The door swings open suddenly, and Liev stalks in, his face darkening like a storm cloud at the sight of Ray.
I hold up a hand before things can escalate. “My dad just came to check on me. He was worried.”
Liev glances at me, and I guess my relaxed expression convinces him, because his shoulders drop. “You’re supposed to stay calm.”
“If I get any more calm, I’ll be dead,” I mutter.
He points a finger at me. “Too soon.”
I roll my eyes. “Whatever.”
Ray stands and faces my husband. “I heard you almost died saving her. Thank you.”
He extends his hand. Liev looks at me, and when I nod, he shakes my father’s hand.
“I’ll let you rest,” Ray says, squeezing my shoulder gently. “But I’d like to come back, if that’s okay.”
“It is.” I watch him leave with a strange sense of peace.
Liev takes my hand the second the door clicks shut. “You sure you’re okay? He didn’t upset you?”
I lean back against the pillows. “Kiss me”
The kiss he gives me is soft and tender. I smile against his lips. “Yeah, for the first time in forever... I think I’m perfect.”
EPILOGUE
Sera
The wood planks on the deck still hold heat from the late afternoon, Fourth-of-July sun. I lean forward against the upper deck railing so I can see the pool below. The solar twinkle lights I strung along the railing flicker to life in the fading daylight.
I set my water bottle on the flat edge, listening to the variety of happy voices drifting up from the patio and pool.
Alex and Liev are standing just below me unaware of my presence. I smile at the sight of the powerful bratva heir cradling his sleeping infant against the ink over his heart, one big hand supporting her tiny head. His eyes flick every few minutes to where his wife sits on the side of the pool with her best friend and podcast partner Cami Bloom and Cami’s sister-in-law Cara Evans.
It took time and seeing Dr. Swan on a twice weekly basis for a while after Hannah’s betrayal to trust my judgment again. But forming a relationship with Madison was definitely made easier by the fact we’re tied by blood through our husbands. It’s been helpful to have someone to talk to about this unusual life I’mlearning to live, and have her reassure me that life with these dangerous men isn’t just possible… It’s amazing.
Cami is submerged to her shoulders laughing as she referees a pair of toddler twins in floaties, splashing Cara. Through Madison, I’ve met both women, and gradually the rest of the Blooms. But Cara is the closest to my age, and we’ve become close.
My gaze goes to where Cara’s husband sits in the shade watching their youngest. Wes is some kind of tech genius and former hacker. He and Finn have ignored everyone all day talking about all things video games and code.
“Here, hold her,” I hear Alex say below me. He hands off the baby to Liev before grabbing a bottle of prosecco from the table nearby and strolling over to refill his wife’s cup.
“Shh.” My husband’s deep voice soothes as he settles the fussing infant against his massive, tattooed chest.
My stomach does a funny little flip.
He looks so big next to her, yet he holds her like she’s made of spun glass. The baby sighs in her sleep, and Liev’s expression softens in a way I’ve only ever seen when he looks at me.
Alex smirks as he returns to his side. “To think you used to be scared of babies.”
Liev snorts. “It’s the result of immersion therapy since all of you fuckers keep reproducing.”
“Uh-huh.” Alex reaches for his daughter, but Liev turns his shoulder, blocking him. Alex laughs quietly. “You aren’t getting any younger, you know. Clock’s ticking.”
“I’m thirty-five, asshole.” Liev’s gaze drops to the baby, then lifts again. His voice is quieter. “I can’t wait to have babies with Sera. She’ll be the best mom.” He pauses. “But she’s still young. And she’s still healing. I’m not going to rush her. She’ll let me know when she’s ready.”
I must make a sound because Liev looks up, his gaze locking with mine, and the familiar heat flows through me.
