34. Marko

CHAPTER 34

MARKO

THE SAME NIGHT – THE PLANNED SURPRISE

M y chest puffed with pride as I watched Melissa mill around the room like a pro. I could hardly believe that such a stunningly beautiful, talented woman was mine. After her shaky start, she was really coming into her own. When she finished her short speech, I had clapped and whistled loudly, making her blush a little as she grinned, before heading off with some guests to show them her work.

Little Miss Pouty Lips had been so nervous, but she nailed it. I was incredibly proud of her achievements over the last few weeks. Her photography business wasn't just up and running, but already going from strength to strength.

My gaze was drawn to my sexy little cat burglar as she moved among the guests and I wanted to tag along after her, but I held back. This was her night, and while I was there to back her up and encourage her, she needed to know she could own it all by herself. If she was to work through her nerves and build her confidence, she really didn't need me as her constant shadow. Instead, I contented myself with watching from a distance.

Besides, I had enough nerves of my own rearing their ugly head. I didn't want her to pick up on them and think it was a lack of confidence in her when it was entirely the opposite. My nerves were down to the surprise I had in store.

So, I stayed away and stood with Miki and Eilidh, pretending to listen to their chat. Miki had proposed to her the day we sent the information we had on the MP off to our police contacts, so now they were busy making plans for the big day.

If all went well tonight, it could mean another double wedding. That thought made my mouth suddenly as dry as dust, and I gulped down the rest of my drink. My insides churned, and I felt as jittery as a cat on a hot tin roof. I couldn't remember the last time I'd felt such a wild mix of fear and excitement.

Normally, I stayed calm under pressure, but tonight was different. I needed something to distract myself, so I slid my empty glass of champagne onto a passing waiter's tray and grabbed another. As I lifted it to my lips, I saw my hand tremble slightly. Shit, I needed to pull myself together. If I didn't, my planned surprise might end up a disaster.

"It'll be fine," I told myself, taking a few deep breaths and another sip of champagne for courage.

Miki and Eilidh began smooching and not wanting to feel like a third wheel, I slipped off and took a wander around the room. Melissa's tinkling laugh drew my notice, and I glanced over to find her laughing at something an elderly gentleman was saying as she put a red sticker against a lovely photograph of Glowacki's daughter, Magdalena. The elderly couple she was talking to must have bought it.

I checked her other photographs. She was doing well; there were quite a few red stickers on her displayed work. The night was turning out to be a great success. I hoped my surprise only added to that.

Checking my watch, I realised the main part of the night was nearly over. Not long now!

Once again Melissa laughed loudly at something, and I couldn't help smiling. I wanted to hear her laughing like that for the rest of my life—and hers.

I frowned, the memory of how close I came to losing her still sharp in my mind. The fact that someone had stabbed her while she was with me seemed unreal. My anger and frustration with myself were overwhelming, knowing I had let such a thing happen.

Weeks after the attack, I was still hunting the jogger. We knew who he was—the son of a key player in the MP's illicit operations—but he had vanished. The uncertainty of his whereabouts gnawed at me. I was determined to find him, and when I did, he'd face a reckoning.

Fortunately, there had been no further attacks on Melissa, my family, or our businesses. I had wanted to confine her to the Estate until after the MP's trial, but she refused. So, whenever she had to go out, either I or Trigger was by her side. I worried she might grow tired of Trigger's quiet, moody demeanour, but she seemed to adore him. He had even taken a shine to her as well, often saying she was good for me—which was true.

Of course, I also had several of our guys trailing her covertly. There was no way I was letting anything happen to her again.

I narrowed my eyes, lost in thought. We'd been fortunate not to face any new attacks, but Glowacki wasn't as lucky. It bothered us all that we still didn't know what the true reason for the attacks against him was, but it was becoming more evident with each attack that he was being targeted for something more than simply being our ally.

We had been monitoring all communications from the MP's home and keeping tabs on his movements. Since his arrest, he had become a virtual recluse, with the press camped outside his estate. However, for these attacks to be taking place, either some of his men based at his home were getting out undetected by the reporters, or he had more men on the outside doing his dirty work for him.

Whoever the culprits were, we needed to put a stop to them soon, because now Glowacki's youngest children were being targeted. My fists clenched in fury at the thought. According to our code, such attacks were unforgivable, and by breaking the code, the perpetrators had signed their own death warrants.

Sniggering pulled me from my thoughts and I turned to see Miki, Ash, Romi, Luca, and Anton approaching. Their smug grins told me that the plan for tonight's surprise that I shared with Miki in confidence was no longer a secret. The fucker had obviously let all of my Bratva Blood Brothers in on it, and now I was about to get tormented. Oh, great!

"So, how are the nerves?" Miki asked, grinning from ear to ear.

