Forbidden Vows: Chapter 35

“I don’t get it. Why won’t anyone tell me anything?” I lament as I walk into the living room with an iced tea in one hand and a dainty lace fan in the other. The summer heat waves are starting to do a number on my already swinging moods. “I hate being kept in the dark like this!”

Ciara watches me as I settle into the armchair. With her leg still tightly bandaged, she gets to claim the sofa wherever we lounge in the Karpov mansion.

“Remember about six months ago when you hooked up with this devastatingly hot guy after he practically kidnapped you?” she casually asks, nursing a lemonade of her own. She takes a sip and crinkles her nose. “This would taste so much better with a splash of rum in it.”

“You’re on painkillers.” I roll my eyes, trying not to laugh. “And yes, I remember. Said a devastatingly hot guy actually saved my life that night.”

“And do you remember how he also got you pregnant?”

I’m laughing now. “Okay, where are you going with this?”

“Well, you’re still pregnant and stressing yourself the hell out. Calm your tits. Andrei said he was okay, and that he was going to be home soon. In the meantime, we get to hang out and recover from the Kuznetsov trauma together. By the way, this is turning out to be the longest we’ve been around each other without bickering. Tell me you’ve noticed.”

“Oh, I’ve noticed, and I’m glad.” I soften as I gulp down half of my iced tea.

“Me, too. It’s been a rough ride.”

“Dad didn’t help us much either.”

“He did the best he could. We certainly gave him hell for it.”

“I guess we weren’t too easy to handle.”

Ciara takes a deep breath, and we both sit in silence for a while. “Thank you for letting me stay here,” she says. “I just… I can’t go back home. Not yet.”

“I completely understand. You can stay here for as long as you need, Ci. Nobody is rushing you anywhere.”

“Well, I am rushing. Just not back home,” she says. “Listen, I want to call a meeting early next week. Paddy’s out of hiding.”

“A meeting?”

“The Donovans, the MacDonalds, the O’Reillys. The whole organization is in disarray after Sergei’s slimy takeover attempt. And our family doesn’t currently have a leader to take the main seat,” she says. “With your approval, of course. Just wanted to run it by you first.”

I give Ciara a long, warm smile. “Ciara, you’re the leader that this family needs.”

“We both know that’s not true. I failed on so many levels. Come on.”

“Sergei had everyone fooled, our father included,” I insist. “Ci, I have your back. If you ever need my vote or my support, I’ll be there. But I’m building my dream here with Anton. I never wanted to lead the Donovan organization, you know that. That was always you.”

“But Anton was convinced he could get you to—”

“They were all convinced they could sway me back into the fold. Maybe someday I will. I don’t know. But only if you decide to step down willingly. Otherwise, this is your turf, Ciara. Your future. Your organization. If you want me by your side, I’m there. But I have faith in you. I know you can lead them. So, yeah, call the meeting. I’ll sit in and support whatever you decide to do. And tell Paddy he needs to get his ass down here and have lunch with us. He is sorely missed.”

Ciara giggles. “Paddy said he’ll support me, too.”

“You’ll do well with him having your back. He was right to leave when he did, though. You have to know when to pick your battles. Sergei would’ve killed him.”

“Indeed. Then we’d be crying over him as well.”

We both sit up upon hearing the front door open.

I bolt from my chair just as Anton comes into the living room. I’m starstruck by how good he looks in that suit. I’m even more enticed by the satisfied smirk stretching across his face and the fire burning in his hazel eyes. His gaze softens as it meets mine.

“Hello, Mrs. Karpova,” he says.

“Mr. Karpov, so glad to see you again.”

“Ciara. I see you’re still alive and kicking,” he gives her a playful wink.

“Alive, yeah. Kicking, not so much, but with a little bit of physical therapy, I will be soon enough,” Ciara replies. My heart grows with each step that Anton takes toward me.

“I’d love to sit around and chat some more,” he says, never taking his eyes off me. “But my wife and I have some catching up to do.”

“Knock yourselves out, I get the TV all to myself for once,” Ciara quips.

I can’t help but laugh. Anton closes the distance between us and sweeps me off my feet, causing me to squeal and say, “Oh, God, Anton, I’m heavy!”

“Good thing I’m strong,” he replies as he scoops me up in his arms and carries me out of the room. A minute later, we’re on the upper floor, hungrily kissing each other as we stumble into our bedroom. “I’ve missed you so much, baby.”

“I love you,” I tell him. “I was so scared that I wouldn’t be able to see you again.”

“No way. Have you met me?” he replies, mercilessly tugging at the straps of my dress.

It falls to the floor, and I’m left standing naked in front of my husband. I help him out of his suit, our mouths fused as we whisper sweet things to each other. The fire that burns between us reaches a whole new level, passionate lust gathering in my core as he lays me on the bed and spreads my legs.

