Page 33 of Vendetta Crown

Hannah cocks her head, studying my face. "Have you told Ruslan any of this? That you love him?"

I look down at my teacup, suddenly fascinated by the delicate floral pattern. "No, I haven't."

"Why not?" Hannah's voice is gentle but insistent.

I draw a deep breath. "Because I understand the ghosts haunting him. We're afraid of the same thing, just from opposite sides." I trace my finger along the tablecloth, organizing my thoughts. "I'm terrified that loving him will bring pain to him, while he's afraid he won't be able to protect me from pain."

My gaze drifts toward the mansion where Ruslan is probably reviewing security protocols or coordinating with Artyom.

"He told me about how his childhood love was killed because of him. And that after she died, Ruslan decided he couldn't protect anyone he loved so he should close his heart off to anyone and everyone." I give a hollow laugh. "We make quite the pair, don't we?"

Vera leans forward, her face softening with understanding. "If you truly love him, you cannot be ruled by your fears of losing him, nor can he be ruled by fears of losing you."

She folds her hands on the table.

"That's the cruel thing about love. It will always come with the fear of loss. Always." Her voice takes on a quiet strength. "But true love allows both people to overcome their fears together. As long as you have each other, nothing can stand in your way."

Her words strike something deep inside me and I look at her youthful features. Like Mikayla, Vera has proven that she is far older and wiser than her age suggests.

"Is that what happened between you and your husband?" I ask Vera.

Vera's hands tremble slightly as she sets her cup down.

"Slava saved me in more ways than one," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "After my parents were murdered by theVori, they put me up for auction."

My stomach turns. "Auction?"

"I was nineteen when it happened." Vera's eyes grow distant. "The same night as my parents' murder."

Hannah's face pales. I reach across the table and take Vera's hand.

"You don't have to continue if you don't want to."

"No, I want to," she insists. "Slava was there that night at the auction. I remember being terrified of him most of all. His scowl and his eyes. When the bidding started, he immediately doubled the highest offer. No one dared to challenge him."

She twists her wedding ring, her expression softening.

"I thought I was going from one nightmare to another, but he took me to Vegas and gave me my own room. For months, I waited for the other shoe to drop, but he only asked that I join him for dinner every night."

Vera takes a deep breath.

"Slowly, I realized that behind that fearsome exterior was a man desperate for connection but terrified of vulnerability." A small smile touches her lips. "I started noticing little things. How he always made sure I had fresh flowers, how his voice changed when he spoke to me, and even the gentleness in his hands when I'm around."

She looks at me directly, her eyes suddenly fierce.

"A year later, I went to him willingly. My choice, my decision. By then, I didn't fear him anymore. I admired his strength and his hidden tenderness reserved only for me. And now..." Her hand rests unconsciously on her belly, "I know I love him. I've peeled back his layers to find the goodness underneath."

I think of Ruslan. His intimidating exterior hiding a man capable of the same kind of tenderness. The way he can command a room with brutal authority one moment and gently comfort his nieces the next.

"How did you know it was safe to open your heart to him?" I ask softly.

"I didn't," Vera admits. "But sometimes love requires a leap of faith. I knew that if I jumped, he would always be there to catch me."

Slowly, Vera's composed expression crumbles. Tears begin flowing down her cheeks, silent but relentless. Her shoulders shake with the effort of containing her sobs.

I know exactly what's tearing her apart inside.

She's left Vyacheslav alone in Las Vegas, surrounded by Mikonov men who'd put a knife in his back the moment he shows any weakness. All because he thinks that she'll be safer here with us.

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