CHAPTER 74

CHAPTER 74
I tilt my head in question.

“You want to know what I do with the money I make from wine?” He gestures all around us.

A small, tired smile grows on my lips. “Of course. You steal from the rich and give to everyone else. A modern-day Robin Hood.”

He shrugs, a sparkle in his eyes. “I call it ‘wealth redistribution’.”

I gesture towards the door with my head. “Tell them to come in. I’ll kick them out when I need to sleep.”

“I haven’t told them about the pregnancy. It’s still early, and I wanted it to be your choice when to share the news.”

I nod gratefully. He plants a gentle kiss on my forehead before stepping out of the room.

Closing my eyes, I drop my hands into my lap, drinking in this perfect moment. So many emotions shift beneath the surface.

The reality of nearly losing everything hits hard. We’ve been through hell and back, but somehow, it made everything clear. I need Maxim as much as I need my next breath. And I have him. For real this time. Nothing can change that.

Moments later, my husband returns with everyone. And I mean everyone.

Alyona is the first through the door. She rushes to my side, gently throwing her arms around me. “Oh my God, Kira, I’ve never been so afraid.”

I doubt that’s true, given the life we lead, but I can’t deny this has been a terrible ordeal.

“I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

She shakes her head. “All I care about is that you’re okay.”

I can’t stop the tears—once they start, they flow like the river Nile. Alyona is quick to join in.

My sisters-in-law, Georgia and Bianca, are the next to embrace me. As if crying is contagious, they start tearing up too.

“How do you feel? Are you okay?” Georgia asks, her dark eyebrows drawn together.

“I am,” I announce. “Although, I wouldn’t be if it wasn’t for Maxim.”

Andrei approaches next, his embrace firm, but irritation flickers over his features when his eyes land on Maxim. ‘He might’ve saved you, but he’s the reason you were in danger in the first place.”

Daniil drops a kiss on my head while Leo grabs hold of my hand. I don’t miss the way my brothers’ glances flit towards Maxim, accusation hanging in the air. It’s clear that despite everything, they blame him for not seeing what Nadya was earlier.

Maxim watches quietly as my family envelops me in their love and concern. It’s subtle, but I see the shadow of self-reproach that darkens his gaze.

“Enough of the blame game,” I blurt out. “Nadya was a master manipulator. She hid who she really was, but⁠—”

Maxim shakes his head before I can finish. ‘You don’t need to defend me. They’re right. I should have seen through Nadya a long time ago. It was my responsibility to keep you safe, and I failed.” His admission silences the room, and all eyes turn to him. ‘I’ve always prided myself on my judgment, on being able to read people. But with Nadya … I was blind. That nearly cost me the most important thing in my life.’ His eyes fill with pain. “Kira, the thought of losing you is unbearable. I vow to you, now and always, I’ll never make that same mistake again. I’ll guard you with every breath in my body.’

“I know,” I rasp, reaching for his hand and intertwining our fingers.

He leans forward, gently pressing a kiss on my lips, igniting the spark of electricity that dances between us.

The room is still, the tension palpable.

Alyona speaks, breaking the quiet. ‘We all make mistakes. What matters is that Kira is still here.”

Maxim acknowledges Aly with a slight nod, but I can see how much the words mean coming from his daughter. Taking a deep breath, his gaze sweeps the room. ‘Kira’s not only my wife—she’s my partner, my equal. In her, I’ve found my reason to be better, to do better, and I promise you that her safety and happiness will be my priority.”

Andrei meets my husband’s gaze, an inkling of acknowledgement passing between them. ‘We’ll hold you to that, Maxim.”

There might be a long road ahead to build trust between our families, but maybe they’re starting to see the qualities in Maxim that I fell in love with. His strength, his loyalty, his fierce love and devotion.

My eyes begin to close. Exhausted but happy, I drift off, faintly aware of everyone filing out of the room.

Except for one person.

There’s a gentle kiss on my forehead, a warm hand in mine. “Sleep well, lastochka.”