Page 44 of Demetri
The two of us are silent for a moment before I ask my next question. "How are you doing, Demetri? With what happened to Ivanna?"
"I am sorry my son lost his mother, but I am grateful she chose Nikolai's life over hers," he sighs. "Honestly, I am shocked by Ivanna's actions. I think that is what Nikolai is having a hard time with as well. He and his mother were never close. She was always cold and indifferent toward him when he was growing up, and now, he is struggling to make heads or tails of the events that have taken place."
I look at Demetri. "I'm sorry for yours and Nikolai's loss."
Demetri cups my cheek and kisses my lips. When he pulls back, I decide now is as good a time as any to broach a topic I have been avoiding. "Do you want more kids, Demetri?"
Demetri looks a little taken aback by my question, and I hold my breath while waiting for his reply. "Are children something you want?" he asks.
I shake my head. "No. I don't want children," I confess. "It's not that I don't love them, because I do. I love the hell out of my Godchildren, and you know I adore Logan and Bella's kids. It's just that I have no desire to have any of my own."
"I'm forty-nine, Glory. I have two grown sons and two grandchildren. I am content with that part of my life. But you are only thirty-six. If you change your mind tomorrow and decide you want children, than I would give you children. I will spend my life making you happy because what brings you joy, brings me joy." Demetri kisses me again, and I realize I was stressing over nothing.
"What time is it?" I yawn.
Demetri looks down at his watch. "It's almost two in the morning."
"We both better get some sleep. My mom is an early riser. She'll be up at the ass crack of dawn making breakfast."
Demetri chuckles. "She does know I have staff that will take care of breakfast, doesn't she?"
"She knows. But don't be surprised if you wake up to find she's taken it upon herself to give them the day off. You might end up regretting your invitation."
"I want nothing more than for your parents to feel at home here, Glory. They are very much a part of your life and who you are. Your family is my family,Krasivaya."
Tilting my head, I smile. "You sure about that?"
"Positive." Demetri kisses me.
Epilogue
Demetri
"Deda! Deda! Deda!" My granddaughter squeals as she totters across the lawn as fast as her little legs will carry her. Scooping Breanna into my arms, I hold her to my chest as she squishes my cheeks together. "Deda," she giggles.
I kiss the top of Brea's head. "Have you been a good little girl?"
Breanna bobs her head up and down. "I good,Deda."
Setting her back on her feet, I squat down to eye level with Breanna. "Would you like to see whatDedabrought for you?" My granddaughter squeals once again and jumps up and down. Holding a small box in front of Breanna, I remove the top to reveal a Russian Netting Doll set. I watch her eyes light up as she takes in the array of colors. Without missing a beat, she plops down on the grass and pays close attention to me as I show her how to separate the dolls.
"You know you don't have to bring the kids a gift every time you visit, Dad," Logan says as he strides up to me.
"It's my duty as their grandfather to spoil them, son."
Logan shakes his head, but I don't miss his grin. We go through the same ritual each time I return from being gone. "Come sit and have a drink with us." Logan tips his head toward the other end of the yard where the rest of the men are sitting around the fire; with them are their wives. My eyes zero in on one woman in particular — my woman. I've been in Russia for the past week. After the incident with Vadim, I stayed with Glory for a few days, but unable to hold off handling my affairs with the Petrov family and with Ivanna's father, I reluctantly had to leave her side. Being apart from her the past seven days have been torture, but I slept well knowing the club was watching out for her. Even though Glory was safe from any immediate danger, and knowing The Kings were well equipped to take care of her, I still opted for Andrei to stay behind in Polson.
Andrei turning against Vadim was like signing his own death sentence. However, his sacrifice did not go unnoticed, so I offered him my protection in return. He now works for me, and I dare anyone to question it. As for the Petrov family; Yerik's widow and daughter are the sole heirs to the empire now that both he and his son, Vadim are dead. Both are wanting no part of the world of organized crime, so Elena, under my guidance and protection, has secretly been dissolving all her late husband's business ties.
Sasha is back in Russia and on the mend. Aside from them losing his heartbeat for a moment, Sasha suffered third-degree burns over thirty percent of the left side of his body, a broken arm, and collarbone, along with a concussion from the accident. Victor is with him and will remain with his brother until he heals from his injuries.
With my eyes trained on the woman who owns my heart, I set out across the yard toward her. Anticipating my approach, Glory stands from her chair with her beautiful green eyes locked on mine. A warm summer breeze kicks up and causes her fiery red locks to dance across the face I love so much. Glory is still recovering from the car accident, and her arm is still in a sling, but at this moment with the late afternoon sun shining down on her, she has never looked more stunning. "Krasivaya." I barely get the words out of my mouth when Glory throws herself in my arms. I catch her by wrapping my arms around her waist as she grips the back of my neck with her one free hand.
"I missed—" I cut her words off with my mouth on hers. A round of catcalls from behind us breaks up our reunion. I chuckle, but Glory is not amused by the banter being dished out by the guys. She shows her annoyance by flipping them the bird over her shoulder.
Night has fallenas I sit by the fire with a beer in my hand, Glory on my lap and my family surrounding me. The children have long gone to bed, and conversation is flowing. "Did Nikolai say when he was coming back?" Logan asks.
I shake my head. "He didn't say, and I didn't press," I sigh. Logan and I share a look. Nikolai accompanied me to Russia and has decided to stay behind for a spell.
