Dealing Her Final Card(66)

Vladimir stopped, then pulled the phone from his ear, staring at it in shock.

“What happened?” Bree said anxiously. “What did he say? Is he willing to make the trade?”

“No,” Vladimir said, sounding dazed. “He said he no longer has any intention of divorcing her. He told me I could keep my stupid company.”

Her mouth dropped open. “He said that?”

“His exact words.” Vladimir’s lips twisted. “It seems he cares about keeping her more than hurting me.”

Bree took a deep breath. She could still hear Kasimir’s cold words. What I want is revenge. And I will have it. “I’m not so sure....”

Then she remembered the anger in his blue eyes.

So much for Josie’s sacrifice, he’d accused her bitterly.

Bree had wondered about that then. It seemed even more certain now. She licked her lips. “Is it possible...he could care for her?”

“I don’t know about that. But he won’t hurt her. My brother had—has—a good heart.”

“How can you say that, after how he’s tried to destroy you?”

Vladimir’s jaw tightened.

“Perhaps he had a good cause,” he admitted in a low voice. Shaking his head, he continued, “But your sister is in no danger. Kasimir hates me, and perhaps you. But he has no quarrel with her.”

“If I could only be absolutely sure—”

“She is safe,” Vladimir said simply. “I would stake my life on it. And the fact that he actually wants to stay married to her...” He slowly smiled. “It’s interesting. Very interesting.”

His phone rang abruptly in his hand, and he put it to his ear. “Hello?”

Kasimir? Bree mouthed.

He shook his head at her, his hand tightening on the phone. “Lefèvre, at last. Give me some good news.” He listened. And then a smile lifted his handsome face. Seeing that smile, Bree’s heart soared. She suddenly knew everything was going to be all right.

He hung up. “My investigator has found her.”

Bree gave a joyful sob. “Where is she?”

“Safe.” His smile widened. “And very close.”

Bree started to turn. “We should go to her—”

Vladimir grabbed her by the wrist. “First things first,” he growled. “I want to do this before anything else comes between us.” And before her amazed eyes, he fell to one knee.

“I don’t have a ring,” he said quietly, “because I didn’t let myself hope this could happen.” Quirking a dark eyebrow, he gave her a cheeky grin. “And I think I’d better let you pick out your own ring, in any case.”

She held her breath.

His darkly handsome face grew serious. Vulnerable.

“Will you marry me?” he whispered.

Marry him? Bree’s heart galloped. Vladimir wanted her to be his wife, the mother of his children—just like she’d dreamed?

He swallowed, and his stark blue eyes became uncertain. “Will you have me, Breanna?” Reaching up, he gripped her hands in his own. “Will you be mine?”

Tears rose to her eyes.

“I am yours already. Don’t you remember?” The corners of her trembling lips tugged upwards. “You own me, heart and soul.”

He exhaled in a rush. “Does that mean you’ll be my wife?”

“Yes.” Tears streamed unchecked down her cheeks as she pulled on his hands, lifting him to his feet. “With all my heart.”

Vladimir cupped her cheek. “I belong to you,” he vowed. “Now and forever.”

As their white Russian puppy leaped and barked in happy circles around their feet, he wrapped Bree in his arms. Lowering his head, he kissed her with the passion and adoration that promised a lifetime. And she knew, come what may, that he would always love her, because she’d been brave enough to love herself.

“Never play with your heart, kiddo,” her father had once told her. “Only a sucker plays with his heart. Even if you win, you lose.”

But as Bree looked up into the face of the man she loved, the man she would soon wed, the man who would bring Josie safely home—she suddenly knew her father was wrong. Because when the chips were down, love was the only thing worth a risk. The only thing worth gambling for.

Playing with all your heart...was the only way to win.

*