Nina faced me and crossed her arms. “Only a small set of people have the privilege to take the Ivanshov name. Only the most loyal. I am one of them. Alessio trusts me with his life. And yours. My loyalty to this family comes first…before anything else. And now my loyalty is extended to you.”
Maddie nodded. “I forgot to tell you. My name is Maddie Ivanshov too. Same as Mum. Viktor. Nikolay and Phoenix. We all carry the Ivanshov name. It’s kind of a tradition for the most fiercely loyal people to the Boss.”
“Although I never thought Nina would take the name,” Maddie continued, staring at Nina curiously.
“You know nothing about me. But it’s not like I have to hide my identity any longer. You will know my truth soon enough, so it would be best that you don’t anger me. I hate annoying pests,” Nina replied lazily.
The threat was there, but Maddie just chuckled.
“I think we’ll be good friends.” She winked while laughing.
Nina’s back straightened, and her expression changed to a hard look. “I’m not here to make friends.”
That sentence did something to me. It reminded me so much of Alessio. The one who tried so hard to push me away.
I wanted to rebuke Nina, tell her that everyone needed friends, but I stayed quiet.
She stared at us for a second. Maddie’s arms were wrapped around me, and I was leaning into her. Nina shook her head and took out her cellphone.
“They’re coming,” Nina simply said.
With that, she walked out of the door. Maddie and I stared at each other.
Alessio was back. My heart suddenly felt a hundred times lighter.
Maddie helped me out of the bed, and we walked down the stairs together. As I reached the last landing, I saw Alessio coming through the main doors.
He came in first, looking big and fierce. His stance exuded dominance. Behind him, to his left, Viktor and Phoenix walked closely. Nikolay was to his right.
His most trusted men flanked his sides as they walked inside the house. They all had the same dark aura surrounding them. Their expensive suits did nothing to make them look less dangerous.
My feet took me forward, moving me toward Alessio before I could stop myself. We met in the middle, our bodies molding together.
Alessio held the back of my neck, pulling me closer. His fingers wrapped around my hair, pulling my head back. His breathing was ragged as he stared down at me with intense blue eyes.
His fingers tightened around my hair, and he brought my head closer. His lips descended toward me, and my heart hitched when his mouth met mine.
Alessio kissed me roughly, demanding access. I opened my lips, surrendering to him. His tongue swirled around mine in a fierce battle. He gripped my hair at the nape of my neck, giving it a sharp tug.
He kissed me desperately, almost savagely. I returned his kiss with the same fervor, my hands going to his shoulders to hold on.
His lips moved over mine, never once breaking our kiss. His kiss turned deeper, more aggressive. I was drunk on his kisses while he seemed lost in me.
Alessio claimed me in front of everyone.
I heard a loud roar. From the driveway, the courtyard, the whole mansion exploded. The men roared out their victory. The women clapped, joining this joyous moment.
Alessio and I kissed as our people celebrated.
The proud screaming continued, and I knew it wouldn’t end soon.
After all, the war just ended.
The Italians had lost.
And the Russians had won.
Chapter 26
My heart drummed in my chest as the realization settled around my shoulders.
Alessio’s kisses didn’t slow down. No, he continued to claim my lips in a possessive kiss, making my heart flutter with so much love.
I returned his kisses with the same fervor, as if we were starving for each other. Maybe it was the adrenaline of winning.
His fingers tightened in my hair as he bit on my lower lip. “I’m home,” he muttered roughly.
I pulled away, my fingers still holding the back of his neck. Smiling up at Alessio, I leaned up for another kiss.
“Welcome home, my love,” I whispered against his lips.
He groaned, his arm growing tighter around my waist. If it wasn’t for my rounded belly, our bodies would have been molded together.
“Say that again,” he demanded.
“Welcome home, my love.”
“The last part. Say it again,” he ordered, kissing my lips.
I let out a small laugh, feeling my cheeks heating up. I was blushing. How was that even possible after everything we had done together?
My fingers caressed the back of his neck as I gazed into his bluish steel-colored eyes lovingly. “My love,” I whispered again, just loud enough for only his ears.
Alessio smirked and pulled his head back, roaring with happiness. “We have won!”
I laughed, holding him to me.
Yes. We have won.
I swallowed past the lump around my throat. My father was gone. Alberto was gone. The Italians were under the Ivanshov family.