Page 125 of Unveiled

“Are we still at risk?” I ask. I can still hear the man’s words in the bakery.

“Always.”

“And Zoya?—”

“Will be protected.” He says it with an air of finality, and I wonder if he isn’t in a little bit of denial over that. But I know how loyal he is. He’ll do everything to protect his sisters.

“And Eli?”

“Has paid his debt.”

I don’t ask any more questions. Sometimes, it’s better not to have all the answers.

“Let’s go to bed, love.”

I go to stand, but he surprises me by sweeping me up in his arms.

“I can walk, Semyon. You don’t have to?—”

“Carry my wife to bed?” he says in that voice that makes my body instantly warm. “I do. I need to conserve your energy.”

My head falls to his shoulder. I close my eyes and let it go. Everything. I let him carry me. Let him bring me upstairs and lay me down, strip me of my clothes, then make me climax until my toes curl, and I can’t breathe. Let him claim me. Let him fall asleep beside me in a tangle of limbs and slow breathing until the morning brings a new day.

Epilogue

ANYA

Stefan’s laughterrings through the house, pure and joyful. I lean against the doorway to the living room, watching as Eli lifts him into a rough hug, ruffling his hair like he used to when we were kids.

I’m so glad Stefan was innocent to all that happened. At least one of us can be. For one fleeting second, I can pretend we’re normal, that our family wasn’t fractured and broken. For once, I feel… whole.

Stefan is talking a mile a minute, telling Eli everything that’s happened while he’s been gone. Behind me, Semyon is quietly loading the dishwasher with his trademark efficiency, but I know he’s taking everything in. He doesn’t speak, not now, but he’s there, ever vigilant. My powerful Bratva leader, rinsing juice glasses and stacking dishes.

I swallow hard.

“Semyon, Eli’s back!” Stefan announces as if Semyon doesn’t know. His innocence is endearing. “Anya, did you see him?”

I smile, hugging my arms around me and taking another sip of coffee. “I did.”

Semyon turns to face Stefan and crooks a finger. When Stefan meets Semyon, he kneels on one knee. My fearless Bratva later, kneeling on one knee before a child.

“You’ve gotten so much taller,” Semyon says in his sleepy rumble of a voice. “How old are you now? Twelve?”

Stefan smirks. “Still eight, but definitely taller. I’ll be taller than Eliandyou.”

“Then keep eating those vegetables your sister’s always harping on you about,” Semyon says.

Stefan eyes him seriously. “Even the spinach?”

“Especiallythe spinach.”

Stefan frowns. “I’ll think about it.”

Semyon looks up and smiles at me, actuallysmiles.It’s still so rare, and something in my chest loosens.

Stefan returns to Eli and tells him all about the Kopolovs as if it’s all been some kind of crazy adventure. I suppose for him, it has been.

“I’m going with Eli back to our house today!” Stefan calls out as I wipe down the breakfast table.

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