Page 27 of Secret Baby and the Bratva

“Is it going to make fireworks go off?”

Maxim huffs. “I hope so.”

I push the button, and bright lights down on the beach immediately draw my attention. They’ve spelled out in giant letters, “Marry us.”

Tears well in my eyes, I thought I’d become hardened with these guys, facing all of my fears, but I’m not. They’ve taught me more about life, about risks, and about giving up things that are important, to meet someone else’s needs.

“Yes, I’ll marry you.” I’m overcome with emotion. I don’t know who says what. It doesn’t matter. I know we’re all in on this. And yes, if I had to make one more decision, that was the decision I wanted to make.

Maxim pulls back. “You see the blanket down there in front of the letters?”

“I didn’t notice.” I humor him by looking. “Yeah.”

“We’re going to make love to you on the beach now.”

“Can anyone see?”

“I wouldn’t care if they could, but there are no other beach houses for miles.” He scoops me up and carries me down the wooden steps, and over the boardwalk. It seems a little forced to have to go this far, but it doesn’t matter. I’ll go to the ends of the earth with these guys.

And we live happily ever after!

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