Page 103 of Born into Darkness

Damien starts unloading the fridge and putting the leftovers on the counter, and when they’ve all filled a plate, we get Talia’s family and meet outside on the patio so there will be room for everyone. We make small talk while they eat, but once they’re done, I’m more than ready to discuss what they’ve all come here to talk about.

Pulling Talia closer, I kiss her cheek and say, “Why don’t you show your mom around the house, baby?”

My suggestion earns me a soft laugh and a raised eyebrow. “If that’s not code forget your lady asses out of here so we can talk business, then I don’t know what is.”

“Sorry,svetik moy, but I need to talk to your family about a few things.” I lean closer and press my lips to her ear. “Be a good girl and maybe I’ll bury my head between your legs later and use my tongue to thank you.”

The soft sound she makes at my words has me letting out a soft laugh. I kiss the sensitive spot beneath her ear and tell her I love her before she stands and says, “Come on, Mom, I’ll show you the house while they talk man business.”

Her mom laughs, and Vasily pats her ass as she gets up to join their daughter. When they’ve shut the French doors, I turn to her dad and say, “I’m going to ask Talia to marry me tonight. I would’ve done it earlier, but I was waiting for her ring to be finished.”

He’s quiet as he watches me, no doubt noticing that I didn’t ask for his permission.

Volodya and Valeri look at their brother, each of them wearing an amused look. No one reaches for a gun, so I take that as a good sign. He already knew it was coming to this, but knowing it and then having it be a reality are two different things.

“She’s very close to her family,” he finally says, breaking the silence.

I look around at the two Bratva families sitting on my veranda. “I know, and I would never ask her to choose between us, and that’s why I’m suggesting a compromise.”

“What kind of compromise?” my dad asks.

I shrug and lean back in my seat. “That’s what we’re here to work out.” I put my focus back on Vasily. “I’m a Melnikov, and soon your daughter will be, too.”

He visibly tenses at the statement, but he doesn’t deny it. I’m guessing he will always think of his daughter as a Medvedev, no matter what her legal last name might be.

“Our children will be Melnikovs,” I continue, “but there’s no denying that our families will be joining with this marriage. You run the west coast, and we run the east coast. I think there’s an opportunity for us both to expand.”

“You want to work together?” Vasily asks, continuing to sign everything for Bran.

“Why not?” I ask.

It’s my Uncle Roman who speaks first. “It’s not a bad idea. Our family joined with the Alessi family through marriage, and there’s no denying that’s been beneficial to everyone involved. I don’t see why this couldn’t be the same.”

“I’d be leery of it if it was a forced marriage,” my dad says, “but you two are obviously marrying for love, and that changes things.”

“It does,” Vasily agrees. “But what exactly are you suggesting or offering, Max?”

“Well, me, for starters,” I say, ignoring the surprised looks from my family. I do take a second to turn to my dad, though. “I love her, Dad, and I need to do whatever needs to be done to make sure she’s happy.”

I can tell he’s not thrilled, but we both know he’d be doing the same thing for my mom, so I’m not at all surprised when he nods his agreement.

Turning back to the Medvedevs, I say, “I think it’s only fair to split the year in half. Six months in Oregon and six months here. While we’re there, I’ll learn how you do things and work with you, and then I’ll work with my family for the rest of the year.”

“You’d pledge your loyalty to us?” Volodya asks.

“As long as it doesn’t go against my family. My allegiance will always be first and foremost to them,” I say, making it clear that I am and always will be a Melnikov man.

Vasily thinks about what I’m proposing. When he leans forward, resting his forearms on his knees, he asks, “Do you have enough unmarked skin left on you to add a bear tattoo?”

I smile and shake the tattooed hand he offers me. “I do, yeah,” I tell him with a grin.

“Then welcome to the family, Max.”

We stand, and he pulls me in for a quick hug. “You didn’t ask for my blessing, but I’m giving it to you anyway. You saved my daughter’s life, Max, and I know you’ll take care of her.”

“I will,” I promise him.

“But if you don’t,” Volodya adds, letting his unfinished sentence hang in the air as he gives me a wicked grin.

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