“Jury’s still out on that one. I’ll let you know. What about you guys, any repercussions?”
“From the Bratva? Surprisingly, they’ve been pretty fucking gracious about the whole thing. Maxim Popov took over from Dmitri’s uncle. He and Dmitri get along well, from what I’ve heard while eavesdropping.”
“And he isn’t making Dmitri go back? I thought it was a blood-in, blood-out kind of thing.”
“He’s not out per se, but both of them agree that he is better serving the outfit over here. He brings in a lot of revenue. Plus, he has a lot of legitimate businesses that are great for laundering money through.”
“So, no white picket fences in your future?”
“Not sure I’ve ever been a white picket fence kinda girl, but if that’s what I wanted, I know the guys would move heaven and earth to give it to me.”
She sighs, half in resignation, half in envy.
“You’re happy?”
“Yeah, Reese, I really am.”
“That’s good. I wanted that for you. What about the other three? What are they doing now that school is out? God, it sounds so fucking weird saying that.”
I laugh because she is right, though Willow Creek was never really a conventional school.
“Griff and Hunter have started working for Dmitri in one capacity or another. Griff had always wanted to enlist before I came back but was wary, given his sexual orientation. Dmitri has put a team together. A mix of ex-Navy Seals and commandos and shit. Griff is getting some pretty brutal training, but he’s loving it. And the end game for him is being a part of one of the retrieval units.”
“I can see him doing that. Hunter, not so much, though.”
“Nah, Hunter’s a lover, not a fighter. Don’t get me wrong, he’d kill anyone who tried to hurt his family, but he isn’t as naturally bloodthirsty as the rest of us. What he is, though, is a whiz with numbers. I’m not one hundred percent sure what Dmitri has him working on, but they both seem happy, so I let them do their thing.
“Cain is in a slightly different position since he inherited. He’s struggling with what to do with it all. He feels like it’s wrong to use it because of how it was gained, so mostly he’s trying to undo some of the wrongs his family was involved in.
“Dmitri is helping him out, almost in a mentor kind of way. At the moment, the center is Cain’s focus, but he’s been talking about setting up other places too—for veterans and foster children. They’re ironing out the kinks, but they have all the time in the world.”
“Sounds good, Dulce, but in all that, you never told me what you’re doing.”
“Nothing. I’m honest to God, just doing nothing. And it’s not because I’ve suddenly decided to be lazy, although Sunday morning feasting and fucking is my favorite thing to do. It’s just, there is so much here that I want to be a part of. So many places where my skill set will work that I’m excited for all of it. Right now, I just want to sit still and breathe it in, appreciate the beauty of it all and this chance I’ve been given.”
She’s quiet for a moment before she speaks again, her voice little more than a whisper.
“You’re really not coming home, huh?”
I swallow down the emotions her tone evokes. I know she misses me. I miss her too. I miss all of them.
“I’m already home, Reese.”
Two years later
“He’s doing this on purpose.” I groan, spinning my wedding ring around my finger. The sun glinting off the platinum band, embossed with birthstones that represent each of my men, although legally I’m only married to one.
I’m Mrs. freaking Aslanov. Yeah, that still takes some getting used to.
“Which one?”
“All of them,” I complain, turning to Hunter, who is lounging beside me.
“So, you want them to put their shirts back on?” he teases as I turn to watch Cain, Griff, and Dmitri working on the barn, all half-naked and sweaty.
“Well, I personally like the view, so shut your pie hole,” Lollie warns, tossing a piece of popcorn at me.
“What are you doing here again?”
“I told you, both Sugar and Reese are on assignment, and I’m bored.”
“So, you thought you’d come help us fix up the place?” I raise my brows at that.
“Well, I don’t exactly see you assisting.”
“Oh please, have you seen the view? I’d end up injured and then poor Hunter here would lose his mind. Turns out my handsome protector goes a bit insane when he finds out his woman is with child,” I tease.
“Will you stop saying it like that? You make yourself sound like the Virgin Mary, and we both know you have more cocks than a henhouse.”
“Well, hello, Pot. My name’s Kettle.”
She rolls her eyes at me. “I’m a pornstar, Dulce. Kinda goes with the job description. You have no excuse.”
“I’m sorry, but again I have to ask, did you see the view?” I wave toward all the hotness.
“Yeah, yeah, I get it. I’m pretty sure I got pregnant just by watching them.”
“Why aren’t you over there helping them, Captain?” Lollie asks Hunter, who earned the nickname from her for some bizarre reason. Something to do with his all-American looks, his protective streak, and the arm porn. I don’t know. I don’t even try to understand her anymore.
“I am helping. I’m feeding my woman and kid. And besides, did you see that view?”
Lollie and I crack up laughing, which draws the attention of the others.
Dmitri says something to Griff and Cain, who nod and head our way.
“Hey nugget, are you being good for your mom?” Griffen asks my tiny bump as he drops to his knees and presses a kiss to my stomach.
“If you’re asking if I puked my insides out again this morning, you’ll be pleased to know today has been a good day.”
“That’s what I like to hear.” He winks, kissing the tip of my nose before lying on the blanket next to us with his head in Hunter’s lap.
“Feed me, wench,” he demands.
“Grapes or my cock?” Hunter questions in the same tone he might ask for directions.
Lollie snorts while Cain groans and drops down in front of me.