Page 63 of The Pakhan's Arranged Bride

A dark SUV pulls into formation behind us. There is one in front and one behind.

We’ve covered every option for defense against an attack.

All I can do now is sit holding her until we’re home.

Her face is turned towards the window, watching the dark night race past us. She’s leaning into me for comfort.

Chapter 18 - Ulyana

My blood is boiling, my thoughts racing. Anger is pulsing through me at an alarming rate as we drive away from the event. I can’t believe Miron had the audacity to talk to me so boldly, out in the open, not even ashamed or embarrassed to be the fucking asshole rat that he is.

I hate him.

I hate him so much it’s making me want to cry.

Adrenaline is pulsing through my body like lava and I’m trying desperately to keep my breathing even and calm, but it’s not working.

I lean into Benedikt, a source of safety in this strange situation. I didn’t expect to see Miron tonight. He shattered my sense of security. The illusion that he couldn’t get to me if I was in a crowded room.

Lifting my hand to my heart, I press my fingers into my ribs, begging my body to take a moment to realize I’m safe. But years of dealing with Miron have left me traumatized, and I’m triggered now.

It’s not so easy to stop this panic and the anger.

Benedikt doesn’t say anything for the entire ride home. He’s alert, watching every direction, his men are tense, ready for anything.

But nothing happens and we arrive at the mansion safely.

Benedikt hurries me into the mansion, locking the door behind us.

There are more guards around the property than usual, which I’m grateful for because I’m incredibly unsettled.

We head upstairs to the bedroom, sullen, my thoughts are distant, distracted.

“What happened back there?” Benedikt asks, shrugging his jacket off his shoulders and dropping it over the back of the chair.

“What do you mean?”

“Between you and Miron. What is going on between you two? It seemed like there was more to the story than just what I know about his relationship with your brother.” He sounds worried, and it tightens the knot in my stomach.

Do I tell him?

I sit on the edge of the bed to take my high heels off, rubbing the soles of my feet while I consider how I want to answer.

No one knows why I have so much hatred towards that man. I’ve kept it quiet, hidden, hoping to deal with it on my own.

A sift sigh escapes my lips.

“There is nothing apart from what you know,” I say, feeling the lie stain my heart in some way.

I don’t want to lie to Benedikt. But what choice do I have?

“Ulyana, if there is something going on that I should know about, you can tell me,” he says, stepping closer to me and reaching out to touch my face as he looks down at me with caring, gentle eyes. But in those eyes, I see a hidden current; he can see I’m not telling him everything.

I bite my lip and shift my eyes off him.

“Miron tried to kill my brother,” I say. It’s the truth. That alone is enough reason to hate someone.

Benedikt sighs loudly and steps back, nodding.