Six months later…

Kaz pulled the Cutlass up to the curb outside Charmante and cut the engine. He got out of the car, bracing against the chilly winter breeze and avoided a puddle of melting snow. The sky above was overcast and the temperatures were cold, even for the middle of December. Still, the crap weather didn’t seem to be dampening the spirits of the holiday shoppers who were flocking in and out of Allie’s shop in droves.

Things were good. Better than good actually. On all fronts.

He walked around the Cutlass, pulling the front of his black wool pea coat closed tighter against the infamous Chicago wind, and opened the glass door to Charmante. A few women walked out as he held the door, thanking him for his manners even as they gave him some serious-side eye. In the past, such attention had always bothered Kaz, but now, he welcomed it. Before, people had stared at him because of his gangster appearance and swagger. Now, it was usually because they’d recognized him from the November issue of Windy City Magazine—the local publication for small business success stories and start-ups.

Allie and her shop had been featured on the cover last month, along with Kaz, as one of the top ten new ventures to watch in Chicago. Kaz nodded to the ladies who walked out of the shop with bags full of purchases in hand, then walked inside, the warm blast from the heating vent above the door a welcome thing to his frozen cheeks and fingers.

It was hard to believe that just a few months ago he’d walked into this place for the first time and felt like a total outsider. Now, he was co-owner of Charmante alongside Allie, and served as the company’s Chief Operations Officer. Funny how his organizational and strategic planning skills from his time in the Bratva had transferred over so easily and so lucratively into the private sector of legitimate business.

Inside the shop’s pastel resort season collection contrasted sharply with the two Christmas trees set up on either side of the entrance and the white twinkle lights strewn throughout the garland strung from the ceiling. The air was scented with pine and cinnamon and the overhead sound system played the soothing sounds of Bing Crosby’s White Christmas over the speakers. Several groups of customers milled about the showroom while even more clustered near the dressing rooms in the back or were lined up at the desk to pay for their purchases.

“There you are,” Allie called from behind the cashier counter, waving him over. Danny was helping ring customer’s up along with two other employees who worked under him. He’d done well as store manager so far, his past days of cheating and conniving finally behind him it seemed. Kaz still kept an eye on the guy, but it made him proud to think scaring the bejesus out of Allie’s brother might have been the wake-up call he’d needed to change his life. If Danny kept up his hard work and dedication, he might just make head manager next year.

Danny was also slowly paying Kaz back for the money he’d spent to pay off the guy’s loan to the Bratva. They’d made a gentleman’s agreement of sorts. Danny would work for his sister and stay out of trouble until Kaz was repaid in full and Kaz, in turn, wouldn’t beat him up again. Not that Kaz would really do that, but a bit of intimidation never hurt when one was dealing with a person as flighty and hyperactive as Danny. The store had actually been good for the guy in that area too, keeping him busy and channeling his energies into the visual merchandising of the store. In fact, all the holiday decorations and fabulous window displays up front were courtesy of Danny.

Kaz joined Allie behind the counter and stared at the appointment book to which she pointed. “How’d the meeting with the buyers go at the Merchandise Mart?”

“Good.” He shrugged out of his coat and tossed it aside to reveal his black turtleneck sweater and black slacks beneath. “I met with the reps from Neiman-Marcus in California and they want to proceed with setting up a mini-boutique for you in twenty of their West Coast stores. They should be sending the paperwork over next week for you to sign.”

“Fantastic!” Allie leaned over and kissed him quickly, a rare show of public affection in her shop. Usually, she insisted they keep their amorous displays to the back office, away from prying eyes. Not because she didn’t want the world to know they were together, but because she said it might hurt sales in the shop. The engagement ring he’d bought her twinkled brightly on her finger and he couldn’t help remembering the night he’d proposed. It had been Thanksgiving and one of the rare occasions when the entire Volkov clan had been together. Ben and Lucy had come to Kaz’s mother’s house with their newborn son, Dmitri. Nik had been there with his new wife Daphne and Daphne’s mother, who’d been released from her extended care facility to spend the holiday with her daughter. And of course, Ben and Nik’s mom—and Kaz’s stepmother. It had been the first time that Kaz could remember his mother and his stepmother meeting, but rather than the world war he’d feared, the two women had actually gotten along well together, sharing stories of Kaz’s father and uniting in their mutual love for a man who’d graced all of their lives.

