His daughter wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her head in his neck, and his heart swelled at the easy, instinctive gesture.

Luna had eyes that were an unusual mix of green and grey, and dark blond hair like her father.

Never, not for a moment, did Maks take the love of his daughter or his wife for granted.

Zoe looked around at that moment, saw them, and smiled. Her hair was up in a loose topknot. She never used it to hide her face any more. She sent them a small wave and a kiss. Maks sent her an explicit look that she clearly recognised, and when she blushed in response, he smirked. Even as his own body reacted to that blush. Still.

Time and the reality of family life, terrifying and exhilarating all at once, hadn’t dimmed their desire or their love. It had only compounded it, turning it into something Maks had never believed existed. Trust. Harmony. Endless love.

Zoe turned back to finish photographing the model for a magazine cover. The model was striking—one of the hottest at the moment. Zoe had actually spotted her on the street and nurtured her herself. Originally a refugee from Angola, the girl was stunningly beautiful, yet her face was marked with the scars of war. But she wore them proudly and they’d become a trademark of her look, thanks to Zoe.

Pride filled Maks as he watched his wife at work. There was a quiet buzz of activity in the studio, but also a serenity—a trademark of Zoe’s method. She’d already made a name for herself as one of the world’s most in-demand photographers, but what had earned her even more respect was the fact that she’d insisted on working her way up through the ranks. Biding her time and learning with the greats. Not using her contacts to get ahead.

Once people had become aware that she was the Stephen Collins’s daughter, which had inevitably come out once their engagement had been announced, the press had had a field-day rehashing old stories of the tragic crash and her glamorous lineage. And that vast inheritance. But they’d weathered the public interest together, until it had died down again.

* * *

Finally, Zoe was done. She loved knowing that Maks and Luna were here, waiting for her. She never felt fully at peace unless she was close to them. She said her goodbyes to her team and the rest of the crew, and to Sara, the model, who had become a good friend.

Zoe only worked with companies and models that promoted an alternative view of the fashion industry. She knew that locked her out of a lot of lucrative work, but she wasn’t doing it to make money. She was doing it because she loved it.

Everything in her life was motivated by love now. And nothing more so than her love for her family.

She walked to Maks and Luna, sliding into their arms like a missing jigsaw piece. Luna’s small arms wrapped around her neck and Zoe took her, pressing kisses all over her face, making her giggle.

Maks pulled her close, glancing down at her very distended belly. ‘Please tell me now you’re officially on maternity leave?’ He sounded mildly exasperated.

She’d been due to take maternity leave a few weeks ago, but jobs had kept enticing her back. She smiled up at Maks and wrapped her free arm around his waist. He was in full protective Alpha male mode, and she had to admit she found it beyond sexy.

‘Yes, finally. And I need a foot rub so bad...’

He smiled, and it was wicked. ‘Just a foot rub?’

To Zoe’s chagrin, she blushed. Still! After all this time.

She smiled back. ‘You’re insatiable.’

Maks affected a wounded look. ‘Me? I seem to recall this morning that you were the one—’

‘When is Ben going to come?’

Luna’s small voice interrupted their private moment.

Zoe looked at her daughter and her heart swelled. ‘In a couple of weeks, sweetie, when he’s ready.’

They were having a son, and had decided to call him Ben, after her brother.

Luna clapped her hands. ‘Can we go and buy him some presents?’

Zoe sent Maks a dry look. Their daughter was far too smart for her own good. She’d figured out that presents for the baby meant presents for her too.

Maks plucked her out of Zoe’s arms. ‘One present—if you eat all your dinner tonight and go to bed early and let Hamish read you a story.’

‘With his funny voice?’

‘With his funny voice.’

Maks took Zoe’s hand and lifted it, kissing the palm of her hand while Luna chattered on happily.

Tags: Abby Green The Marchetti Dynasty Billionaire Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net