Page 27

“Ooh, look at this adorable onesie!” Lara points at a tiny green bodysuit with a smiling turtle embroidered on the front.

“I think this would be perfect for our little guy's coming home outfit.”

I smile, picturing a tiny version of Mark dressed in the soft cotton outfit. “It's so adorable! Let's add it to the cart.” I press the ‘add’ button on my phone screen and see the onesie join the growing list of baby items we've chosen. And to think we’re just getting started shopping for more!

Lara scrolls through more options, her eyes lighting up with each new find. “Quinn, you won’t believe how much stuff a tiny human needs!

Diapers, wipes, burp cloths, pacifiers...”

“Don't forget the car seat, stroller, and approximately five hundred receiving blankets,” I chuckle, enjoying the easy banter with my new unofficial pregnancy guide. Who would have thought a few months ago that I'd be shopping for baby supplies with the sister of a Russian mob boss?

“You're going to be an amazing mom,” Lara says softly, her hand resting on my growing bump. “This kid is so lucky to have you and Mark.”

Warmth blooms in my chest at her words. “Thanks, Lara. I'm still terrified, but knowing we have you and Dima for support means everything.”

Suddenly, a black van swerves in front of us, tires screeching against the pavement. I lurch forward in my seat, barely managing to brace myself against the driver’s seat.

“What the hell?” I cry out, instinctively shielding my stomach as the van blocks our path.

Lara's eyes widen with fear. “Quinn, I think we're being attacked.”

Before I can respond, the van charges toward us again, metal crumpling as it collides with the front of our car.

I scream, my heart slamming against my ribs as the impact jolts us violently.

The windshield shatters up front, spraying the interior with razor-sharp shards.

“Get down!” the driver shouts as Lara unbuckles her seatbelt and dives to shield me with her body.

The tires squeal as the van reverses.

My mind races, frantically searching for an escape route, but we're trapped—playing a sickening game of cat and mouse on the deserted side street.

I prepare for another assault, but it never comes.

Through the cracked windshield, I catch a glimpse of what’s happening. The van door flies open, and a familiar figure storms toward us, his face contorted with rage. Charlie Letvin slams his fist against my window, his eyes wild with fury.

“Open the fucking door, you bitch!” he screams, his voice dripping with venom. “You think you can hide behind Mark forever?”

Lara trembles beside me, her body shielding mine. I reach for her arm, trying to offer some comfort, but my own fear paralyzes me.

Charlie's gaze remains on me, his lips curling into a sneer.

“You're just as guilty. Spreading your legs for that Zolotov bastard, thinking he'll protect you.” He laughs, a harsh, grating sound that sends shivers down my spine.

“Well, guess what? He can't save you now.”

My heart pounds in my ears, my mind only on one thing. My baby. Please. Don’t harm my baby.

Just as Charlie reaches for his waistband, a sleek black car screeches to a halt behind the van. The door swings open and Lara sits up, letting me straighten, and relief floods through me when I see it’s Mark who emerges.

“Get the fuck away from them, Charlie,” Mark growls, his voice low and dangerous.

Charlie spins around, his hand still hovering near his waistband. “Well, well, if it isn't the man of the hour.” He sneers. “Come to save your whore and sister?”

Mark's jaw clenches, his eyes flashing with barely contained rage. “I'm only going to say this once, Charlie. Leave. Now.” He takes a step closer, his body coiled with tension, ready to strike at a moment's notice.

Charlie scoffs, his hand twitching near his waistband. “You think you can order me around, Zolotov? This isn't your turf. You don't make the rules here.”

Mark's lips curve into a humorless smile.

“I make the rules wherever I go, Letvin. You should know that by now.”

In a flash, Charlie reaches for his gun, but Mark is faster.

With a swift, fluid motion, Mark draws his own weapon and fires, the sound deafening in the confined space of the alley.

I gasp, my hands instinctively covering my ears as Charlie crumples to the ground, a crimson stain spreading across his chest. Mark stands over him, his gun still trained on Charlie's motionless form, his expression impassive.

“Holy shit,” I whisper, my voice trembling. I can't tear my eyes away from the gruesome scene before me, the reality of Mark's world hitting me with full force.

Mark lowers his gun and turns to me, his gaze softening as he opens the car door and helps me out. “Are you okay, Quinn?” He reaches out, his hand gently cupping my cheek, his touch a stark contrast to the violence that just transpired.

I nod, leaning into his touch, seeking comfort in his presence. “I'm fine, just shaken up.”

Mark pulls me into his arms, his embrace strong and reassuring. “I'm sorry you had to see that, but I couldn't let him hurt you or Lara.”

As I cling to Mark, I hear the sound of approaching footsteps. Mark's brothers emerge from the shadows, their expressions grim as they take in the scene before them.

“We'll handle this, Mark,” Abram says, gesturing to Charlie's body. “You take care of Quinn.”

Mark nods, his arm tightening around my waist. “Thank you, brothers. Make sure it's clean.”

I watch as Mark's brothers efficiently set to work, removing any trace of the confrontation with Lara, calling the Orlovs for help, covering up this situation with the cops, should someone have called them.

Mark leads me away from the chaos, his hand firmly grasping mine as we make our way to a dimly lit alley. The fear still coursing through my veins makes my heart race. We reach a quiet corner, and Mark turns to face me, his hands cupping my cheeks.

“Are you sure you're okay, Quinn?

” he asks gently.

I nod, trying to steady my breathing.

“I am now, thanks to you. One moment, we were going shopping for the baby, and the next…” My voice falters, and my gaze locks with his.

