Page 27 of Russian Daddy

“In this city? Why would I want to own a car here? Now, if we’re going to live in the country, I’ll have to look into buying one.”

“If we what?”

He takes me inside the modernistic lobby of the white tower and leads me to the elevator. He inserts a key, and we’re off to the penthouse. The doors open onto a large living room with a full wall of windows facing out on the city skyline.

“Torin, d-do you live here?” I stammer.

“Yeah, baby. This is me. Have a look around while I make us a drink.”

I stumble around the huge space, staring at the art on the walls and the floor-to-ceiling mahogany bookcases. His place doesn’t feel cold and naked like the lobby. It feels as if a rich man took his country house and slapped it inside his city house.

“This is impressive. It’s beautifully decorated. I love the old-world charm.”

“It’s funny how much old-world charm costs in a place like this. My Russian grandmother would never believe it, but this is what makes me comfortable. Besides, I wanted you to see it.”

“I’m happy you decided to show me where you live, but why now?”

“Because it’s time for us to make some decisions.”

“What kind of decisions?”

“Well, do you want to move to the city and live here like this or do you want me to buy a place outside of town so you can keep working at the school and living in the country?”

“Are you asking me to live with you?” My heart pounds in my ears.

“No, baby girl.” He takes my hands and drops to his knee. “I had no idea that visiting the town I grew up in would lead to my home. You. You’re my home, Tess. Wherever you are. So, will you make me the happiest man alive by becoming my wife? Will you marry me?”

“For real?” I mutter as my eyes fill with tears.

“For real. I love you, sweetheart. Marry me.”

“Yes, I will marry you.”

He pulls a ring out of his pocket. Even in this dim light, it’s the largest diamond I’ve ever seen. He slides the ring on my finger and takes me in his arms.

“I love you, baby girl. I’m gonna make you the happiest girl in the world.”

“You already have. I love you, too.”

EPILOGUE

TORIN

The message indicator flashes, and I glance down at my phone while Tess checks out the appliances recently installed in the new kitchen. I read the message once, then again.

“Dario Pankatrova ran into some trouble of his own making. He’s with his brother now.”

I shake my head, but I’m not at all surprised. Anyone who’s dumb enough to come after someone like me is too reckless to last long in this world of ours. I never want to celebrate the death of any man, but I have to admit that the timing is good. I never took my eyes off him after our peace agreement. Like I said, he was reckless and stupid, and men like that can never be trusted completely.

When I asked Tess to decide on the city or the country, it was no surprise to me that she picked the country. We’ve been cooped up in her little cottage for almost a year while our new house was being built. Now, just days away from the birth of our first child, our place is ready for us to move in.

“What are you scheming about now?” I ask Tess, who’s staring at the space next to the staircase in the hall.

“Don’t you think this is the perfect place for the Christmas tree?”

“Christmas tree? I thought we decided to skip that this year. We have to move in and unpack, and you have a trip to the hospital in your immediate future.”

“I know. I wasn’t necessarily talking about this year. We’re going to be spending a lot of Christmas here. This is going to be the spot.”

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