Page 62 of The Pakhan's Forced Bride

“Not about you. Not like I had intended to. I’m sorry, Belle. I’m sorry it ended up like this.”

“Benedikt is furious with me.” She sighs, her voice becoming soft. “He won’t even answer my calls.”

“Your brother loves you, Belle. He was in shock to find you alive and safe. It was a huge relief and a massive confusion. I can see why he was confused, too. Most prisoners don’t walk around with picnic baskets.”

I chuckle, and Belle’s lips curl into a gentle smile.

“True,” she shrugs. “But how do I fix it?”

“I’m the one who needs to fix it. Not you. I’ll contact your brother once he’s calmed down and try and speak to him.”

“It’s not going to work.” She looks tearful.

“It’ll work,” I say, pulling her into a hug, holding her against my chest, her body pressed into mine, her warmth soaking through me.

She feels so right in my arms. This is where she belongs. I don’t know how I’m going to fix things between her brother and her, but I don’t want to lose her.

There has to be a way for her to stay with me.

Will she even want to?

“Tomorrow night we are having a family dinner to celebrate my sister's coming home. I want you to join me. Itwould be amazing to have you there. Give me a chance to make it up to you, all this mess I’ve created,” I ask, resting my chin on the top of her head, the scent of her body washing over me. Her perfume, her shampoo. She smells so feminine.

“I really like your sisters,” she says, smiling as she looks up at me.

“They clearly like you, too. So, you’ll come?” I ask.

“Of course, I will.”

Chapter 19 - Belle

It takes me ages to get ready.

Ardalion let me know it is a summer pool party at his cousin’s mansion. He told me to bring my swimsuit and wear something comfortable and cool because it is going to be a hot day.

After pulling several dresses from my closet, I eventually settled on a blue one with a soft, flowing skirt that flares out over my hips. I chose this one because the last time I wore it, Ardalion told me I looked too beautiful for words.

I wish I could go back to the moment at our picnic near the beach. That day was almost perfect. That moment, when we were sitting together, enjoying the air and laughing together—

Sighing, I slip my feet into a pair of pretty sandals, accented with tiny gemstones that adorn the straps.

There. I’m done.

My stomach twists with anxiety. I can’t believe I’m meeting his whole family. It’s a big deal, even though our marriage is sort of fake—it’s a big deal to meet someone’s family. Thank goodness I already had a chance to meet his sisters, so I won’t be completely overwhelmed.

Ardalion calls me from downstairs, and I head out of my bedroom to find him.

“Ready?” he asks, then looks up at me and notices which dress I’ve chosen. “One of my favorites on you.” He smiles broadly, causing me to smile as well.

I really miss him.

I’m so confused about what is going on between us.

“I’m ready,” I nod.

He’s wearing dark jeans and a black T-shirt. More casual than I’m used to seeing him, but still just as sexy as ever. I think this man would look sexy in everything.

His cousin doesn’t live far away from us, also along the shoreline of Los Angeles, just at a different stretch of beach.