Page 104 of Emerald Vices

“Your bravery is changing my mind,” I correct. “Your grace and your patience changed my mind. You’re it for me, Natalia. You’re my future. And I’m never letting you go. Our family is the only thing that matters now.”

All at once, she seems to realize how serious I am. “Oh, Andrey…” She smiles dreamily. “I’d be honored to be your wife, Andrey. But?—”

The smile freezes on my face.

“—not until after you’ve dealt with Slavik and Nikolai,” she continues. “I don’t want to worry about our wedding being hijacked or our loved ones being targeted. I want to put all that ugliness behind us before we start our life together.”

I grip her hand tightly. “Baby, our life together has already started.”

She nods. “But I want a clean slate. Without the threat of attack hanging over our heads all the time. I want to become your wife knowing that our family is safe.”

I hesitate for only a moment. Agreeing feels wrong, but when it comes to negotiations, she’s going to win every single one in this state. She cries out with another contraction, and agreeing is the least I can do.

“Okay. We can wait. But as soon as we get back home, I’m putting a ring on your finger.”

She laughs. “Only you would propose to me before you’ve even told me you love me.”

“Lastochka, how could I not love you?”

Her eyes are watery as she grips my hand. “Yeah?”

“It’s you and me against the world. And I will never, ever let us lose.”

She reaches for me, and I bridge the distance between us. She kisses me feverishly, her nails digging into my hand as she tries to pull me closer. Then she releases me without warning. “Argh…”

“Too much tongue?”

She snorts. “Don’t make me laugh now. It hurts too much.”

The door opens and Dr. Abdulov walks in. “How are the parents-to-be doing?”

“She’s in pain.”

Dr. Abdulov dips between her legs to examine things. “Okay, it looks like it’s time for that epidural,” he announces, straightening up. “Another few centimeters and you’ll be dilated enough to start pushing.”

Natalia leans against me as the anesthesiologist comes in to administer the epidural. The massive needle in her spine doesn’t seem to faze her when compared to the pain of the contractions, but I can’t help wincing in sympathy.

Once it’s in and the nurses clear out of the room, Natalia grabs the front of my shirt and pulls me towards her. “Andrey, you have to promise me something.”

“Tell me. What do you need?”

“I need to know that our children will be kept separate from the Bratva. I know it’s a part of you, but I can’t have them involved. Please!”

“Natalia…”

“Please,” she gasps again, refusing to let go of my shirt. “I need you to promise me…”

I grab her hand and pry it from my shirt before bringing it to my lips. “I will do my best to keep them safe.”

She frowns, her eyes unfocused for a moment. “That’s not… that’s not…”

But she doesn’t get to finish her sentence, because Dr. Abdulov is back in the room. After another quick check, he raises his brows. “It’s time.”

Natalia tries to sit up. “Right now? No, I’m not ready. I don’t feel ready. I doubt it’s?—”

She screams with another contraction and the entire room becomes a flurry of movement and activity. A nurse drags in two bassinets while another unfolds baby blankets.

“You can do this,” I whisper in her ear.

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