About five years later

I growl at the valet who tries to open the door for my wife. He jumps back, and I open the door to the car instead, giving her my hand to help her out. My eyes soften when they come to hers, like they always do. Something about her can shut down the darkness that used to run so deep in me. Even with the smallest touch, I can go from beast to kitten for her. It’s all in her touch and in her voice.

It’s our anniversary and I plan to celebrate with my angel. I thought when we first moved to Seattle and I put a wall between us and the world that it might bother her, that she might go stir-crazy. But as time has gone on, I think she likes it more than I do. I thought for our anniversary I’d make a change. I got a hotel in the city and made a reservation to a fancy restaurant. I’m not sure I’ve made the right choice, though, and I feel like everyone is looking at my angel. It’s annoying me.

She takes my hand and gives it a firm squeeze. She must realize how I’m feeling. No one has ever been able to read me in all my years as a hitman. Except her. I take the luggage from the bellhop, who wants to take it for us. No one will be wheeling my wife’s panties around but me. I don’t care if it’s in luggage.

When we get to the front desk, I give my name. The desk clerk looks at my angel a little too long. I’m not shocked that people want to look at her. She’s the most perfect thing that has ever entered this earth, but it doesn’t mean I will allow it to go on. I reach over the counter and grab him, bringing his head down on it. It makes a hard thunk. London gasps besides me, grabbing my arm.

“You don’t look at her,” I tell the man. He lets out a strangled, “sorry.”

“Viktor,” my angel admonishes, but it sounds more like an angry kitten and it makes my cock jerk.

“Your keys, sir,” the clerk stutters over his words. “I’m sorry.”

London rolls her eyes at me. I pick them up, guiding us over to the elevator. She hits the button and the doors open and we step on.

“Did you really have to scare the poor boy?” she asks me.

She’s lucky I didn’t do more than give him a knock on the head. I hate when people look at her. It’s like sandpaper to my skin. She’s mine. I need all her sunshine to block out my darkness. She is my air to breathe. Without her I am nothing but a hollow man.

“He’ll spread the word. We are here for a week. Now I won’t have to think of others looking at you.”

The elevator doors slide open. She goes to step off, but I stop her, pushing her back. I step into the hallway, looking both ways before I let her exit. When we get to our room I let her in, but like always she stays by the door. I don’t care how crazy it is, I check the room to feel at ease and she lets me. Old habits die hard.

I make my way back to her and pick her up, carrying her through the sitting area and into the bedroom. My mouth goes to her neck and I nibble on the place she likes best.

“Viktor,” she moans. “I need to tell you something.”

I pause and look down at her. She bites her lip and I can tell she’s worried about whatever it is she is going to say.

“You can tell me anything, my angel.” I try to comfort her. I don’t like the worry I see. I’m the one who worries, not her.

“I’m pregnant,” she finally blurts out. My eyes start to water and I try to swallow the lump in my throat. “Are you happy?”

I can see she’s unsure about my reaction, and I sit down on the bed with her in my lap. I hold her close, praying to every god I can think of and thanking them for blessing us with a child. For so long I’ve wanted this baby, but I didn’t push my angel. I knew that if it was what she wanted, then I would make it so.

“Angel, I’m more than happy.” I feel like my chest is going to burst.

I remember when she told me she was on the shot. I was a little sad that I couldn’t get her pregnant right away. I wanted her to have our baby, but I also wanted time for the two of us. It’s perfect timing, and it feels right.

“If it’s a girl, I want to name it after your sister, Nika.”

I lean back and look into her bright green eyes, seeing her own tears of joy. I press my lips to hers and whisper words of love as I hold her in my arms. There will be time for making love later, time for celebrating later. In this moment, I want nothing more than to hold my family in my arms and give thanks. She’s handed me more than I could have imagined and more than I ever deserved. I will spend the rest of my life honoring the gifts she has given me.

“Da,” I say simply, and our lives are forever changed.