"What nerves?" I countered, clearing my throat and taking a deliberate sip of champagne, feigning calm.

The guys erupted in laughter, and Luca gave me a hearty slap on the back, almost making me choke.

"Glad it's you and not me. I'd be terrified," he said, still chuckling.

"Wait until it is your turn. I want a ringside seat," Anton added with a wicked laugh.

"Ditto, Anton!" Luca shot back, and Anton's face turned a shade paler.

"Not me. I'll leave the relationship stuff to you guys," Anton said, gulping his drink in one go.

I'd always wondered why Anton shied away from long-term relationships. Since his return from the military, he'd only had one-night stands or fleeting affairs—never anything lasting. There was clearly a story there. But he was a private guy, so I'd never pried.

Anton turned away from us, then spun back around and smirked, "Maybe Trigger will be the next to pop the question."

We all looked over and noticed Trigger standing very close to a laughing Sara. From the looks of things, he might be right. It seemed Melissa was correct that Trigger had taken a liking to Sara and from where I was standing, it very much looked like the feeling was mutual. I hoped so. The guy deserved love.

As the event was nearing the end, and the people who had been swarming around Melissa all night dwindled back into the main restaurant, I could finally approach her again.

"Your first show has gone really well. I'm so proud of you," I told her, kissing her lightly on the cheek before whispering, "and I'm looking forward to getting you home and showing you just how much."

She shivered, and I smirked, thinking of all the delightfully naughty things I had planned for when we were finally alone.

"When can we leave?" she asked, grinning, and I almost whisked her away then and there. But I had something important to do first, so instead, I pulled her to me and kissed her briefly on the lips.

"Soon. The night is nearly over, but before it is, I have something I need to do," I told her, leading her into the main restaurant.

This was it! I gave a nod to the musicians, and the string quartet began an old Russian tune, a favourite of my parents. Taking a deep breath, I dropped to one knee and pulled a small box from my pocket and opened it.

Melissa's eyes widened, and her hand flew to her mouth in shock and anticipation.

"Melissa Martin, it hasn't been long since we met, but from the moment I saw you, I knew you were special. That you were meant to be mine. I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you, and I hope you feel the same. Will you marry me?"

Please say yes! Please say yes! My heart pounded so loudly I was sure everyone could hear it. Cold sweat beaded on my forehead as I awaited her response. The few seconds it took for her to process my words felt like an eternity.

"Yes!" she cried, and as I stood, she threw herself into my arms.

Thank fuck for that!

The room erupted in cheers, claps, and whistles, but I barely noticed. My focus was on steadying my trembling hands as I slid the ring onto her finger.

Once it was in place, a wave of relief washed over me, and I couldn't contain the beaming grin as I looked at the ring on Melissa's hand. She was mine!

Naturally, Miki was the first to congratulate us, giving me a hearty pat on the back and planting a kiss on Melissa's cheek. Glowacki followed, grinning ear to ear, with Aunt Marta beside him, glowing with joy. Their arranged marriage seemed to be working wonders; they looked blissfully happy, and I hoped Melissa and I would find the same happiness.

"Congratulazioni, figli miei," Nonna said, grasping us in turn and kissing us soundly on both cheeks, tears of joy welling up in her eyes. Her smile was enormous, a rare sight since my parents' death and Krissa's loss. But with the new additions to the family and the prospect of babies on the horizon, Nonna had a new spark. It was heartwarming to see her so rejuvenated.

After the family's congratulations, Luca, and Anton gave their well-wishes before Trigger approached. His usual moody demeanour was replaced by a rare, genuine grin. I knew he was happy for us, but I suspected his smile had more to do with the woman at his side. Sara was equally radiant, and I glanced between them, pleased that Melissa's matchmaking seemed to have worked.

We chatted briefly, and I complimented Sara on the stunning dress she'd designed for Melissa. She mentioned she'd be wearing the same dress in blue for her friend's wedding that weekend and had invited Hugh, hoping I'd give him the evening off.

I stared at her, my mind racing to connect the dots—Hugh Scott, aka Trigger!

"Ha, Hugh!" I burst out laughing, and he nudged me playfully. I had completely forgotten that was his real name. He loathed Hugh, but the fact that he let Sara use it told me he was smitten.

Smirking at him, I turned to face Sara. "He can have the whole bloody weekend off if it keeps a smile on the moody bastard's face," I told her with a wink.

Holding Melissa close at my side, I watched as they beamed at each other when I confirmed he'd be free. There was definitely a budding romance there, and I was truly happy for Trigger. If anyone deserved some joy in his life, he did.

Eventually, we headed back to the Estate, and I spent the next few hours showing my little Miss Pouty Lips just how much she meant to me. It had been a fantastic day and an even better evening. I drifted off with a giant grin on my face and a contented woman in my arms.