Page 160 of Stricken

"After everything you've done," I say, my heart aching for him, "you deserve it."

"Do I?"

"You chose a different path. No more violence. It means something."

"Maybe that's what makes this special." He finally meets my gaze, and there's relief in his eyes. "Choosing not to succumb to the cycle."

"Sometimes, peace is harder to embrace than vengeance," I say gently, sensing the vulnerability beneath his collected exterior.

He nods slowly, taking a deep breath. "It's strange, isn't it? All these people celebrating our success, yet they don't know the darkness that brought us to this moment."

"Perhaps it's better that way," I suggest. "Let them enjoy the illusion while we navigate the reality."

The balcony door swings open and Ivan clears his throat loudly to let us know he is here. Vlad turns his head to look at him but never removes his hands from my chest. And this small gesture means so much to me because he's finally accepted all parts of himself. Same way I have accepted me.

"Sorry to bother you," Ivan says in his heavily accented English. "Everybody is ready for you, Vladimir."

"Thank you." Vlad takes my hand and gestures at the door. "Let's not leave them waiting."

Inside, where the room is filled with colorful lights, we snake through the sea of dressed up bodies with Ivan skillfully swatting away anyone who tries to shake Vlad's and my hands.

"Speech!" someone yells from the back.

"Speech," another voice adds.

Once we reach the other side of the room where a table with an auction box stands, I nudge Vlad to the center of the forming circle. Faces watch expectantly.

"I thought you were going to do it," he grits out.

"I'm just the boyfriend." I shrug with a smile. "You're the man of the evening."

More people join in on a "speech" chant. Several guests clap, which converge into an acoustic tide that demands attention.

"Alright, alright." Vlad lifts both hands as if reaching for salvation or surrender—it's hard to tell. "I'll say something." He takes a deep breath.

The entire room falls silent.

"Thank you, everyone, for coming tonight," Vlad's voice carries across the room, commanding respect and admiration. "As you've heard, today is not just a celebration of mine and Nico's anniversary but also the launch of our foundation."

A rustle of whispers runs through the crowd.

"We wanted to create something that would make a difference—something that would give back to the city that has given us so much," Vlad continues, glancing at me briefly. "So, without further ado, I'm excited to announce thatMarina Foundationfor at-risk youth is now official."

He's interrupted by a round of applause.

"Myself and Nico aren't strangers to growing up without parents and we believe that every child, every teenager in this city, has the potential to be great. And our goal is to help these young men and women rise above their circumstances."

Vlad looks at me again, his face strangely emotional, and I know it's my cue to step in, my cue to be the supportive boyfriend. Despite my own pulse so erratic in my ears.

"And we are taking donations," I say, moving to stand next to Vlad.

His hand finds mine. Yes, in front of all these people. Our fingers intertwine.

"Mio Dio!" Viola's shouts. "Kiss already, you two."

And I do. I pull Vlad to me and kiss his lips, announcing us to the world once more. And as the sun behind the windows sinks lower, drenching us in twilight, I know this moment is ours forever. No darkness can touch it. Not tonight. Not ever.

THE END

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