A month later, Daphne answered her door to find Nik waiting for her, another bouquet of flowers in his hand, this time yellow roses—her favorite. He smiled at her over the top of them, doing nothing to hide his face this time.

She smiled back. “Come in. I just need to grab my purse and sweater and I’ll be ready to go.”

Nik walked in and closed the door behind him, looking dapper and debonair in his tailored black suit and crisp white dress shirt. Her breath caught at the sight of him. As he set the flowers in the kitchen then milled about in her living room, Daphne headed back to her bedroom to grab her stuff. A lot had changed since that night in the seedy lounge connected to that safe house apartment.

The murder charges against Nolan Hornbull had been dropped after Rez’s confession had gone public, though Hornbull had ended up in jail anyway—arrested about two weeks later along with several of his crooked cohorts for accepting bribes one of Rez’s minions had delivered on the regular. He’d been permanently terminated from the Chicago Police Department and would serve jail-time for his crimes. It helped put Daphne’s mind at ease knowing once he was released he would still be able to care for his disabled daughter, who was staying in the same nursing home as her mother for the time being.

Rez’s body had washed up on the river bank two weeks after he’d run out of the safe house lounge, his body too badly beaten and decomposed for forensics to make a proper ID at first, let alone find enough evidence to find his killer.

Daphne’s life had slowly gotten back to normal in the past thirty days. She’d gone back to work, spent two evenings a week with her mother and had even gone to lunch with Nik’s mom a couple of times. Turns out they had a lot more in common than she’d thought—they both liked flea market shopping and the local farmers’ markets. Plus, they both cared for Nik. More and more every day, in Daphne’s case.

She slipped on a lavender-colored cardigan over her little black dress, then grabbed her evening bag and walked back into the living room. They were going out for dinner tonight and a musical at the Schubert Theatre afterward. Funny how much they both loved art and music and dancing too. He’d even tried to teach her how to salsa last week, though she’d spent more time stepping on his toes than moving her hips to the beat like the other girls did. Still, he made her laugh and feel cherished and held her through the night in his warm strong arms. It was all she’d ever wanted and never thought she’d find.

“Ready?” he asked, glancing back at her over his shoulder. He stood in front of her windows, highlighted by the sunset over the Chicago skyline. Her stomach flipped from the sheer beauty of him—his brown hair slicked back and his green eyes glowing with heat and affection. He walked to her and took her hands, his expression oddly serious. “I have something I need to tell you, baloven’.”  

Her chest squeezed, this time from nerves and not lust. He’d been very careful to keep his career separate from her since that night in the lounge, which was just as well. The thought of him getting hurt or worse, kept her up on those rare nights when he wasn’t sleeping over at her place. She nodded, not trusting her voice to speak.

“I spoke to my Bratva leaders today,” he said, staring down at their joined hands and her hopes sank. Despite their deepening relationship, she’d always known in the back of her mind that his job could rip them apart. He could be ordered to leave town, be sent away at any time, be shot or stabbed or… “And I am leaving the family.”

It took a moment for his words to penetrate her whirling thoughts. “I’m sorry?”

“I’m leaving the Bratva.”

Daphne frowned.” But how? I thought you told me once you’re in, there’s no getting out.”

“There is a way,” he said, lacing their fingers together and tugging her closer. “If a high-ranking officer performs a duty of extraordinary service or sacrifice, the Pakhan will make certain exceptions.”

Her hopes flared anew. “And?”

Nik shrugged. “And they considered my bringing Tolya’s murderer to justice such an act. So, they are letting me go.”

“Oh, baby.” She hugged him tight. “I’m thrilled, but are you okay with this. What will you do now?”

“I’m fine with it,” he said, leaning back slightly to smile down at her. “I’ve already spoken to Ben, and he said I can work with him at his construction company. It won’t be as exciting as Bratva work, but it could have its advantages.”

“Yeah?” She grinned as he pulled her tighter against him. “Like what?”

“Like I get to spend more time with you.” He nuzzled her neck, his lips soft and warm against her skin. She shivered from the contact. “Like my first project will be to restore a lake house I found just outside the city where we can live together. There’s even a guest house where your mom can come and visit. Mine too. If you’d like that.”

“If I’d like that?” She sighed, not quite able to believe all her dreams were coming true. “Of course I’d like that. In fact, I’d love it.” She placed her hands on his chest, right over his thumping heart. “In fact, I’d love it. Just like I love you.”

His lips stilled on the side of her neck and his body froze. “You love me?”

Daphne bit her lip. She’d not meant to tell him quite like that, but now that her secret was out there was no putting it back inside. “Yes. I do.”

Nik pulled back and stared down at her, his expression a mix of shock and awe. “I love you too, my Daphne. I don’t deserve you, but I promise to spend every waking hour becoming the man you need.”

Smiling through her tears, she cupped his cheek, letting all her emotions show—love, gratefulness, adoration. “You already are, baby. You’ve always been the man I need, Nik. Always.”