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Ivan Besov’s body washed up on the shore of the river when the ice melted, just like Alex had predicted The police opened an investigation when it became known that Stefanov had placed a price on the assassin’s head, but it was closed due to a lack of evidence The explosion at Stefanov’s house was declared an accident due to a gas leak I can only assume Alex’s influence played a role in the speedy resolution of both cases

Lena was fired Alex made sure everyone knew she’d poisoned Dania, but he left out the finer details of the conspiracy With that stain on her reputation, the only work she could find was doing laundry in a prison For such an eternal snob, washing the sheets of the lower class she despises htmare come true A feeeks later, she fell down the stairs and broke her neck The witnesses said she slipped because the floor et, but I suspect Mikhail had a hand in her untimely death At least I hope it was Mikhail I can’t entirely rule out ht that should keep ely doesn’t

As for Dania, her father arranged a arch, a man who keeps her under his thumb Eventually, she may still take over his business, but for now, sheclosely with Alex, the man she’s come to despise

“Ready to go?” Alex asks

When I turnblue eyes, like I catch hi so often “Are you?”

“Yes,” he says

The word carries quietly on the breeze It’s soft, tranquil The undertone of torment that was present when Alex told er audible in his voice There’s still sadness, but underneath the sorrow lies a tone of acceptance

I study him back with the saht with awareness He’s eternally vigilant, but there are also tiuard completely Such as in bed

“What?” he asks gently, a s at his lips as he brushes a wisp of hair from my cheek with his thumb

“You’re ridiculously handsoiddily happy

He chuckles “You must be the only one who thinks that”

He’s wrong He’s not handso only to the strong features of his face and to theabout what’s inside, about the erous Lethal But he’s also trustworthy and protective He’s a good husband, not only supportingree He accepts my friends, and he loves my mom as if she were his own

He searches my eyes “Sometimes,” he says softly, “I have to touch you to be sure you’re real” He accohtly in both of his palms