Page 181 of The Bratva King

The party winds down around five. By five-thirty, it’s just Gabby, Luke, and me.

Luke is exhausted but wired, clutching his new dinosaur toys and chattering about the party.

“Best birthday ever,” he announces.

After Luke is in bed, Gabby sinks onto the couch. I pour us a drink, and we relax in the living room. No TV. No music. Just silence.

“He had a great time,” she says.

“I’m already planning the next birthday.”

She laughs. “I’m not sure you can top that.”

“I can. I will.”

I take a sip of my drink and then sit forward. I reach into the pocket of my black slacks. I wore a blue shirt today. One Luke helped me pick out.

I look at Gabby and think about Luke upstairs. I think about how my whole life rearranged itself around them without me even realizing it.

I saw a woman who needed help, and I helped her. Simple as that. I never expected them to be the ones who helped me. The ones who understood me. Who cared for me in a way no one else has.

Damn, I love them both so much.

This is it, Nikolai. Don’t fuck it up with the wrong words.

“Gabby.”

She looks at me. “Yeah?”

I set down my drink and turn to face her fully. “I need to ask you something.”

“Okay.”

I reach into my pocket and pull out the ring. It’s not in a box. I’ve had it in my pocket, touching the stone when I needed to slow things down.

Her eyes widen.

“Nikolai,” she whispers.

It’s a single diamond. Nothing flashy, but large enough to catch someone’s eye. “I don’t know how to do this right. I don’t have the words other people have.”

She’s staring at me with tears forming in her eyes.

“But I love you. I love Luke. I want to build a life with you. I want to be Luke’s father. I talked with my attorney, and he said it wouldn’t be hard for me to adopt Luke if you’d let me. I want to.” I take a breath. “He’s already my son in every way that matters. I want him to know I chose him, too. I want to make it official.

“Will you marry me, Gabriella? Be my wife. Let me be the father Luke deserves.”

A tear spills down her cheek. “Nik.”

“I know I’m not easy. I know I don’t always say the right things or understand what you need. But I will spend every day trying. I will protect you both. I will love you both. That’s a promise I know I can keep.”

She sets down her drink with shaking hands. “You want to adopt Luke?”

“Yes.”

More tears flow as she presses her hand to her mouth.

“You already are the best daddy he could ever wish for,” she whispers. “You were becoming his father long before either of us realized it.” She reaches out and touches my face. “You’re already everything he needs.”