Epilogue

EPILOGUE

MARKO

SEVERAL MONTHS LATER

" H urry up!" Melissa cried, tugging impatiently on my hand as she practically dragged me toward the hospital wing.

"Slow down, sweetheart. They're not going anywhere," I laughed, amused by her eagerness to see the newest members of the Rominov family. The twins had finally arrived, and Ash had texted everyone that it was time for a visit.

By the time we arrived, the rest of the family was already there, and we had to wait our turn as the nurse allowed only a few visitors at a time. While we waited, I watched Melissa giggle and chat animatedly with the other women. Despite the shadow of Luca's arrest and the recent turbulent years, this moment felt like a small beam of light in an otherwise dark period.

Sonia and Romi emerged from the room, signalling it was our turn.

"Yay!" Melissa practically jumped with giddiness, grabbing my hand and hurrying us inside.

Gracie sat up in bed, looking radiant, while Ash beamed with pride, each of them holding a baby.

"Oh my god, you've each got a mini me!" Melissa exclaimed with an excited giggle.

"Sonia said the same thing!" Ash laughed.

I had to agree; they were beautiful babies—a daughter with her mother's colouring and a son with his dad's. So sweet.

"Can I hold one?" Melissa asked.

"Of course," Ash replied, gently handing over his son.

"Oh my god, he is so adorable," Melissa cooed, staring down at the tiny bundle in her arms.

"What about you, Marko? Want to hold your niece?" Gracie asked.

"Absolutely!" I beamed, taking my niece into my arms. She seemed so small and vulnerable, and I felt a strong sense of protection wash over me.

Looking at Melissa holding my nephew, I vowed that these children would always be loved and protected. After Melissa had oohed and aahed over our nephew, we swapped so she could do the same with our niece.

"Oh, look at you; you are a beauty," Melissa cooed to the baby, and my heart clenched. She looked so natural holding a baby, and I felt a pang of longing. One day, I hoped to see her holding our child. But not yet; we had a few adventures to embark on first.

My nephew started to cry, and I passed him back to his mum. Watching him settle into her embrace, I naturally thought about how to ensure their safety when both babies began to cry.

"Time to feed them," Gracie said. After kissing the babies' foreheads, we said our goodbyes and left the new family to it.

Contentment filled me as Melissa and I walked back to the car, hand in hand, listening to her chat about the babies. I wished we could always feel this happy. Unfortunately, with both the MP's trial and Luca's still pending, that seemed unlikely. However, both were due soon, and with the mounting evidence against the MP, it was improbable he'd escape a lengthy prison sentence. Claire was working tirelessly to free Luca. If anyone could do it, she could. That woman was a force to be reckoned with!

A few months from now, I prayed our problems would be resolved, the MP eliminated, and Luca freed. Then, maybe, the dream of a life filled with family and happiness would become a reality.

In the meantime, I could enjoy moments like these. With that thought, I pulled Melissa to me and kissed her hard before heading out of the hospital.

As we drove away, I glanced at my gorgeous fiancée. "You looked even more beautiful than usual with a baby in your arms, sweetheart," I told her.

"I know we don't want to make one ourselves quite yet, but these things take practice, anyway. What do you say? Fancy some practice?" I whispered in her ear, sending shivers of pleasure through her body and igniting my own desire.

Melissa's eyes lit up mischievously, and she giggled. "Practice, huh? Well, you do have a better than any book boyfriend reputation to keep up!"

"Oh, I do indeed, and there's no time like the present," I said, driving toward a nearby hotel. I had already booked a room and set up a surprise. My body practically vibrated with need, imagining all the things I planned to do with her. Our life might be full of danger, but I would always ensure it was filled with passion, too.

MELISSA

"Where are we going?" I asked Marko as we pulled into a parking spot outside a hotel.

Startled, I squealed as Marko literally swept me off my feet, carrying me past the reception desk and into an awaiting lift.

When it re-opened he practically ran us down a hall, fumbling with the keycard with me still held tightly in his arms.

"What are you doing?" I asked, laughing hard at his eagerness.

"Practicing!" he grinned, tossing me onto the bed.

God, my Mr Sexy Nerd made my heart flutter. Watching him strip off, butterflies erupted in my stomach, and my core clenched with need. Life with my Bratva Hacker was dangerous and not what I had expected I would want, but it proved to be exactly what I needed. I had thought I wanted a quiet life, but with a new career as a landlady and photographer, a wedding to plan, and a Sexy Nerd to keep happy, I knew that danger, fun, and excitement suited me more.

Seeing Gracie and Ash with the twins had brought home to me how much I longed to have children of my own one day, too. It wasn't quite our time yet, but Marko was right—that didn't stop us from practicing.

Of course, I doubted we could get any better together, but if he was up for the challenge, so was I!

"Bring it on, Mr Sexy Nerd! After all, practice makes perfect!"