Page 79 of My Russian Obsession

He nearly spits the wordboyfriendout like it leaves a bad taste in his mouth, but he’s at least open to talking to me, so I take that as a very good sign. I pat Nikolai on the shoulder and tell him I’ll call him later and fill him in on everything.

Once everyone else is gone, Belov looks from me to Gina before finally saying, “It’s obvious you two aren’t going to stay away from each other, am I right?”

“Yes,” I say, right before Gina does the same, leaning her weight into me and reaching up to place her hand on top of where mine is resting on her shoulder.

“Fine. I’m not going to lose a daughter over this.” He looks back to me. “I’m not thrilled about this. I think you’re too old for her and not near good enough.”

“Agreed,” I say, catching him off guard. “But I love her, and for reasons I cannot understand, she loves me too. I may not be good enough, but I will love and protect her. You do not need to worry about that, Belov.”

Belov glances back at the bloodstains on the ring floor. “Yeah, I can see that.”

“How did you know they killed Jimmy?” Gina asks.

“One of the guys from the Irish club came in this morning and turned them in. Said he and Liam were out drinking the other night and that Liam confessed to beating Jimmy to death. I guess Paddy was mad at all the money he was losing and promised Liam a bigger cut if he took Jimmy’s place and started winning. You know,” Belov says, cutting me a quick look, “all that illegal betting and fighting that you two know absolutely nothing about.”

“Well, I’m glad we got that whole mess cleared up anyway,” Gina says, trying to redirect the conversation.

“Just because you’re dating doesn’t mean I’m going to turn a blind eye to illegal activity.” He points a finger at me, and I have to fight like hell to keep from smiling. I haven’t had an adult point a finger at me since before my parents died. “I don’t want my daughter involved in any of this shit, and if I catch wind of anything even remotely connected to the Bratva, I will come down so hard on your ass, Dmitri, you won’t know what hit you.”

“Again with the ass talk, Belov.” I laugh when he narrows his eyes at me. “I am not part of Bratva. You have my word on that.”

“Your word doesn’t mean much to me.”

“Dad,” Gina cuts in. “Be nice. Dima hates the Bratva. He’s not involved with them. I wouldn’t lie to you about that, and I would never let my best friend get involved with someone who was. Give me a little bit of credit.”

Belov’s police radio squawks something completely incomprehensible to me, but he seems to understand it because he mutters a response and then says, “I need to get back to the station. Gina, your mom misses you.” He pauses before saying, “Maybe you and Dmitri could come for supper this weekend.”

Gina shoots me a huge, adorable smile. “We’d love that, Dad. Thanks.”

Belov doesn’t give me a big hug and welcome me to the family. He doesn’t even shake my hand. All he does is give me a nod and say, “You should get that eyebrow stitched up,” before turning and walking away, but it’s way more than I ever expected.

As soon as we’re alone, Gina turns and motions for me to come closer. She gently touches my face, looking over the damage.

“I was so worried about you.”

“I told you I would be fine.”

There’s so much love in her eyes that it takes my breath away. I grab onto her hands, stilling her and making the corners of her mouth lift up ever so slightly while she tries to figure out what I’m up to.

“I love you, Gina.”

“I love you, too.”

Her grin spreads, and once again I’m reminded of how damn lucky I am.

“Your dad was right. I do not deserve you.” Before she can argue, I put my finger on her lips, stopping her. I love the way her eyes slightly narrow at my shushing her. I may be the boxer, but she’s a scrappy little fighter herself, and she never ceases to amaze me.

“But I want to spend the rest of my life trying to be the man you deserve. I do not have ring yet, and I did not plan to ask you bloody and sweaty and standing in nasty Irish boxing club, but I cannot wait second longer.”

Her grey eyes start to fill with tears, and I know I’m starting to trip over my English from nerves, but all I can do is keep going.

“Will you marry me, Gina? Let me be your husband. Let me take care of you and protect you. I promise I will always love you, and I will always be there for you.”

Tears are running down her face by the time I’m done. I brush them away, releasing her lips right as she lets out a breathy “Yes” that makes me the happiest man on the planet.

When I pick her up, she yells, “Dima, no! You’re hurt!”

“I am fine,” I say, grinning wider than I think I ever have. “Nothing is broken. Stop worrying. I am happiest man in world right now. Bruises and cuts do not matter.”

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