“That’s one way of putting it.” But there’s no anger in his voice, just wariness.
Hope steps forward with a genuine smile, shaking my hand. “It’s lovely to meet you, even if this is a less-than-ideal scenario. I told Dinara to meet a tall, dark, and handsome stranger. I guess she took me literally.”
Dinara giggles, and I return Hope’s smile. At least that’s one person I don’t have to win over.
Kin tugs on his mother’s sleeve. “Can we go find the Ninja Turtles now? I’m bored.”
“Not yet, love,” Hope says patiently.
Kin turns to me with a frown. “Do you know how to find them? Dinara said they live in the sewers.”
I scratch my chin. “I’ve only heard rumors, but they’re very tricky. I don’t think they like to be found. Also, the sewers are very stinky.” I waft my hand in front of my nose.
Kin shrugs and moves on to staring at all the medical machines Dinara’s hooked up to.
Pavel hasn’t moved from his position by the window, and when I meet his eyes, the temperature in the room drops about ten degrees. This is alpha meeting alpha, and he’s not happy about the situation.
“So you’re the man who forced Dinara into marriage.”
“Pavel,” Dinara warns. “Pot calling kettle black.” I remember her mentioning their marriage wasn’t a mutual decision either. But clearly, all’s well that ends well.
His lips twist. “What? I’m just stating facts.”
“It’s true,” I admit, holding his gaze. “The ‘I do’ part took a little bit of coercion. But we wouldn’t still be here if we weren’t meant to be. She’s the love of my life, and I’m hers. Everything else is just details.”
“Love.” He says the word like it tastes bitter. “What happens now? You staying in New York? Taking over as pakhan? What’s the endgame?”
“Jesus, babe, give them five minutes to breathe,” Hope scolds, delivering a gentle elbow to her husband’s ribs. He responds by hauling her against him and pressing a kiss to her temple.
Dinara makes a puking noise. “Okay, I think we’re done interrogating Kirill like he’s a hostile witness.”
Despite the tension, I can’t help but smile because he obviously cares for Dinara like a brother. “We haven’t worked out all the details yet. What we know is we’re staying together. The rest we’ll handle as it comes.”
Yarik sighs. “I guess this means you’re staying in New York, Dinochka.”
“For a while. After that we’ll see,” she says softly.
Yarik nods, but I catch the sadness flickering across his face. I hate thinking I’m taking his daughter from him, especially after everything he’s already lost.
“I don’t care where I am as long as I’m with you,” I say and mean it. If this hellscape of the last 48 hours has shown me one thing, it’s that she’s my home. Nothing else matters. And I am going to spend the rest of my life taking care of her, making sure she is happy and cared for, and gets every little thing in this world she could ever hope for. Ever desire.
Dinara reaches for my hand and I take it, lacing our fingers together. “You got yourself a deal, husband.”
The room settles into something less hostile, though Pavel still looks like he’s mentally cataloging my weak points for future reference. He’ll come around eventually.
Kin climbs onto the foot of Dinara’s bed and launches into a rambling story about turtles and dinosaurs and whether New York has good museums. Dinara promises to take him to see thedinosaur skeletons when she’s healed, and his face lights up like she just offered him the world.
After a while, I catch Yarik’s eye and gesture with my head toward the door. He stands without a word and follows me into the hallway, and we walk until we’re far enough from the room that no one will overhear.
His weathered face is serious and his hands slip into his pockets as he waits for me to speak.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t do this the first time,” I say, feeling slightly awkward for the first time in my life. “We might be married, but I want to do this right. I want to give Dinara a real wedding. And for that I want your blessing. I want her to have the celebration she deserves with everyone she loves around her.”
He studies me with knowing eyes. “My daughter has already chosen you. How could I say no? She’s made it clear that you’re the love of her life. That this whole crazy journey was worth it because it brought her to you.”
Something ignites in my chest. “I feel the same way about her. She’s everything to me.”
He reaches out and grips my shoulder. “Then you have my blessing. Take care of my girl.”
