by Kresley Cole
Before the ceremony, Lucía had teased me, “Make sure Vice has something old, something new, something stolen, and something blue.”
With no secrets, our families could be themselves and meld. We already saw signs of it.
By the pool, Vasili and Al were deep in a game of chess, Gram spectating. When Al had first broken out the board, I’d murmured to Dmitri, “It’s like Iceman versus Maverick, huh?” Zero recognition. “Top Gun?” My husband and I had a decade of movies to get through.
And then there was melding with Benji and Jess.
Reading my mind, Dmitri waved in their direction. “I never saw that coming.”
They were sitting together, both laughing at something Jess was saying. When they’d first met earlier, zany, ballsy Jess had gazed up at his face and blushed. And then she’d grown tongue-tied. As for Benji, he couldn’t seem to take his eyes—or his camera lens—off her.
I nodded. “I’d worried how Karin might take it, but she’s happy for him. She admitted she’s still lost for Cash’s father.” The fact that Walker was watching his son grow up, every Tuesday and Friday, was huge for her.
Until she figured out what to do about their relationship, she’d decided to continue going to the park—without letting on that the ruse was up—so he could have that time.
Down on the dance floor, she laughed with Cash in her arms, while he gurgled his delight. He looked very dapper in the tuxedo romper Mom had made him and seemed determined to flash everyone his pair of teeth.
“I have an idea about Karin and Walker,” Dmitri said, his eyes lively. “I think we should run a little con.”
“You grifter!” I said in mock indignation, before murmuring, “Tell.”
“We buy the remains of his company—in Karin’s name. Yet then they’ll learn they only have so much time to right the ship before it goes down. Perhaps a fake loan coming due?”
My eyes widened. “Forcing them to work together! You brilliant man.”
He took my hand and pressed a kiss to my palm. “Con artistry is what I do.”
I sighed. Being married to Dmitri trumped a royal flush.
He was still a dream man; he remained too good to be true. But when we reached for the stars together, they became ours.
And he was right; why did dreams have to end?
Laughter sounded from below, drawing our gazes.
Maksim escorted Lucía to the dance floor, twirling her around. Natalie was even coaxing Aleks to dance.
That Sevastyan devotion shone bright.
Mom and Dad were already out on the floor, as flirtatious and excited as if this were their first date. They were living a happily-ever-after.
I turned to Dmitri. “Do you think we’ll be as happy together as my parents in thirty years?”
He cradled my face in his hands, and our gazes locked. His eyes no longer held secrets, only promise. “Victoria Sevastyan, I will make sure of it.”
I laid my hand over his strong heart. “I’m going to want this for a lot longer than three decades. I’ll want you forever.”
He leaned down to graze his lips over mine. “What my wife wants, she gets.”
Below us, cheers and wolf whistles sounded, and we grinned as we kissed.
Dmitri Sevastyan had told me he would free me and give me the entire world.
He does both, every single day. . . .
The Master • The Professional
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About Kresley Cole
Kresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series, the young adult Arcana Chronicles series, the erotic Game Maker series, and five award-winning historical romances. A master’s grad and former athlete, she has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings. You can learn more about her and her work at KresleyCole.com. Sign up for Kresley’s email newsletter to receive the latest book release updates, as well as info about contests and giveaways.
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Also by Kresley Cole
The Game Maker Series
The Professional
The Master
The Player
The Immortals After Dark Series
The Warlord Wants Forever
A Hunger Like No Other
No Rest for the Wicked
Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night
Dark Needs at Night’s Edge
Dark Desires After Dusk
Kiss of a Demon King
Deep Kiss of Winter
Pleasure of a Dark Prince
Demon from the Dark
Dreams of a Dark Warrior
Lothaire
Shadow’s Claim
MacRieve
Dark Skye
Sweet Ruin
The Arcana Chronicles
Poison Princess
Endless Knight
Dead of Winter
The MacCarrick Brothers Series
If You Dare
If You Desire
If You Deceive
The Sutherland Series
The Captain of All Pleasures
The Price of Pleasure
Valkyrie Press
228 Park Ave S #11599
New York, NY 10003
This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2016 by Kresley Cole
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.
ISBN 978-0-9972151-1-3
ISBN 978-0-9972151-0-6 (ebook)
Table of Contents
THE PLAYER
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Epilogue
THE GAME MAKER SERIES
About Kresley Cole
Also by Kresley Cole
Copyright