Page 149 of Caged

My eyes go wide as I look at the sheer size of it as he presents it to me.

All of this centers around the damn diamonds. It brought us together, it tore us apart, and now, it will unite us forever.

There is a beauty in that.

He slides the ring over the ribbon and tears freefall down my cheeks.

“Did you steal it?” I ask, biting back a grin and he shrugs, giving me a smirk.

“I guess you’ll never know.” He winks and stands, pulling me against his side. He motions for Elena to join us.

He lifts her into his other arm and pulls us together.

I swear he melts me as he presses a kiss first to my temple and then to his daughter’s.

“My girls,” he whispers. I can hear the emotion in his voice and I let the tears stream down my cheeks.

“We are the best, aren’t we?” I wink at Elena.

“Does this mean we get to have a big party?” Elena asks.

Nikolai looks at me with a grin, it’s as if I can read his mind.

“Are you thinking what I am?”

He nods.

“This weekend?”

“Deal.”

SIXTY-FOUR

NIKOLAI

I know it’s in here somewhere.

Digging through the drawers of my desk, I pull out piles of papers and stack them all across the top.

Nope. Not it. That either.

Shit. I know I got a passport for Elena, it’s just in one of these folders.

Maybe it’s nerves making me fly through the files so quickly? Mila and Elena are busy packing, I have my stuff ready, I just need to find this one last thing.

Well, here’s her birth certificate.

And, some pictures?

Fuck. I feel like I’ve been hit with a brick.

Katerina, still sweaty from labor, cuddling Elena as a newborn. Her smile shows the elation and absolute love that she felt for our daughter.

Another of Elena’s first bath, fresh from the hospital.

Damn. “I’m sorry, Kat. I never thought I’d ever be able to move on.” My throat tightens holding the flimsy photo.

I hate how it’s fading on the edges.