Page 76 of Forgotten Vows

I understood her fear. I was on the same page as her. But this time, we weren’t alone. This time, I knew without a doubt that my uncle wouldn’t judge or want us apart for the sake of politics. He stood by me as I declared a death sentence on a Bratva boss.

I joined her without a word, wrapping my arm around her and holding her close.

“Did you see?—”

I kissed the side of her head, caressing her long blonde hair, so light and golden. “Yes. We all did. And it will be okay.”

She nodded, but the pinched look on her face contradicted her claim.

“Are you all right?” I leaned past her to check on Lev who was asleep and slumped against her. A bucket was next to the sofa, likely in case he had to vomit.

“As much as I can be,” she admitted shakily.

I held her closer and kept stroking over her hair.

“That email… rattled me.”

“Me too.”

“But I guess the wait is over. Now we know he’s alive.”

I nodded.For now.

“And he’s made his move.”

His last one.I nodded again.

“You’re not—” She furrowed her brow. “You’re not considering going and doing anything like what he wants or…” She shook her head. “No. Of course not.” She kissed my cheek then rested hers against mine. “You wouldn’t.”

“No. I won’t play along with his stupid schemes.”

“What can you do? What can I do?”

“Well, you can marry me.”

She smiled, slow and sure. “Again?” She kissed me gently.

“Would you?”

She laughed once. It was likely a hysterical reaction after her fear and anger. “Only if it’s for real this time.”

I framed her face and kissed her deeply until I felt her body sag against mine.

“Would that work?” Gabriella asked. “Like it did when I married Luka?”

I shrugged. “Yes and no. We are going to call a council meeting with the other Bratva heads and make our case for Lev to officially be recognized as a rightful heir of the Dubinin family, as my son.”

Raisa sighed. “And if that fails?”

I met her gaze and didn’t have to say a thing.

She knew.

I bet she wished she could beat me to it.

One simple dip of her chin was the nod of acknowledgment I needed from her.

“Let us start with this. I’ll make my official claim on you and Lev. We’ll face the old patriarchs and insist they view the both of you as my family. Because you are and always will be.”