Page 127 of Wicked Knight

Dad smiles. “That’s sweet of you, but we need so much it’s not possible to fix it. What would have helped immensely is if I could have recouped some of that money Keaton stole, or find him.”

“He’s on his way to New York as we speak,” comes a voice from the door. A voice I haven’t heard in this house in years.

We look around and find Maxim Valneko standing at the door with Dmitri next to him.

Dmitri gives me a hopeful look, but then looks back to my father who’s gone pale.

“Sorry for the intrusion, the maid let us in,” Maxim continues.

“That’s okay,” Dad replies in a cautious voice.

“My men picked up Keaton earlier this morning in Monaco. My team managed to get back some of your money, but not all of it. We’re still investigating. I believe we can fix what you need fixing between us.”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. All I can do is stare in wonder and amazement.

“Fix?”

“Fix everything.” He gives Dad a reassuring nod and there’s a look in his eyes that suggests he’s talking about their broken friendship too. “Can we talk? There is also believe there’s the matter of a marriage contract we need to discuss between my son and your daughter.”

Dad looks at Dmitri for a long moment with new found respect and I realize this is his doing. He returns his gaze to Maxim and nods. “Yes, there’s a lot to talk about.”

“Out back at the usual spot?”

“Yes.”

Dad glances at Mom and me before making his way to the door. He taps Dmitri’s shoulder and gives him a grateful nod, then he and Maxim head outside to the garden.

Mom and I stand. She smiles and Dmitri and me.

“I’ll leave you two to talk?” she says, giving me a kiss on my cheek. She makes her way out of the office and taps Dmitri’s shoulder too.

He steps forward and I skip into his awaiting arms. We kiss and I savor the moment.

“How did you do this?” I ask when we pull apart.

He sighs. “It’s more like we. Me and you. Things fell into place after my father realized your father wasn’t guilty. I realized the only thing keeping me from you was the situation with your family so I asked for his help. I think once he had to time to process the betrayal and lies he was probably thinking of how he could fix things. I gave him a good idea.”

“You’re amazing Dmitri. You’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met in my life.” I nod with conviction. “Thank you for saving me and my family.”

“You don’t have to thank me for that.” He smiles. “But I do want something, Spider. Because I think you’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met in my life too.”

“What do you want?” I beam up at him.

She reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a little navy box. He pops it open revealing a gorgeous princess cut engagement ring and my hands fly up to my cheeks.

He lowers to one knee and takes my hand. “I told you I was going to ask you properly. Mackenzie Domachenkov, will you marry me?”

I’m nodding before he can even finish talking. “Yes. Absolutely yes.”

A radiant smile spreads across his face and he slips the beautiful ring on my finger.

I get up and hug him hard. He pulls me close to his chest and whispers into my ear.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“We found a way, Spider. We flew to the edge of the sun together.”