We leave the penthouse and take the elevator down to the main casino floor where the party is already underway. Yuri reserved the entire VIP section for tonight's celebration, filling it with family and trusted associates who fought alongside us, and I made sure the place was decorated appropriately.
Yuri spots us the moment we step off the elevator and makes his way over with a broad smile. His wife Inessa is beside him, heavily pregnant and glowing despite looking uncomfortable in her formal dress. It makes a longing for a family stir inside me.
"There they are." Yuri hugs Dimitri and then kisses both my cheeks in greeting. "We were beginning to think you'd decided to skip your own celebration."
"We wouldn't miss this." Dimitri shakes his brother's hand. "How are you feeling, Inessa?"
"Like I'm about to give birth to a small car." She laughs and rubs her swollen belly. "But the doctor says it could still be another week, so I'm trying to enjoy tonight while I can. Though I've had some small contractions."
"Well, you look beautiful." I give her a gentle hug, careful not to bump her stomach. "That dress is stunning on you."
"Thank you, dear." Inessa beams at me. "I heard you've been doing wonderful things with the hospitality department. Yuri says customer satisfaction is up thirty percent since you took over."
"She's being modest," Yuri interjects. "It's actually up forty-two percent. The woman is a natural manager."
I feel myself blushing at the praise, but Dimitri squeezes my hand and I can see the pride in his expression. He's been supportive of my work since I took over, never once suggesting that the job was beneath me. If anything, he encourages me to take on more responsibility.
The party fills up quickly as more family members arrive. Lev and Fyodor appear together with their partners, both lookingjust as dapper as their uncles. Then Vadim arrives with his wife, and Lazar and Oleg show up shortly after with drinks already in hand.
After an hour of socializing, Yuri calls for everyone's attention by tapping his glass with a knife. The conversations die down and people turn to face him expectantly.
"Thank you all for coming tonight." Yuri's voice carries across the room with natural authority. "We're here to celebrate something that seemed impossible just a few months ago. The complete and total victory over our enemies."
People raise their glasses and murmur agreement. Yuri waits for them to quiet down before continuing.
"I want to start by acknowledging the men who fought alongside us." He gestures to where several soldiers are standing. "Your courage and dedication made this victory possible. You risked your lives to protect this family and this city, and we are forever in your debt."
The men nod solemnly, accepting the recognition with quiet dignity.
"I also want to recognize my nephews." Yuri looks at Lev and Fyodor. "You both showed exceptional leadership during the conflict. You made your father proud and you've proven that the next generation of this family is ready to carry on our legacy."
Lev and Fyodor exchange a glance and raise their glasses to their uncle.
"To my cousin Vadim," Yuri continues. "Your tactical expertise and unwavering loyalty were instrumental in our success. Thank you for standing with us when others might have run."
Vadim juts his chin up in acknowledgment and his wife, Danica, leans her head on his shoulder, sweetly hugging his bicep with both of her arms.
"And finally." Yuri's voice softens slightly as he turns to face Dimitri. "To my brother. We were distant for too many years, letting pride and old disagreements keep us apart when we should've been standing together. This conflict brought us back together and reminded me why family is the most important thing we have."
Dimitri clenches his jaw to hide his emotion, but he doesn't look away from his brother's gaze.
"The Gravitch name is stronger now than it has ever been." Yuri raises his glass high. "We control this city not through fear, but through respect. We protect our own and we eliminate threats before they can take root. That is our legacy and that is what we will pass down to the next generation."
Everyone raises their glasses and drinks to Yuri's words. The room fills with applause and cheers as people celebrate not just the victory but the unity that made it possible.
"One more thing before we continue the festivities." Yuri holds up his hand for silence. "If at any point tonight I suddenly disappear, please don't assume I've been kidnapped or that something terrible has happened." This gets a few nervous laughs from the crowd. "My beautiful wife has been having mild contractions." Yuri puts his arm around her shoulders. "The doctor says it could be nothing or it could mean the baby is coming early. Either way, if her water breaks during dessert, I'm taking her to the hospital immediately and you're all free to keep celebrating without us."
The nervous laughter turns into genuine amusement and warm applause. Inessa rolls her eyes, but she's smiling as people come over to offer their congratulations and well wishes.
Dimitri pulls me closer against his side as we watch his brother accept the attention and good wishes from family and friends. His hand rests possessively on my hip, and I can feel the contentment radiating from him.
"They look happy." I lean my head against his shoulder. "Really happy."
"They are." Dimitri speaks quietly so only I can hear, but I sense how proud he is of his brother. "Yuri lost his adult son almost one year ago. This baby is everything to him."
He goes quiet for a moment, and then I feel his lips brush against my ear, and it makes a warm shiver run over my skin. "Do you think I'll ever be a father like my brother?" His question has me glowing, and I turn in his arms so I can look up at him properly, studying his face to gauge how serious he is about this question.
"Do you want to be?" I keep my voice equally quiet.
