Page 145 of Inked in Devotion

An understanding passed between us, but before I could vocalize my acceptance, the door to the house slammed shut with a resounding bang and loud voices filled the foyer.

Rurik appeared in the living room's arched opening with Kirill and Dimitri behind him.

“Why don’t you have drinks in your hand?” he boomed, stalking into the room.

“It’s nine a.m.,” Theo muttered.

Rurik thumped my brother-in-law’s back. “Ah, vodka doesn’t care about the time. We’ll make a Russian out of you yet.” He dragged Theo away.

“Fuck me,” Kirill said. “Where is that vodka?”

But I was looking at Dimitri. “Why are you still here?”

He threw up his hands in an offended gesture. “That’s the thanks I get for nearly getting swiss-cheesed by an Uzi.”

“You enjoyed the action.” I dragged him in for a hug. “Thank you, Dima.” I had a feeling he wasn’t leaving soon, and I was coming around to having more Petrovs in our bratva. Sebastian would need that exposure.

“Where are the women?” Kirill glanced around.

“Planning Aralina’s bachelorette party,” I told him. “So where’s Maksim? I heard Ophelia is flying in.”

“She is, and he’s meeting the flight tomorrow morning.” He smirked. “Bright and early.”

Rurik returned and stood at the entrance. “Well? Let’s get this celebration started, Petrov! You’re a married man!”

Chloe

I put Sebastian in the crib. He was getting so crabby from being fussed over by “aunts and uncles,” Kolya had to call a stop to it. We were in Ivan and Irina’s house. We decided to stay here until after Aralina and Theo’s wedding. When a few weeks ago I dreaded that day, now I couldn’t wait to spend the festivities with my newfound family.

The bratva.

They went to war for my son. Not only that, the crime families united so Kolya and I could live free. I stroked the back of my fingers down Sebastian’s cheek.

So our son could live free.

The ruby ring Renée gave me glinted briefly. Wherever you are, I hope you are at peace, Mom, because I have made mine. A poignant emotion—closure—wrapped itself around my heart. I’d transferred the ruby ring to my right hand. On my left was a simple gold band. Kolya apologized earlier and said he was going to get me an engagement ring.

I grinned. Did we ever do things in order?

I didn’t need to hide or change identities any longer. Kolya and I were the perfect people to raise our son. Our vow of devotion erased all doubts and fears.

A tenderness expanded my heart. Love. Full of love.

“I’ll be back, baby boy.”

I left the room in search of my husband.

My husband.

I would have to get used to saying it, but I loved the way those two words rolled off my tongue.

I could hear the roaring laughter and chatter from outside. They were playing poker on the patio.

Irina and Ivan had since retired to the bedroom. They were such gracious hosts. Irina made sure we had the biggest guest room and coordinated with Dora to transfer what my boy needed for the next few days. And when my friend came by earlier with Sebastian’s things, she warmly chided me for what she called my “elopement,” but her tearful gaze brimmed with happiness and peace even when she teased I was Kolya’s problem now.

Kolya already hinted we should start looking for our own home again.

The staff must have dimmed the lights. The hallways were dark, but as I crossed the living room, I spotted Aralina sitting on the couch. She was sketching on a drawing pad.