Deadly Vows (Avilov Bratva #2)

18. Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Aleksandr

The morning sun was bright, chasing away the shadows in my office. The papers scattered before me were a testament to the night’s work—accounts to settle, shipments to confirm, and messages to send. But today, my mind was elsewhere, consumed by thoughts of Talia.

I leaned back in my chair, letting the leather cushion my weight as I ran a hand through my hair. The decision had been made, and now it was time to act. I needed advice, and there was no one better to turn to than Dimitri.

I picked up my phone and dialed his number. It rang twice before he picked up, his voice gruff with the remnants of sleep.

“ Da ?”

“Dimitri, I need to talk to you.”

There was a pause, a rustling of sheets, and his voice became clearer and more alert. “What is it?”

“I want to marry Talia,” I said, the words feeling foreign yet right on my tongue. “I want to surprise her with a ring. I need your advice.”

Silence stretched between us for a moment, and then Dimitri laughed, a deep, genuine sound.

“Finally,” he said. “I was wondering how long it would take you. It’s a great idea, Aleksandr. She deserves it, and so do you.”

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Dimitri’s approval meant more to me than I cared to admit.

“I’ve already arranged a private shopping experience at the jewelry store,” I continued. “I need to make sure everything is perfect.”

“Leave it to me,” Dimitri said. “I’ll take care of the details. You focus on Talia.”

I spent the rest of the morning finalizing plans, ensuring every detail was perfect. By the time Talia woke, I was on my third cup of coffee.

“Good morning,” she greeted, padding quietly into the kitchen. Her hazel eyes sparkled, and her dark hair framed her face like a halo.

“What got you up so early?” she asked, settling into the chair facing the window.

“I thought we could spend the day together,” I said, pouring her a cup of coffee and placing it before her.

“I’d love that,” she said, peeking at me from under her long lashes. “What did you have in mind?”

“Lunch first,” I said, taking her hand. “And then a surprise.”

Her eyes lit up with curiosity, but she didn’t press me for details. One of the many things I loved about Talia was her trust in me, even when she didn’t know what I had planned.

After breakfast, Talia went upstairs to get ready. I stood by the front door, adjusting the cufflinks on my navy-blue tailored suit as I waited for her. I chose the suit carefully, wanting to look my best for this special day. A single red rose rested in my hand, a simple token of affection that I knew would bring a smile to her face.

When she finally descended, my breath caught. She looked effortlessly beautiful in her leggings, boots, and cozy sweater, which gracefully concealed her baby bump. As she approached, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of warmth and admiration for my woman.

Talia’s eyes immediately fell on the rose in my hand. I saw her lips curl into a soft, surprised smile that made my heart skip a beat. She looked up at me, and I could see a hint of warmth in her eyes as she took in my suit.

“You look amazing,” she said, her voice full of genuine admiration.

I handed her the rose, and she accepted it with a tender laugh as if the gesture had touched her more than she expected. We headed to the car, a comfortable silence settling between us, broken only by the gentle hum of the engine as we drove to the café. The streets passed by quickly painted in a palette of autumn colors, and I glanced over at her occasionally, feeling a quiet contentment. She seemed relaxed, her hand resting on her belly, and I couldn’t help but think how perfectly the day was unfolding.

We had lunch at a charming, intimate café in a quiet corner of the city. Owned by my cousin Luka, it’s renowned for its five-star delicacies. The décor was as luxurious as the food. Yet, the atmosphere remained cozy, with soft lighting and the inviting aroma of delectable foods cooked in the kitchen.

We were seated at the chef’s table in the back of the restaurant next to the kitchen. Talia laughed, her voice ringing like music, and talked animatedly about everything and nothing. Her joy was infectious, and I found myself grinning like a fool, hanging on her every word.

I watched her intently, trying to memorize every detail. When she laughed, her eyes crinkled at the corners, and her dark hair fell in waves around her shoulders, framing her face perfectly. “You always know how to make me laugh,” I said, unable to tear my eyes away from her. She gestured with her hands as she spoke, her excitement palpable, as if she were enthusiastically painting the air.

“You make it easy,” she replied with a playful wink, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand. At that moment, I knew I could stay in that café with her forever, lost in her laughter, entirely at ease in the tiny world we had created for ourselves.

After lunch, we walked hand in hand through the city, the bustling crowds and noisy streets a distant backdrop to our world. We finally arrived at the jewelry store, its grand facade gleaming in the afternoon sun.

Talia looked up at the store and then back at me, her eyes wide with surprise. “Aleksandr, what is this?”

I smiled, squeezing her hand. “A surprise, remember? Come on.”

We walked to the entrance, where a security guard opened the door. Inside, the store was empty, the usual bustle of customers replaced by a quiet, serene atmosphere. The staff stood ready, their attention solely on us.

“Welcome, Mr. Avilov, Miss Martin,” the manager said, bowing slightly. “We are honored to have you. Please, take your time.”

Talia looked around, her eyes round as saucers. “Aleksandr, this is... this is amazing. But why?”

“Because you deserve it,” I said, leading her further into the store. “I want you to pick out something special—anything you want.”

She hesitated, looking at the glittering displays of diamonds, sapphires, and rubies. “I don’t know. This is all so much.”

“Please,” I said, turning her to face me. “Let me do this for you. You mean everything to me, Talia. I want you to have something beautiful.”

She looked at me for a long moment, then nodded, a small smile on her plump lips. “Alright.”

We spent the next hour browsing the displays, Talia admiring the various pieces. Finally, she stopped in front of a pair of delicate diamond earrings that sparkled in the light.

“These,” she said softly. “They’re beautiful.”

I smiled, signaling to the manager. “We’ll take them.”

As the manager carefully removed the earrings from the display case, I reached into my pocket, my fingers closing around the small velvet box. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched Talia try on the earrings, her reflection in the mirror stunning.

“They’re perfect,” she said, turning to face me. “Thank you. They’re beautiful.”

I stepped closer, holding out the velvet box. “There’s one more thing.”

She looked at the box, then back at me, her eyes wide with shock and something else—hope.

I opened the box, revealing the diamond ring inside. I had chosen it with Dimitri’s help, and it symbolized everything I felt for her.

“Talia,” I said, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions. “From the moment I met you, my life changed. You’ve shown me a love I never thought possible, and I can’t imagine my life without you. Will you marry me?”

Tears filled her eyes, and for a moment, she was silent. Then she nodded, a radiant smile breaking across her face. “Yes, Aleksandr. Yes, I’ll marry you.”

I slipped the ring onto her finger, my heart soaring as she threw her arms around me, her laughter and tears mingling in a symphony of joy.

Everything else faded away in that moment—the dangers, the challenges, the world we lived in. There was only Talia and me and the love we had found in each other.

The drive back to the mansion was quiet, each of us comfortable in our own thoughts. Talia couldn’t stop admiring her ring, the large diamond catching the light and casting tiny rainbows around the car.

“I still can’t believe it,” she said softly, glancing at me. “It feels like a dream.”

I reached over, taking her hand in mine. “It’s real, kiska . And it’s just the beginning.”

She smiled, squeezing my hand. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” I said, my heart full. “More than you’ll ever know.”