Allie had been nervous at first to meet his family, wondering if she’d fit in, worried she might not make a good first impression on them, but Kaz had no doubts about her. After all, he’d fallen in love with her at first sight—even if he’d been too stupid or stubborn to admit it—so why wouldn’t his family do so as well?

He’d not been disappointed.

His mother had embraced Allie like the daughter she’d never had, and his half-brothers’ wives had taken Allie into their group and the trio had become fast friends—even going out together every couple of weeks without the guys to commiserate over what they called “those Volkov boys.”

And after a delicious dinner where they’d all eaten too much and laughed too often, Kaz had gotten down on one knee and asked the woman of his dreams—a woman who was everything he’d ever wanted and nothing he deserved—to marry him. Allie was smart and funny and so beautiful his heart ached every time he thought of her. There was no one else he wanted to spend the rest of life with more than her.

Thankfully, she’d said yes.

They’d been planning a spring wedding downtown at one of the fancy hotels on the Magnificent Mile. Allie was designing her own wedding dress and Kaz was glad to let her take charge and remain on the fringes to pay for it all.

But first, they had this new deal with Neiman-Marcus and the upcoming Fashion Week show at the Merchandise Mart for the next year’s Fall collections to contend with. Allie had been looking a tad pale lately and he didn’t want her stressing herself out too much about things. That was one reason he’d taken the position with the company, to keep her from getting overworked. The other reason he’d taken it was because he loved the job. At last he felt like he’d found his place, the spot where he belonged, and he loved getting up each morning and coming to work with Allie and Danny and building their company into one of the hottest designer labels in the country.

“I need to have the rest of my collection done by next Thursday so I can start bringing in the models to fit them before the holidays,” Allie said, pointing to a box filled with scribbles on the calendar. “But we were supposed to have dinner with your mother that night and I’m not sure I can do both at this point. I’ve still got patterns to cut and pieces to sew and—”

“And don’t worry about it, kotenok.” He took her hand and kissed it before releasing her as more customers stepped up to Danny’s register. “She’ll understand. Besides, we’ll see her at Christmas, so it’s no big deal.” He frowned at the slight shadows marring the delicate skin beneath her pretty green eyes. “Are you feeling all right?”

She sighed and ran a shaky hand over her forehead. “Let’s go into the back. We need to talk.”

His heart nosedived to his toes. The flatness of her tone and the slight gray tinge to her skin knotted tight into a sudden ball of tension in his gut. Was she seriously ill? She’d been to the doctor a week or so ago, but had told him everything was normal. Was she trying to protect him from something? His mind immediately went to the way his mother had looked when she’d first told him about her diagnosis.

Kaz straightened and whispered to Danny as they passed that he and Allie would be in the back, if needed, then led his soon-to-be-wife through the black curtain at the end of the long showroom and into her small, tidy office area in the corner. He closed the door behind them then placed his hands on Allie’s slim shoulders, turning her to face him. Whatever was wrong, they’d face it together. She was his world, his life, and he’d be damned if he’d let illness or injury or anything else take her away from him now.

The pale green sheath dress she wore hung loosely on her, as if she’d lost weight. Allie’s clothes were always tailored impeccably by her own hand. To see her with even one wrinkle or a hair out of place these days was unusual. He’d kidded her about her perfectionist tendencies when they’d first moved in together, saying she was perfect to him all the time, no matter how she looked and she didn’t have to try so hard. Allie had disagreed, stating that her appearance was part of her brand. People bought her clothing from Charmante because of the image she portrayed and she intended to make it a good one.

“Please, kotenok.” He cupped her cheeks, not liking her paleness or the fact her cheekbones seemed even more pronounced than earlier. Or was that his imagination? Either way, he refused to be kept in the dark when it came to his beloved Allie’s well-being. “Tell me what’s wrong. Whatever the problem, we’ll find a solution. Whatever the foe, I will fight to the death for you.”

Allie looked up at him, her eyes wide as if she were a bit startled by his vehement tone. Then she tilted her head slightly to kiss the side of his thumb before pulling away. “Perhaps you better sit down first.”

* * *

Over the past six months, Allie had squared off against some of the biggest companies in the fashion world—not to mention the mess with her brother and the Bratva—yet none of those meetings had made her more nervous than she was right now.

She smoothed her hands down the front of her pastel green sheath dress, part of her new Spring collection for the next year, and leaned back against the edge of her desk. Her stomach cramped, but she wasn’t sure if that was from nerves or the fact she hadn’t eaten more than saltine crackers or something else.

