"By the way, I'll be getting married soon. Hopefully, this spring yet." Lev shakes Yuri's hand as I look up at him in confusion.
"Married?" I say, pulling back to scowl at him playfully. "Is that your way of proposing to me, or did you shack up with one of these survivors while I was playing waitress?"
"Proposal… Is that how this works?" Fyodor snickers and elbows Yuri, whose mind is buried in his phone now.
"Well, that's how you're supposed to do things. Down on one knee with a ring and all…" I'm only joking. I'd marry this fool now no matter what.
"Maybe when I'm well enough that I can stand on my own two feet without support." He winces and feigns nearly falling over, and I laugh at him.
"Let me get you home…" I turn to Fyodor. "You guys can handle putting the women on buses, right?"
"We can take care of it," Fyodor says, nodding at me.
He moves toward the group of women huddled together while I lead Lev out the doors toward his car. Today was a good day. We successfully thwarted Yaros's grip over the southern trade routes into Romania and the Gravitch name once again is on top.
But the part that means the most to me is that at the end of the day, I've found a family I didn't ask for but one I am proud to call my own.
29
LEV
The dining room at Yuri's estate has never looked better than it does tonight. Inessa has outdone herself with the arrangements, though at five months pregnant, she's been relegated to a supervisory role while the household staff does the actual work. She sits at Yuri's right hand with one palm resting on her swollen belly, glowing.
I'm at the other end of the table with Vivika beside me, close enough that I can feel the warmth of her shoulder against mine. Across from us, Fyodor and his partner Noemi are arguing good-naturedly about something that happened at their son's school, while Dimitri occupies the seat nearest to Yuri, both of them looking more relaxed than I've seen them in months.
We have reason to celebrate. For the first time in years, the Gravitch family is operating from a position of genuine strength. We still have situations out there that need to be tackled, but everyone feels good about our position in this city.
"To new alliances," Yuri says, raising his glass of wine. "And to the opportunities they bring."
Everyone drinks, and the conversation resumes its comfortable flow. I listen with half my attention while watching Vivika engage with Noemi about something—recipes, I think, or maybe travel destinations.
She's so natural here now, so at ease among people who were strangers to her just weeks ago. The frightened translator I abducted from that street corner has transformed into someone who belongs at this table. She's truly earned her place in this family and made a difference, and we're better because of it.
"The southern route has exceeded projections," Dimitri says, pulling my attention back to the business discussion happening at Yuri's end of the table. "With Kolar's security supplementing our own, we've been able to move twice the volume we anticipated. The Veche disruptions have completely stopped—their remaining people are either defecting or going underground."
"And Yaros?" I ask.
"Still in hiding." Dimitri’s scarred face twists in dark amusement. "The coward's completely vanished. Our sources say he's somewhere in the southern territories, but pinpointing his exact location has proven difficult. He knows we're hunting him."
"He'll surface eventually," Yuri says quietly. He's waited out enemies before, like the man we believe murdered his son, currently hiding in Serbia somewhere. "Men like Yaros can't stay hidden forever. Their pride won't allow it. When he makes his move, we'll be ready."
The conversation shifts to other matters—shipping schedules, personnel assignments, the ongoing negotiations with Kolar'speople about expanding our partnership into new territories. I contribute where I can, but my mind keeps drifting to the small velvet box tucked into my jacket pocket. Vivika has no idea that her playful chastising has motivated me to do this the right way.
And to top it off, I'm using my mother's ring. The one my father gave her when he proposed. She wore it every day of her life until she passed, and though Fyodor is older and deserves it, he has allowed me to use it because I'm technically proposing first.
"Lev." Yuri's voice cuts through my thoughts. "We should discuss your new responsibilities."
I straighten in my chair and give him my full attention. "The Belarus corridor?"
"Yes," he says in a serious tone. "You'll be responsible for maintaining security along the entire route, coordinating with Kolar's people on joint operations, and ensuring that our shipments move without interference. It's a significant position—one that requires someone I trust completely."
"I understand." And I do. This is more than a job. It's a statement of faith from my uncle. I've proven myself worthy of taking on a leadership role within the family. And after everything that's happened, this feels like the culmination of something I've been working toward my entire adult life.
"You've earned it," Yuri says simply. "I've never doubted your loyalty or your capabilities. Now the rest of the family will see what I've always known."
I tip up my chin in acknowledgment as Yuri turns his attention to Vivika, and I watch her straighten. "We have a position for you as well, if you're willing to accept it."
"I'm listening." Her eyes flick to meet mine as she sips wine slowly, but there's a playful smile at her lips, as if Yuri's already spoken to her and this announcement is for my benefit and not hers.