But why did you come?

How did you know we were in trouble?

”

Mark sighs, running a hand through his short black hair.

“We've been tracking Charlie for a while now. I had a feeling he might try something, so I had my men keep an eye out.” He takes a step closer. “I couldn't let anything happen to you, Quinn. Not when I...”

He trails off, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his chiseled features. I tilt my head, curiosity mingling with the unexpected flutter in my chest. “When you what, Mark?”

A wry smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “When I love you.”

“Oh Mark,” I step closer just as he extends his arms out, only for me to rush into them. I bury my head in his chest and instantly feel safe. “I love you too.”

He kisses the top of my head. “I could never get tired of that, you know?”

“I feel the exact same way,” I say, closing my eyes as I break off into a blissful smile.

“Hey, Quinn?” he murmurs against my hair.

“Mm-hmm…”

“If you’re not too tired, have dinner with me tonight?”

“You don’t have to ask twice.”

***

Later that night, I look over myself in the mirror one last time and smooth out my dress. I grab the pearl clutch from my dressing table and pull half my hair back with it, leaving the rest to flow freely over my shoulders.

I put on some light rose blush, add some pearl earrings, and put on my heels. With my purse slung over my shoulder, I’m ready to go.

It’s been a while since Mark and I spent some quality time together, and tonight’s dinner has me excited for all the right reasons.

I move downstairs and find Mark waiting for me. Just when I reach down, he turns at the landing and looks up at me with a smile, and one hand extends out to take mine. I catch my breath, momentarily lost in the movement of him. Tonight, he looks picture perfect in that coat and tie, his hair swept back just right, his eyes smoldering in my direction in a way that tells me I dressed right.

Together, we walk out of the house, but to my surprise, there’s no car. I look up at him only to see him jerk to his right, asking me to follow.

Wordlessly, we walk the paved path until we enter through a flower-ridden garden arch and find ourselves in a tiny alcove. My eyes run in every direction, noticing the candles laid out across the pathways, the twinkling fairy lights strung over bushes and plants, gorgeous white lanterns hanging down trees. And there, right in the center, just aligned with the fountain, is a gorgeous white table laid out for two, with champagne waiting on ice.

I turn to Mark with a squeal, “Mark! I thought we were going out!”

“Out wasn’t good enough, Quinn,” Mark shakes his head. “Not for what I have to ask you.”

Confusion sweeps over me, the kind that tells me I have this wrong, but my heart tells me I don’t.

“Mark...” I lead, needing him to go faster.

“Today was less than ideal,” he shakes his head ruefully. “I didn’t just happen to be around when Letvin attacked. I had this whole surprise planned for you. A romantic proposal, something to sweep you off your feet. That’s where Lara was taking you. The whole shopping thing was a sham. I was waiting at a nearby restaurant for you to arrive, until Charlie fucking Letvin ruined all my plans.”

I blink, my mind reeling from the sudden shift in conversation. “A proposal? You mean, like a real one?”

Mark chuckles, his voice deep and rich. “Yes, a real one. I know our engagement began as a facade, but somewhere along the way, I realized I want it to be more than that.” He reaches out, tucking a stray strand of my strawberry-blonde hair behind my ear. “I want you, Quinn. Not just as my fake fiancée, but as my partner, my equal, my wife. We’re starting a family together, and we should do it right, because I’ve failed you in many ways, but the one thing I know I’ll succeed at is being your husband.”

A faint smile tugs at the corners of my lips as I take in the sight of Mark, and then, he lifts his hand to cradle my cheek before he gets down on one knee. With a racing heart, I try so hard not to fall to the ground, and take him in my arms.

He got down on one knee. For me.

I shake my head, a laugh bubbling up from within me as my entire body trembles. My gaze softens as I reach out and look down on him, gently brushing a strand of hair from his forehead.

Mark's expression turns serious as he pulls out a small box from his pocket and opens it to show me a dazzling diamond unlike any I’ve ever seen before. When he speaks, I force myself to look away from the ring and to the one man who means the world to me now. “Quinn, I know I’ve made mistakes, and the timing is far from ideal, but I need you to understand how much you mean to me.” He takes a deep breath, his eyes fixed on mine. “From the moment I met you, I knew you were different. You challenged me and pushed me to be better. Somewhere along the way, I fell for you, harder than I ever thought possible.”

My heart races as I listen to his words, each one filled with a sincerity that I never thought I'd hear from the infamous Mark Zolotov. “Mark, I.

..” I start, but he lets the box fall and gently brings the ring to my finger, not quite putting it down.

“Let me finish, please.” His voice is soft, almost pleading.

“I know I'm not perfect, far from it. But with you by my side, you make me want to be the man you deserve, the man I never thought I could be.”

My breath catches in my throat as he slides it on just a little, but not the whole way. “Quinn Desmond, will you marry me? Not just for show, but for real. Because I can't imagine my life without you in it.”

Tears well up in my eyes as I stare at the ring, then back at Mark. The man who once represented everything I despised is now the one I can't imagine living without. “Yes,” I whisper, my voice trembling with emotion. “Yes, Mark, I'll marry you.”

The smile that breaks out on his face is blinding, and he puts the ring all the way through before jumping up to his feet. He sweeps me into his arms, spinning me around as he laughs with pure joy.

“I love you, Quinn,” he murmurs, his forehead resting against mine as he sets me back down. “I know with every fiber of my being that we’re meant to be.”

I smile, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. “I love you too, Mark. And I'm ready for whatever comes next, as long as we're together.”