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And I knew that today would be the third—something I desperately wanted to avoid in front of my brothers and sons. But the sight of Selina walking toward me, her arm linked with her sister’s, was too much to bear.

Suddenly, I felt a gentle nudge on my shoulder before a handkerchief appeared in front of me. I took it under Grigori’s amused gaze, straightening up as I inhaled deeply.

She finally reached me, and I extended my hand to take hers under Sienna’s scrutinizing gaze—a gaze that sent a very clear message:Hurt her, and I’ll rip your balls off.

I smirked at her before gently pulling Selina closer as Sienna joined Elif. My wife-to-be finally lifted her eyes to mine, and my heart stopped.

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, her wide eyes shining, her lips caught between her teeth.

“You look stunning,” I murmured, tucking a loose strand behind her ear.

“So do you,” she replied, her breath hitching as she squeezed my hand. “I think I’m a little nervous… I’ve never done this before.”

She gave me a soft smile, and I swore my soul left my body just to go thank the heavens for this gift. I chuckled, taking her otherhand and pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “You’re doing just fine,” I reassured her, and she relaxed slightly, slowly starting to enjoy the day.

Selina laughed heartily as the boys bounced excitedly around the cake we were cutting—our cake.

My wife.

Selina Ivanov.

My wife.

The mother of my sons—and maybe even my daughters, though female births were rare among the Ivanovs.

I pulled her closer, pressing a kiss to her temple as she sucked the frosting off her thumb, gazing up at me from under her lashes.

She gasped when my hand slid from her waist down to her backside, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Nikolai !” she whispered, glancing around at our family seated at the long table, laughing and chatting.

“You started it,” I replied, squeezing once more before she swatted my hand away. “I can’t wait to take off those lace stockings,” I murmured against her ear. “While my hands take care of that corset…”

She lifted her beautiful face to mine, her expression confused, “how are you going to take off my stockings if your hands are busy with my corset ?”

I didn’t answer, simply flashing a wide grin. Her eyes widened as she realized what I meant, suddenly, she lifted the cake knife, eyebrows furrowed.

“You keep your teeth away from me, Nikolai Ivanov. Especially from my thighs.”

I grabbed her wrist, brought the blade closer to my lips, and licked a bit of frosting off the tip, watching her pupils dilate as she nervously licked her lips.

“These thighs are mine now, Selina Ivanov,” I murmured, taking the knife from her before turning back to cut another slice of cake, her stunned gaze still fixed on me. I handed her a plate, but before she could take it, the sharp sound of gunshots froze me in place. My brothers were already on their feet, scanning the garden for any sign of danger. But there was nothing.

The noise had come from beyond the walls.

“David, Marcus, stay here,” Grigori ordered before moving toward the garden’s exit, followed closely by my brothers.

“Niko,” Selina whispered, grabbing my arm. I kissed her forehead. “Stay with the children. I’ll be back soon.”

I quickly followed my brothers, with Tarik right behind us, his expression dark. We reached Samy, who waved us over at the western edge of the forest surrounding our estate. We pushed forward, quickly arriving at a group of our men gathered around something—or rather, someone.

“Stay back, bosses,” Yuri warned. “She has a bomb on her.”

A bomb ? That close to the house ?

“I’m sorry, please,” the woman on the ground sobbed, lying on her stomach, her thigh bleeding—probably the reason for the gunshot. “She’s going to kill my daughter.”

“Who ?” Sasha asked, stepping forward, but Grigori held him back.

“Alia. Alia Rasili.” And my blood ran cold.