Epilogue - Jenna

Three months later

After a seemingly interminable bout of morning sickness, it finally ended, and I barely had a bump, though it would have seemed like I was smuggling a pumpkin under my tops the way Lev was always patting my belly. We had decided it was time to drive down to LA and make the visit I'd promised Katie.

I was dying to see my niece and wanted the rift between the brothers healed by the time our baby was born so the cousins could be the best of friends. Brooke and I had much more time to hang out since I wasn't bogged down with classes, and she happily accepted our invitation to join us.

I was probably using her as a buffer since I didn't think Aleks would go berserk in front of a guest who wasn't family, but I also thought she deserved a break from her constant hard work. Besides the boutique and delivering food part-time, she'd increased her class load and was even babysitting one of her neighbor's kids a lot of evenings. I had tried to offer her some help with money now that I was rolling in it, but she always refused, and I wouldn't dare infringe on her pride since I knew all too well how important it was.

Lev had finally decided what to do with the Hardys, and at about the same time, I decided to put school on the back burner. Since they were too high profile to just disappear without a trace, he figured the best way to deal with them was to completely destroy their reputation and credibility. To the vain and power-hungry councilman, it was a fate worse than death.

I was eager to help, and he shared every last bit of dirt he had on them, along with new things his informants had dug up. I spent a month compiling it into a scintillating article, really enjoying outlining every tawdry detail. I had never been so proud of something in my life, and Lev used his connections to not only have the article published by news outlets in California, but it got pushed out as a national story that swept the headlines for days.

Hardy was impeached and lost all chance at his big dreams of running for mayor and beyond. The last I heard, his wife was leaving him since he could no longer support her in the manner she desired now that all his kickbacks from extorting local companies had dried up. She was shunned from society functions and a broke laughing stock.

As for what became of the other Russian organization plaguing my new family, I never outright asked. Once we returned from Monterey, Lev had a few late nights, returning with some cuts and bruises he told me I didn't need to worry about.

The most important thing was that he'd always keep me safe. Of course, I was always going to worry, but I trusted his abilities and believed that he would do what was right for us.

Once we arrived at Katie and Aleks's mansion, the whole family was there, including Aunt Marjorie, who flew in to see little Alina. She looked amazing and glowing with health now that her treatments were finished, and she was once again in remission. I wasn't going to waste a minute with her and couldn't wait to tell her the news that she was going to have another great-niece or nephew to spoil soon.

Max rushed out to greet us, flustering Brooke by asking if she wanted to take a tour of his famous Hollywood diner. It was clear he was trying to get her out of the way since there might be a blow-up between Aleks and Lev, and I appreciated it. At the same time, I wanted to cling onto her as a shield.

"Go on," I finally said. "It'll be fun. But don't let him flirt with you too much, he's a complete player."

"Ugh, as if I'd fall for that," she said, but let herself be bundled into his brand new Italian convertible and whisked down the long drive.

I gave Lev a look, almost afraid to go inside. I'd been hopeful and optimistic, but Max's insistence about getting Brooke to safety had my stomach sinking. Lev shrugged and took my hand, leading me through the big double doors.

Inside, Aleks was waiting, glaring at Lev in a way that sent shivers down my spine. I thought I was getting used to being around stone-cold Bratva men, but this was like the Arctic Circle; he was being so icy.

"Aleks, be good," Katie said, hurrying into the grand foyer with the baby in her arms.

"He deserves at least one punch," Aleks said.

Lev dropped my hand and stepped forward. "Fair enough. Do your worst."

Aleks reared back his fist and slammed it forward. I winced and snapped my eyes shut, but there was never a crack against bone or groan of pain. When I opened my eyes, Aleks had his fist stopped against Lev's cheek. He lightly slapped him and burst out laughing.

"Leave the jokes to me," Lev said, relieved. "You're awful at them."

They shared a brotherly hug, with Aleks slapping him on the back a bit harder than necessary, but there was no more tension between them. Jenna hurried forward to hug me, and I burst into happy tears. The morning sickness was gone, but the waterworks continued to flow.

Mila, Nataliye, and Aunt Marjorie hurried out now that Aleks's little show was over, enveloping me and Lev into more welcoming hugs. Two more brothers appeared to join in. I thought they were Dimitry and Ivan, but there was plenty of time to catch up and get everyone straight.

I loved being around so many people who loved and cared for each other, after so many years of being just Katie and me. They dragged us out back to where a poolside barbecue was underway and got us settled with drinks and overflowing plates of Katie's delicious food.

Lev and I were going to quietly tell everyone about the baby one at a time, but I was so happy that I stood up in the midst of all of them and blurted out that I had an announcement.

Lev stood beside me as I prepared to share our news, but then Mila and Dimitry both shouted, "You're going to have a baby!"

"It's plain as day," Nataliye agreed. "You're glowing."

Every minute I thought I was the happiest I had ever been, more joy spilled into me. To think I'd fought so hard to get away from this group of passionate, wild, loving people. They'd accepted me as one of them, and pride almost made me burst.

It was past midnight when Brooke and Max got home from the diner tour, but Lev gave me a look that had my blood racing, and I couldn't spare her any time to hear about it.

