“What are you going to do with my mother?”
I immediately understand her anxiety. “I’ll take care of her, Sasha,” I promise. “I mean, I don’t plan to invite her here to live with us, but…”
“Right.” Sasha gives a relieved laugh.
“Maybe we should split your inheritance—give your mom half. That way she won’t be acting out of powerlessness and desperation. How do you feel about that?”
“Wow. Yes. Is that okay with you?”
“I didn’t marry you for your money. I’ve told you that. The question is whether it’s okay with you.”
“Yes. I love that.” She returns the shower of kisses, landing them on my face and tattooed chest. “You’re a good man, Maxim. Thank you for your forgiveness.”
I cradle her face in both hands. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, sugar. Believe that.”
Chapter 23
Sasha
I bask in the euphoria of being in Maxim’s arms for a long time.
Eventually, though, hunger and concern for my mom bring me back to reality.
“Does everyone out there hate me?” I snuggle closer to Maxim for protection against my thoughts. I realize I will be living with these guys. Lucy was kind, listening to my story and finally agreeing to bring me here to try to fix things, but I don’t know about the rest of them.
Maxim shakes his head. “No. They were all still watching out for you. Ravil knew right where you were, and tonight Pavel fished me out of the bar to advocate for you. He told me about your argument with your mother.”
“He did?” That surprises me, considering the indifference he showed at the time.
“If anyone was cruel to you, I’m sorry. It was only because they are protective of me. I’ll make sure it never happens again.”
I shake my head. “They were fine. I understand. I kind of want to hide in here forever, but… if I don’t get back to the hotel, my mom will think you killed me.” I offer a wry smile.
“We can text her.”
“I don’t have a phone.” I manage a lopsided grin as Maxim’s brows come down.
“Fuck. I’m sorry, Sasha. I never wanted you to suffer.”
“Plus, we should get her out of that dive of a hotel. If you don’t mind.” I cringe a little, hearing how I might sound like the spoiled brat again. Like I just came here because I was desperate.
But Maxim swings up off the bed. “My bride has spoken.”
My pulse quickens at his words, that rush of warmth filling my chest again.
“I want to put babies in you,” Maxim announces out of nowhere as he’s pulling on his clothing. “Badly.”
I go still and stare, my face heating. My clit pulses in response.
“Of course, we’ll wait until the timing’s right for you.”
“I want your babies,” I blurt, my flush increasing. “But yes, maybe not quite so soon.”
Maxim’s smile is warmer than the sun. He buttons his shirt, regarding me. “You might want to put some clothes on before we go.”
“Oh.” I realize I’m still standing here naked. I retrieve my clothes from the closet where I’d ditched them and get dressed.
Maxim waits for me at the bedroom door, taking my hand and squeezing it before pushing it open. “Don’t worry,” he murmurs. “I’ll always protect you, Sasha.”
My smile wobbles, remembering that I almost lost him, but he kisses my forehead, and I tip my face up to catch his lips against mine.
“My wife will be staying with us, afterall,” Maxim announces to everyone in the living room.
They take it with the same casual grace they welcomed my first arrival.
Dima gives a lazy fist pump and “woot-woot.” Oleg nods.
Nikolai says, “Welcome back.”
“Good. I was counting on Money Bags paying for more cable channels,” Pavel deadpans, flipping the channels. “I already ordered them.”
Lucy smiles at me from the breakfast bar where she sits eating perogies. Ravil stands close behind her, stroking her swollen belly and pressing his lips to her temple. It’s sweet.
Everyone here is sweet. They’re easy to get along with. Real. They’re my family now, and I love them.
“May I? I’m starving.” I walk over and steal a pierogi from the plate that Lucy pushes my way.
“We’re going to move Galina somewhere—preferably far, far away. Kidding,” Maxim winks at me.
“Oh, yeah. I was thinking about another continent, for sure,” I agree.
Ravil turns. “Not Russia.”
I swallow. I know my mother made her own bed, but I still don’t want to see her killed. “No. Somewhere else.”
“Maxim will fix it,” Ravil assures me. “That’s his job.”
I steal a glance at my handsome husband, hardly knowing how I remain standing with the way he makes me knees wobble. He takes my breath away.
“Come on, sugar.” He tugs me toward the door. “Let’s get this over with. I’ll take you both out for food when we move her.”
“You don’t have to be nice to her,” I tell him as he pulls me into the elevator and pins me against the wall.
“I will be. Because she’s your mama. But if she ever tries to take you from me again, all bets are off.”
I wrap my arms around his waist and lay my head against his chest. “Deal.”
Epilogue
Sasha
Maxim brushes a lock of hair blowing in my face back then rejoins our hands. We stand on the beach at sunset, reciting our vows.
We asked Nikolai to officiate what I’m calling “our re-wedding.” The ceremony isn’t real, of course—our paperwork is already filed. Our union legal. But this spoiled princess didn’t want to be deprived of planning her own wedding, so here we are—on the beach in Ibiza—catching the end of season parties.
I flew my college friends—including Kimberly, who I couldn’t leave out—here to help me celebrate. My mom is here on her best behavior, pretending—like me—that this is my first and real wedding.
Ravil and Lucy couldn’t travel because it’s too close to their baby’s due date, but everyone else from the penthouse suite is here—Dima, Nikolai, Oleg, and Pavel, whose lip keeps curling when he looks at my college friends. I guess they’re not his type.
Turns out his type is the kinky kind you one-and-done with, pre-negotiated scenes involving whips and chains. I guess after he heard about the BDSM club where Ravil and Lucy met, he got interested in taking his sadistic tendencies to the bedroom. I noticed Kayla eyeing him with interest when we first arrived, but I quickly put that idea to bed.
Maxim looks as devastatingly handsome as ever in a crisp white button-down, open at the throat, the long sleeves rolled up to reveal his tattooed forearms.
“Even though you’re already married,” Nikolai announces in mock formal tones, “I now pronounce you husband and wife!”
My friends cheer and toss rose petals into the air and all over us. Water laps over our bare feet, carrying the petals out to the sea. I jump onto Maxim, straddling him in my short wedding dress as he spins me around and around, kissing me to the deafening cheers.