Page 78 of Sexting the Silverfox

I glance at the back door, eager to get my woman out of there. “Mind you, Grigori, if you flake on me at any given point, Vitaly will kill you, and nobody in your precious Bratva will object. I hope we’re both clear on that.”

“I know the kind of monsters I raised,” he grumbles. “And I am a man of my word, Jason Winchester. You’ll understand that soon enough.”

“Good. We’re on the same page then,” I reply.

A minute later, I burst through the back door, prompting Vitaly to jump from his seat while I give Audrey a broad and confident smile. “Get your things, babe, we’re going home,” I say.

Chapter 31

Audrey

It feels like a dream.

It’s quiet and surreal, but it is happening. For the first time in what feels like forever, I am no longer haunted by demons from my past.

My father caved in to Jason’s demands. What other choice did he have? I’m in the clear. My brothers and father will spend the next few days back in the hospital to continue their recovery, during which time their lieutenants will start sending memos across the whole of New York and Chicago.

I am not to be touched.

That is the first decree, and it seems like the Abramovic Bratva has already accepted that condition for a ceasefire. They will be pissed when they eventually find out that the Fedorovs have purchased properties in Chicago, but they won’t be able to do anything about it. Jason made sure to inform the Feds about the deal as well. That way, neither the Abramovic nor the Fedorov clans will be able to do anything dirty on said properties unless they wish to unleash some apocalypse-grade RICO operation that would ultimately end them both.

I’ll give my man credit; he played his cards well and then some.

We’re back in Chicago, back at Jason’s penthouse. Rita has also been given the green light to return. She and Lily will be joining us by Friday. We have the place all to ourselves until then, and there’s a lot of catching up to do on so many levels.

A long, hot shower later, I find myself sitting comfortably at the dinner table before a delicious array of Italian food that Jason had delivered from one of his favorite restaurants. The TV is on in the den, the news chiming about recent developments in the investigation concerning the Abramovic Bratva. We’re both watching with renewed interest as they confirm that the rifle used to kill Arkady has yet to be found.

“I’m sorry you had to do that,” I tell him. “I know I’ve said it before, but—”

“It’s okay, Audrey. I’ll live with it. It may sound callous as hell, but I will sleep soundly, knowing that Arkady can’t hurt you anymore,” he replies, twirling pasta onto his fork. “I will also enjoy this food, finish this bottle of wine, and welcome every day that comes after with a smile on my face and a kick in my heels because we’re together, and nobody will ever trouble us again.”

“Are you sure?” I ask, doubt finding a way to mess with me as usual. “I mean, how confident are we that my father will stick to the terms of your deal and that he won’t find a way to screw me over?”

“Vitaly and Anton are both watching him like hawks,” he says. “The old man has been relegated to family functions and auxiliary votes for non-urgent situations only. He’s got an army of bodyguards that will keep him indoors if he insists on being a dick about it. Gardening and reading are all he’s good for. They even took his phone away.”

“You’re kidding,” I gasp, my eyes widening with surprise.

“I am not,” he chuckles dryly. “Something changed at that restaurant, Audrey. As bad as it sounds, I think that getting shot is the best thing that could’ve happened to Anton and Vitaly. It’s as if they both snapped out of it and realized that it was time to force things into a different and better direction, with or without the old man’s consent. They came into their own power the moment they almost lost their lives. And it makes sense. To me, anyway.”

I shake my head slowly. “I still can’t believe it, though. I am actually free, aren’t I?”

“It’s weird, isn’t it?”

“A little, yeah. I’m used to constantly looking over my shoulder.” I let out a sigh. “It’s kind of sad, giving up The Emerald apartment, to be honest. But I would rather eat coal than live anywhere owned by my father.”

“It’s one of the reasons why I accepted his request to take The Emerald. In his mind, I think he figured he’d still retain some form of control over you.”

“That’s foolish. He, of all people, should know I’d sell in a heartbeat under those conditions.”

“It doesn’t stop him from trying. The man is desperate for control, even when he’s not thinking clearly. But it no longer matters,” Jason replies, adding more ravioli to my plate. “You need to eat more, baby. There’s a bun in that beautiful oven of yours.”

My cheeks burn hot, a smile curling my lips. “Always taking care of me.”

“And I always will,” he says, his brow slightly furrowed. “Good God, woman, you’re the love of my life. You’re my soulmate. I went to hell and back for you. And right now, you’re carrying our child. There’s nothing I won’t do… hold on, have some of this, too,” he pauses to transfer several slices of fresh mozzarella cheese next to my pasta.

I can’t stop myself from giggling. “You’re trying to fatten me up. Stuff me like a Thanksgiving turkey, huh?”

“Honestly, you’re a goddess at any size as far as I’m concerned, but I have to say, I can’t wait to see that baby bump on you,” he admits, reaching across the table to lovingly caress my face. “You look beautiful, by the way.”

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