Page 117 of The Pakhan

I was proud of my lovely Caroline, but I also felt something I’d long since thought dead.

Love.

I’d known love with Tonja and my children, but in feeling it with this amazing woman, I felt as if my life had come full circle. I was finally in a place where I belonged.

And I would never, ever let her go.

EPILOGUE

Caroline

Sunshine and ocean waters. That was exactly what I’d needed the last four grueling weeks after the huge engagement party.

Weeks of questions and reporters, of talking with the FBI and feeling as if my entire life had been turned upside down.

We were in a tropical place I couldn’t pronounce but honestly, I didn’t care.

I stood by the ocean water, digging my toes into the wet sand. I was happy even after the horrible period we’d endured. It was a glorious feeling to feel free for the first time in what seemed like forever.

When I felt his presence behind me, I tensed, drinking in Vadim’s scent. He smelled of the water and sand, coconut and pineapple. It was the best scent I’d smelled in forever.

“What’s up, big wolf?”

“I just needed to touch you.”

“I adore your touch.” I was still in shock that he was so different from before, as if happier in his own skin. We’d had shit to deal with but at night… Well, the passion had been better than ever. I turned around, wrapping my arms around his neck. “So, I have a proclamation to make.”

“Oh, you do, huh.”

“Yep. First of all, I think I should be promoted to your vice president of operations. I’m extremely good at what I do, including managing people. I would be able to easily add to your bottom line because of my high level of intelligence and sense of creativity.”

“And how much do you think you should be paid? Inquiring minds want to know.”

“Oh, a starting salary of one million will do.” He coughed and I pushed my fist into his chest. “Plus benefits of course.”

“Of course.”

“I’m serious.”

“I know you are. How about this. We’ll talk about it.”

“You know I won’t let it go,” I told him.

He laughed and pressed his lips on one cheek then the other. “I wouldn’t expect you to. Anything else?”

“Yes, one more thing.” I pulled my head back, tugging off his sunglasses. I had to see his piercing eyes. “I think we should get married for real. You know, becoming a real husband and wife.”

“Oh, you do, do you?”

“Absolutely. We have passion and an interest in horror flicks and Chinese food. Who knew? I think we’d be perfect together.”

“Let me think. Are you asking?”

I pulled away, the quiet amusement I’d felt turning into something else. “I’m asking. I want to be your wife.”

Instead of answering right away, he pushed me down onto the sand, planting his hands on either side of me. “Then I accept your proposal and we’ll get married. Where would you like to have the ceremony?”

Teasing him was so much fun. “The South of France. With the family there.”

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