Viktor(86)

I release his nipples, which hardened under my touch. “I win.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “No … I did.” And then he grabs my face and kisses me, right in front of my sister.

“Typical,” she murmurs.

But I’m too consumed by his lips to even care. He grips my face with both hands as he kisses me powerful, deep, almost like he’s sealing the deal.

When he takes his lips off mine, they feel raw and ready for more. I could never get enough.

“I love you,” he whispers.

“I love you too,” I say, and I mean it. I’m no longer afraid of what that actually means.

“So …” Alisha murmurs. “You two are really a thing then?”

We both nod at her, making each other laugh then.

“Can you live with that?” Viktor says when the laughing subsides.

“Hmm, I guess.” She shrugs. “Just as long as you two keep the clinginess down around me.”

“Oh, I can’t promise that,” Viktor muses.

“And you’ll have to tell me all about what happened here … between you two …”

“I will, I promise,” I say. “We just gotta clean up the dead bodies first.”

“Right.” She nods, and it makes me laugh again at how ridiculous I just sounded.

“So is she okay with us?” Viktor murmurs.

“Yeah, I think so.”

“If you really want this, Lex, I can’t say no.” She smiles at me and then narrows her eyes at Viktor. “But … No way are you keeping her here as a prisoner. She did her time. She doesn’t owe you anything, and I don’t either.”

He holds up his hands. “She’s not, I promise. She’s free to go wherever she wants. And I won’t ask you to do anything. I’m already over it. Forgive and forget. Water under the bridge or something. Whatever. Let’s just start over.”

“Right, but I’m gonna add something … We are a package deal.”

He laughs a little, trying not to overdo it from the pain. “Figured as much.”

Alisha looks at Viktor, smiling as if she just realized this is how she’s going to make him suffer. Just by being here. “Guess we’ll both be moving into your humble castle then. Got any spare rooms?”





Epilogue





Viktor





Months later





“One gold ring,” I say as I place the box on the counter.

Deangelo’s eyes gleam as he looks at the tiny marble I placed in the center. “Fantastic. My girl will be so happy.”

“I’m sure she will. Enjoy!” I wink as he tucks it into his pocket.

I’m still amazed at how accepting he’s been toward Alexis. He didn’t even mind when she quit working for him. He just wanted her to be happy, and I can see that he meant it. He comes here often, always with a smile on his face. Usually, he’s just checking up on how we’re doing, but now, he’s actually buying something for his girl. I can’t blame Alexis for liking him … He isn’t as bad as he looks.

“Thanks!” he says, as he turns around and walks out of the shop.

The little bell rings when the door closes, and I sigh a breath of relief.

One more happy customer … one more piece I managed to glue back into my own heart.

I have to admit I was reluctant to the idea of starting my own shop. When I found out Alexis had actually bought the store with the money I’d stashed away under my bed, I was livid. I’d intended to save the money for my later days when I’d no longer be in the betting scheme. But then she showed me this place, and … well, I just fell in love with it.

At first, she was the only one at the counter while I worked away my days, cutting jewels. Until one day, she was out to buy a few groceries, and this little girl came into my shop. I was hesitant to step out of my workshop and go to the storefront, but she kept ringing the little bell on my desk.

So I went out, knowing what I’d cause. The moment she laid her eyes on me, she stopped ringing the bell. But she never stopped looking at me either.



“Wow …”

“Hi,” I say, clearing my throat to make my voice sound friendlier and less gritty. “Can I help you?”

“You … You …”

Here it comes. The death blow to the heart.

“You look awesome!”

I’m stunned. My lips part, but I have no fucking clue how to react.

“Are those real?” she asks, pointing at my face.

I put my hand behind my head. “Yeah …”

“Cool!” Her smile is broad and … real. Genuine. Like she actually thinks I’m cool.

“Can I touch it?” she says.

“Uh …”