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"Is earned, ass." She crushed against him as though she couldn't get close enough, her face soft, her eyes dreamy. "Are you going to earn my respect, Nikky?"

She was an absolute terror. But so beautiful. "I guess I'll have to, won't I?" He swung her into his arms. Although her full skirt was unwieldy, she weighed nothing. He could lift her with one hand. He'd proven that recently.

"I guess you will." She put her arms around his neck.

"Kaerta," Tatyana's aggressive grandfather barked. He had plans, plans to keep the family safe, Tatyana safe.

But those could wait. "Tomorrow." Nik didn't look back. Tatyana smiled. "Or the next day."