Gilded in Blood – Extended Epilogue
Milana
Five Years Later…
“Can you make the chicken salad a little creamier than usual?” I ask the chef as I glance over the bubbling pots. “Calina’s coming over, and you know how much she likes her salad extra creamy.”
He grins. “You got it, Mrs. Volkov.”
The rich aroma of seafood, herbs, garlic, and butter fills the air as the chef and maids put the finishing touches on dinner.
Between the grilled lobster tails, garlic butter prawns, roasted vegetables, fresh salads, and homemade bread, there’ll be more than enough food for everyone.
Tonight, Kirill and I are hosting dinner for my family. Artyom, Irina, Mikhail, Kira, Calina, Maxim, and their little ones, are all coming over.
Family dinners have become a tradition over the years, one I look forward to every single time. We all take turns hosting.
Satisfied that everything is under control, I step out of the kitchen. The moment I reach the hallway, Kirill’s voice drifts in from the living room.
“Get down. If you break your mom’s favorite coffee table, she’s going to throw both of us out of the house tonight.”
A tiny voice giggles. “No, she won’t.”
After I got pregnant with our son, Dmitri, Kirill insisted we needed more space. He bought a much larger house, convinced our little boy deserved plenty of room to run around and play.
As it turns out, no amount of space is ever enough for Dmitri. Somehow, he still manages to treat every room like his own personal playground.
I walk into the living room just in time to see our four-year-old son jump off the sofa.
The second he spots me, his face lights up. “Mommy!”
He races across the room at full speed. I barely have time to brace myself before he throws himself into my arms.
He’s getting so big now. I scoop him up with ease, pressing a kiss to his forehead. He wraps his little arms around my neck.
“Daddy said you’re going to throw us out of the house.” His gray eyes, just like his father’s, widen dramatically. “Are you going to throw us out, Mommy?”
I laugh. “No, sweetheart.”
He beams.
Then, with the smug confidence, he twists around in my arms to look at Kirill. “Mommy said she won’t throw me out.”
He points a tiny finger at his father. “So, she’s only going to throw you out.”
Kirill places a hand over his chest in mock offense. “Oh? That’s how we’re doing this now?”
He looks between the two of us. “You two are teaming up against me.”
Our son nods very seriously. “Yep.”
Before either of us can react, he wiggles out of my arms.
The instant his feet hit the floor, he takes off running.
Kirill groans dramatically. “Get back here, traitor.”
Our son squeals with laughter as he races around the living room, and Kirill follows right behind him.
I lean against the doorway, unable to stop laughing as my husband chases our son around the room, both of them laughing so hard.
Moments like this still catch me off guard. There was a time when I never imagined Kirill like this. It’s my favorite version of him.
Life has a funny way of surprising you. Five years ago, I couldn’t imagine my life looking like this.
Now, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
I graduated from law school two years ago. Opening my own law firm was a dream I’d always had, and somehow, that dream had become reality.
Most of the women who walk through my doors can’t afford legal representation. Many are escaping abusive relationships. Some are recovering from addiction.
Most of my cases are pro bono. People have asked me more than once why I don’t focus on wealthier clients.
The answer has always been simple. Because these women need someone in their corner. If I can give even one woman the fresh start she deserves, then every long day is worth it. And I am lucky enough that we don’t need more money.
Kirill also started his own company. He has built one of the most respected private security firms in New York. His clients are CEOs, diplomats, political figures, and people willing to pay whatever it costs for the best protection money can buy.
Life has been good to us. Looking around our home, hearing our son’s laughter echoing through the halls, knowing the people I love are about to fill this house, I honestly can’t ask for more.
My phone buzzes, pulling me out of my thoughts. I glance at the screen and see a text from Calina letting me know they’re on their way.
A pair of strong arms suddenly wraps around my waist from behind, and warm lips brush against my temple, then my cheek, finally, my lips.
I smile into the kiss. Kirill rests his forehead against mine. His eyes soften as they search my face. “Hey.”
I lace my fingers with his. “Hey. I think I’m going to take a quick shower before everyone gets here.”
Another burst of childish laughter echoes through the house. We both turn just in time to see our son dart across the hallway again, laughing hysterically.
“I’ll go make sure our little menace is with the nanny, and then I’ll come join you. You know, save water and the planet.”
He steals one more quick kiss before letting me go.
***
I just finished washing my hair when I feel Kirill behind me. His hands slide over my body, warm and sure, as he kisses my shoulders, my neck, down my back.
He showers me with kisses and praises, his voice low and rough. “So beautiful. So perfect for me.”
His hands move down my whole body, one slipping between my thighs. He starts teasing me with his fingers, circling my clit, then sliding inside me. I moan, leaning back against him.
“I thought you were in here just to save water,” I manage to say, breathless.
He chuckles against my ear. “Yeah. While we’re saving water, I can be inside you too.”
He turns me to face the stone wall, pressing me against it as he thrusts into me from behind. I let out a loud moan, the sound echoing in the shower.
Even after being married for five years, our desire for each other has never waned. If anything, it has heightened.
After we had our son, it took a while for us to get our groove back. I was healing, navigating motherhood, and Kirill was there every step of the way, helping, taking care of me and our son.
When we finally did get our groove back, everything felt even more intense. Now we take each other every opportunity we get, because our son keeps us busy, and we make full use of every stolen moment. Like right now.
Kirill fucks me against the shower wall, hard and deep, showering me with praises. “I fucking love your body. I love how you take me. I love you. So much.”
“I love you too…”
I come crying his name, my whole body shaking. He follows soon after, emptying inside me with a deep groan.
***
By the time everyone arrives, the house is filled with laughter.
The children race ahead of the adults, their nannies following close behind. Within minutes, everyone is settled around the dining room. The children sit together at a smaller table beside ours.
Mikhail now has three children, Oleg, Levi and Tatiana, who just turned two. Artyom has two, five-year-old Nastya and a three-year-old son, Nikolai.
Calina has twins, two beautiful girls, Vera and Anna. The house feels alive, exactly the way I love it.
As we eat, I notice Artyom looking particularly grumpy. “What’s wrong?” I ask Kira. “Why is Artyom so grumpy?”
Kira laughs softly. “Don’t mind him. He’s angry because Nastya told him she wants a boyfriend.”
Artyom groans, rubbing his face. “She’s five. What does a five-year-old need with a boyfriend?”
Laughter erupts around the table. Then a tiny voice calls from the children’s table. “I like Jayden! Why can’t he be my boyfriend, Daddy?”
Artyom groans louder. “God help me.”
The laughter only grows louder. “Oh, Artyom is going to go gray very soon,” Maxim teases.
Arytom points his fork at him. “Wait until your girls start talking about boys.”
Maxim’s smile vanishes instantly. “Hell no.”
Everybody joins in, teasing him good-naturedly. Laughter echoes around the table, filling the room with warmth.
As I look around, everyone I love is here. I couldn’t be more grateful for what we have now.
I reach under the table and squeeze Kirill’s hand. I’m right where I want to be.
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I love your books. I like the stand a lone HEA. I also like that the characters carry over and interact. I hate continued stories to get a nice ending.
Thank you for your feedback & support Pam! 🖤