Page 139 of His Forced Bride

Her words are soft, but they shock me, three syllables that rewrite everything I thought I understood about our relationship.

Not gratitude, not Stockholm syndrome, not the practical acceptance of an arranged marriage.

Love.

Real, honest, dangerous love.

"Inessa…"

"I know you didn't ask for it. I know it complicates everything. But I need you to know."

She lifts her head to look at me, her eyes serious despite the tears still clinging to her lashes.

"Not the man who forced me into this marriage. Not the monster everyone thinks you are. I love the man who's fought for me every single day since this started. The man who's never lied to me, never abandoned me, never made me feel worthless."

I kiss her carefully, tasting salty tears and vodka and something purely her.

She responds immediately, her mouth moving against mine until her hand is clenched around my bicep and her eyes are streaming tears down her face again.

When we break apart, I rest my forehead against hers.

But I can't respond because I don't know how.

All I can say is, "I need you."

The admission terrifies me because needing someone means giving them the power to destroy you, means accepting that your happiness depends on their survival and wellbeing.

I swore I'd never put myself in that position again after Yelena died.

But Inessa has made that choice for me by simply being who she is.

"What now?" she asks.

"Now we get some sleep. Tomorrow, we continue planning your mother's destruction. And after that…" I brush a strand of hair away from her face.

"After that, we figure out how to build something good from all this chaos."

She nods and settles back against my chest, her breathing gradually evening out as sleep claims her.

I remain awake longer, staring at the ceiling while processing everything that's changed between us tonight.

I came here to plan strategy against an enemy.

Instead, I've admitted truths I've spent years hiding and accepted feelings I thought were buried forever.

The woman in my arms has become more than a wife or an asset or even a partner.

She's become essential.

And I won’t let anyone jeopardize that again.

25

INESSA

Iwake to the sound of Yuri's steady breathing next to me.

His arm remains curved around my waist, holding me against his chest even in sleep, and for the first time in months, I don't feel the immediate urge to check my surroundings for threats.