Page 67 of Bratva Bastard

I pulled her in for a kiss, her soft lips sending that surge of electricity through my body. With her, I felt alive. Like I had finally found a reason for living. Before her, everything in my life was based on the Bratva, money, having a good time. But with her, I would give it all up, just to feel those soft lips against mine. I’d leave everything behind if it meant having her in my arms every night, for the rest of my life.

“How are you?” I asked, remembering her pregnancy—or should I say, her abortion.

She nodded, her eyes glossy from tears. “I’m fine. You know, considering…”

I sighed, grabbing both of her hands and holding them to my chest. “Baby girl, I understand why you did what you had to do. I want you to know, I’m not upset with you.”

She cocked her head to the side, her eyebrows furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

I glanced at the locals around us, realizing none of them spoke English, and couldn’t understand our conversation. Still, in a hushed voice, I said, “I know what Andrei did—what Sorokin forced you to do. But I want you to understand that even if you chose it willingly, I forgive you, baby. I’m just so happy to have you back in my life.”

“What are you…,” she asked, stopping mid-sentence. “Wait, are you talking about the abortion?”

I nodded, my eyebrows creased in concern. “Yeah. I know all about it. But you don’t have to worry about those assholes anymore because Sorokin is dead, and Andrei is next.”

She smiled, letting out a light chuckle. “Maxim, no. You don’t understand. I didn’t have the abortion. I refused.”

My arms dropped to my side, my gaze lowered to her belly. “You mean…?”

Biting her lip, she nodded. “I would have given my life before I willingly let them take our child from me. Fromus.”

My hand flew to her belly, rubbing over top of her shirt. “So, you’re still pregnant? My baby is still alive?”

“Yup. Alive and well.”

I gasped. I couldn’t believe the words she was saying. Both sheandthe baby were alive. How could this be true? After so much bullshit I’d been through recently, I couldn’t believe that something good had finally happened.

Overcome with elation, I swept her off her feet. She let out a whimper as I did, but wrapped her arms around my neck, kissing me again.

“My sweet solnechnyy svet,” I said between kisses. When I pulled away, I could only gaze at her eyes, never wanting to look away. “Marry me.”

The look of awe was unexpected, but even more so was the question she asked. “What about Sorokin’s daughter? Weren’t you two getting married?”

Even after ending that stupid engagement, that irritating woman still haunted me.

“Never. I could never marry anyone but you. I want you, Crissy. I want you every day for the rest of my life. I want to wake up with you and go to bed with you. I want to kiss you and show you that I can be a man worthy of being your husband. Please, baby. I need you.”

Her grin spread wider, and she said, “Well, when you put it like that…”

Chucking, I pulled her in for another kiss. “So, is that a yes?”

She nodded enthusiastically. “Of course. I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else but you. I’m yours, remember?”

“Always. Mine and mine only.”

EPILOGUE

Maxim

Zoran stood in front of me, straightening my tie.Stupid tie. I hate these things.A clever smirk on his face made me ask, “What’s so funny?”

“Oh, nothing,” he said in a teasing tone. “I just find it ironic that only a few months ago, you were standing in front of the mirror, fixing my tie for my wedding day, refusing to ever get married or have a family. And now look at you.”

I shook my head, not even bothering to cover my smile. “Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard it enough from my brothers, so I’m immune to the teasing.” Zoran took a step back, allowing me to see myself in the mirror. “You know, you guys need a life if my getting married is the only thing you’ll talk about.”

He shrugged, unphased. “From playboy to parent. How’d that happen?”

My phone dinged, and I looked at the text from Crissy, reminding me we’d be married in less than an hour. I chuckled, texting her back as I said, “I guess I met the perfect woman.”

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