Page 71 of Innocently Captured By the Bratva

I turn to Mark with a squeal, “Mark! I thought we were going out!”

“Out wasn’t good enough, Quinn,” Mark shakes his head. “Not for what I have to ask you.”

Confusion sweeps over me, the kind that tells me I have this wrong, but my heart tells me I don’t.

“Mark...” I lead, needing him to go faster.

“Today was less than ideal,” he shakes his head ruefully. “I didn’t just happen to be around when Letvin attacked. I had this whole surprise planned for you. A romantic proposal, something to sweep you off your feet. That’s where Lara was taking you. The whole shopping thing was a sham. I was waiting at a nearby restaurant for you to arrive, until Charlie fucking Letvin ruined all my plans.”

I blink, my mind reeling from the sudden shift in conversation. “A proposal? You mean, like a real one?”

Mark chuckles, his voice deep and rich. “Yes, a real one. I know our engagement began as a facade, but somewhere along the way, I realized I want it to be more than that.” He reaches out, tucking a stray strand of my strawberry-blonde hair behind my ear. “I want you, Quinn. Not just as my fake fiancée, but as my partner, my equal, my wife. We’re starting a family together, and we should do it right, because I’ve failed you in many ways, but the one thing I know I’ll succeed at is being your husband.”

A faint smile tugs at the corners of my lips as I take in the sight of Mark, and then, he lifts his hand to cradle my cheek before he gets down on one knee. With a racing heart, I try so hard not to fall to the ground, and take him in my arms.

He got down on one knee. For me.

I shake my head, a laugh bubbling up from within me as my entire body trembles. My gaze softens as I reach out and look down on him, gently brushing a strand of hair from his forehead.

Mark's expression turns serious as he pulls out a small box from his pocket and opens it to show me a dazzling diamond unlike any I’ve ever seen before. When he speaks, I force myself to look away from the ring and to the one man who means the world to me now. “Quinn, I know I’ve made mistakes, and thetiming is far from ideal, but I need you to understand how much you mean to me.” He takes a deep breath, his eyes fixed on mine. “From the moment I met you, I knew you were different. You challenged me and pushed me to be better. Somewhere along the way, I fell for you, harder than I ever thought possible.”

My heart races as I listen to his words, each one filled with a sincerity that I never thought I'd hear from the infamous Mark Zolotov. “Mark, I...” I start, but he lets the box fall and gently brings the ring to my finger, not quite putting it down.

“Let me finish, please.” His voice is soft, almost pleading. “I know I'm not perfect, far from it. But with you by my side, you make me want to be the man you deserve, the man I never thought I could be.”

My breath catches in my throat as he slides it on just a little, but not the whole way. “Quinn Desmond, will you marry me? Not just for show, but for real. Because I can't imagine my life without you in it.”

Tears well up in my eyes as I stare at the ring, then back at Mark. The man who once represented everything I despised is now the one I can't imagine living without. “Yes,” I whisper, my voice trembling with emotion. “Yes, Mark, I'll marry you.”

The smile that breaks out on his face is blinding, and he puts the ring all the way through before jumping up to his feet. He sweeps me into his arms, spinning me around as he laughs with pure joy.

“I love you, Quinn,” he murmurs, his forehead resting against mine as he sets me back down. “I know with every fiber of my being that we’re meant to be.”

I smile, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. “I love you too, Mark. And I'm ready for whatever comes next, as long as we're together.”

Epilogue - Mark

One year later

I quietly approach Quinn from behind as she sits at the bar of the private club, watching the couple she set up on their first date. When my hand gently touches her shoulder, she startles and turns to face me, her green eyes wide with surprise.

“Mark! What are you doing here?” She glances around, lowering her voice. “The baby?”

“Shh, it's okay,” I reassure her, unable to stop the smile spreading across my face at seeing my beautiful wife. “Lara's watching Natasha for the night. I wanted to come support you.”

Quinn's tense shoulders relax, and a pleased grin lights up her face. “I'm so glad you're here.” She laces her fingers through mine.

We both turn to watch the young couple at their candlelit table, heads leaning close together as they talk and laugh. They are clearly hitting it off. The man gazes at the woman adoringly while she speaks animatedly—their chemistry is palpable even from here.

“Look at them. You did that, Babe.” I squeeze Quinn's hand proudly. “In the year since we got married, you have had our baby girl and your matchmaking business has really taken off. I'm in awe of you.”

Quinn ducks her head, a slight blush coloring her fair cheeks. “I couldn't have done any of it without your support, though. You've been my rock.”

“No way, Quinn. Your success is all you—your passion, smarts, and tireless work ethic.” I lift her chin to look into hereyes. “Never doubt how incredible you are. I'm just along for the ride.”

She smiles up at me, emerald eyes shining with emotion. “Partners in everything, though, right?”

“Ride or die, Baby,” I confirm with a wink, pulling her in for a lingering kiss, not caring who sees the infamous Bratva bad boy utterly smitten with his wife. She's had me wrapped around her finger from day one.

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