Page 57 of Hunt Me (Dmitriyev Bratva #1)

S everal days later…

Bristol

Maybe I was a little crazy or just tipsy from the two glasses of champagne, but I’d never felt so happy in my life.

I reminded myself that the previous two glasses of champagne were the very reason I’d gotten myself in the precarious position in the first place.

But fate had followed me and thankfully the bitch had been kind.

I bit my lower lip, shivering as I thought about Mikhail. I felt a little like a princess tonight. This was our first night out as an official couple. If there was such a thing any longer.

Finally, the nightmare had begun to die down.

With Sergio and Jax’s murderer behind bars, alongside members of the O’Shaughnessy crime syndicate, the press had finally stopped hounding the Dmitriyev family. Mikhail had even been photographed for the cover of Las Vegas Nightly , the premier city magazine.

I’d helped in his selection of attire.

“Oh, my God. You look incredible.”

Squealing, I turned around and grabbed Callie, thrilled to see her. We’d been like two ships passing in the night since I was spending all my time with Mikhail.

“There you are,” I breathed. “You look amazing yourself.” I glanced over my shoulder, expecting to see Jason. “Where’s the not-so-love-of-your-life?”

She rolled her eyes, immediately snagging a flute of champagne. “Some smart girl I know told me I should take some of my own advice. I sent him packing. He’s not passionate enough for me.”

Laughing, I squeezed her arm. “Does that mean you’ll be moving back into the apartment?”

Scrunching her nose, she nodded. “If you and Mikhail the hunk can squeeze me in. I’ll even ignore the heavy rounds of passion, although I’ll be terribly jealous.”

“Don’t worry, sis. I’m moving in with him.”

“Oh, my God. I can’t believe it. You, who thought you’d never find the knight holding a sword in your honor.”

“He does hold a sword, but of a different nature.”

Her eyes opened wide as she glanced over my shoulder. “That’s my cue to leave.”

“Why?” I felt his presence seconds later and tingled all over, immediately becoming breathless.

When he placed his hand on the small of my back, the tingles trickled all the way down my legs, crawling under the sexy dress he’d insisted on purchasing straight into my core.

The electricity was off the charts, his touch alone creating a wave of heat that forced me to fan my face.

“How is my perfect angel?”

“Never perfect.”

Leaning over, he nuzzled against my neck. “I think otherwise. You look stunning.”

“You look amazing in a tuxedo. Don’t let that go to your head.”

“Never,” he said, laughing. “Have you been behaving?”

I spun around to face him, swinging one arm around his neck. “Never.”

“Then I guess I need to punish you later.”

“Why do those words thrill me now?”

“Because you know you need a firm hand.” He took the glass of bubbly from my hand, absently placing it on a tray of dirty dishes before leading me to the dance floor.

His scent was more intoxicating than before.

“I didn’t know you could dance,” I told him.

“I assure you that there’s a number of things you don’t know about me.”

“I’m eager to find out. I do know you’re very influential.” He spun me around, his eyes as always penetrating mine.

“You think so, huh?” He pulled me even closer and I wrapped my other arm around his neck.

“I do. I found it interesting that I had a phone call from Mark Jenkins. Imagine him offering me a job after so blatantly turning me down. I wonder why he had the change of heart.”

“Hmmm… I don’t know.” He lowered his head, brushing his lips across mine. “But he’s a lucky man. Only if he dares touch you, he dies.”

“So possessive. You’re not a very good liar. Also imagine something else. He mentioned I’d have one exclusive client.”

“Oh, he did. Lucky corporation.”

“You’re terrible. Don’t you think it will seem improper that I’m the family attorney since we’re in a relationship?”

“We are?”

I smacked him playfully on the face. He appeared wounded. Just then someone cleared their throat in front of the microphone.

“My father is giving the speech. This should be good.”

“Have you spoken with him recently?” Why did the man have such a twinkle in his eyes?

“A couple times. Why?”

“Just curious.”

“Are you up to something?” I lifted my eyebrows, pursing my lips on purpose.

“Who, me? Of course not. I hope you accepted the job.”

“With certain conditions.”

