Page 11 of Emerald

“I was going to propose this morning, but we got called to this meeting,” he says, looking at me. Hey, it’s not my fault. “Sir,” he turns and looks over at Frank, “I would like to marry your daughter next week. Is that okay with you?”

Next week?

“Boy, I’m not your bride, ask her,” Frank says with a chuckle.

“I don’t want to wait. I’d marry you right now if I could, but I thought you might like some time to prepare. Will you marry me next week, Grace?” Maxim asks her.

Grace nods enthusiastically. “Yes, yes, yes. I don’t want to wait any longer,” she screams, wrapping her arms around his neck.

This was not the family meeting I thought we would be having.

“Congratulations to you both,” I say, hugging my brother. I hesitate to touch Grace as we didn’t end on the best of terms last night. Next thing I know, Grace pulls me into a hug which surprises me.

“I want you to be a bridesmaid,” she says, whispering into my ear.

A what? “Me?”

Grace nods.

I look over to Maxim, and he shrugs.

“Are you sure? What about your sisters?”

“They will be, too. Plus, you’re my sister now,” she adds.

“Of course. I’d be honored,” I tell her as we hug again.

“Last night I was a mess, so I’m sorry for being a bitch,” she tells me.

“You have nothing to apologize for, Grace.”

“Max explained everything. The fact that you were able to bring my love back from the dead. I can never repay you,” she says, her voice wavering with emotion.

“You loving him is all I need.”

“Aw, is my sister turning into a marshmallow?” Maxim teases.

“Screw you,” I say, punching him in the arm. “I could still outshoot you any day of the week.”

“Challenge accepted. Can’t wait to beat your ass.” Maxim chuckles.

Zoe claps her hands and gets everyone’s attention.

We all stop and look over to her.

“Congratulations to Grace and Max. And as much as I hate doing this now that we have a wedding to prepare for, we need to talk about a few things, namely, Sophie’s beef with Ellie.”

Wow, she went there calling her sister out.

“Hey, I’m not the only one who has questions here?” Sophie declares.

“Sophie’s right, she’s not the only one that has questions about me. About my life with the Bratva, and I’m happy to answer anything and everything right now.”

“Elena, I mean, Ellie. She shouldn’t be the only one who must answer questions. I was there, too. And even before Moscow, we never got enough time to talk about why I kidnapped Grace,” Maxim says.

Right, we are really going there, aren’t we.

“You don’t have to explain anything,” Grace tells my brother.

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