Page 131 of Sins and Virtue
And it was my sole truth.
Out of so much despair, he came like a spirit in the night and made me feel alive again.
“I promised you that I was going to make you happy, and I meant it.”
He suddenly removed his hand from mine and then bent down on one knee, retrieving something—a black velvet box from his jacket—he opened it, revealing a gorgeous two-stone ruby and diamond ring. “Because I don’t want to live a life without you. Before you, my existence was meaningless; now you’re my single reason for purpose. There are many things in life, I’m sure of, and I never know how or why, but one thing I am sure about is the universe designed you for me and I refuse to live another day without recognizing who you are to me.”
One small gasp escaped my lips.
He couldn’t be serious? Could he?
“All this to say, will you marry me, Blair Morgan? Will you take me as your husband?” Konstantin proposed with rough sentiment.
Butterflies busting at the seams, as I'd never imagined this moment.
“Are you serious?” I blinked, trying to comprehend everything that was happening so fast.
He swallowed like the words were too difficult to get out. “I never wanted anything— anyone— more. And I make this vow before you to protect and love you and Ollie until my last dying breath. So marry me. Marry me and be my everything.”
And although the journey wasn’t easy, I’d rather take this life than a mundane one locked away from them. My family. My son. Konstantin. “Yes, baby, yes!” I yelled with excitement.
He slipped the ring on my finger. His eyes radiating like all the diamonds in the sky. Just beautiful. Heartstopping. And mine forever.
He leaned down, cupping my face, crashing his lips into mine, tilting my head as he deepened the kiss, kissing me like it was the first and the last time he ever would.
He pulled away, breathless, pressing his forehead to mine. “You’re mine to keep now, Mrs. Volkov.”
“And you’re mine, Mr. Volkov.”
“Don’t forget me!” Ollie exclaimed, running over as he jumped out of his dad’s arm and came at my pant leg.
“Never.” Konstantin picked him up with one hand and placed him in between us. Ollie's little arms wrapped around both our napes as I held onto him, gazing up with love and devotion to these two for the rest of my life.
“Until the end of the world.”
“Until forever.” I recited, smiling so big.
And our vows, along with our bodies, burned in eternity. Forever with our hearts being one.
Epilogue 2
Aleksandra
“I am glad to see you both here today,” I spoke with quiet pleasantness, adjusting my leg across the other while in my chair. “You made the right choice, Konstantin.”
Watching the silent man in front of me, who exuded a sensual magnetic charm and deathly calmness. Dressed in a sleek black button-down with the first few buttons open, exposing a golden rosary, black tailored slacks, and Oxfords. He was a man that left many women desiring. Though today, right now, and it seemed like forever by the golden wedding band on his finger, he only wanted one woman. The unapologetically stunning woman whose beauty was fit for a queen, or more correctly, a princess, sat at his side. The pair came to my headquarters for an official initiation.
“You too, Miss Blair Morgan, or should I say Mrs. Volkov, now?” I posed the question, wondering what her choice was.
A glaze of hesitant astonishment passed before her hazel eyes as she stiffened in her position. “How do you know my name? Why do you know my name?” She asked, her gaze switching to her husband.
The corner of my lips lifted to almost smile. Our history ran deeper than she could ever imagine, but I contained myself for now. “I’ll answer you in a moment, but right now, I would like to welcome you into my establishment. Know that from now on you are protected and valued members of my council. No one will harm you if I do not command it. They cannot go against you if I do not will it. No one, and I mean no one, will ever put themselves as your superior because you are all equals and qualified in your relevant positions. Only I am above you all. The only thing I seek is loyalty and respect. Nothing more. Nothing less. Is that understood?”
“Seems simple enough,” Konstantin drawled in his heavy Russian accent. “But I have been a part of different organizations before. Everyone is out for something. No one cares for another. Why should we?”
I inclined my head, understanding his point truly. Stranger’s words meant nothing after you got stabbed in the back so many times before. However, here I was, hoping to be the exception. Because there was a grander scheme to things than anyone realized. There was no time to be hot or cold; it was one side or another.
Melancholy burned in the remnants of my soul as I went on, “I understand your hesitation. But after being sacrificed, degraded, abused, maimed, violated, and having survived, I realized that out of everything, loyalty and respect are the foundation of a strong empire. Not fear or violence, but you are free to exercisethat will with others if you please.” Adding a smile to make it sound convincing.