Page 109 of Bride of Vengeance
"Alexei—"
"Hear me out. The legitimacy project needs someone who understands both sides—criminal and law enforcement. Someone who can bridge that gap."
"We're not interested in—"
"It pays well," he continues. "Full benefits, flexible hours for new parents, and you'd be working with family."
"You want us to work for you?" Mariana asks.
"With me. Consulting on cases, helping other families transition to legitimate business, training security teams."
"I'm pregnant with twins. I won't be working for a while."
"Maternity leave is included. Very generous maternity leave."
I look at my wife, see her considering it. "What do you think?"
"I think we need income and health insurance and some sense of normal life." She turns to Alexei. "But no field work. Not for a long time."
"Agreed."
"And Mikhail's past stays buried. Ghost is dead."
"Also agreed."
"What about Anya?" I ask. "My sister—she needs care, therapy, probably years of it."
"Already arranged," Mila says. "She's at a private facility in Chicago. The best doctors, complete privacy, everything she needs to heal."
"Family takes care of family," Alexei says firmly. "She's Mila's aunt too. We don't abandon our family."
The word hits something deep in my chest. Family. After twenty-three years of isolation, I have family again.
"Thank you," I manage.
"Don't thank us yet," Mila grins. "Wait until you see what babysitting two Morozov toddlers is like. Viktor and Katya are terrors."
"They're angels," Alexei protests.
"They're your children, which means they're probably already planning world domination."
"Only small parts of the world."
Mariana laughs, and the sound fills the sterile hospital room with warmth. This is what we've been fighting for—not just survival, but this. Family. Laughter. A future that involves baby clothes and silly arguments instead of gunfire and death.
Another knock. Rodriguez enters, looking uncomfortable.
"Sorry to interrupt... I need final statements for the case file."
"Now?" Mariana asks.
"Whenever you're ready. But the sooner we close this, the sooner you can move on."
He's right. We need closure, official and complete.
"I'll give you privacy," Alexei says, standing. "Mila?"
"But I want to—"
