The Edge of Light ✔️

Chapter Thirty Nine

N I K O L A I

Things in the States were brutal, just as expected. Cutting my ties with the Bratva had taken more effort than I'd imagined. Patience, negotiation, and a few too many compromises. But for her? I'd do it again a hundred times over. Convincing Alexei to take over the Bratva had taken more than a few long nights and heavy discussions. But he finally agreed, with one condition—that I keep in touch and never forget where I came from. It was a fair price to pay for my freedom, and for her. I'd give up my kingdom a thousand times over if it meant having Elena by my side.

Those last months apart were like torture, knowing I couldn't just call her up whenever I needed to hear her voice. She still called and texted as much as she could, though I could feel her worry bleeding through each message. Sometimes, when I lay awake at night, I'd close my eyes and imagine her next to me. Just picturing her smile, the warmth in her gaze, made it bearable. Mishka's company had to do for the time being.

Speaking of Mishka, he had grown a lot in the past few months. Even now as he sat next to me in the car. Of course he was coming with me. He was after all Elena's gift from me and she had told me more than once to not show up without him.

As my Bentley pulled up outside her house, a sense of peace settled over me, the kind I hadn't felt in years. Her terrace doors were open, and I caught sight of a familiar figure through the window, moving gracefully through the kitchen. She was dancing, lost in her own world, and a small smile crept onto my face.

"Wait here," I told In-su and Matteo before climbing out of the car.

I stepped out quietly, moving around the house to watch her from the doorway. She hadn't noticed me yet, her back turned as she swayed to the music in that soft dress that clung to her, floating with every movement. Her laugh—soft, carefree—floated through the air, and I stood there, transfixed.

"Malyshka," I finally said, my voice low.

She froze mid-step, and for a heartbeat, everything was still. Then, she spun around, her eyes wide as they landed on me. A gasp escaped her lips, and she dropped the glass she was holding. The sound of it shattering broke the spell, and a second later, she was running toward me.

"Nikolai!" She threw herself into my arms, and I wrapped her up, feeling her warmth, her scent. She pulled back, her hands tracing over my face, lingering on the bruises that hadn't yet faded.

"You're hurt," she whispered, her brow furrowing as her fingers gently brushed my cheek. I gave a soft chuckle, holding her hand against my face.

"Nothing I couldn't handle. It's over, Elena. I'm here. For good."

Her eyes sparkled with relief, though there was something more, a quiet joy in her gaze that I couldn't quite place. But before I could ask her about it, something else caught my attention. The table behind her was set for two.

My jaw tightened. She'd been expecting someone. Before I could stop myself, I glanced around the room, searching for signs of another presence. Who had she been planning on having dinner with?

"Are you... expecting someone?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual, though my mind raced with possibilities.

She laughed, catching the shift in my expression. "Niko, it's just Cecile." Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she squeezed my hand. "She's been staying with me to keep me from going crazy while you were gone."

At that moment, Cecile appeared in the doorway, a towel wrapped around her head, her eyes widening as she took me in. "Nikolai!" she said, a hint of surprise softening into a warm smile. "It's good to see you."

"Cecile," I said, nodding, my chest loosening as a wave of relief washed over me. Of course. I should have known Elena wouldn't let anyone else in like that.

Cecile gave a quick nod, shooting Elena a knowing smile before disappearing toward the kitchen, leaving us alone again. Elena led me to the table, her fingers laced with mine as she looked back at me with that soft gaze that made my heart race.

"I'm sorry I wasn't here earlier," I said as we sat down, reaching for her hand. "It took longer to... finalize things with Alexei than I expected."

She squeezed my hand, understanding filling her expression. "He'll do well, won't he? He'll keep things running so you don't have to look over your shoulder?"

"He will," I said. "He promised." I looked at her, letting my thumb stroke over her knuckles. "It's finally done, Elena."

Her face softened, and she reached out, brushing her hand gently over mine, her eyes reflecting her own relief, her own quiet joy. "I'm glad you're finally home."

Dinner passed with lighthearted stories. I told her about Alexei's grumbling over the responsibility he'd now shouldered, and she filled me in on her attempts to fix things around the house, complete with Cecile's protests and redecorating attempts. Matteo and In-su stopped by briefly to bring Mishka inside, staying to join us for some dessert. Mishka never leaving Elena's side.

But as the evening wore on, I noticed that Elena's gaze would drift down to her lap, where her fingers twisted nervously. Eventually, Cecile, sensing something between us, excused herself. She gathered Matteo and In-su, leaving us with a quick wink in Elena's direction. The door clicked shut, and the room fell into a comfortable silence.

Elena looked at me, taking a shaky breath as she reached for my hand. "Niko, there's something I need to tell you." Her voice trembled, and I could see the hint of nerves in her eyes, even as she bit her lip, as if struggling with the right words.

"What is it, kukolka?" I asked softly, lifting her hand to my lips. "You can tell me anything."

She took my hand in hers, guiding it slowly to her stomach. The air thickened as I felt her trembling under my touch, a realization dawning as her eyes met mine, filled with hope and something fragile.

"Elena..." I whispered, my voice barely holding steady. "Are you...?"

Her lips quivered as she nodded, tears pooling in her eyes. "Yes," she whispered, her voice breaking into a laugh. "It's early, and I... I didn't think this could happen, but..."

How was this even possible? 

Emotion choked me, and I pulled her into my arms, holding her close as the weight of her words settled in. A life—a family, something I'd thought I could never have. And here it was, so real, so possible, right here with her. I felt my eyes burn, felt my chest tighten, and for the first time in as long as I could remember, I felt something close to peace.

I lifted her, spinning her gently, her laughter filling the room. Her cheeks flushed, her joy shining through as I set her back down, keeping my arms around her. "You, me... a family," I whispered, letting my forehead rest against hers, my thumb gently tracing her cheek.

She smiled, her hand resting against my heart. "It's our beginning, Niko."