Page 78 of Cruel Deception

Damn. I don’t know if I’m more bowled over by her words or by the savage way she sent her uncle into the bowels of hell. Either way, I’m fucking impressed, turned-on, and more in love than I ever thought possible.

Standing, I grab Bianca and bring her mouth against mine. She tastes like heaven and victory—and blood if I’m going to be honest. But I will never get enough of this. Of her.

“Are you hurt?” I whisper into her hair.

“Yes, but I don’t care. You came for me.” Tears shine in her eyes. “I thought you hated me.”

“Fuck, no. I was an idiot, a stubborn idiot. And I nearly lost you.” Shame coats my words. “I’d never forgive myself if something had happened to you. I’ve been a goddamn mess since I found out you offered yourself up to your uncle like some sacrificial lamb. All because of me.” My throat is tight, regret turning sour in my mouth. “I fucked up, printsessa, real bad.”

She leans into me, a smile on her face, and captures my lips with her own. “I guess we both learn the hard way. But I’m done with the lessons, Daniil. I only want you. No more lies or deceit between us.”

“Never,” I vow, and take her in my arms, relief running through me. “God, you were a total rock star.” I cradle her head and make sure she’s looking into my eyes for what I’m about to tell her. “I fucking love you, and I’m going to marry you. For real this time. What do you say?”

I’m stunned by the intensity of emotion reflected back at me. “I say it’s about time. There is no one else for me, Daniil. You are it—my everything.”

I’m back to devouring her face when Andrei, followed by Leo, Mercy, and a host of her men come charging into the room, guns at the ready.

“What the fuck happened here? Are you okay?” Andrei’s eyes are frantic as he takes in the bloodshed and general chaos of the room. His gaze finally lands on us, still wrapped in each other.

“We’re more than okay.” A deep possessive rumble breaks free from my chest. “We’re getting married.”

Cheers erupt, as Bianca wraps her arms around me and buries her head against my chest. We’re both messy as hell and looking worse for wear, but nothing in the world would make me as happy as making Bianca my wife. For real.

EPILOGUE - SIX MONTHS LATER

BIANCA

“Holy shit, you’re a married woman!”Kira exclaims, wrapping me up in a big bear hug. “I mean, marriedagain. Like for real this time.” She laughs, tripping over her words.

“I can’t believe it either,” I say, looking out over the crowd of people assembled in our penthouse. An hour ago, we’d exchanged vows at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and now it’s party time. Eris is even dressed in a little tiara, her tail wagging, as Daniil makes his rounds at the party, dog tucked under his big arm.

Our little fluff ball of chaos is no longer that. After I admitted Eris’s original purpose to Daniil, he insisted we hire the best dog trainer in the country to work with her one-on-one. And while she still has a little bit of naughty implanted in her DNA, she’s actually quite sweet, and for a man who’s allergic to dogs, he’s as bonded to her as I am.

As if he can sense my thoughts from across the room, Daniil looks over at me and winks. There is so much promise in that gesture. A promise of what’s to come as soon as we have a moment alone, which I’m guessing won’t be until we board our plane to Tahiti for our honeymoon.

I can’t believe I married my best friend, the person who matters most to me in this world. As he stood across from me on the altar reciting his vows that we wrote together, promising to be my everything, my family, emotion heavy in his voice, the truth of his settled in my bones. There was barely a dry eye in the crowd, perhaps the first time some of thesevoryhad ever cried.

And I cried, too. Tears of sadness for the family I lost and tears of joy for everything I’ve gained. I have a new family now, a real one that loves and cares for me despite everything I did. If they understand one thing, the Kozlovs understand the need for vengeance.

I got mine. We all did.

“Girl, you look amazing,” Rowan says, holding my hands out to get a better look at my Vera Wang dress, sweeping me up in her tiny arms. I giggle. The women surrounding me now—Georgia, Kira, Alyona, and Rowan—are not only my family, they’ve also become close friends.

“I literally couldn’t stop crying.” Georgia dabs at her eyes. “Oh fuck, here I go again.” A fresh wave of tears falls down her face.

“Jeez, you're awfully emotional these days,” Alyona notes. “You cried through the entireTop Gunreboot. Seriously, what's going on?”

Georgia looks like a deer in headlights, and then smiles softly. Her eyes drift down to her flat belly.

Oh. OH. That’s what’s going on.

All four of us crowd around her in an enthusiastic group hug. “Congrats, this is incredible news!” I squeal.

“It is,” she admits, “but maybe keep it quiet for now. Andrei doesn’t know yet. I’m going to tell him tonight.”

Kira slashes her hand across her mouth. “Lips sealed.” And then her eyes glaze with emotion. “I am going to be an aunt.” She looks at Georgia as if she can hardly believe it. “And you’re going to be a mom!”

“Shit.” Georgia’s face pales. “I have no idea what I’m doing.”

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