Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad by Scarlett Rossi
Chapter 544 -

*Tallon*

Ivan's words seemed to echo in the warehouse around us. I was simultaneously excited and disappointed to hear him say it.

On the one hand, I wanted all of this to end. It was time to put a stop to the violence. On the other, I wanted to make Ivan pay for what he'd done to Natalia. But I knew that making him pay wasn't what would keep her safe in the long term. No, the only way to do that would be to forge an unprecedented peace between our two families. And perhaps, if we worked together, we could manage to maintain that peace for decades to come.

"I'm done fighting," I told Ivan honestly. "Too many innocents have lost their lives all because we can't stop trying to get revenge. It's pointless and it only punishes our men."

"I agree," Ivan said, the mean glint in his eyes slowly fading as he realized that he was unlikely to die today.

"I can't abide by your entire family living here in Florence, but I am willing to take on some of your men for moving products. I understand that many of them have families here, and I wouldn't ask them to relocate. My intention is not to punish anyone who only followed orders, but I also don't think it's the best idea if we all try to coexist here either. The city just isn't big enough for the both of us."

Ivan nodded, considering my words. "I don't particularly enjoy this city of yours," he admitted. "I would much prefer to go back to my homeland. But I have to know that my men will be safe. How do I know you won't slaughter them the second I leave?"

The thought of more betrayal made my stomach turn, but I couldn't let Ivan see that. He still needed to think of me as a brutal asshole who wouldn't hesitate to kill anyone who got in my way. He might be willing to make a truce, but it didn't change the fact that he was always willing to stab me in the back. I thought of how I could satisfy his concerns while also ensuring that I would have eyes on Ivan at all times.

"I have a few men who have been wanting to get out of Florence and see more of the world. I would be willing to send them with you as insurance. Your men's safety will equal my men's safety, and you will train them the same way I'll train yours. In the end, we'll both have men who are allied to us but report back to the other. That will help ensure the peace for years to come."

Ivan wasn't stupid enough to think that my men wouldn't still be answering to me and reporting back on his behavior, but I also wasn't stupid enough to think that his men wouldn't be doing the same. This way, our newfound alliance would be monitored on both sides, and we could both begin to trust each other knowing that everyone was on equal footing.

"I accept the proposition," Ivan said in a formal tone.

I reached out and shook his hand, then motioned for my men to free him and Anton.

"I never thought I would see the day when I made a deal with a Zaytsev," I told Ivan.

He nodded. "I promise you I am even more surprised than you are. Dmitri is rolling in his grave right now."

I chuckled at the thought, enjoying the idea of pissing off the old bastard. Ivan was bad, but Dmitri had been pure evil. A deal like this never would have happened while he was alive.

"Alright, let's get the fuck out of here." I nodded to Alessandro and Vinny, our signal to leave.

Ivan and Anton would have to replace their own way home. I had no doubt that they had men on the way already.

Once we were outside and away from prying ears, I turned to Alessandro. "I need you to stay here and keep an eye on them," I said quietly. "Don't interfere, but make sure they don't do anything stupid."

He nodded and made his way to a small nondescript building that we'd built in the parking lot solely for the purpose of being able to watch the warehouse without being seen.

The Russians wouldn't notice him, but he would be able to see their every move. I hoped that they would stay true to their word, but until they were out of Florence for good, I wouldn't risk leaving them to their own devices. Alessandro and his men would be able to quietly keep tabs on them.

Finally, Vinny and I were headed back to the safehouse. I was desperate to see Natalia again. The doctor had said she would be okay, but that didn't mean I felt comfortable leaving her side. As soon as I got back to her, I was determined to sit by her bed until she was cleared to come home. And then, I would beg her to come home with me. I needed her to be safe, and the only way I could ensure that would be if she was at the compound with me. Vinny pulled into the safehouse driveway and said, "Tell her I'm sorry, will you?"

I looked at him, my eyes widening.

