Page 72 of The Bratva's Innocent Sold Bride
“I know, but I’m getting a little sick of the long hours.” She made a face at Mat, first teasing, then slightly more significant. “It’s a company near and dear to your heart. Well, both your hearts, I suppose.”
“Starbucks?” I guessed, making Mat snicker and Masha narrow her eyes at me.
“Taurus Ingenuity,” she said proudly.
I sputtered. “What? How? I mean, no offense, but it’s not exactly your area of expertise.” I had graduated with top honors from one of the most prestigious universities in the country and barely scraped an entry-level job there.
She rolled her eyes at me, no offense taken. “It’s in security, not tech. I’ll be starting next week.”
“Oh, well, good,” said Mat, suddenly on board with losing one of his greatest assets. “What about your current project?”
Now it was my turn to roll my eyes. “You can say his name around me.”
“He’s still not budging, as you saw for yourself. If I can’t break him by next week, Garik will take over.”
“We’ll break him,” Mat promised. “Now get lost. And it’s high time you found your own place soon. Very soon.”
“Mat!” I swiped his arm and told Masha she could stay as long as she wanted.
“No, she can’t,” he called so she could hear.
“We could move in six more of your relatives and still have room in that wing,” I said reprovingly, then instantly forgot Masha, her job, and her looming homelessness. “But, wait. You were saying something about a new company?”
“Yes. Yours.”
My mind tripped over itself, trying to work out those two simple words. “Mine?”
He nodded. “I considered giving you Delta’s job, but I don’t want you in danger. Or on the wrong side of the law. So, I’ve decided to dip my toe into the tech world with you at the helm. We can set up offices in the other wing as soon as Masha has her own place.”
“Or she can just move into one of the six empty bedrooms on our side,” I said, my mind awash with plans. “But yes, we’re going to need all that space if you want to do this right. I’m assuming we’re going to create software?”
“It’s up to you,” he said, tipping his head to the side in confusion. “You’re fine with staying home? No fighting for your dream office?”
“Considering I’m going to have a whole suite of dream offices, of course I’m fine.” I was already considering which walls would need a doggy door, and where to relocate Artem’s fenced run so I could see it out the windows. Mat still didn’t look convinced, and I squeezed his hand. “I want to stay close. I’m not afraid, you don’t have to worry about that. But this is… It’s more than home. It’s our place. Yours and mine. Why would I want to leave?”
“Believe me, I’m not kicking you out.”
“Of course not. Mat Fokin keeps what’s his.”
“That’s right. Most of the time. Unless someone with beautiful gold and green eyes asks me otherwise.”
He slid his hands around my waist, pulling me onto his lap on the big couch. I nestled against his chest, visions of new desks and wall units and, oh my gosh, I was going to have to start interviewing. My own employees. I hugged him tight and kissed his cheek, breathing in his spicy aftershave.
“I love you,” I whispered. Once it was out, I laughed. My last fear, gone. I loved him; there was no need to keep it inside anymore.
“Now you finally say it when I give you your own company,” he said, faking a grumpy frown. “Now tell me you know that I love you.”
“I do, but say it anyway.”
“I love you,” he said instantly. “Now, when do you want to get started? There’s no rush, so don’t jump up and run over there to start measuring right away.”
His hands tightened around me, but I stayed put. “I don’t want to start right away,” I said, making a spur-of-the-moment decision that blossomed as I spoke. “I want to have a party. A huge one for all our family and friends.”
His brow rose in surprise. “Anything you want, but why now?”
I let out a sigh. “When we had our wedding reception, I viewed you as an enemy. It should have been the best time of my life, but I was miserable. I guess I want a do-over.”
“Then make it happen,” he said, wrapping his hand around my ponytail and tugging my head back for a kiss.
