Page 107 of Emerald Vices

“In the best possible way.”

Andrey smiles, taking it like the compliment I intended. He looks towards the bassinet where Sarra has a little arm nestled over her brother. “These children, this family… You all brought me back to life. And I will spend the rest of our lives trying to repay you for what you’ve given me.”

“I don’t need you to repay me for anything, Andrey. The only thing I need—the only thing I’ve ever needed—is you. Only you.”

“Then that will be my vow to you. I’ll always be there for you and our children. No matter what.” He arches a brow. “If you’ll have me, that is.”

A shiver races down my spine. “I’d be honored to be your wife, Andrey Kuznetsov.”

He kisses me long and hard, sealing our promise in a private moment that is all ours. When we break apart, I stare down at the ring on my finger like it might disappear.

Andrey pokes my side. “Your little sentinel is waking up.”

Misha stirs in the chair. He’s too long for it—I swear he’s shot up a foot in the last six months—so as he stretches out his legs and arches his back, he fumbles off-center and the chair dumps him forward onto the floor.

As soon as he hits the ground, he jolts up, his hair mussed and his eyes puffy with sleep, looking around for the evil culprit who upended him.

I have to slap a hand over my mouth so I don’t burst out laughing.

Misha blushes as he rubs the sleep from my eyes. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” He stands with a stretch and then walks over to the bassinet. “Are they almost ready for bottles?”

“Misha,” Andrey says, gesturing for him to sit down, “you realize you’re not their nanny, right?”

“I know. I just wanna be useful.”

“You don’t have to be useful,” I tell him. “You’re a teenager. Go outside, get in the pool, play some soccer. I feel like I’m holding you back.”

Misha sinks down onto the edge of the bed. “You’re not. I enjoy spending time with you and the twins.”

“And we love having the company. I just don’t want you missing out on anything because you think you have to be here with us.”

Misha just shrugs. “We’re family. Where else would I be?”

He says it so matter-of-factly, and I’m less than two minutes out from a marriage proposal, so there’s not a chance of my eyes staying dry. I swipe at my cheeks, and Misha eyes the ring on my finger.

He whistles. “He finally gave it to you.”

I look from Misha to Andrey and back again. “You knew?”

Misha shrugs. “I am a spy, remember?” He laughs and pulls me in for a hug. “Congrats, Nat. I’m happy for you.”

“I hope you haven’t already heard about the other exciting news,” Andrey says.

Misha’s searching gaze tells me he has no idea what Andrey is about to say.

“I haven’t even discussed this with Natalia yet, but only because I knew she’d agree.”

Misha stiffens, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down slowly. “Okay…?” He looks as nervous as I feel.

“When Natalia and I get married, she’ll carry my name. And the twins were born with my name. So it seems only fair that you should have the same name, too.”

“You… you want me to be a Kuznetsov?”

I hold my breath. My heart really can’t take these big emotional reveals.

“You just said it yourself: we’re family,” Andrey says simply. “But it’s your choice. Whether you want to take my name or not, it doesn’t change how I feel. This would just be a formality.”

“What kind of formality?”

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