"They're perfect."
"Just like you," he said kissing my cheek, "They look just like you."
"Are you kidding?" I said looking at Dmitri, "Aleksandra looks exactly like you, same blonde hair and blue eyes. Surely when Niko grows up he'll be just as handsome as you. Aiya looks like me, at least," I smiled, "And they all have my tan skin."
He smiled as he gazed down at our girls in their cribs. We had finally brought them home from the hospital today, and already we couldn't get enough of them.
"They may look like me," Aleksandra joyfully smiled at his hand, as he put a gentle hand on Aiya's stomach, "But they'll all have your strength and your wits."
I smiled, cradling Niko in my arms, his playful blue eyes looking into my green ones, "How could you possibly know that? They're only a few days old."
"I don't know, my love," he said admiring his baby girls, "I just know."
A comfortable silence fell over us as we melted into the bubble of our little family.
They were finally safe, Akio was gone. We could all finally live in peace.
_______
Dmitri
"Are you sure you're ready, my love?"
She furrowed her eyebrows as she fixed the straps of her bra onto her shoulders, "Since when did you start doubting me, Dmitri?"
She slipped a white fitted turtle neck over her head, "I'm just concerned, that's all."
"Well don't be. This isn't the first time I've done a rescue mission," she said as I slipped my black suit jacket on.
"Adalia, I have never doubted you," I said as she zipped up her black pencil skirt, "But we—you aren't invincible."
She flipped her hair over her shoulder as she looked at me, slipping her black heels on, "I know I'm not invincible. But I'm still the best."
I sighed as she straightened herself, adjusting her skirt around her round hips. I swiftly grabbed her by her waist and pulled her towards me as she gasped slightly, "You are the best—and I love you. I've loved you for twenty two years. I will not lose you again, Adalia."
She smiled at me—the way only she could, "I love you too, Dmitri Makxim Vanya Petrov. I'm going to bring our daughter home."
She got onto the tips of her toes as I leaned down to meet her lips.
"Now let's go meet the man whose supposed to marry our daughter."
She took my hand and led me to our car as I drove us off.
"What do you know about him?" I asked.
She paused for a moment, "I don't remember him exactly. By the time he was born, I'm pretty sure I was still under deep cover in your mafia."
I laughed, "It wasn't as deep as you thought—I knew who you were the entire time."
She slapped my arm, flushing red as she tried to hold back her smile, "Don't be an ass."
"Okay—okay, continue," I said trying to keep my laughter down.
"As I was saying," she said shooting me a look, "I've only met his father, Alejandro."
"How well do you know him?"
"Not very well," she admitted, "When I was 17 going to meetings with my father, he was there for a few. The most I can remember is his loyalty to my family."
"I see," I said adjusting my grip on the steering wheel, "How do you feel about Niko arranging a marriage for Aleks?"
She furrowed her eyebrows and sucked in her breath, "As someone who understands the way this life works, I agree that Aleksandra marrying Ismael is necessary. But as a mother—I want to kill him."
"He loves her, you know?"
"I know Niko loves her," she sighed, "He's her brother—
"No not Nikolai," I said cutting her off, "Lorenzo."
________
Brandi
I sat on the couch watching Nik discussing plans with his men. This entire situation has put so much stress on him—and guilt.
I couldn't deny that even I found the idea of an arranged marriage ridiculous. But there weren't a vast many options for him to take, I reminded myself more often than nought.
I instinctively put a hand over my stomach, thinking about Aleks. Knowing that she was in Guillermo's hands worried me more than what I showed.
"Brandi?"
My eyes darted to see Nik standing in front of me, we were alone in the room.
"Are you alright?"
I smiled, "I'm fine. Just a little lost in my own thoughts."
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, "Yeah, I understand."
I stood up and placed my hands on his chest, "I know what you're thinking—stop thinking it."
He instinctively placed his hands on my waist, "That's what I keep reminding myself, but facts are facts. I shouldn't have told her about it that way," he frowned, "I'm really starting to hate this job."
"Nik—your job isn't easy. We all know that. You've been groomed for this and the organization has done nothing but flourish under you."
"If only the same could be said about my relationships with my sisters," he said with a half-smile.
Suddenly his phone began to ring and he reluctantly let go of me and picked up:
"Hello," he said pausing to hear the response at the other end, "Alright send them up."
He sighed putting his phone back in his pocket, "He's here?" I asked.
He nodded, "Everyone is here," he furrowed his eyebrows, "We rescue Aleksandra in 24 hours."
_________
Guillermo
"What's being done with the Petrov, girl?"
A string-stricken of looks appeared on the faces of my colleagues, as they turned to me and I set my narrowed eyes at Alejandro Santos.
"You have Aleksandra De León!?" exclaimed Rueben Gutierrez.
"The Russians will kill you for this, what the hell were you thinking!" yelled Ramon Moreno.
"You think it will be just him!? They'll kill all of us. Este cabrón—ruined all our other relationships," said Dante Hernandez.
I took a deep breath. These were the five most prominent family heads in Spain—and none of them were my allies.
"Señores, I understand your concern," I smiled simply, "But my intentions aren't what you think. I won't be killing the girl. She's here on a proposal for marriage."
Juan Ignacio Martín looked at me especially skeptically, "How did you manage a marriage proposal to the woman who vowed to kill you?"
"It's not to me. Aleksandra is a De León will be marrying my son Juan Carlos. Trust me, I'm making all effort to legitimize our relationship to your families. This marriage is the first step," I smiled.
"You expect us to just believe that she actually wants to join your families, the man that killed her parents," Alejandro said sternly.
"I expect you to respect my authority here," I shot back, "No te equivoqué Alejandro, I am in charge here."
"Une hombre que necesita decir que está a cargo—no lo está. (A man who needs to say he's in charge—is not in charge)," Alejandro said smugly, standing up, "This...maldito bastardo, knows that without our support he's nothing in this country. You can have your little forced marriage Guillermo, but if we see failure we will snuff it out."
The rest of them stood up along with him and stormed out of my office. I frustratedly slammed my hands on the desk, Enemies at every turn, I thought.
I stood up from my seat at the head of the table, wincing from the throbbing pain of my broken ribs.
This will all be over soon, I reminded myself, No one will stand in my way once Carlos and Aleksandra are married.
- - End of Chapter - -