Heart of the Devil (The Forge Trilogy #3)(49)

She looks at me and her father, who will be staying in one of the guest rooms tonight.

“I think it’s time for all of us to go to bed. Although, I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep. I don’t even know what to think. Or to say,” she says with a shake of her head. “Dorsey . . . was . . .”

“Wrong,” I tell her.

“What do you mean, wrong?” Indy and her father look at me with confusion.

“Isaac had an injury when he was a kid. He couldn’t have children. He went through all the testing. He may have visited Dorsey’s mother when he was in port . . . but he wasn’t Dorsey’s father.”

“Jesus Christ.” Federov leans on the kitchen counter. “I would tell you to check your employees’ backgrounds better, but I am guilty of trusting those I shouldn’t have either. I thought I took care of all the threats to India’s life when I removed my second in command. He was responsible for Summer’s kidnapping. For the ransom. For all of it.”

It’s one more shock in a long day packed with them. “Your second in command took Summer?” Indy asks.

He nods. “I am thankful she was not hurt, but I cannot find it in myself to regret that she was taken because it led me to you.” Federov covers Indy’s hand with his. “I promise I will make it up to you both. She will be treated as my daughter as well. Like you have said to me, family is more than blood.”

A soft smile crosses Indy’s face, and she places her other hand on top of his and squeezes. “That . . . that would mean the world to me. And to her.”

The older man’s entire face softens when he looks at her.

Regardless of how this life-changing chain of events came about, I think all three of us are so fucking grateful to be standing here right now. I can’t bring back the lives that were lost, but I will honor my people and make sure their families are provided for.

I step behind Indy and lower my palms to her shoulders. “You need sleep.”

“I know, but I still can’t believe they were behind the kidnapping in Prague,” Indy says with disbelief underlying every word. “I never thought . . . since Goliath got shot too . . .”

“Best way to throw off suspicion is to get injured,” I reply, “but I didn’t see it either. Not after fifteen years of unquestionable loyalty.”

“Women are persuasive creatures,” Federov adds, his gaze tracking from Indy’s face to mine. “I am glad my daughter persuaded me to see the error of my judgment regarding you, Forge. I should not have interfered. I will not interfere again. You have my word and my blessing.”

“Thank you, sir,” I say, and I mean it.

“One question more, though. What does this mean for your grudge with de Vere?” Federov asks.

“I think it’s safe to say that’s over,” I reply, curling my arm around Indy. “I will never be able to repay him for what he did, even if I still want to strangle him for the stunt with the drugs.”

Indy drops her head onto my shoulder. “Bastien will always be Bastien, but I think it’s time for all of us to move on.”

“We will drink to that before we sleep,” Federov says as he rises. “Where is your vodka? We need a toast to burying old hurts, celebrating life, and most of all, to your marriage.”

Indy spins around in the circle of my arms. “Are we still married?”

“I have no idea. I haven’t been able to get in touch with the judge. He works on island time. Either way, it doesn’t matter to me.” I lift her left hand to my lips and press a kiss to the back, next to her ring. “If we’re divorced, I’m going to do it all right the second time.”





Epilogue





India





Five months later





I’m getting married. Again. Except this time, things are wildly different. The perfume of fresh flowers scents the air of Isla del Cielo, wafting through the master bedroom where Summer puts the finishing touches on the gown she designed for me. It’s going to be the centerpiece of her new bridal couture collection.

As thrilled as she was to discover her talent for creating wedding dresses, Summer still might want to strangle me, because she’s had to adjust it three times in the last three weeks. My belly keeps surprising us both.

I’m pregnant. With twins. One boy and one girl. I shouldn’t even be surprised, because we’re talking about the Kraken and its wildly effective virility.

I’ll never forget the look of awe on Jericho’s face when we first heard the heartbeats, and then later saw the ultrasound. He reached out, tracing their outlines on the screen, and turned to me with tears in his eyes.

Irina and Isaac will never have to wonder if they’re loved. They won’t have to wait years to find a family or make their own. They will know every second of every day how grateful we are to be blessed with them.

Surprisingly, at least to me, Summer handled the news about Nina and Federov incredibly well. When he arrived on the island yesterday, she greeted him with a giant hug and a kiss on the cheek. She calls him Pops, which he absolutely adores.

His prognosis hasn’t improved, but so far, he’s defying the doctor’s odds of survival. Part of me thinks that he’s just too stubborn to miss the chance to walk me down the aisle. I’m praying he’s just as stubborn when it comes to hanging on to hold his grandbabies in his arms after they’re born. I’m betting on him. I don’t even want to think about the alternative.