Epilogue

( London – December)

Miki

Marko handed me the box and I smiled my thanks and pocketed it, the churning in my stomach making it difficult to speak.

As I walked headed to our room to collect Eilidh, my mind went over the events of the last few months.

We returned from Glasgow the evening after I'd rescued Eilidh. Marko, Luca, and Jim had ensured our plan was a success.

Mathieson was grabbed easily, and Luca brought him down to London. When the Interpol officers had arrived, Gerry Thomson was the first to open fire and was killed. Jim wasn't pleased, but at least the thorn in his side had been pulled out for good.

In the chaos, the other two cops from Eilidh's team were also shot. None of them survived. However, their presence at the handover, and the evidence of rape found in the cameras in the office next door, were enough for them to be investigated further.

The news had been going mad over the story but so far we'd avoided the reporters and I aimed to keep it that way.

My sexy detective wasn't one any longer. She had handed in her resignation, stating she was too jaded after everything that had happened, which was the truth.

I'd paid the hotel receptionist and hotel manager plenty of money to keep quiet so nobody else was aware of her kidnapping and we were keeping it that way.

Mathieson was taken to the C but was a pussy and didn't last long under torture. His heart gave out too quickly. We got all our questions answered except one. He never told us if he had been working alone.

Was he the last of our unknown enemies or not? We didn't know. I would have liked to believe he was, but something told me there was more trouble ahead.

Nigel Simpson was also still alive because of that. I had a feeling he might still be of use to me, so he had been given a stay of execution for now until I decided his continued existence was no longer necessary.

We'd made Interpol aware of some of the bank accounts Mathieson and the others had in their false names and the money had been seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Hopefully, it would fund more operations against human trafficking gangs. The rest of the money was sent to various charities that helped people who were affected by trafficking.

While we could have kept it all for ourselves, my family didn't want to profit directly from that type of crime. We had more than enough of our own illicit gains and the guilt that went with that.

However, we kept back information on one account of Mathieson's with a sizeable amount in it, which was in the name of Jessica Adams.

All the other accounts had been set up against his false identities and all were male names, so this account seemed odd. We could not locate any females with that name which were associated with Mathieson, so it was a mystery.

From now on, Marko would keep a track of the account and if someone tried to access it, we would know. If Mathieson had been working with, or on behalf of someone else, it might lead us to them.

Letting Jim MacArthur expand his operation was proving to be a good choice. The first batch of drugs was delivered without a hitch yesterday and today we were celebrating. For now, at least things had settled down and everyone was safe and happy again.

As far as Eilidh and I were concerned, the past was now done. Our enemies were dead; Eilidh's father and my Krissa had been avenged.

My heart swelled with love when I entered our bedroom and saw Eilidh. All the steps in my plan to woo my Little Miss Red were now complete, and I'd claimed my woman in all but name, but I hoped that soon she would become a Rominov and mine forever.

She was stunning in a short gold dress which showed off her curves to perfection.

My mouth salivated and I checked my watch, wondering if there was time to grab her and take advantage of them before we had to leave. Unfortunately, there wasn't. Damn!

Later. Once we returned home, I'd take my time exploring every inch of her as I had done these past few months. There would never be a time when I would tire of that.

"Ready, sweetheart?" I asked her, forcing myself to only lightly kiss her on the lips. Otherwise, my resolve to leave would vanish the moment our tongues met. I was only human after all and resisting my Little Miss Red's charms, beyond me.

Eilidh nodded and we walked to the car.

Sitting in the backseat with my arm around her, my stomach twisted and turned with nerves. This was one of the biggest moments of my life and I didn't want anything to go wrong.

We pulled up to our best Italian restaurant, and as we entered, the manger greeted us.

As Eilidh turned to speak with one of the waiters she'd met before, I quietly asked, "Is everything in place?"

"Si, senor. It is all as you requested," the manager confirmed with a smile before leading us through to the private dining room.

Soft music played in the background and the room was lit only by candlelight. We ate a meal prepared beautifully by the chef, but I didn't taste a thing as I forced the bites down and waited for the right moment.

Time stretched on and I wished I'd not decided to wait until the end of the meal to do this. We chatted about the everyday running of my legitimate businesses which Eilidh had taken to helping me manage. However, I couldn't concentrate on anything much.

Finally, the time came, and the manager entered with a cake in hand. He passed it to me and with a wink left. Turning to Eilidh I walked to her trying desperately to not let my hands shake. Setting the cake down in front of her I watched as she read the words, "Will you marry me?" written in icing on top.

