Semper Mine (Sons of War #1)(75)

This place gives me mixed feelings. It’s hard for me to recall that nine months ago, I was standing in this same spot, watching one of my men being buried after the worst experience of my life. It’s difficult to digest how far Katya and I have come, how much pain we both went through and how that shadow of Mikael’s death will always linger.

But it’s not all pain here. I feel a deep sense of gratitude towards her brother. While I’d change his death if I could, I’m also aware that he brought Katya and me together. I don’t know that either of us would’ve gotten the help we needed or would’ve ever been able to take a chance on letting someone else in, had we not met here at Mikael’s funeral.

Nine months ago, I owed him my life, and today, I owe him my heart. I never knew the appeal of having people who cared for me, a true family. Petr and Katya changed that this year. I can’t stop thinking about what life will be like with her.

Eventful. That I know, but in the quiet moments when we’re alone, it’s more peaceful than I’ve ever known. I love that she’s so passionate and speaks her mind and even that her way of beating me and showing up the war effort will end up helping out service members who need it.

I love how good she is and how much sweetness she hides from the world. These are my secrets, and it’s a privilege to be one of the only people in the world who knows this about her.

She stands and waves at me.

I approach and slide an arm around her waist.

Katya leans into me, nestling her head beneath my chin with a deep sigh.

“This is where we met,” she whispers.

“I know.” I circle my other arm around her, enjoying the weight of her body against mine. It’s an honor to be the one she seeks support from, one I will cherish for as long as she’ll have me. “He would be so proud of you, Katya.”

She’s silent. Her breathing is uneven, a sign she’s crying.

I hold her, and we stand quietly.

My Katya recovers quickly and moves away from me. Whispering a farewell to her brother, she entwines her fingers with mine and wipes her tears away.

We leave the cemetery and are halfway to the house when she takes a deep breath and eyes me.

“You’re not even going to really propose, are you? Just assume I’ll give you a place and time to show up?”

“Pretty much. I figure when you’re ready, you’ll let me know.”

“You really are serious.” Her eyes widen, and she faces me.

“Yeah.”

We gaze at one another. I’m trying to gauge her reaction. There are too many emotions to know what’s going through her mind.

“You won’t change your mind?” she whispers.

“No.”

Another minute passes with her studying me. “I’ll have to tell Petr what to wear. He’s got no fashion sense,” she murmurs.

“Or you could let him choose his own clothes like most full-grown men do,” I reply, amused.

“If you want me to tell you where to be, we’re doing this my way,” she retorts. Her eyes are glistening with tears despite the fiery response.

Out of principal and for her brother’s sake, I should probably object. But she’s about to cry, and I’ve never been able to stand it when she does.

“Okay, Katya,” I whisper and cup her soft cheeks with my hands. “We can do it your way. You’ve got plenty of time to think things over, too. I’ll wait as long as it takes.”

“I don’t need to. Sawyer …” She stops, her voice trembling. “I would be really … honored to marry you. I know I want to be yours forever. I already own you, so we might as well make it official.”

I laugh. I can hear and see her emotion. Despite her attempt at a joke, her declaration pierces through me, the same way her passion does, and my throat tightens. She’s trembling, and I hug her to me tightly.

“You have a family now,” she adds so quietly, I barely hear her.

“I know.” It’s an overwhelming thought. Holding her, being with her, feels so right. So perfect, natural and peaceful.

We hold one another in the serene setting, the tender moment as intimate as making love to her. When she’s calmed, she eases away and wipes her face free of tears. Her features are lit up for a different reason this time, one that pulls a smile from me.

She’s happy. I’ve never seen her like this, and I love it. Taking my hand, she tugs me towards the house. If the spark in her eyes is any indication, she’s plotting.

“I think my father is going to want a word with you,” she says, amused. “And then Petr. And while you’re being interrogated, I’m going to wake up Riley and Carson and let them know I will hunt them down if they let anything happen to you overseas.”

I chuckle.

“Then we’re going to my room, because you promised to make love to me until we can’t walk.” She glances at me with a grin. “Think you can hang with me?” The challenge is in her gaze again, along with hunger.

“Absolutely. Why don’t we start there?” I reply casually. I stop walking and pull her into my arms. “Sound like a better plan?”

She nods, and I lower my head to hers, capturing her lips for a deep kiss. She melts into me. I steady her.

After a lifetime of dedicated solitude, I’m humbled by the knowledge that I somehow managed to find the woman in my arms.