Yuri sits across from me while Lev lights a cigar, and Vadim nods off due to too much alcohol. These men I am seated with are kings and gods among men. I was a fool to ever pull back from my family, and I'd be an even bigger fool to think I am better than them. Because of them, my life has gotten a new meaning and purpose. I owe everything to them now.
"She's stronger than she looks." Yuri takes a drink then tips his glass at Tatiana. "Most people would've broken under that kind of pressure."
"She's stubborn." I chuckle and nod at her. "And brave. Probably too brave for her own good."
"Takes after someone I know." Yuri's still grinning stupidly. "Wonder where she learned that."
I can accept that despite it being a soft jab, and I set my empty glass down and rise to my feet, towering over my family.
"I'm staying here tonight." I lean against the wall. "Think I've had too much to drive home safely." It's been one hell of a day, and I'm exhausted.
"Of course." Yuri doesn't argue. "I'll make sure you're not disturbed."
My heart is full. Though war is still possible and the threat of enemies aligning against us is always a possibility, I have a home here now. Six months ago, I'd never have said that. I returned to St Petersburg to help my brother chase down his son's killer thinking maybe, just maybe, I'd weasel my way into authority.
Instead, I remembered what a real family is and does, and I found the love of my life hidden among the ravages of life. What more could I ask for?
32
EPILOGUE
TATIANA
The dress Dimitri bought me last week fits perfectly. I smooth my hands down the dark blue fabric and check my reflection in the mirror one more time, making sure everything is in place for tonight's celebration. My hair is swept up in a style that took me far too long to achieve, and the small scar above my eyebrow from that night at the police station has faded to almost nothing.
"You look beautiful." Dimitri appears behind me in the mirror, already dressed in a charcoal suit that makes him look dangerously handsome. I smile at his reflection and feel my body warm a few degrees. Months together now, and he's still got that effect on me.
"You're not so bad yourself." I turn to face him and straighten his tie even though it doesn't need straightening. "Are you ready for this?"
"A party celebrating the end of a war?" He pulls me closer by my hips. "I've been ready for months."
It's been three months since that terrible night, but we've only just gotten word that Malcom is finally dead. They hunted him down in Serbia and found another string of ties to the Balkans, and Luka Kolar himself put a bullet in his head.
I moved into Dimitri’s apartment when Lena decided she'd rather be at home with her mother, and the shock of learning about Arseniy took too much out of me. I couldn't work for a few weeks and rent wasn't going to pay itself. So far, Dimitri hasn't been unbearable.
"Have I told you today how fortunate we are that you noticed something was off about Linda?" Dimitri's hands slide up my back. "We never could've done this without you."
"You've mentioned it." I smile against his chest. "Several times, actually."
"Well, it bears repeating." He kisses the top of my head. "If you hadn't picked up on how suspicious she was being, we might never have been able to track her movements back to their headquarters."
Linda turned out to be exactly what we suspected, a mole who had been feeding information to the Kozlovs for months, helping them identify targets and plan attacks. The bug on her phone recorded every conversation she had and who she talked to and gave us a complete map of the remaining enemy infrastructure.
We used that information to systematically dismantle everything they had left.
"I still can't believe you let me go back to work." I pull away slightly to look up at him. "Most men in your position would have insisted I stay hidden away somewhere safe." I place thecredit on his shoulders, but I know if Yuri hadn't given the orders, Dimitri would’ve had me locked up.
"And now look at you, running hospitality for the whole casino…" He grins and presses a kiss to my forehead.
"Like you had a choice," I joke, but the decision to promote me was truly his. Yuri suggested it, but Dimitri runs this place. I love the work too, and knowing I make a difference around here makes me feel incredible. It's such a good feeling to partner with someone and know they value your opinions and choices.
"We should probably head down." I glance at the clock on the nightstand. "Yuri will be wondering where we are."
"Let him wonder." Dimitri leans down and captures my mouth in a kiss that makes my knees weak. "I'm enjoying having you all to myself."
"We'll have plenty of time for that later." I kiss him back thoroughly before stepping out of his embrace. "Right now, we have a party to get to and family who want to celebrate with us." It's strange to call these men my family now, though with men like this around me, who needs a big brother for protection? Besides, they've grown on me and I'm not sure who I'd call when Dimitri is off working when I need a tight jar opened or a mouse snatched up.
He sighs dramatically but offers me his arm. "Fine. But only because you asked nicely."
