Page 206 of Bleed with Me

“Next time, drive faster.” She smiled at him. “You won’t miss it.”

“Noted.” Zyon nodded, while I said resolutely, “There won’t be a next time.”

“Don’t wanna break it to you, brother.” Zyon slammed my shoulder as I tried to carry Nina out of the warehouse. “But she looks like the type who loves these types of situations.”

Nina chuckled, pressing her face against my neck when I groaned like a wounded animal. I categorically refused to admit that my wife was a magnet to danger. Or worse, she actually enjoyed it.

Tenderly, I placed her on the back seat of Zyon’s car and sat beside her. Aryna sat in the front because my brother magically pulled out a booster seat. She was practically glowing with excitement. All her fright and tears were gone as Zyon explained different buttons on the dashboard screen to her.

“Do you think she just forgot what happened?” Nina asked, leaning against me, but her eyes were fixed on Aryna. Concern shone in them.

“I don’t know.” I shrugged, curling my arm around her. “She reacted the same way with her foster family.” I looked down into my wife’s bruised but still the most beautiful face. “Like that chapter just ended. No coming back.”

“Oh, great,” she sighed. “I hope there won’t be any unresolved trauma.”

“If there is, then we’ll deal with it.”

Nina raised her head, a smile stretching her split lips. The swelling of her eye was so bad I was sure she could barely see me. My hand reached for her face, and I brushed dried blood from her cheek.

“I love you,” I whispered, the words slipping out unexpectedly and surprising us both.

“Seriously?” Nina abruptly sat up straight, grimacing and holding her side, but her gaze remained glued to me. “I had to kill three people to make you realize that?”

“Four,” I reminded her with a smile. “I still remember the most romantic one.”

“Oh.” A wicked grin, so signature for her, lit up her face. “I almost forgot about that situation.”

“You know.” I entwined our fingers, my heart clenching at the sight of her broken nails. “I think I fell in love with you in that hotel room.” Her grin broadened, making her injured lip bleed. Gently, I wiped the drop from her mouth, realizing not only my hand, but my entire body trembled with relief.

“I love you, Nina Zhumagulov.” I cupped her face, not sure those words could express how I felt about her. “I love you more than you can imagine.”

“I have a pretty wild imagination.” She smiled, resting her forehead against mine. “And I love you, too. Like a fucking lunatic.”

“I’ll have that tattooed right against my heart,” I muttered, my fingers tracing the line of her jaw. “So everyone knows I belong to you.”

The familiar spark of insanity flashed in her eyes.

“Mine,” she whispered against my lips, and I finally kissed her.

The world around us ceased to exist. My body, mind, my entire fucking being focused only on her. My wife.

Nina crashed into my life like a bulldozer, demolishing everything in her path to get me. And I’d be damned if I ever let her leave or let anyone take her and our daughter away from me.

They were mine. Forever.

And I was theirs.

-Epilogue-

Nina

3 months later

The shrill ring of the doorbell made me flinch, and I raised my head from the papers. During the weekends, I refused to work, but some things couldn’t wait. So while Aryna and Zara played in the living room, I sat in my new office and studied a deal that could ensure a steady flow of money.

“Uncle Malin!” I heard Zara scream. Aryna squealed excitedly, and I scoffed. Dorian was at work, and Zyon and Valeria had a romantic spa day. It hadn’t occurred to me that he would show up at my doorstep.

Since I’d helped him with the kidnapped boy a few months ago, Malin had warmed up to me. I wouldn’t say he liked me. He didn’t like anyone but his gun, motorcycle, and oatmeal. Still, he didn’t glare at me like he used to, and every time I called him and said I needed someone to keep an eye on Aryna, he came.