The bullet holes in the mahogany doors had been repaired, the broken glass replaced with reinforced security panes, and the atmosphere of dark, oppressive paranoia had lifted, replaced by something much warmer—something resembling an actual home.
In the sunlit courtyard garden, surrounded by blooming red roses and autumn chrysanthemums, Sophie was conducting her most important medical examination yet.
Alexei Petrov, wearing a casual black sweater instead of his usual three-piece suit, sat on a wrought-iron garden bench, holding a cup of tea. His four-year-old doctor stood before him on a wooden stool, wearing a brand-new white lab coat custom-made by the estate tailor.
“Open wide and say ahhh,” Sophie commanded, holding her plastic flashlight like a tongue depressor.
“Ahh,” Alexei obliged, a genuine, relaxed smile crinkling the corners of his dark eyes.
Maria sat nearby at the patio table, pouring a fresh cup of coffee. The morning sun caught the strands of her dark hair, making her look younger, softer, and entirely at peace. For the first time in her life, she didn't have to look over her shoulder. Carlos was gone, locked away in a federal penitentiary facing charges that would keep him behind bars for the rest of his natural life, while Viktor and his traitorous faction had been permanently purged from the syndicate.
Dmitri walked across the cobblestone courtyard, holding a thick leather portfolio. He stopped beside Alexei, handing him the document.
“Everything is finalized, boss,” Dmitri reported, his face expressionless. “The real estate transfer in Miami is complete. The safe house network is secure. And the foundation set up in Sophie’s name is fully operational.”
Alexei glanced at the papers before signing his name with a gold fountain pen. “Good. See that the legal team makes sure Maria’s new citizenship papers clear by the end of the month under her real name.”
Dmitri nodded, casting a brief, approving glance toward Maria before turning and walking away.
Alexei stood up from the bench, brushing a stray leaf from his sweater, and walked over to the patio table where Maria sat. He pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down, leaning his forearms on the table.
“You know,” Alexei said softly, watching Sophie chase a butterfly across the lawn with her stethoscope bouncing against her chest, “I was thinking about your medical license.”
Maria raised an eyebrow, taking a sip of her coffee. “My abandoned biochemistry degree, you mean?”
“It’s not abandoned,” Alexei corrected smoothly. “I spoke with the dean of medical sciences at the University of Chicago yesterday. Your previous credits transfer. All you need is two years of clinical residency and your board exams.”
Maria stared at him, her coffee cup pausing halfway to her lips. “Are you... are you offering to pay for my medical school?”
“I’m offering to invest in my favorite doctor,” Alexei corrected, a warm, captivating smile breaking across his scarred face. “After all, someone needs to make sure I don't accidentally poison myself with bad coffee again.”
Maria felt a blush creep up her cheeks, warm and undeniable. She set her cup down, studying the man sitting across from her—the feared billionaire, the ruthless mafia boss, the man who had turned his entire world upside down just to keep her safe.
“And what happens when I graduate?” Maria asked, her voice dropping into a playful, teasing whisper. “Are you going to make me your private physician?”
“Only if you agree to a lifetime contract,” Alexei replied, his dark eyes locking onto hers with absolute, unwavering devotion. He reached across the table, taking her soft hand in his large, calloused one. “No running away. No hiding. Just a life built on something real.”
Maria looked out across the sunlit garden where her daughter was laughing, chasing a golden butterfly through the roses. Then she looked back at Alexei, feeling the warmth of his hand anchoring her to the earth.
“It sounds like a very good prescription,” Maria whispered.
Alexei smiled, squeezing her hand tightly. “Then I suppose our treatment has officially begun.”