We had a very long talk about everything, but mostly the tracker, and while he knows he shouldn’t have done it without my knowledge, he stands by his decision that it was the right thing to do otherwise they never would have found us that night. I told him because I knew the truth about absolutely everything, I understood why he did it but I still wasn’t happy about it.
One of his men found the necklace on the ground where I threw it that night and Dragna had given it back to me and told me it would always be there if I wanted the extra safety measure, but it would always be my choice now on whether I wear it.
“Just open itmoya dusha.” He says, pulling me from my thoughts and I take it from him and pull apart the ribbon tying the two handles together.
I reach inside while staring at him, watching his face for any giveaways as to what it could be. He just continues to look at mewith the most adorable smile on his face and I finally look down as I lift pieces of paper from the bag.
“What is this?” I ask as my breathing stops and I take in the words written on the sheets of paper.
“It’s yours.” He replies and I still haven’t let out a breath as I continue scanning the words over and over again.
“How… Dragna. I can’t accept this!” My voice comes out squeaky and high pitched as tears begin to well up in my eyes.
“You can. You deserve it and I know it will make you happy as well as giving you something to keep your mind occupied in a healthy way.” He says all too easily because he truly knows me inside and out.
“When?” Is all I can say.
“Lev was actually the mastermind behind it all when you were gone. Your boss wasn’t too pleased her only two workers wouldn’t be showing up to work for a while.” He huffs out a laugh.
“So you just bought the bookstore…” I breathe out still in disbelief.
“We bought the bookstore. It’s yours. Yours and Alina’s, you both own equal parts, everything has been transferred over to you and her.” He says as easily as if he’s talking about buying me a slice of cake or a cup of coffee… but no, he bought the bookstore. The one place that has always brought me happiness. The one place he knows I get lost in and that transforms me to other worlds away from my own when I need it most.
He bought me the fucking bookstore.
The realisation hits me and I can’t stop myself from launching across the car at him and landing on his lap as I throw my arms around him and tears begin to stream down my face.
“This is too much and I don’t know how I’m ever going to repay you or show you the same level of love and kindness but thank you Dragna. Thank you. Thank you.”
I start to cry real happy ugly tears as well as laugh at how crazy the love of my life is.
“Thank Lev too, it was his idea, I just agreed to it and paid for it all.” Dragna says as he laughs along with me.
“And your happiness is the only payment I need. You already show me more than enough love and kindness. This is actually nothing compared to what I would do to show you how much I love you if I knew you wouldn’t be mad at me for spending so much money.” He adds and I smack his chest playfully.
“I just can’t believe this. I can’t believe you. I can’t believe this is my life.” I shake my head smiling at him and he takes my hand and kisses the back of it.
“Come on, your happy place awaits.” He says, nodding out the window to where Alina and Lev stand, thankfully not screaming at each other, as well as Ivan, Anton, Mikhail, Milena and even my parents. My parents are starting to come round to Dragna again. When they could reach me while I was in Boston, Dragna had to tell them the truth. He kept them updated, told them everything and while my father wanted to go head to head with Dragna, after they saw me again and saw I was still choosing this man, they had no choice but to begin to trust him again.
I look at everyone inside the bookstore, all wave from inside the shop window and I can’t believe this is our crazy, messed up family. I let my laughter flow out, feeling so loved, so happy and finally feeling a little bit more peace.
Chapter Sixty Four
Willow
“I can’t believe you’re leaving me.” Alina says as she grabs a box from the moving van. I stop dead in my tracks and spin around to look at her. I’m expecting to find her crying or looking at me furiously, but instead she tries hiding a smile behind the box she’s lifted.
“That’s just mean!” I chastise her jokingly.
“You know all you would have to do is tell me not to go through with this and we can send this van back to the apartment.” I say sarcastically because as much as I know I’m young and I love my best friend, I feel more than ready to start a new chapter with Dragna.
“As if you wouldn’t move in with your hunk of a man. I’ll be fine, more than fine. I promise you.” She says, pretending to wipe a tear from her eye dramatically before she makes her way inside with the box she’s carrying.
It’s going to be strange not living with her anymore, but I know she’ll be over all the time and our girls nights will probably make Dragna regret even asking me to move in with him.
Gigi and Mia are here helping too and while I’m over the moon to be moving in with Dragna, we all know that Ella being missing is still weighing heavy on everyone. I have to keep believing that if they could save me, then we can save Ella.
Alina comes back out and sits down on the steps. I leave the box I was about to lift and walk over to her, sitting down beside her. She puts her arm around me and pulls me into her for a cuddle.
