Page 134 of Crimson Flames

When it gets quiet again, she looks between Boris and me.

“If you want this to stick, I expect a ring. Don’t go simple with it either. I want all the bells and whistles and a ceremony that Laney helps plan. If we are doing this, we’re doing it right.”

I nod my head to agree, but she shakes hers.

“And you have to ask me.Bothof you. On your own too.”

Kai’s laughter echoes around us as he clutches his stomach.

“This is going to be fun,” he says before getting back into the car.

Nessa smirks at us before doing the same, leaving Boris and me to stare at each other.

“That went better than I had planned,” I admit.

Boris shakes his head at me. “Be honest, you had no idea how you were going to tell her what we did.”

“I totally did.”I didn’t.

Boris gets into the car, and I can’t help but remember where this insane journey started.

Opening the door, I slide in to sit beside my girl, taking her hand in mine as I remember our first car ride together. My feet were covered in second-degree burns, and my heart was beating out of my chest with adrenaline, but she was there, and somehow, that made it all better.

“Hey,” Kai says from the back, “Pops here promised me ice cream, and none of that toothpaste shit, Daddio.”

I laugh as I pull up ice cream shops on my phone. Sure enough, there’s one just around the corner.

“I’ve got you, kid, but one day you’re going to have to admit that mint chocolate chip is superior.”

The way he looks at me in horror is enough to have me laughing.

“I would rather drown in a pit of chili peppers.”

“You do not enjoy chili peppers?” Boris asks.

“Don’t tell me you like them, Pops. Just when we were starting to bond here.”

Nessa cracks a smile, twisting the bracelet on her wrist, her thumb grazing over Aiden’s name. We may have never wanted to be parents, but now that we have our sweet angel flame and a teenage boy who’s no doubt going to cause all sorts of trouble, I feel like my life is finally full.

Chapter 55

Walking into the tower where I used to work feels nostalgic. We are back in Russia, and I have been planning this date for a few weeks now. I wanted to ensure that the children we rescued were settled and had a plan of care to move forward.

Pressing the number on the elevator for our floor, I take Nessa’s hand in mine. She is wearing a simple black dress I had made for her. The fabric is thin and soft, while also showing off her curves. It is short, revealing the red heels that have straps crossing up her calf and stopping just under her knees.

She looks ravishing.

When we arrive at my office, Cami, my old assistant, is waiting at the door.

“Good evening,” she greets before embracing Nessa in a hug. “I’ve missed you both.”

Nessa pulls back, and gazes up at me with happiness in her eyes. “I’ve missed it here,” she says.

“Everything should be in order inside, I can assure you that you will not be disturbed.”

Cami is working late, helping Alexi draw up a new deal for our businesses in India. She also helped me add the finishing touches to our date night tonight.

As we enter my office, Nessa goes straight to the widows at the back. Her favorite view was always the skyline behind my desk. It is why I had a chair with a lamp and small side table placed there. Many nights, I would work late, and she would cuddle up with a cup of tea and stare out at the city. One night, I asked her what was so fascinating about it.

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