He must have sensed my surprise because he went on to say, "I feel terrible for doubting her. You were right. She was just caught in the crossfire. I'm glad you didn't let that asshole kill her. So tell her I'm sorry."

I nodded. "I doubted her too. It's my fault that he was able to capture her. I don't know if I'll ever stop feeling guilty about that," I admitted.

"I'm sure you'll replace a way to make it up to her." He winked. "Now get in there and see to your lady! I've gotta go check on my men."

I got out of the car and flipped him off. He laughed as he pulled away. I was so grateful that we were back to laughing and joking around. It had been a tense few days, and I knew we were all glad that we had made it out alive.

The nurse we'd hired to care for her smiled as I walked in. I smiled back and made a mental note to have some flowers delivered and give her a bonus. She had all been more than attentive to Natalia, and I was grateful.

I eased open the door to Natalia's room in case she was asleep. She had slept a lot since we had rescued her, and I didn't blame her. Sleeping was a good way to help process shock and trauma.

To my surprise, she was awake and alert. Her smile when she saw me coming through her door made my heart want to burst. My love for her had only grown in our time apart.

"Hey you," I said quietly, walking over to sit in the chair by her bed. I reached out to pull her hand gently into mine, then pressed a light kiss against it. I hated seeing the IV needle that had been pushed into her skin; I didn't want to see her in pain, even if it was helping her in the long term.

"Hey," she whispered.

Her voice was still strained from the injuries she had sustained to her throat. I had to force myself to take a deep breath as I glanced at the bruise surrounding her neck like a vicious choker. I vowed to buy her a diamond necklace the second I got home. It wouldn't take her pain away, but it would help ease my guilt.

"It's over. We've taken care of everything," I said, squeezing her hand gently.

Her eyes widened, and I realized what she was thinking.

"We didn't kill your uncle," I explained. "We came to an agreement about a truce."

Relief overtook her face as a few tears came to her eyes. "Oh thank God," she said. "I was so scared when you left. I couldn't sleep. I mean, he deserved whatever punishment you give him, but-"

She paused, and her beautiful blue eyes were like crystal pools as her tears ran freely.

"I'm so sorry for everything I've put you through," I murmured, standing up to kiss her forehead and wipe her tears. "I promise you, I'll keep you safe from here on out. No matter what, I'll always protect you."

She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me close. I nestled my face against her neck and took comfort in her scent. I couldn't help but press a few kisses just under her ear and was rewarded with a small giggle. I pulled back so I could see her smiling again.

"I would do anything to keep you smiling forever," I told her.

"Just let me be with you. That's all I want," she said.

After spending so long knowing that she was stopping herself from loving me fully, it still amazed me at how open she was now that we didn't have secrets between each other anymore. I loved the openness between us; it showed me that she cared just as much about me as I did about her.

Although, after seeing how hard she had fought Ivan when she thought my life was on the line, I didn't doubt for one second that she loved me deeply.

"I love you, you know," I said, kissing her on the forehead once more.

"I love you more," she said with a grin, then pressed her hands to my cheeks and pulled me down so that she could kiss me fully.

I groaned as her mouth met mine and had to hold myself back, constantly keeping aware of her injuries and making sure that she was comfortable even though all I really wanted to do was climb right into the bed with her. 'Later,' I promised myself. Later I would pull her into bed and keep her there for days. For now, I just needed her to heal.

Finally, I pulled away from the kiss, knowing that if we continued for much longer it was likely that her nurse would walk in on us and scold me for raising Natalia's heart rate. I knew she was monitoring it from the other room. I glanced at the machine to see that it was definitely higher than it had been before.

Her cheeks were beautifully flushed and her eyes slightly glazed with desire, but I forced myself to sit back down in my chair and take her hand chastely in mine.

"We have all the time in the world," I reassured her.

She smiled at me, then laid her head back and closed her eyes. Within minutes, her hand had gone limp in mine and she was softly snoring. After everything she had been through, it was a precious sight to see her so relaxed. I leaned back in my chair and thanked the universe for bringing her safely back to me.