“I wouldn’t expect otherwise.” He captured my lips briefly as if trying to shut me up.

Everyone in the massive ballroom began to clap. When the applause finally died down, I took Mikhail by the hand, leading him closer to the stage.

“Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. I’m so glad you are here for this fabulous event.

Through your charitable donations, our local children’s hospital has plans on creating a new and vibrant cancer wing that will also provide housing for families caring for their sick children.

So please, be generous.” He grinned, hyping up the audience.

“I don’t mean to be taking the spotlight away from my lovely wife, Christine, but there are a couple announcements I wanted to take the opportunity to provide.

If she won’t kill me.” He looked at my mom who made a face and everyone laughed.

They were good together, still very much in love. That’s what I hoped for in my relationship.

I almost pinched myself that I was finally allowed to enjoy spending time with a man. Whatever the future had in mind, I’d enjoy every minute we were together.

“First of all, I’d like to provide my gratitude for being able to serve such an amazing city. Together we have improved the economy while bringing in several new businesses.”

I knew of my father’s plan to retire and I was proud of him for what he’d accomplished both with his work as mayor and with bringing justice to Mikhail and his family. He’d asked me to trust him and he’d come through.

Had I wished he’d had faith in me and my judgment? Yes, but I couldn’t fault him for his protective nature.

“That’s why it’s bittersweet to let you know I plan on retiring.”

I was surprised at the gasps in the ballroom. Maybe his tough exterior was exactly what the city needed.

He held up his hands, calming the guests.

“It’s time for younger minds to continue governing this incredible city.

I also want to take a moment and hope you’ll raise your glass in a toast to my beautiful and very talented daughter, Bristol.

Please congratulate both her and Mikhail Dmitriyev on their recent engagement. Welcome to the family.”

The crowd went wild, everyone immediately turning in our direction.

I shifted to face the love of my life, giving him a stern look.

Heat shifted across my face, my pussy throbbing.

Tears formed in my eyes and for once, I didn’t hate them.

“You know it’s usually customary to ask the woman if she’s interested in marrying you before an announcement is made. ”

“That would make it boring,” he teased.

“So are you asking me?”

As he dropped to one knee, the crowd gasped once again. He pulled out a ring, holding my hand as he did. “Bristol Rork. Will you do the honor of becoming my wife, the only woman who could tolerate my foibles and fractures? The only woman who can keep me on my toes.”

“You do need to be tamed.”

“Is that a yes?”

I made him wait a few seconds longer. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

Everyone in the room cheered and as I slowly rose to my feet, he pulled me close, shaking his head ever so slowly. His dazzling eyes were even more intense, oozing power. Yet I could see something else in them as well.

Love.

“I love you, Bristol. For better, for worse.”

“And I love you.”

With the announcements over, the musicians began to play, the music lively, yet we were dancing close. Yet I couldn’t get enough of him. The man I’d wanted to hate. The man who drove me crazy.

“You’re more than incorrigible. Do you have anything else up that long sleeve of yours?”

“Maybe.”

He nodded toward the door as the police chief and several police officers entered the room. I immediately noticed my father’s face fell, but was resigned. A sudden strangling moment of fear crushed everything else. I tried to pull away from Mikhail, but his hold was firm.

“Wait a minute. Please tell me he’s not being arrested. You wouldn’t dare do that to me.”

“Have faith in me, Bristol. Have faith.” His voice was not only imploring, but the tone was also dark and dangerous yet splashed with mischief.

After a few seconds, my mother approached the microphone. I couldn’t tell by the look on her face what to expect.

“We just received the largest donation to date from our friends at the police department. And you won’t believe this; the amount of one million dollars was matched by Dmitriyev Enterprises.”

The shock hit me hard. He’d ensured my father wouldn’t be charged with a crime. Oh, my God.

As a collective cheer went up throughout the room, I tipped my head. I’d never felt such an intense swell of emotions. “You did this. You saved my father.”

“Guilty as charged. He’s my family, Bristol. He paid for his sins a long time ago by doing everything in his power to protect his family. The same promise I’ll make to you. To protect you always.”

“What about to love and cherish?”

He laughed and brought me even closer. “As long as you learn to obey.”

The End