Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81947 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81947 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
It was our own cutting of the wedding cake.
Pushing my whipped cream-coated hand into her hair, I claimed her mouth in a sticky sweet kiss.
When I pulled back, I stared down into her eyes. “I love you, krasivaya.”
She licked ice cream off her lips, but didn’t say anything.
That was my girl, stubborn until the very end.
I tightened my grasp around her waist as a low growl vibrated in my chest.
She smirked. “Fine, you big gorilla. I love you, too. Happy now?”
Sweeping her into my arms, I leaned in and licked a dollop of whipped cream from the corner of her lips. “I’m not unhappy,” I responded smugly before carrying her back to the bedroom.
CHAPTER 46
VIVIAN
Michigan Avenue was in chaos.
The photoshoot of Yelena’s latest gown designs was a hive of social media buzz.
On top of the spectacle of shutting down one of the busiest streets in the city in the middle of the day so famous models could strut their stuff down the center as Katia took photos.
It was fascinating to watch.
And to be watched.
It didn’t escape my notice how much attention our group was generating as well.
In honor of the occasion, Yelena had given each of us a splendid outfit designed by her to wear, with Brynn doing our hair and makeup. It had been so much fun meeting at her salon early in the morning. We’d all sipped champagne and ate smoked salmon and caviar as we got ready.
Then the men had arrived in an awe-inspiring motorcade of bulletproof, matte black Range Rovers. Each of them looked amazing with their tailored suits and long black overcoats.
It was no surprise when we arrived on Michigan Avenue to support Yelena that the spectators thought we were part of the photoshoot.
It was odd to be the focus of such speculation and attention.
Var leaned in as he wrapped his arm around my waist from behind. “You’ll get used to it.”
I rested the back of my head against his chest. “I can’t decide if they are staring because we all look good, or because you men look scary as fuck, or because they know we’re all gangsters.”
He nuzzled my neck through my hair. “You’re not a gangster. You’re mafia.”
I leaned to the side. “What’s the difference?”
“A gangster is limited to their territory. We’re a worldwide organization.”
What a strange turn my life had taken. To go from being a fringe criminal who didn’t trust other criminals to the wife of a powerful mafia boss. It was surreal to be casually chatting about such things over coffee as if we were discussing his accounting job.
Then it occurred to me. “Holy shit! I just realized. I’m a freaking mafia wife!”
He raised an eyebrow. “Is that a good thing?”
I snuggled closer to him. “Yes, husband. It’s a very good thing.”
Then movement in the crowd a few feet away shattered my contentment.
The coffee I was holding slipped from my hand to crash to the cement, splattering my shoes. I stretched out my arm and pointed. “Oh, my God. Var! It’s him. He’s here!”
The other Russian had returned.
Var swept his arm around my shoulders as he blocked my body with his own. Shouting to the other men, he pulled his weapon and shoved through the crowd.
The Range Rovers were parked in a nearby alley.
Keeping his body close and behind mine, he yelled, “Run!”
I didn’t need to be told twice. Ripping off my high heels, I booked it down the sidewalk. As I threw an anxious look over my shoulder, I saw the man gaining on us. “We’re not going to make it!”
Var shoved me into a closed store’s alcove. “Stay behind me, baby girl.”
He racked his gun and stretched out his arm, pointing his weapon in the face of the other Russian who had stopped directly in front of us.
In that second, I knew my newfound happiness was about to be shattered to pieces.
I gripped the back of Var’s coat as I cried out, “I love you, Var!”
EPILOGUE
KONSTANTINE
“What the fuck, Var?” I pushed at his forearm, shoving the gun out of my face. “Is that how you greet an old friend?”
Var smiled as he holstered his gun.
We embraced, then Var placed his hands on my face and laughed. “Konstantine Nikolai Ivanov, you bastard! What the fuck are you doing here?”
I clapped him on the shoulders. “I was in town on a job that went south, but I’m back with another one.”
“Did Gregor know you were in Chicago?”
I shook my head. “No. It was just supposed to be a quick recovery. In and out.”
Someone behind him cleared her throat.
Var turned and placed his arm around her waist. “Vivian. This is Kon. He’s an old friend.”
Vivian stared at me with thin lips as she crossed her arms over her chest. “You two know one another?”
I grinned. “For years.” Then I raised my chin in a nod as I placed my hands on my hips. “You should have told me you were under Var’s protection when we first met. I would have treated the situation differently.”