I inhale deeply and as I begin, he holds my hand above the paper, allowing my blood to pour onto it.
"? ???? ??? ????????. ? ???? ??? ????. ? ???? ??? ????. ? ???? ???? ??????. ????? ??? ???????????. ????? ????? ?????? ??? ?????. ??? ??? ?????????, ??????? ? ??????. ."(I do not have any acquaintances. I do not have any homes. I do not have any names. I have the Bratva. This is where my loyalty lies. This is where my blood originates. This is my present, future, and death.)
As I finish speaking, he nods in acknowledgment, taking the paper from my hand and releasing my wounded hand. I watch as he flicks the gas lighter, a flame dancing to life. Holding the bloodied piece of paper over the flame, it engulfs with fire.
“Swan Morozov.”
As he loudly says my name, the entire room echoes with a chant, each voice joining in unison. I gaze around through watery eyes unable to hold my emotions, seeing everyone's heads bowed as a sign of submission to me, a symbol of recognition and acceptance. When my eyes finally meet Reign's from across the room, he offers me a proud smirk before lowering his head in the same manner. It is a bizarre scene, one I never imagined being a part of, yet in this moment, I realize that I have found my home and finally, peace.
Asthe private jet makes its way toward Boston, I steal a moment to gaze out the window beside me, watching the world awaken with the sunrise, signaling our almost arrival. I look down at Charley who is curled up on my lap asleep.
With her knees raised, I draw her in closer to me with my arms wrapped around her and press my lips against her forehead, lingering with my eyes closed before resting my head back on the seat, a contented smile gracing my lips.
In this moment, I realize that I finally have everything I fucking wanted—Charley, Stormy, the Bratva, and more. The anticipation of meeting Chaos's daughter fills me with a feelingI haven't felt before, but also a big sense of sadness for my brother's absence because this should have been his moment.
Yet, I'm determined to honor his memory by loving and raising her as he would have wanted. In her, I will have a piece of him, a reminder of the legacy he left behind. And she will be mine to raise, to love, and to protect at all costs, just as Chaos would have done.
When we finally land, I start to shift, which causes Charley to wake up. Her eyes gently open before they lift to mine. She smiles lazily and I lean down, softly taking her lips with mine. As her hand finds my face, I capture her plump lips a few times before I speak, peering deep into her green eyes.
“We’re here.”
She smiles again, but this time brightly, her happiness visible before she moves, lowering her legs and standing. After gathering our things, I wrap my arm around her shoulder, kissing her head as we exit the plane together.
After some time driving to the location, me and Charley sit in the back seat, my arm still around her shoulder, her face on my chest and with our fingers entwined, I draw circles on her palm with my thumb. As soon as we arrive at her place, we both look at one another, sharing a smile before we exit the car, ready to go get her.
As we stroll through the luxurious apartment building, my arm securely around Charley's shoulder and her arm draped over thesmall of my back, we move in sync. I steal a glance down at her, and she catches my eye, gracing me with a big smile before returning her gaze forward.
“What?”
When her eyes meet mine again, I shake my head once before returning my gaze ahead. As we step into the elevator, ascending to the top floor, she turns to face me.
“Are you nervous? I can understand if you are.”
I scan her pretty face before giving a small headshake in response.
“Nah. I’m excited to meet her.”
Her eyes soften before she tiptoes, flinging her arms around my neck and pressing her lips to mine. I respond by lifting her up and her legs circling my waist effortlessly. As the elevator comes to a stop, I can't resist giving her ass a rough squeeze, eliciting a squeal from her lips. A big smile spreads across her face as our lips remain touching as I speak.
“Which one is it, Lil Chaos?”
She raises an eyebrow at how I call her what Chaos used to and she glances behind her.
“303”
I continue to carry her until we reach the door, where she slides down my towering frame and lands gracefully on her feet. Standing behind her, I turn my snapback backward as she inserts her key into the lock. With a click, the door opens, and she pushes the handle down, turning to me with a big, beaming smile.
“Ready?”
I bring my mouth down to hers and bite down on my words.
“Yes, I’m ready. Open the fucking door.”
Her green eyes twinkle with amusement as I give her a hard kiss on the lips before she finally pushes the door open. I follow her inside the bright, spacious apartment, gazing around as I close the door behind me. As she keeps moving forward, I follow behind her until we’re entering a huge living room and I spot a young woman with blonde hair, smiling widely and greeting Charley.
“How has she been?”
“Perfect as always, Swan.”