Chapter 32

A Few Weeks Later

"Penny for your thoughts?" Mom asks as we wait backstage for our act to be introduced.

"How are you so calm?" I say, my voice shaking.

Mom smiles and gives me a knowing look. "Believe me. I'm not, but it's a mother's duty. I shouldn't really talk about mother's duty. Shut me up!"

I touch her hand. "Mom, you've done that so many times since the craziness."

That's how we've started talking about the kidnapping, the lodge burning down, the stuff with the Kozlovs—the craziness. It's like we can make it as sanitized as possible so that it doesn't completely tear us apart.

"You don't need to," I tell her. "I know you weren't there in the beginning, but we're together now, and that's all that matters."

She squeezes my hand. "Then I'm doing my best," she says. "I can't let you see how nervous this is making me. If you're going to dance in front of people, I can make the effort, too."

"My mind's all over the place," I mutter as the music from the last act rises to a crescendo, our cue that we'll be on soon.

"When the time comes, you'll kill it, Ania. I know you will. You're far more capable than you give yourself credit for."

I smile, letting her words fill me up with confidence. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. First, there was the police investigation into Roman Kozlov's death, including three videos recorded from nearby buildings. Yet after Teddy's company paid off two college loans, three houses, and gifted three new cars, all through a front business, the videos mysteriously disappeared.

Then, I decided to stay on the East Coast with Aiden. Dimitri and Mikhail were against it initially, but then they talked with Aiden. I'm unsure what was said, but it quickly changed my brothers' minds. They're back in Vegas, enjoying their lives, wives, and futures.

I spend my days with Aiden and my evenings practicing with Mom for the show Teddy is sponsoring to showcase new talent in the city. Since we're both nervous as heck about performing, we made a deal. We'd perform as a double act. I'd provide the dancing, and she'd contribute the music.

I peek around the corner of the curtain as the singing act winds to a close. A way-too-loud gasp explodes from me when I see my brothers sitting in the front row beside Aiden. Mila and Lia are there, too, with Drake sitting at their side.

"I didn't know they were going to be here," I say.

Mom smiles knowingly.

"But you did!" I go on.

"Remember, the crowd doesn't have a face. Don't worry about them. We'll go into autopilot anyway."

I swallow. "I hope so."

Mom touches my arm. "They're here for support because they know you're going to do so, so well."

Soon, there's no more time for nerves. We walk onto the stage, and I realize Mom was right. The moment she starts singing, it's like we're back in the studio. The only tricky part is not closing my eyes from the nerves. Luckily, I had a decent meal about five hours ago, so my body feels nice and fueled up, thanks to Aiden's dedication to helping me overcome my battle with food. I miss a step or two, and Mom's voice falters once or twice, but when it's over—I can hardly believe it—people are on their feet, clapping for us.

I finally look down into the crowd, my breath coming fast. Lia and Mila beam up at me. Drake's got a big grin on his face, and I wink at him. But where's Aiden?

His seat is empty. I blink, doing a double take. Is he okay? He only would have left if it was something important. Last night, he told me, "This is going to be the most special night of your life …" Now he's gone.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the announcer says over the speaker system. "Before we move onto our next performance, please allow …" His voice cuts out, and Aiden's voice comes over the system.

"… me to say a few words."

I gasp and then turn when Mom gives me a nudge.

Aiden stands on the stage, the microphone in his hand, looking so dashing and handsome in his suit. He appears so much more carefree than when we first met. He's got a smile on his face, his eyes twinkling in the spotlight.

"Ania," he says, walking across the stage. It's like everything else melts away. It's like it's just us up here. "My perfect, beautiful ballerina."

He walks right up to me, smiling down.

"I loved you the first moment I saw you," he says, and I hear several women in the crowd go aw. "I'll never stop loving you until the day I die. You're mine already. I'll always be yours." He pauses, reaching one hand into his pocket. My heart is fluttering so hard and fast. "Whatever path you choose, I'll always be there. I'll always protect you. Forever, Ania."

"Forever," I whisper.

We've been using that word a lot these past few weeks, and each time has made me smile more.

When he goes to one knee, there are more aws from the crowd. He takes out the ring box, drops the mic, and then says, just for me, "Ania Sokolov…" He opens the box to reveal a large oval-shaped diamond, with—oh, I'm going to cry, no, I am crying—two jeweled ballerinas on each side of the beautiful stone. "Will you marry me?"

I don't have to think. The word erupts from my lips in an explosion of pure happiness. "Yes!"

The crowd cheers as he slides the ring onto my finger and then jumps to his feet, pulling me into his arms. We kiss, and then he picks me up and spins me around and around. With each spin, I see Lia smiling, then Mila, then Dimitri, then Drake, then Mikhail, then Teddy, and finally, Mom. Mom is crying, too.

I can't believe it. He was right. This is the best night of my life!