We showered together once we’d caught our breath, and together, we headed downstairs for breakfast. That was where all the “work” began. And it was where all the love blossomed in my chest.
Seated at the big table with his brothers and cousins, all of whom conveniently lived on the property or nearby, I felt a sense of real belonging that I’d never experienced before.
I had brothers.
Cousins.
I was sure that with time, they’d all meet someone and there would be more people to call family. It was such a contrast to how I used to be so alone and never connected to anyone. It was only part of the changes I was enjoying, too. Soon, I’d be a mother! I’d have my own little bundle of joy to love always. This was thefamilythat I never wanted to lose sight of.
I was a Volkov now. I was part of this wonderful group of strong yet dangerous people.
They weren’t just a Mob. While they did orchestrate deals and rule with a mighty fist that meant violence, I saw now that it was no different from if I had met and wanted to marry a politician or cop. Justice was delivered on both sides of society. Lawmakers were corrupt the same as Mafia bosses pursued criminals.
From my perspective, I knew that money made the world go round. I’d seen firsthand how it did legallyandillegally, and I was more than okay with choosing the Volkovs for my future.
Finished with breakfast and eager to get busy on my computer, I kissed Adrik goodbye and headed to the office that I was calling mine for now.
Adrik was already starting plans for making room for me in this huge house. Inourhome. There was ample space to work with, too.
We would plan a nursery. And he wanted to designate a custom office for me. I bet if there were any other ideas I had, I only needed the courage to bring them up to him for him to make them reality.
As if I could think of anything to want.
I have it made.
A home. A husband. A family.
I smiled as I entered the office.
For now, I was perfectly content to carry on in the room with the two doors, simply because I was used to it. Sacha and Igor were already in here, and both of them gave me a little hard time about showing up for work this early.
“You don’t want to take the morning off?” Sacha teased.
I shook my head. “We’re too close.” If it mattered so much to the Volkovs to know who the originator of this network was, I wanted to be able to confirm whether it was Gregori or someone else.
I was confident that I was the best one to direct the way to answers. Tracking receipts and following all the name changes on financial forms was the clearest line of activity we could follow from so long ago. Aliases had to match up sooner or later. The investigators down in the computer lab and control room were chasing the leads I’d given them.
Because I wasn’t just talking the talk when I told Adrik that I wanted to contribute to our family’s safety. I meant it.
And if finding the organizer of this network was the start of being prepared, then I was going to do just that.
For long hours, I stayed at the computer. I no longer felt like I was used or stuck in an employment situation I couldn’t get out of. I believed that this was where I really belonged. Doing what I was good at, focusing on the industry I’d trained in.
I was here, able to feel the pride of my hard work, not because I’d been given away.
But because I had chosen to trust my heart and take a leap of faith that Adrik was who I’d been missing out on all my life. His love was the trigger I’d needed to find my place once and for all.
Soon to be a mother.
And currently the mastermind behind rooting out who dared to scheme against my family.
37
ADRIK
Most of the guests who’d come in for the wedding were leaving today. Throughout the afternoon and this evening, they’d head back out to where they called home.
Having them here and making my wedding more public than Elena wanted it to be was a good choice, though.
