Page 61 of Niko's Printsessa

“Yes. I’m going to take a shower and then make love to myPrintsessa.”

“I’m happy for you two.”

“She deserves better.”

“They all do. Lucky for us, that’s not what they want.”

I use the barn's bathroom to shower and change, dressing in clean clothes I keep here for nights like this, before throwing my bloody clothes into the incinerator with the professor.

As soon as I return to the house Becca rushes towards me, her eyes bright. “Nik! Summer’s having the baby!”

???

The Sokolov Bratva has taken over the entire floor of the hospital. Of course we did. It’s a celebration.

Summer gave birth to a baby boy, Zinov Viktor Sokolov. Zinov means Zeus and Viktor means conqueror in Russian, the perfect name for the future Pakhan.

Andrei proudly holds his son in his arms with a tenderness I had no idea he possessed, as he gazes at his wife with smoldering affection. Zoya fusses over Summer’s many vases of flowers, stuffed animals and balloons, while Leo hands out cigars. Tali’s back presses against Sergei’s chest as he embraces her, the palm of his hand laying protectively over her belly, hinting at another future Sokolov.

Becca hugs Summer and I shake Andrei’s hand. He raises his eyebrows and I nod. “The police have them in custody. Judge Cleary isn’t allowing bail.”

“What about the father?”

“Handled.”

I follow his eyes as he studies Becca and nods. “Good. Noone harms my family and gets away with it.”

She walks over and I pull her into my arms kissing her like no one is watching, but when we finally separate, there’s an audience of surprised eyes and opened mouths. Zoya is the first to break the awkward silence, her smile wide and her eyes glassy. “Nakonets, at last!”

Everyone chuckles and Sergei lightly punches my arm. “It’s about fucking time, Brother.”

Bec’s phone pings and she gasps, “It’s the gallery.”

Becca

I rush to the hallway and answer the call. “Hello?”

“Is this Laney Levowski?”

“Um, yes, that… that’s me… I’m her.” I roll my eyes at myself. Get it together!

“This is Paul from Gallery Fusion.”

“It’s so good to hear from you.”

“You have no idea, sweetie,” he gushes. “Your art is H.O.T. hot.”

“Really?”

“Do you have any pieces you can bring by next week? We’d like to dedicate a wall to you.”

“A wall? To me?”

“Yes! And we can’t do that with no art.”

“You soldallof my pieces.”

“Hellooooo, have you been listening?"

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