We fell into our bed in one of the guest suites, and I let myself relax into the plush bedding and mountain of pillows, exhausted and invigorated at the same time.

"Get over here," I said, dragging Lev by his t-shirt until he tumbled on top of me.

His kiss had me clinging to him within seconds, and my hands roamed greedily up and down his slim waist. I pushed his shirt up, running my palms along his hot, muscular skin, the very feel of him making me writhe beneath him.

I was revved up from the wonderful day and the fact that the last hurdle of Aleks accepting us was behind us. Was it naive to think we'd never face any more troubles? Probably, but I was in much too good a mood to worry about what might be lurking in the shadows.

My husband was one of the most powerful men in the state, and he loved me ferociously. More than his own life, and I felt the same.

As he leaned back to get his shirt off, I wriggled out of my sundress. The look in his eyes as he took in my body made me wild, and I shoved him back on the bed. Climbing on top of him, I straddled his hips, grinding against the huge bulge in his jeans.

"Let me get all the way undressed," he moaned, his eyes rolling back.

I slid down further, snapping open the button and pulling down the zipper. His big cock pulsed against his boxer briefs, and I shoved the black fabric down to free that beast I wanted so badly.

Fevered and desperate, I wrapped my lips around his dripping tip, slurping up the salty juices and making him groan. As he tangled his fingers in my hair, I felt a rush of power, sliding my tongue up and down his shaft.

"Fucking hell, that feels so damn good," he said.

"Good, because I love doing it."

"You can suck me as long as you like, little girl."

I shivered, rubbing my aching breasts against his thigh, still clad in his jeans. This was going to be fast and furious since I was on fire for him. I dragged my teeth along the silky skin of his cock, slipping my hand beneath to cup his balls. He moaned as they tightened in my palm, and I couldn't hold out any longer.

I straightened up and straddled him again, rubbing my damp panties against his rock-hard shaft. He snapped the clasp on my bra and ran his thumbs across my nipples, dragging me close so he could nip at each one until I was gasping.

His fingers found their way lower, easing between my thighs to slip under the edge of my panties.

"Oh yes," I cried as he circled my clit. "Oh my God, yes."

A moment later, my panties were gone, ripped in two and tossed aside. I slammed my hands onto his shoulders and moved up and down along his cock, the sweet sensation building with every stroke.

"Now," he growled, holding me and forcing me to come with his fingertips. "Right now."

I yelped as the orgasm crashed over me, moaned when he dragged me down hard to take every inch. Gripping my hips, he moved me up and down, my ass cheeks slapping against his thighs as my pussy swallowed up his cock on every thrust.

"I love you so much," he grunted, pounding me harder.

I let my head fall back, riding him with abandon, laughing at the joy that bubbled up in me as he brought me close to the edge again.

"I love you, too," I gasped. "Oh my God, Lev…"

He roared as my next orgasm tightened my body around him. The next thrust was deep and hard, filling me until I cried out again, then fell against him, just letting it all wash over me.

"Amazing," I heard him say. It might have been a few seconds or minutes later. His cock still pulsed inside me, and his arms were wrapped tight around me as I rested against his chest. "Purely amazing."

Our hearts pounded back and forth, and all I could do was rest my head in the crook of his neck, tasting the salty sweat as I kissed him. He rolled to his side, and I found myself tucked against him, his arm under my head.

His muscular chest rose and fell, and I slid closer to rest my cheek there, smiling at the sound of his heartbeat.

"There's nothing we can't do together," he said. "We're the best team."

I murmured in agreement and looked up at him, smiling down at me. "I think so, too," I said, bringing up something I'd been stewing about for a while.

"What's on your mind," he said. "Is it about starting school again?"

The fall semester was looming, and he'd been trying to get me to put enrolling again off until the baby was born. I sighed, and he hugged me tighter.

"Come on, I saw that gleam in your eyes earlier when Katie was talking about how well the lunch box business was going. As much as I'd love to keep you all to myself, I know you won't be completely happy unless you have something of your own to do."

"Yeah," I agreed. "But it's not what you think. I really enjoyed working on that article exposing Hardy. Not just for revenge, but justice. I think I can do a lot of good if I continue doing that, and was thinking about switching majors to journalism."

"That sounds great," he said, surprising me, though I wasn't sure why. He'd always supported whatever I wanted to do. "I can get you plenty of scoops, especially on people who try to cross me."

I laughed, lightly tapping his chest. "I want to do it on the up and up," I said.

"Of course you do. I wouldn't expect anything less," he told me, kissing my brow and smiling proudly. "The family can always use a reporter on our side. And exposing scumbags sounds like a great way to get rid of them without violence."

I snuggled closer, getting sleepy from his body's warmth and easy acceptance. "Well, I'm getting a lot less squeamish about throwing punches since I've been watching you spar in the new gym."

"You've got a mean right hook," he told me. "Nothing wrong with being prepared if you can't take someone down with your pen."

"That's right," I murmured. As sleepy as I was, I didn't want the day to end.

"Get some rest," he told me softly, reading my mind as usual. "I love you. We've got plenty of tomorrows to look forward to."

With a smile on my face, my eyes drifted shut, to happily dream about the forever I couldn't wait for us to share.

*****

THE END