“That’s enough,” Nikolai groans behind us.
I grin over my shoulder. “He’s working on the jealousy thing,” I say, giving Nikolai a pointed look. “Missed you, though,” I add to Adrian. “How’s everything? Your dad still throwing tantrums over the alliance changes?”
“Oh yeah, still an ass,” Adrian says easily. “But he’s thinking of letting me take full control of the Orlov name in March, so I can’t complain.”
I light up instantly. “That’s amazing!”
Adrian smirks. “I miss having you around, you know. You, and….” Then, turning toward his half-brother, he adds dryly, “Still a dick, Nikolai?”
Nikolai ignores him, moves to the counter, and pours himself a whiskey. “You know you didn’t have to come visit,” he says coolly.
“We miss you too,” I say for both of us.
There’s a lot of history between them, but things have been better since Adrian got the Orlov name and Nikolai got… well, me.
Adrian grins, unfazed. “I was thinking I could stay the night. Hang out with my favourite couple and your loyal henchmen.” He glances around. “Where are Maksim and Ivan?”
“Ivan’s out back,” I say, leaning on the counter. “Still whining that it’s harder to stalk his imaginary girlfriend from this side of the island, and Maksim’s working in Vostralya for the next few days.”
“Grumpy Ivan has a crush?” Adrian laughs.
“I know, right?” I say, grinning. “It’s weird.”
“That’s enough,” Nikolai cuts in, tone clipped but calm—which, for him, means barely contained.
“Adrian, why don’t you go bother Ivan so I can spend some time with my beautiful girlfriend?”
Adrian laughs. “I mean, I’d watch if you let me. I already know Aurelia’s a good kisser.”
“Adrian!” I smack him in the ribs, but he’s still grinning.
Nikolai, however, takes one slow, intentional step toward him, and that’s my cue to remind my insane boyfriend that murder is notalwaysthe answer.
I place a hand on Nikolai’s chest and raise my chin to meet his eyes. “It was a joke, Nik.”
That earns the faintest twitch of a smirk.
Adrian, wisely, takes the hint and backs toward the door. “You’re not so scary when she’s around,” he mutters. “I love it. Call me when you’re finished.”
“Out,” Nikolai says flatly, pointing.
When Adrian’s gone, Nikolai’s gaze sweeps the room, ensuring it’s just us.
His hand finds my jaw, tilting my chin up until all I can see are his eyes as he takes me in a deep, all-consuming kiss.
Epilogue 2
Aurelia
Eight months later
We pull into the familiar driveway of the De Luca house in Anova. The lights are warm and welcoming, and I can already hear the faint laughter from inside.
Enzo and Elijah will be waiting, the ritual of our monthly dinner keeping us grounded, reminding me that even after everything, we still have our little family.
I take a deep breath, savouring the freedom—the speed, the music, the laughter—before shutting off the engine. Nikolai leans over, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. “Not bad for a human hazard,” he says softly.
I smile, leaning into him. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
