Page 101 of Forgotten Vows

Instead of giving any details, he began to talk to Ivan about projects he’d be in charge of now that he was stepping back from being on the front line. I loved that he’d sacrifice like that. To be a family manandmy Mafia man.

If I ever needed a reason to persuade myself that he wasmyman, that was it. He could balance and adjust the commitment he gave Luka and the organization as well as me and Lev.

Gabriella came to me, all smiles.

“Nowthisis a wedding.” She beamed.

“Hey, we can find someone for Emil next,” I teased.

He rolled his eyes at me, proving that while he was engaged in one conversation with Ivan, he still had his ears open and was listening in to us. That was how a spy worked.

“Or… instead of trying to play matchmaker, you and I can keep trying to start up our women’s charity. For pregnant women and young mothers on the run.”

I nodded, more than ready to give back. Now that I had the Dubinin wealth and influence behind me, I was equipped to do more good for others. For women like me, when I was alone and scared about bringing a baby into the world and keeping him from the cruelties of life.

“We most certainly will focus on starting that foundation.” Maybe the more I gave back, the less I would feel guilty about killing those I had. I didn’t regret it, since it was all for the sake of self-defense, but still, it was a grave thing to have participated in. I’d never have to do that again, though. My husband would always stand up to defend us.

“But first…” Ivan stood, reaching for my hand to help me up. “First, Emil and Alexsei will babysit Lev so you and I can go home and celebrate, just the two of us.”

I stood, grinning at him as I hurried to escape with him. A warm thrill filled me up, and I knew this would never end.

It would always be like this, me and him, a perfect match.

We ran once we reached the hallway outside the massive reception room.

But this time, we weren’t leaving each other.

We would always run to each other.

Or together.