“I have been thinking about this for a while now,” he growls, letting his tongue slide between my wet folds.

I whimper and grab the satin sheets as Anton ravenously eats my pussy.

He brings a hand up to fondle my tender, full breasts, while the other focuses on my wet, hot opening. Suckling my clit hard, he penetrates me first with two, then three fingers. I cry out in ecstasy, my orgasm unraveling with lightning speed as days’ worth of longing are finally sated and released.

“Oh, God, Anton, yes!” I manage as he comes up, his lips wet with my juices.

I sit up as he lies on his back on the bed. I straddle his hips and lower myself onto his thick shaft, both of us groaning as I slide down his length. He grabs me by the hips, thrusting upward as I rock rhythmically on his cock.

It doesn’t take long before another climax rockets through me.

We’re both so hungry, so desperate, so eager for that ultimate release.

He comes hard soon after, and I welcome every drop of him inside, my core tightening and pulsating as another orgasm explodes through me, the sound of his climactic grunts and the hazy look in his eyes too much to bear.

I collapse on him. “We’re just getting started. You know that, right?” he mutters and nuzzles my ear as I drape myself over him.

“You’re damn right. I’ve got quite the appetite these days,” I reply.

“Close your eyes,” Anton says.

We’re in the backseat of his town car, Ian behind the wheel.

“Okay, I’m getting a bit of a déjà vu feeling here,” I giggle as I close my eyes. “What is going on?”

“You’ll see when we get there.”

Ian chuckles. “You’re going to love it, I promise.”

“Ah, well, if Ian says I’ll love it, then okay.”

“Wow, thank you for the confidence,” Anton quips.

We reach our destination, and Anton helps me out of the car. The smell of roasted coffee beans immediately smacks my nose. I gasp and breathe it all in, my eyes still closed as I try not to laugh. Anton holds me close and gently guides me up the steps.

“I think I know where we are. The surprise isn’t really—”

“SURPRISE!” Too many voices explode at once.

I freeze on the spot, leaning into Anton as I open my eyes. I knew he was working on the café to get it up and running for me—Ian gave him away a week ago. But I had no idea how far he’d come with it, and I certainly wasn’t expecting a surprise party.

“Oh my gosh!” I exclaim upon seeing Laura and Andrei, Ciara, Paddy, and many members of the Russian and Irish mob present. “Oh, wow.”

“I know you were aware I was working on this, but I think I still managed to knock the wind out of you with this one,” Anton says, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he walks me into the newly refurbished café.

“I don’t know what to say.”

I really don’t. Not only was my café renovated and refurbished, but it’s even gotten a few gorgeous upgrades. Different light fixtures and a whole new design on the central bar—both of which I know I talked to Ciara about. They’ve been working together on this, clearly, and it came out like a dream.

“Are those servers?” I gasp, watching several uniforms glide by with drinks on their trays and smiles on their faces.

“From a catering company, just for today. I wanted you to see what it’s going to look like when it’s fully operational,” Anton replies, his hand resting on the small of my back. “After the nightmare you went through, you deserve a beautiful dream. And it’s been a pleasure and an honor to have a hand in this.”

“He didn’t do it alone, though,” Laura says as she comes in for a hug.

“He had plenty of help,” Ciara adds with a wink.

Andrei pats him on the back. “He would’ve been helpless without us.”

“Helpless,” Anton agrees.

“Almost helpless,” Paddy chimes in, gently squeezing my shoulder. “Congratulations, kiddo. Your da would be so proud, I’m sure of it.”

“So, is this like a grand-opening party?” I ask, shyly looking around. “I mean, I know most of the people here.”

Ciara laughs. “Of course. Every high-ranking member of Chicago’s underworld is here to celebrate with you. Look at that, the Italians made it, too.”

I follow her gaze to find Tommy Benedetto walking in, a bottle of French champagne in each hand, grinning like the devil.

“Hey! We’re gonna drink these after the mini-Karpovs pop out!” he says.

“Tommy!” I giggle and rush over to hug him.

To say that I’m happy would be an understatement. After the storm, it’s nice to feel the sun on my face again. Anton did say that the troubles wouldn’t last forever, but when you’re deep in the muck, it’s kind of hard to see much of what’s ahead.

Today, however, I see it all.

“It’s the least I could do for everything you’ve given me,” Anton tells me as I admire the coffee bar, the party joyously unfolding around us. “I want you to be happy, Eileen.”

“I am happy.”

“Happier.”

“I am the happiest I could possibly be,” I insist.

He plants a kiss on my lips, and I welcome his taste, his love, his protection.

This has been a long time coming.