Page 174 of His Forced Bride

"I love you," she whispers, and I never tire of hearing it.

"I love you too," I reply.

It gets easier to say to her every time I tell her.

Yelena's memory is fading in my mind, but not my ability to be soft or to care for a woman.

Inessa teaches me every day now how to be a better man.

But I still have my doubts at times.

"Even knowing what I'm capable of? Even after watching me kill someone in cold blood?"

Inessa's lip quivers as she asks me that, and something protective surges in my chest.

"Especially then."

I turn to face her completely, ignoring the conversations continuing around us.

"I fell in love with your strength, not your innocence. I fell in love with someone who could stand beside me rather than behind me."

Her smile transforms her entire face, revealing the woman she might've been in a different world, under different circumstances.

But I wouldn't trade the version standing before me for any hypothetical alternative.

"Then we're perfectly matched," she says, rising on her toes to kiss me softly.

The kiss is brief, appropriate for the public setting, but it carries promise of deeper intimacy once we're alone.

I notice several approving glances in our direction as I straighten my tie.

They can see what we've become together.

"The first Sunday in November," Inessa says as we begin extinguishing memorial candles.

"We should make this an annual tradition."

"Every year," I agree, appreciating both the sentiment and the practical benefits of regular family gatherings.

"Then let's go spend the last few moments with our family before I take you to bed, old man," she says playfully, and she pulls me away from the photo of Semyon.

It makes me grin just thinking of the things she'll do to me when the lights are out and the guests are gone.

"Alright,milaya, but you'll be a good girl or I'll have to spank you."

The comment makes heat flush her cheeks and I press a kiss to the back of her hand.

She'll keep me young, and I'll keep her safe.

That's the way it should be.

31

EPILOGUE

INESSA

Iwake to Yuri's mouth on my throat, his teeth scraping the sensitive skin where my pulse hammers beneath the surface.