Svetlana gives her. She’s smiling, but I can tell she’s a little overwhelmed, so I snake an arm around her and pull her towards me.
“Come on, I want you to meet my nephews.”
On the way to the living room, Vasily stops us and gives her a hug before smacking me on the back with a huge grin. “Congratulations, brother, on the upcoming wedding that you swore you’d never have.” He squeezes Evie’s arm. “Welcome to the family, Evie.”