She gasped as she read, and I quickly got down on one knee. Withdrawing the little box from my pocket at the same time, I held it out to her.

"Eilidh, from the moment I looked into your eyes, you had me ensnared and I've been yours ever since. You are my heart, and you complete me in a way I never thought possible. I love you for now and forever. Be mine. Marry me?" I said, gulping as my mouth went dry and I swear my heart stopped as I waited for her response.

Her eyes lit up and she cried, "Yes!"

Jumping out of her chair, she threw herself into my arms as I stood.

"Yes, yes, yes," she said laughing as I swung her in the air and twirled her before setting her down. She held her hand out and I slipped the ring onto her finger.

She looked at it and beamed.

"It's stunning, Miki. I love you," she said hugging me. Kissing her soundly my cock jerked with longing and I thought about taking her right there and then, but she pulled back and stared into my eyes.

"I have something to tell you," she said, biting her lip.

"Yes, sweetheart?" I asked.

"We're pregnant!"

My eyes widened as I took in the words.

A grin spread across my face and I thought there would never be another day like this in my life, when I was so filled with joy I thought I could burst.

"Eilidh, you've made me the happier than I ever thought possible," I told her, picking her up and swinging her around again as we laughed in shared joy.

She leaned towards me and as her tongue slipped inside my mouth, my need for her grew. Sitting on a chair, I pulled her onto my lap and proceeded to show her just how happy she made me.

As my Little Miss Red whimpered in pleasure, my heart clenched with happiness. Life was good, and I was confident that with Eilidh and the family we were starting together, the future would be too, because no matter what life threw at us, we could deal with it as long as we had each other.

Eilidh

Smiling as I looked over at my fiancé chatting with Ash and Anton, I knew I'd never been so happy. The ring on my finger glittered and I still couldn't believe I was engaged to marry Mr Sexy Lips.

Miki had proposed yesterday and after a night of utter bliss in his arms, I had to keep pinching myself to make sure it wasn't all some sort of dream.

Happiness bubbled inside me as I watched my sexy Russian chatting with the groom who was starting to look nervous as we waited for the bride to arrive. We were at Ash and Gracie's wedding. The pair were lovely, and I'd become great friends with Gracie.

In fact, the whole of Miki's family and friends had welcomed me with open arms and I was amazed at how quickly I'd become part of their close-knit group. As I gazed around, I realised that I had never felt more like I belonged than I did here with a group of people and a man that just a few short months ago, I would have considered the enemy.

So much had changed for me in such a short time and while occasionally I felt a little overwhelmed by it, mainly I'd taken it in my stride. It helped that I had found a place for myself working with Miki on his legitimate businesses and supporting him in his endeavours to escape the life that was his birthright.

We'd left Glasgow the night after I'd killed Roy and the last few months with Miki had been great. Every day with him was an adventure. His family welcomed me easily, and I already felt like I belonged.

The Interpol operation had been a success, and many women were now free because of it. I'd resigned from the police and although I had felt a moment of grief when I signed the letter, I hadn't looked back since. As far as I was concerned, it was all over. My dad had been avenged and could rest in peace.

I never figured out who sent the photos of my dad's murder to John Aldridge, setting everything in motion, but I decided I no longer cared. As long as they were not a threat to me or my new family, it really wasn't important.

Miki laughed loudly drawing my eyes back to him. He looked pleased, exuding happiness. I remembered him telling me about the pangs of jealousy and loneliness he'd felt at the last family wedding and I smiled knowing that he'd never need to feel that way again, because now he had me.

As my sexy Russian came to sit beside me, I squeezed his hand and he smiled down at me before kissing the top of my head and brushing his other hand over my stomach in a gesture I thought would become familiar as the life inside me grew.

When we'd first had sex, I had told Miki I was on the pill, and I was, but somehow a little swimmer got through.

I had been nervous to tell him because despite being in love, everything between us had already happened so quickly that I worried it was too soon. My concerns had been foolish however, as he was overjoyed at the prospect of being a father.

As I watched Ash and Gracie exchange vows, excitement bubbled inside me at the thought of Miki and I exchanging ours. A few months ago, I had felt so alone. Now I had Miki, a new family, a baby on the way and a wedding to plan. God, I was one lucky woman!

I looked at Miki, and he grinned at me, making my heart flutter in my chest. I knew that my life with this man would not be perfect; he was a Bratva Pakhan after all, but I knew it would be filled with love and family, and I had never felt happier. There might be difficulties and more dangers ahead, but whatever we faced from now on, we'd face it together.

The future was ours to write!