Page 45 of The Bratva’s Innocent Sold Bride (Fokin Bratva #9)

I could see the change in him, how mad he was.

I had asked the mighty Mat Fokin to give up something that was his, something he felt he’d earned, something he’d put time and money into.

He was about to make it clear that he couldn’t do that, not even for me, and I prepared myself for the blow.

Cursed myself for asking whenever everything else was going so well.

But my father had created that company from nothing, pouring his blood, sweat, and tears into it like it really was his child.

He’d made mistakes along the way. Huge, illegal mistakes, but it was for the love of his company, his life’s work.

I always played second fiddle to it, no matter how much he’d doted on me, but like an older sibling that gave me a mild case of jealousy, I could never hate it.

I could never want to see it destroyed or in anyone else’s hands but its creator’s.

Now, Mat gripped my arms with a stormy look in his eyes, and I wanted to take it all back, say I was kidding like I was about the sheep farm.

Would he choose the company over my happiness, just like my father did so many times?

The final time resulted in the entire upheaval of my life, but thankfully, that had ended in happiness, or so I thought until this very second.

Was I just part of Mat’s grand plan to build an empire in this part of the world?

Then why did he bother to say he loved me?

He gave me a little shake when tears welled in my eyes. “I’ll give back the shares,” he said roughly.

“What?” I wasn’t sure I heard right when he looked so icy, and his grasp was so tight.

“I can’t believe you’d think for a second that anything was more important to me than you.” He dragged me close, then pushed away to look me in the eyes. His eyes were lightning, more like the morning sky than a gathering storm. “Nothing is more important to me.”

“You’ll really give back all the controlling shares?” I wanted to believe him, and hated having to give him this final test. I trusted him with my life, but the thought of having a constant rift between him and my father hurt too much to ignore.

“He’ll have control as before,” Mat said, running his hands down my arms, no longer holding on for dear life. “But I’ll be keeping some shares since I invested so much to save it. Since we’re family now, I doubt he’ll have any problem with that.”

I laughed, giddy with relief. “Oh, he won’t have a single problem, I can guarantee that.”

My father’s pride might be dented, but he’d put up with far more for Taurus Ingenuity. He’d be so happy that I would be part of his life again; he’d even learn to love Mat. Eventually. Maybe by the time our kids were in school.

Mat grinned. “Now that I’ll have some free time on my hands with that out of the way, I’m thinking of investing in a new computer company.”

“Oh yeah?” I said, pretending I wasn’t about to start lobbying for a job in the next ten seconds.

Masha stuck her head in, looking tired but in a much better mood than the last time I saw her. “Am I interrupting something?”

“Yes,” we both said at the same time.

She laughed, making no move to leave. “Okay, but I just want to share my good news. I got a job.”

Mat’s head spun around to pin her with a glare. “You already have a job.”

“I know, but I’m getting a little sick of the long hours.” She made a face at Mat, first teasing, then slightly more significant. “It’s a company near and dear to your heart. Well, both your hearts, I suppose.”

“Starbucks?” I guessed, making Mat snicker and Masha narrow her eyes at me.

“Taurus Ingenuity,” she said proudly.

I sputtered. “What? How? I mean, no offense, but it’s not exactly your area of expertise.” I had graduated with top honors from one of the most prestigious universities in the country and barely scraped an entry-level job there.

She rolled her eyes at me, no offense taken. “It’s in security, not tech. I’ll be starting next week.”

“Oh, well, good,” said Mat, suddenly on board with losing one of his greatest assets. “What about your current project?”

Now it was my turn to roll my eyes. “You can say his name around me.”

“He’s still not budging, as you saw for yourself. If I can’t break him by next week, Garik will take over.”

“We’ll break him,” Mat promised. “Now get lost. And it’s high time you found your own place soon. Very soon.”

“Mat!” I swiped his arm and told Masha she could stay as long as she wanted.

“No, she can’t,” he called so she could hear.

“We could move in six more of your relatives and still have room in that wing,” I said reprovingly, then instantly forgot Masha, her job, and her looming homelessness. “But, wait. You were saying something about a new company?”

“Yes. Yours.”

My mind tripped over itself, trying to work out those two simple words. “Mine?”

He nodded. “I considered giving you Delta’s job, but I don’t want you in danger. Or on the wrong side of the law. So, I’ve decided to dip my toe into the tech world with you at the helm. We can set up offices in the other wing as soon as Masha has her own place.”

“Or she can just move into one of the six empty bedrooms on our side,” I said, my mind awash with plans. “But yes, we’re going to need all that space if you want to do this right. I’m assuming we’re going to create software?”

“It’s up to you,” he said, tipping his head to the side in confusion. “You’re fine with staying home? No fighting for your dream office?”

“Considering I’m going to have a whole suite of dream offices, of course I’m fine.

” I was already considering which walls would need a doggy door, and where to relocate Artem’s fenced run so I could see it out the windows.

Mat still didn’t look convinced, and I squeezed his hand.

“I want to stay close. I’m not afraid, you don’t have to worry about that.

But this is… It’s more than home. It’s our place.

Yours and mine. Why would I want to leave? ”

“Believe me, I’m not kicking you out.”

“Of course not. Mat Fokin keeps what’s his.”

“That’s right. Most of the time. Unless someone with beautiful gold and green eyes asks me otherwise.”

He slid his hands around my waist, pulling me onto his lap on the big couch. I nestled against his chest, visions of new desks and wall units and, oh my gosh, I was going to have to start interviewing. My own employees. I hugged him tight and kissed his cheek, breathing in his spicy aftershave.

“I love you,” I whispered. Once it was out, I laughed. My last fear, gone. I loved him; there was no need to keep it inside anymore.

“Now you finally say it when I give you your own company,” he said, faking a grumpy frown. “Now tell me you know that I love you.”

“I do, but say it anyway.”

“I love you,” he said instantly. “Now, when do you want to get started? There’s no rush, so don’t jump up and run over there to start measuring right away.”

His hands tightened around me, but I stayed put. “I don’t want to start right away,” I said, making a spur-of-the-moment decision that blossomed as I spoke. “I want to have a party. A huge one for all our family and friends.”

His brow rose in surprise. “Anything you want, but why now?”

I let out a sigh. “When we had our wedding reception, I viewed you as an enemy. It should have been the best time of my life, but I was miserable. I guess I want a do-over.”

“Then make it happen,” he said, wrapping his hand around my ponytail and tugging my head back for a kiss.

When we came up for air, I smiled at him. “And I want everyone to see how proud I am that you’re mine.”

“That I am,” he said contentedly, leaning down for another kiss, but pausing halfway to my lips. “And?”

“And how happy I am to be yours.”