The Final Hour (Volkov Bratva #3)(17)

That was why she had never bothered to ask because her presence there would not have made a difference to the Albanian man that was sent after Naomi. She just happened to be there at the wrong time.

“I should have been more careful. I didn’t think about your well-being enough before. Not that I hadn’t been warned, I just thought if I kept you away from it all, no one would try to get to me through you. For that, I’m sorry.”

Now, she really had no idea what he was getting at. It almost felt like he was readying to break up with her. “Mish, what are you trying to tell me?”

“I love you,” he said blowing out a breath as though he was gathering his nerve, “and I promise to never let anything like that happen to you again, not so long as you’re with me.” His hand slipped free of her wrist, both hands capturing her own as he gave them a slight squeeze. “Do you believe that?”

“Yes, of course.”

“And you trust me?”

“Mish, yes, but—”

“And you love me?”

It was that that made her notice him moving slightly back from her, his eyes trained directly on her face. In that split moment, she knew. She knew exactly what he would ask her next.

“Yes, I love you,” she said back, watching as he dropped down to one knee.

Her heart beat ten times faster at the sight of him kneeling in front of her. Everything was so silent around them that she knew the others were watching, but she didn’t care about them, not now.

A small smile tilted the corner of his lips as he lifted a shoulder and asked, “Ty vyydesh’ za menya—Will you marry me?”

It was the way he did it, so innocently that made her laugh earnestly, not even caring that she had started crying. He let go of her right hand, the same one he had put the bracelet on, and on one of the links was a beautiful diamond ring, a single solitaire in the center of it.

Lauren met his eyes, saw the vulnerability he tried to keep hidden. There was never a doubt in her mind that she would say ,”Yes, yes I’ll marry you.”

The biggest and brightest smile lit up his face and he swept her off her feet, spinning her around as everyone cheered. She couldn’t tell who was cheering the loudest between Amber and Alex, their squeals of excitement matching the others.

Finally, Mishca set her on her feet, smiling like he was the happiest man in the universe and as she went up on her tiptoes to kiss him, and she couldn’t tell who was happier between the two of them.



The night was ending in a way Lauren hadn’t seen coming, like the dynamic between them had changed. She felt it as soon as everyone finished their cheering, and Mishca pulled away long enough for her to catch her breath. It was in his eyes, that stark need that made her blush.

From that point on, Mishca kept hold of her hand, never letting her stray far from his side. Everyone else thought it was just because of his surprise engagement, but she knew him better than that.

By the time they were finally leaving the restaurant, climbing into Mishca’s Range Rover—which he tended to drive more now since she favored it—Lauren was more than ready to get home. Traffic was impressive, as it normally was during the late evening, and instead of keeping both hands on the wheel, Mishca reached over, resting the palm of his hand on her bare thigh.

He probably didn’t mean anything by it, he had done it many times in the past, but with the mood she was in, the heat of his touch warmed her all over. Sometimes she forgot just how perceptive he was of her, so when she shifted in the passenger seat, he spread his fingers a little wider, taking up more space, his thumb stroking back and forth over her inner thigh.

Mishca didn’t even have to look over to know the effect he was having on her.

Lauren narrowed her eyes on him, knowing that he was playing with her, but two could play that game. After all, he had taught her how best to please him.

But that wasn’t her goal currently. No, she wanted to make him suffer.

She rested her hand on top of his, could almost se him peering at her out of the corner of her eye, then slowly, she pulled his hand beneath the hem of her dress, opening her legs just wide enough so he could feel the damp lace that covered her sex.

Lauren wanted to laugh in triumph, the way his fingers tightened around the steering wheel until his knuckles blanched, or even how he cursed softly.

But he didn’t speed up like she thought he would, he took his time.

With nimble fingers, he easily moved her panties to the side, seeking her out with his fingers. They didn’t have much space to make it work, but Mishca was determine. With a gentle nudge, he silently commanded her to spread her legs wider, and she had no choice but to comply.

It was hard for him, trying to pay attention to driving as well as her, and Lauren found his growing frustration amusing, but she wasn’t laughing for long.

They stopped at a red light, the car jerking to a stop as Mishca immediately reached for her, drawing her over onto his lap despite their limited space. He was painfully hard, she could feel the length of him through his pants.

His hands tangled in her hair, his mouth demanding. She gave as much as she got, grinding down against him.

Lauren reached for his belt, almost at the same moment he shoved up the skirt of her dress, ready to rip her underwear off, but the light had turned green, and the insistent honking of the car behind them—even though there was ample opportunity to drive around— made Lauren climbed back across the seat, laughing softly when Mishca put the car in drive, nearly speeding towards his place.