“Never thought I’d be inking Valeri’s name on someone,” Nikolai admits with a laugh. “Of course, truth be told, I never thought I’d be inking any women for the Medvedev brothers.”
“Things change,” Valeri says, taking the drink Vasily brings him.
“That they do,” Volodya says, coming to stand on Valeri’s other side. “Welcome to the family,” he tells me, and the grin on his face makes it obvious that the drink in his hand isn’t the first of the night. “Maddie,” he hollers, looking around. “Where’s my beautiful wife?”
She laughs and walks over, giving me a thumbs up when she sees what’s about to happen. Volodya wraps an arm around her, pulling her in for a kiss. “I remember when you got yours,kiska,” he murmurs against her lips. She laughs and kisses him back.
My attention snaps back to Nikolai when I hear a mechanical buzzing sound and he grips my arm, holding me still. “Just relax, Evie. It’s going to sting, but I’ll be as quick as I can.”
Valeri laughs. “That’s what he tells all the girls.”
“Fuck you,” Nikolai says, laughing and preparing to make the first mark.
I reach up and grab Valeri’s hand right before the needle hits my skin. It’s not near as painful as I thought it would be, but I wouldn’t say it’s pleasant either. I’ve heard enough stories about Nikolai’s tattoos to know the man is a sort of legend within the Bratva. He’s so talented that he does it all freehand. I watch the bear slowly take shape while the others continue to drink and laugh.
Valeri leans down and whispers in my ear, “You have no idea how much it turns me on to see you taking my name, baby. If I could, I’d bend you over the table right now and fuck you until you couldn’t walk straight.”
I feel my face heat up at the image and the raw desire I hear in his voice. He nips my earlobe and then stands back up, keeping his hand wrapped around the nape of my neck while his thumb caresses my bare skin, easily taking my mind of the sting of the tattoo.
“Wow,” I say once it’s all finished. Nikolai dabs some ointment on it before wrapping it up in a clear wrap. “Thank you so much, Nikolai. It looks amazing.”
He grins and rolls the tension out of his neck before taking the shot Vasily offers him. “My pleasure, Evie, and welcome to the family.”
I laugh when Valeri picks me up and shouts something in Russian. All the men laugh and cheer and take another shot. He pulls me closer, bringing his mouth to mine and kisses me until I’m two seconds away from begging him to take me inside. He sees the look in my eyes, how badly I want him, and gives me a wink.
“Soon,lapochka, but first, cake.”
“I’d rather have you in my mouth,” I tell him, making him groan and give my bottom lip a soft warning bite.
“God, you drive me crazy,” he groans, carrying me over to the large cake that everyone’s crowded around.
We feed each other the delicious cake, pose for so many photos that I think my smile is permanently glued in place, and then dance and laugh some more. I drink the nonalcoholic champagne that Valeri keeps sneaking me because we’re pretty sure I’m pregnant but don’t want to say anything until I’ve taken a test. When the sun starts to set, he grabs my hand and pulls me closer to the shore.
“Where are we going?”
“I have a surprise for you.” The mischievous grin on his face makes me laugh and look around, wondering what in the hell he’s talking about. “It’s a wedding present.” He points out at the ocean. “I hope you like it, baby.”
I follow his gaze and my mouth drops open. Vasily and Volodya are standing on a beautiful yacht, waving to us as Vasily guides it closer to the boathouse that’s been sitting empty behind our house. Volodya jumps out and ties it to the dock while Valeri laughs and grabs my hand, pulling me against him.
“It’s so beautiful,” I tell him. It’s easily big enough for us to live on if we wanted, and it’s been decorated with white fairy lights, making it look inviting and romantic.
“I thought we could spend the night on it tonight, maybe even for a few days,” he lifts a brow at me, gauging my reaction. When he sees how excited I am, he relaxes and leans closer. “I’m so glad you want to because I can’t get the idea of fucking you on the deck out of my mind. If you’d rather spend our wedding night here, though, please tell me.”
“No, I love this. It’s perfect, Valeri.”
“Come on, I want to show it to you.”
He grabs my hand and when we meet his brothers on the deck, he stops and gives them each a hug. They laugh and say something in Russian before Volodya runs his hand though Valeri’s hair, making Valeri laugh and swat his hand away. Vasily gives me a hug and so does Volodya before they walk off, the latter on legs that aren’t quite as steady as they were an hour ago.
I follow Valeri to the end of the dock and then suck in a quick breath when I see my name written on the side in a pretty cursive font. “You named it after me?”
“Of course I did. I love your name. Nothing else could do this yacht justice.”
He holds out his hand and helps me on board. He smiles at how I can’t resist touching everything. The deck is large with plenty of places to sit, and it even has a hammock in the corner. The inside is just as impressive. It’s like walking into a gorgeous, mini apartment with the most amazing views imaginable. There’s a leather couch and several chairs, a kitchen with everything we could need, and everywhere I look the walls are lined with windows, the peachy sunset on full view.
I follow the path to the back and let out a soft gasp when I see the large corner bedroom. Running my hand over the soft blue bedding, I look out the rounded windows and then walk over to peek into the bathroom, which is way bigger than I envisioned, complete with tub and separate shower.
“I can’t believe this thing,” I tell him, walking over to the window and looking out at our lit-up house and all the guests still walking around and laughing. I spot his brothers dancing with their wives while Nikolai holds Misha, laughing at something Andrei’s telling him and Dmitri runs around with a big smile on his face. All the Bratva’s men look relaxed as they enjoy the night off from their regular duties.
