I snuggle deeper into Kane’s chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.
Whatever comes next, whatever shadows or light the future holds, we will face it together. I have found my perfect Daddy, and will be with him forever.
Chapter 18
Kane
One month later.
The city sprawls beneath us like a glittering kingdom, visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the exclusive restaurant on the top floor of the Sterling Tower.
Crystal chandeliers cast warm golden light over white tablecloths and expensive silverware. The air smells of aged whiskey, seared steak, and truffle oil. Around the circular table sit the three men who have become something I never expected to find again.
Brothers.
Viktor Volkov raises his glass of vodka, his expression solemn yet proud. Ivan Zorin and Kirill Antonov mirror the gesture. I lift mine as well, the crystal catching the light.
“To thePakhanDaddies,” Viktor says, voice carrying across the table with quiet authority. “It is an honor to officially welcome Kane Kamedov into this circle. With him comes the full legacy of the Kamedov family, their strength, their ruthlessness, and their unbreakable will. Kane, your brothers would be proud of theman you have become. While they can never be replaced, know this: you have brothers again. You haveus.”
The words hit me harder than I anticipated.
I feel the weight of them settle in my chest—not heavy like grief, but solid.Anchoring.
I meet Viktor’s eyes, then Ivan’s, then Kirill’s. “Thank you,” I say, voice low but steady. “I am honored by your words. More than you know.”
We drink. The vodka burns clean down my throat.
Across the room, on the small dance floor bathed in soft blue and gold lighting, our boys are lost in their own world. William moves with graceful energy in a sleek black t-shirt and trousers combo that hugs his body in all the right places. Eddie spins beside him in a shimmering silver t-shirt, Landon and Teddy laughing as they dance together.
The four Littles are radiant: carefree, joyful, safe.
My eyes stay locked on William.
The way his blonde hair catches the light, the bright smile he flashes when he catches me watching. He is everything soft and good in a life built on hard edges.
Viktor sets his empty glass down. “With the Presko threat fully wiped out, we should move to confirm our status as an untouchable unit in this city. The Mudruk family has been making quiet moves. Testing boundaries. We cannot let that slide.”
Kirill nods, his expression cold. “They are dangerous in the extreme. Cartel connections south of the border. Heavy artillery. If we give them time to organize, it will cost us.”
I lean forward, elbows on the table. “That is exactly why we should strike now. Waiting plays into their hands. The last thing they expect is us coming at them hard and fast while they are still positioning themselves. We hit them before they’re ready.”
Ivan’s eyes gleam with approval. “Bold. Butcalculated. I like it.”
Viktor studies me for a long moment, then nods. “Agreed. We plan it carefully. But first—” he raises a fresh glass the waiter has quietly refilled, “—tonight we celebrate. Even if it is only for one night. We have earned it.”
We drink again.
The vodka warms my blood as I watch William laugh on the dance floor, spinning under Eddie’s arm. Pride swells in my chest.
This is the future I am building, not just power, but balance.
Strength wrapped around something worth protecting.
We finish our drinks and rise as one. The four of us cross the room toward our boys. William’s eyes light up the moment he sees me. He steps into my arms without hesitation, pressing his body against mine as the music shifts to something slower.
“You look beautiful tonight,” I murmur against his ear, my hand settling possessively on his lower back.
He smiles up at me, cheeks flushed from dancing. “You don’t look so bad yourself, Daddy.”
