“Nikolai?”
“You owe me nothing but friendship.”Nikolai held his hand up.“I always said one day I would repay you for everything you have done for me.This is it.This is what I am giving you.You’re in love with that woman.Don’t sit back and allow another man to take what is yours.”
And with that, Dmitriy left.There was only one person he wanted, and now was the time to go and get her.
****
Anastasia had losther job at the artisan supermarket, and she had also lost her apartment.Thankfully, as a parting gift, besides giving her freedom, her life, Nikolai had also given her a reward for not running away and for helping him.
She was able to purchase a small house outside the city, in a small town, far away from trouble.At least, that was what she hoped.All she wanted was a quiet life, away from all the trouble.The only problem, Dmitriy wasn’t there.And she missed him so much, all the time.
It was so surreal that just three weeks ago, she was helping him with the leader of the Gnesin Bratva, and now she was grabbing groceries and looking to set up Halloween decorations.
There was still quite a bit of money left, and she was currently hunting for a job.There was also the little dilemma that her period hadn’t arrived yet.She hadn’t gone to get a pregnancy test, because the truth was, she didn’t want to know the answer.
Running fingers through her hair, she tried to contain her nervousness.She still hadn’t purchased a test, but as she looked around the home, she couldn’t help but think about Dmitriy.He hadn’t called.There had been no contact.And she didn’t know how to contact him.Everything had been handled by Nikolai.
There was nothing more she could do.She was in the process of putting her groceries away when her doorbell rang.She didn’t know anyone in town, as she was still job hunting and getting settled.There had been a few visitors to wish her well, and as she made her way toward the door, she didn’t bother to check the peephole.
Opening the door, she came face to face with the man she had fallen in love with.
Dmitriy was on her doorstep.
“Hey,” he said.
“Hi.”
Her heart started to race, and all she wanted to do was to reach out and pinch herself, but she was afraid to move, in case this was a dream.If it was, she didn’t want to wake up.
She licked her lips, and still, nothing.She had to be awake.He looked so freaking clear.
“You’re here,” she said.
He smiled.“Are you going to let me in?”he asked.
“Wait, did Nikolai change his mind?”Was he here to kill her?
“I’m in love with you,” he said.
Anastasia’s mouth dropped open.
“Nikolai knows how I feel, and he has ...released me.”
“What?”she asked.
Dmitriy stepped over the threshold.“I’m free, and that means I can live my life with you, without risk of looking back.”
She looked at him.
“I would understand if you don’t feel the same way.”
Anastasia didn’t know how anyone else would feel, but to her, in that moment, she threw her arms around him, hugged him, and kissed him at the same time.
Life was too short to hold a grudge.It was too short to keep waiting.Three weeks ago, they could have died, and all she could think of when the guard had his hands around her throat was that she hadn’t told Dmitriy she loved him.
Pulling away, she cupped his face and laughed.“I love you too.”
“Marry me,” he said.
