Page 148 of Claim

She blushes as I press a soft kiss to her cheek.

“You look so handsome in that black suit, Miki.”

With a playful wink, and a final glance, I pull away.

I nod to Nikolai and hold out the bouquet. With a grunt, he rises, takes them from me, and gives them to Galena, whose face breaks into a broad smile as he sits back down. I know that is the best place for her now. Nikolai and Mila will make sure she is safe and loved and she has Elena to keep her company.

Lacing my fingers through Ana’s, I feel the softness of her skin against mine as I reach up with my other hand, to grab the knot of my balaclava. Her eyes go wide, then crinkle at the corners as she smiles, her nod a silent affirmation.

“I’ve got you, Miki. It’s time.”

Taking a deep breath, I can hear the blood pounding in my ears as I untie it and tug it away from my face. I don’t know why I expect gasps in horror. But they don’t come.

Nothing. Just silence as if nothing out of the ordinary has happened.

“Everyone in this room loves you, Miki. We don’t see the scars, we just see you.”

Fuck. That hits me like a spear through the chest.

“I love you, pretty girl.” I twirl her thumb with my own, for comfort more than anything. I need her by my side.

As I bravely look to the small selection of friends and family here, my eyes lock with Lara’s glassy blue ones. She sniffles but gives me the biggest smile. I know this will mean a lot to her. She always tells me she misses seeing my face.

Nikolai gives me a nod. We may not use many words for each other, but the love is there.

Enzo, Jax, Ben, Sven and Drago are all pretty unphased. And then there’s Alexei, grinning at me with his silver tooth like a kid in a candy shop.

He gives me a thumbs up and Lara nudges his side with her elbow.

“What? He did a good job?” Alexei whines to Lara.

We would all be lost without our donkey, Alexei. I’m surprised he didn’t bring his flamingos, Sheila and Bruce and whatever the hell they called the baby one.

With a shaky exhale, I feel the chill of the air as Ana’s reassuring grip tightens on my hand.

Frankie clears his throat from the third row back and we lock eyes. A silent gesture of his approval. Me and him have been through enough over the years for him to be here. I trust him and his guys.

Revealing myself wasn’t that bad.

I finally am free from my past. Now that my father is dead and I finally have his blood on my hands.

I can move on, with my iskorka.

Till death do us part. No where to hide. No reason to run.

I get to spend the rest of my days loving the woman who danced with my demons and cut away my chains.

The minister greets us all and I hear it, but I’m too busy admiring my wife.

“Mikhail, do you have your ring?” the old man asks, looking down at my empty finger.

I shake my head.

“Miki, what?” Ana whispers.

Instead, I reach into my pocket, the familiar weight of my blade comforting, and flip it open with a satisfying click.

“Rings can be lost. I want something forever.”

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