Our Flame

LXV

NIKOLAI

"No way." I say out loud as I read the text from Nadia. "What?" Everyone around me questions. I can't help the smile that grows on my face, "She actually fucking did it."

I watch as a smile grows on Luka's face, "Let me see." I hand him phone showing him the picture of Nadia standing in front of a burning building. "She burned him to death?" Luka shakes his head.

Viktor quickly grabs the phone while a small smile plays out on his face. Vadim chuckles, "Of course she did."

"I need a drink, this is the best day ever." Luka stands. I laugh as the next text comes in, "What'd she say?" Everyone asks. "She said- Yes I saw the body, I'm not an amateur."

My brothers chuckle at that, "We know that she isn't." I hum before standing up, "I'm going to smoke." I chuckle at the groans that fill the room, "You said you quit." Viktor looks at me. "Yeah, I lied."

I open the patio door, leaning over the balcony. Nadia killed our father. The cause of my worst nightmares, the reason why I lost my mother.

I put the cigarette between my lips before lighting it. I feel great knows he's no longer out there but, he was powerful- he had connections.

If those connections come back, I have no clue what'll happen. My own life has been about this hatred I had for my father, do I even know who I am without it.

I'm a son, I'm a brother- I can't think of anything that goes beyond that. What do I do now that I don't have to be filled with hate? Where do I go from here?

NADIA

"We did it." I smile at Ezra. He intertwines our hands, placing a kiss to mine. "He can't bother you anymore." My smile never leaves my face. "I couldn't have done it without you." I tell him.

Ezra shakes his head, "Yes you could've, I barely helped." I scoff at his reply, "We pulled the trigger." I remind him. "You lit him on fire."

"Same thing, the point is- he's gone. I'm free." I express. "Do you think this changes anything about us?" Ezra questions. Confusion dawns on me before I realize what he's actually asking.

"We're still us, Ezra. You're still my husband." A smirk grows on Ezra's face at the reminder, "Yeah." He mumbles before placing a kiss to my lips.

"Remember when you told me how you'd kill my father or die trying?" I wonder. Ezra nods, "Well, you didn't die and neither did I." Ezra chuckles, "You're wondering where we go from here."

I nod, "Anywhere, you said it yourself- you're free Nadia." I grin, "Can we go see my family?" I look at Ezra. "You don't have to ask, Nadia."

For the rest of the ride, the smile never leaves my face. I did it, I made him suffer even if he deserved way worse- I still did it. He can't bother me anymore.

I'm in control of my own life, no more hiding, no more running.

I pull a key from my pocket as we stand at the front door, "Surprise." I yell walking through the door. "Hi Luka." My brother embraces me. "Я горжусь тобой, Nadi."

translation: i'm proud of you

"Спасибо брат." I pull away. "You did it, Nadia." Vadim approaches Ezra and I. "You both did." A smile smile takes over his face. I smile as Vadim hugs Ezra despite how uncomfortable he looks.