Page 20 of Nurse for the Russian Mafia

“Dad, you know Dirk?”

Virgil’s face tightens. “Yeah, I remember that … what did you call him?”

“Douchebag, douche-king, I think there were others, too,” she giggles.

“Well, what about him?”

“I ran into him just now, and Alexander, he … he defended my honor.”

I bare my teeth like a wolf which, for me, is pretty close to an ear-to-ear grin. “All I did was give him what he deserved.”

Virgil smiles, and then he leans back and regards us both. “Let me get this straight. You both love each other?”

“Yes,” Samantha says. “More than anything.”

“Love is an understatement,” I growl. “What I feel for Samantha would take a goddamn poet to describe. I want to protect her, but at the same time, let her grow. I want to help her flourish while stopping any of the bad, evil things of this world from touching her. I want her to give me as many children as we both dream about. I want a happy home, and her in the middle of it, glowing with love.”

“Jesus,” Virgil murmurs. “That’s the most I’ve ever heard you say, buddy.” He shakes his head ruefully. “And you’re both in this for the long haul? It’s not some…fling.”

I grind my teeth. “Samantha could never be a fling to me,” I growl angrily. “She’s far too important for that. What sort of man would fling a woman like her? No, Virgil, your daughter is a special person, and I appreciate and respect that.”

“This is still hard for me,” he mutters. “But I get it. I accept it. And I’m sorry for how I reacted before.”

“Sorry?” I laugh. “Old friend, I’d be surprised if you didn’t react like that. It just shows what sort of a father, what sort of a man, you are.” I turn to Samantha. “And on that note, Samantha, will you excuse us for a second? I need to speak with Virgil alone.”

“Um, okay…” She eyes me suspiciously. “Anything I should be worried about?”

“Definitely not worried,” I tell her.

I make myself look down at my hands as she struts away. She’s still wearing the dress I bought for her, and my blood swims hotly every time I glance at her, but I’m not about to ogle Samantha in front of her father. When she shuts the door behind her, I lean toward Virgil.

“You know what I’m going to ask you,” I say.

“Part of me still can’t believe it, even if I approve now, one-hundred percent,” he mutters. “But yes, I think I do.”

“I’m going to ask Samantha to be my wife,” I say. “I want your blessing, Virgil. She’s the best woman I’ve ever met, and I can’t imagine spending my life with anybody else. So what do you say, old friend?”

Chapter Sixteen

Samantha

I wait in the living room, trying to still the electric eel that is my pulse, shifting around frantically. My heartbeat isn’t much better, a thud-thud-thud that drives anxious thoughts around my mind. I have no idea what they’re talking about in there, but I’m daring to let myself hope something silly, hope something I’d never have dreamt of before Alexander came into my life.

Finally, the door opens and Dad has his coat on. “I’m heading out for a few hours,” he says, a strange smile playing on his lips. “I’ll leave you two to it.”

“Okay,” I mutter. “You know you’re acting like super suspicious right now, don’t you?”

He leaves and Alexander strides over to me. His metal-silver hair is slicked back and his eyes are utterly enthralled with me. He reaches down and takes my hands, pulling me to my feet. I let out a shivering sigh when he strokes some hair from my forehead.

“Is everything okay?” I ask.

“It’s better than okay,” he growls. “It’s better than I ever could’ve imagined. When I was in prison, all those years ago, I used to dream about finding a woman I could settle down with. But everybody I met, they were never good enough. Or, maybe, that’s not fair. Maybe they were good enough for other people. But it was just … they just weren’t you, my queen.

“You’re sassy and feisty and sexy and beautiful and empathetic and kind and intelligent. You might be young, but you’re wise, and kind. And I love you.”

“Wise?” I sass, giving him a nudge. “I don’t know if I’d go that far. You make me sound like a wizened old witch or something.”

He smirks. “Did I mention funny, too?”

“I love you, Alexander. I’m so glad Dad is okay with everything. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and I was so scared he wouldn’t give his blessing.”

“Oh, he gave his blessing, alright…”

“What are you doing?” I gasp as he kneels down, reaching inside his jacket pocket.

“What does it look like?”

“Oh my God! Are you serious right now?”

“With you, always.” He opens the box to reveal an elegant diamond ring. “Samantha Alexis Glass, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

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