I pressed closer to Ivan, wrapping my arms more securely around his neck. The choice was clear even without words, but I needed to say them anyway.
“I’m staying with him, Vince,” I said firmly, my voice steady despite my exhaustion.
I softened slightly and gave him a smile. “I’m okay, and we’ll talk later, I promise. But right now, I want to be with him.”
The combination of firmness and respect probably struck the right balance.
Ivan subtly exhaled against my hair—was it relief that I had chosen him, that I hadn’t undermined what he’d just declared?
Vince’s jaw clenched, but he stepped back. He knew me well enough to know I wouldn’t allow him to push me around.
“We’ll talk in the morning. All of us.” The threat in his tone was clear but so was his reluctant acceptance of my choice. For now.
Something shifted inside me in that moment—confidence replaced vulnerability, certainty washing away doubt. I had spent my life making carefully calculated decisions, weighing risks and benefits. But ultimately hiding behind a persona.
This wasn’t that. This was me standing up for what I wanted without pretense, without hiding. This was choosing with my heart despite all logical complications.
I’d never felt this way before—both protected and strong, claimed and free. The contradiction should have bothered me, but instead it felt like finding a missing piece of myself I hadn’t known was missing.
Ivan carried me past the gathered crowd, our soaked clothes sticking together. No one spoke, but the significance of this public declaration hung heavy in the air.
“What about Cara?” I asked suddenly, looking back toward the churning sea. Our speedboat was already heading out, packed with people. I spotted Nina’s distinctive silhouette and beside her—Matt. I still didn’t know what beef those two had with each other, but when all of this was over, I would ask Nina.
“I’m pretty sure they’ve got this,” Ivan answered, his certainty reassuring.
As we moved away from prying eyes and ears, I gathered my courage to ask the question burning in my mind.
“Did you mean that?” I asked softly. “That I’m yours?”
Ivan’s response came without hesitation: “Every word. Unless you object?”
I smiled against his neck, breathing in the scent of rain and sea and him. “No objection. I just hope you realize this means you’re mine too.”
His arms tightened around me, the gesture speaking volumes.
As he carried me through the compound, we passed Mira, Fee, and Mila. My twin’s eyes met mine, a silent question passing between us. I offered the smallest nod—yes, I’m okay. Better than okay.Fee’s eyebrows shot up, but her lips curved into an approving smile. Mila simply looked pleased as if a plan had come together perfectly.
Our progress was interrupted by an imposing older woman in a tailored suit who stepped directly into our path.
She said something in sharp Russian, her tone and the way she looked at Ivan making it clear this was someone accustomed to instant compliance.
Ivan didn’t even slow down. “No, we don’t,” he said, then he simply sidestepped her and continued toward his quarters as if she hadn’t spoken.
“Who was that, and what did she say?” I asked.
He looked down at me. “She’s the new director of the Paraskia, and she wanted to debrief you and me,” he said, then focused back on the walkway.
Well, this again spoke volumes about his priorities.
As he carried me away, I allowed myself to relax against him. We still had so much to face—Grey, Cara’s rescue, the Paraskia, my family—but for now, just for tonight, nothing mattered.
We entered Ivan’s building, wetness still dripping from our clothes and the taste of salt on our skin. I closed my eyes and surrendered to the certainty that had been building since the moment he’d appeared on that yacht. I loved Ivan Zotov. And against all odds, he had chosen me over every other priority, over everything else in his life.
Sometimes, the universe had strange ways of bringing people together. But whatever came next, we would face it together.
34
IVAN
