The second Viktor and Marie return, I make my move.
I find Viktor in his office, his hand resting possessively on Marie’s hip.
He raises a brow when I step inside. “Everything went okay?”
“Yeah.” My voice is steady but I’m in turmoil. This man is family. But I will spill his blood if he stands between me and my woman. “But there’s something you should know.”
Viktor’s gaze sharpens. Marie turns her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
I glance at her, then back at him.
“It’s about Tina.”
Viktor’s mouth tightens. “What about her?”
“I claimed her.” My voice remains sure. “She’s mine.”
Marie gasps, then she’s grinning, bouncing on her toes.
“Seriously?” Her eyes light up. “Oh, my God! I knew it!”
Viktor’s gaze narrows, turning cold and assessing.
“You sure about this?”
I simply nod, not breaking eye contact.
He stares at me a long moment, like I’ve seen him do so many times. Breaking grown men with a single look. Then he nods, too.
“Fine,” he finally says, smiling faintly.
He stretches out a hand to me and I take it. We shake. And relief floods me.
Marie beams, practically glowing.
“Oh, I can’t wait to talk to Tina,” she gushes. I scowl and Marie laughs. “You’re in way over your head.”
I smirk. “I can handle her.”
“You sure about that?” Viktor drawls. “Because I’m pretty sure she’s been running you in circles since the day she showed up.”
Fuck, everyone knew.
“She’s mine now, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
I find her on the balcony, curled up in one of the chairs, legs tucked under her, hair in a messy bun.
The city’s stretched out below, lights glittering in the distance, but I only see her.
Tina.
My sassy.
She’s been like this, quiet and thoughtful, like she’s carrying something heavy.
And I know what it is.
New York.
Her life, her job, her apartment, her friends, the career she’s been dreaming of. They’re all back there.
But none of that matters.
Because she’s not leaving.
She doesn’t notice me at first, too lost in her thoughts.
“Tina.”
Her head snaps up. “Oh.” She smiles, small and soft. “Hey, big guy.”
“Come inside, baby,” I say quietly.
“I’m okay.” She gestures toward the view. “Just needed some air.”
I shake my head, stretching a hand to her.
Her brow furrows. “What’s wrong?”
I crouch next to her, bringing her fingers to my lips.
“You’re not going back, sass’.”
She blinks. “What?”
“You’re staying here. With me.”
A beat of silence passes, then she laughs disbelievingly. “Oh, really?”
“Yes,” I reply simply.
Her smile falters. “Aslan, I can’t just…”
“You can.” I step closer, crowding her. “You’re not going back to that shitty apartment. Some crap bartending gig where drunk assholes flirt with you every night.” My hand curves around her jaw. “You’re mine, sweetheart. That means you’re here with me.”
Her lips part. “What if I don’t want to stay?”
I grin cockily. “You wanna stay.”
Her brow furrows. So fucking cute. But she doesn’t pull away.
“Aslan…”
“You can do whatever the fuck you want,” I cut in. “Go back to school. Find a different job. Or don’t work at all. Stay home. Spend my money.” My thumb strokes her cheek. “I don’t give a fuck. Whatever makes my brat happy.”
She stares at me, wide-eyed, stunned silent.
My grip tightens just enough to make her gasp. “I need you here. With me.” Her fingers curl into my shirt, gripping hard. “You can sit on your ass all day and let me spoil you. You’re gonna drive me insane, but I’ll love every second of it.”
A shaky laugh bubbles out of her. “You’re serious?”
“Never been more serious in my life.”
She bites her lip, her pretty eyes glinting. “What if we don’t get along?”
I grin. “Then I’ll bend you over and remind you exactly who you belong to.” Her pupils dilate, her perfect white teeth sinking harder into that full bottom lip. “I’ll take that as a yes,” I chuckle.
She exhales slowly, leaning her face into my palm. “Yeah,” she whispers. “It’s a yes.” She runs a soft hand over the side of my face, adding, “sir.”
I cup the back of her neck, tugging her closer.
“I love you, and I’m keeping you. Forever.”
Her lips brush mine, soft and warm.
“Good, because I love you, too, grumpy,” she whispers back.
I take her mouth in a long, deep, wet kiss, and while my girl’s distracted, moaning and squirming, I slide a huge-ass diamond ring on her finger…