Kaz sat in front of her, looking far more concerned than she’d ever seen him, even when he’d been taking on Salko. He reached out and took her chilled hands in his, warming her skin with his. “Please, kotenok. Whatever is wrong, tell me. We can fix it.”

Her heart melted at the sincerity and love in his warm green eyes. She forced a tremulous smile. “No, no. It’s nothing like that. I’m fine. Well, I mean there is something, but—”

A string of what sounded like Russian curse words left his mouth and he pushed to his feet, agitatedly pacing the small office space as he jammed his fingers through his hair, leaving it adorably disheveled. “I knew it. You’ve been acting strangely since you saw the doctor last week. It’s cancer, isn’t it? You’re dying and you’re afraid to tell me. I won’t let you. I won’t let the illness have you. You’re my woman, my everything. I will take you to the finest doctors Chicago has to offer and if they can’t help then we’ll go nationwide. Worldwide. I don’t care.”

Allie couldn’t suppress her laughter.

He halted in his tracks, his gaze narrowed. “What is so funny?”

“You.” She smiled through her tears. Happy tears. “I’m not sick, sweetheart. I’m pregnant.”

For a moment, all Kaz could do was blink at her, his expression blank. Then he rushed over and knelt on the floor in front of her, placing shaky hands over her still-flat tummy. “You’re… We’re…having a baby? My baby?”

She threaded her fingers through his soft, dark hair, tenderness blooming like flowers inside her. “Yes. We’re having a baby.”

With a growl, Kaz stood and swept her up into his arms kissing her soundly. “I love you, Allison Charman. More than I ever thought possible.”

“I love you too, Kazimir Volkov. With all my heart.” She leaned in to kiss him again, but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Is this a bad time?” Danny asked, sticking his head inside the office without waiting for an answer. Over Kaz’s shoulder, Allie saw his eyes go wide as he took in the sight of Kaz holding his sister and Danny quickly lowered his gaze, his cheeks turning red. “Sorry. Yeah, I guess it is, huh?”

“What is it?” Kaz snapped, his face buried in Allie’s throat.

“I was just going to ask if anyone wanted lunch. A couple of us are going to order out to the Chinese place down the street and have it delivered.”

Allie giggled and squeezed Kaz’s arm to indicate he should put her down. “I think lunch sounds great, but first can you come in here for a second. There’s something we need to tell you.”

Danny did as she asked, his expression wary. “I’m not getting fired, am I?”

“No.” Kaz kept hold of Allie’s hand, his thumb rubbing reassuring circles on her palm. “Your sister is having my baby.”

“What?” Danny’s astonished smile slowly widened. “Seriously, sis? That’s fantastic.”

The siblings embraced and Allie couldn’t remember a time when she’d ever felt happier. At last she had a life she loved with the man she loved and her family was safe and secure. Even she and Danny had been getting along better than they ever had before. They’d sat down with their parents and had a nice talk about how unequal the dynamic in the Charman household was, with Danny always getting the lion’s share of attention and Allie hovering in the background. Her parents had promised to do better and had done their best to make Kaz feel welcome and included. Her mom was even actively participating in the planning of the wedding.

“So, I’m guessing Chinese is out then?” Danny said at last, pulling away from Allie. “I’ve heard spicy foods don’t always agree with expectant moms.”

“No. You guys order whatever you want. I’m sure I can find something on the takeout menu.”

“I’ve got a better idea,” Kaz said, pulling Allie into his arms again. “Why don’t we close the shop for a few hours and I’ll treat everyone to a special holiday lunch to celebrate our miracle news?”

Allie glanced at Danny then Kaz. “Are you sure? Business has been pretty steady out there all day. We might miss some sales if we close the doors, even for a few hours.”

“No sales could compare to the joyous news of our first child.” He kissed her quickly then tugged her toward the door. “C’mon. Danny, you let the others know while I lock the front doors.”

“You got it,” Danny said and raced out ahead of them.

“Hey.” Allie squeezed Kaz’s hand to get him to stop. Once he’d turned to face her again, she cupped his cheek and smiled. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For loving me, for being a part of my life. For everything.” Tears stung her eyes again, but this time she made no move to hold them back. “I love you.”

“And I love you, kotenok.” He kissed her deeply then rested his forehead against hers, his arms around her waist. “You are my life and my everything. Forever.”