This time Sergei smiled, a knowing grin that spoke of satisfaction. “A wise move. They can be trusted.”

“It’s not a matter of trust. It’s a matter of habit.” And pride, if he was honest. “Anton would have never outsourced sensitive matters beyond family.”

“Anton’s family is generations old with vast resources. Ours is no less strong, but young. We build as we go and leverage the trustworthy connections we have as needed.” Sergei shrugged. “And besides, they are family.”

“We still have a resource issue,” Roman cautioned. “We need local technological expertise beyond Kir. He cannot lead behind a computer.”

“Agreed.” Sergei shifted his attention to Kir. “And what of Cassie?”

A quiet peace settled inside him. A lightness he hadn’t expected. Odd, how just the mention of her name could settle him.

Roman smirked. “Now you’ve made him lose his focus again. Twice this morning, he put our work on hold to direct the men installing security in his home.”

“She cannot stay at Sergei’s indefinitely,” Kir said. “Her safety is my responsibility.”

“Not solely yours,” Sergei corrected. “The responsibility falls to us all, and there is no rush.”

But there was a rush. Identifying the why of it had eluded him all day, but he’d known the moment he woke that he wanted her in his space. In his bed. Wanted to begin their life together in the truest sense possible without haste. “Everything will be in place by week’s end. Frieda’s home is being updated as well.” He paused a moment and met each man’s gaze one at a time. “She will not continue her career as a reporter. Once we find the person responsible for Kevin’s murder, she will explore a future in photography.”

Sergei settled deeper in his chair. “It seems you had an eventful discussion last night.”

Eventful barely scratched the surface of the night they’d shared. With her acceptance, he’d woken altered. Grounded, yet also driven to demonstrate his worthiness at a level that defied description. “She will be my bride.”

Roman’s eyebrows hopped high, open surprise reflected on his face.

Even Sergei, who’d long ago mastered the art of masking his reactions, seemed caught off guard. He schooled his features almost instantly. “And will there be a wedding to celebrate this decision? Or have the two of you opted for a more contemporary arrangement?”

Oh, there would be a wedding. Now that she’d chosen him, he had every intention of binding her to him in every way possible. “She will have my name, but we have not discussed details. She’s had enough thrown at her. When we’ve found and dealt with Kevin’s killer and she is in my home, then we will make plans.”

Sergei looked to Roman. “Wisdom and patience demonstrated inside one day. It seems our brother has found a new path.”

“Yes,” Roman said, “but another wedding means the rest of us have to be patient as well.”

The quip earned a surprising bark of laughter from Sergei. No doubt because he remembered all too well how quickly the mothers from Dallas had descended on New Orleans at the promise of nuptial planning. For days after their arrival, it had been chaos on Sergei’s estate, but Kir had to admit, he’d enjoyed it. More than that, he found himself looking forward to sharing a similar experience with Cassie.