I tugged her close and kissed her. “The night isn’t over yet. No talk about work. Enjoy at least this day.”
“The calm before the storm?” she guessed.
I shrugged.
“Itisthe calm before the storm,” Maksim said. “I talked to a few guests here who agree with me that there seems to be some trouble with the Cartels.”
“Infighting?” Lev guessed.
“No.” Maksim shook his head and seemed annoyed. “Something about, uh, some runs and deals being adjusted.”
I appreciated that they all still respected Elena’s wish not to know too many details. She did. She already knew so much as our lead accountant. But I’d shelter her however I could.
“Forget I mentioned it. I’ll handle it,” he told me confidently before giving Elena a genuine smile. “Care for a dance with your brother-in-law?”
She smiled and stood. “I still can’t believe Ihavebrothers now.”
I fell that much more in love with her, glad to be able to give her a family, one that wouldalwaysbe on her side. Unlike John Morovov, we would never take her for granted. She’d won not only my heart, but she’d also proven her loyalty to my brothers and cousins in how hard she worked to help us with the investigation of that shadow network forming against us.
That night, as I carried my exhausted and yawning wife over the threshold ofourhouse, the main mansion on the estate, I smiled at her shy frown.
“I’m not sleepy,” she insisted.
She was practically dozing off already.
“Sweetheart, you’re nearly out now.”
“But it’s our wedding night, and we should celebrate…”
I chuckled as I carried her toward our room. “We’ve got every night for the rest of our lives to celebrate our love.”
Pressing a kiss to her brow, I resolved to always make the time to balance being the Pakhan and her man.
36
ELENA
Iwoke up to another form of a new normalcy. Adrik’s hard and hot body pressed against me as he slept in next to me. Spooning me. From head to toe, he was pressed against me, wrapped around me. Lying on his side but also clutching me close, with one leg over mine and his heavy, toned arm draped over my chest. I was warm and cozy. Our positions resulted in an enveloping sense of security that I never wanted to give up. One that I never dared to dream of having at all.
His muscles braced against me, reminding me of how strong and formidable he was even in rest. Yet when I turned slightly to face him, I admitted the serenity on his face that showed he wasn’t only the boss. That he wasn’t only the leader of dangerous criminals.
He was also just a man.Myman. The only man I would ever be in love with.
Waking up more fully, I waited for the expected discomfort of nausea. According to the very compassionate and qualified doctor I’d spoken with earlier this week, a kind old woman whodid house calls, this morning sickness wasn’t anything to be concerned about. My initial checkup had gone well, and I was more relieved after starting my prenatal care. Tips about how to avoid the worst of the nausea gave me hope. And I wondered if this would only end up being a fleeting part of my pregnancy, anyway.
I sighed happily, not feeling that urgency to run to the bathroom in case the nausea would turn into actually emptying my stomach.
Unwilling to get up and forfeit the bliss and comfort of snuggling in this massive bed, I tried not to move too much and wake up Adrik.
Instead, I scanned the room with a fresh perspective, seeing what I liked and what I wondered if we could adjust. This wasn’t the first time I’d been in this overly masculine room. Since the day he’d proposed, he’d moved me into the main house, intoourhouse, and into this enormous suite.
He’d acted on that move not only because he wanted to keep me by his side, but we also had to open up the guest house for the people coming in for the wedding. All those associates and Mafia dignitaries—none of whom I knew. Powerful men in tuxes. Elegant wives in gowns.
Among them all, it was hard to feel like I belonged. But it wasmywedding day, and seeing Adrik reconfirmed that Icouldbelong. By marrying him, I was choosing to fit in with them all.
Still, there was such a contrast between me and these influential and wealthy members of syndicated crime.
Adrik noticed when I felt shy, though, and he hadn’t let me down once yesterday. He handled all the small talk and minglingand introductions. His brothers, especially Maksim and Nikolai, assisted as well. Even though it might have outwardly seemed pathetic for me to be so quiet and clinging to Adrik’s arm, not speaking much because I didn’t know what to say, I was glad that he gave me the freedom to be this passive until I could be more of an active participant in his circle.
