Page 48 of Empowered

“But won’t they suspect that she still means something to me if we cut their fees?”

He shrugged. “Maybe, but we can also give them exclusive rights to conduct their business in the North. They’re constantly fighting between borders for control of the area. We can give them what they want by charging neighboring countries more to sweeten the pot.”

I frowned. “That will piss off the Serbs and Ukrainians.” I would bend over backwards to protect Amelia but starting a Slavic war didn’t sound like a good move either.

“Their sales are much lower than the Russians. And we don’t have a choice. We need to play nice The Brotherhood right now,” he said.

He was right. They were smart as fuck and they’d take a deal like this if it gave them more power over their neighbors and cheaper costs for our goods so they could jack up the price and overtake territory previously owned by other countries. It was a dangerous game but anything involving the Russians was dangerous.

I shut my eyes tightly, exhausted from the wave of emotions I felt and the decision I had to make. “I guess that’s it, then? I have to send her away,” I said quietly. My heart had been ripped out and there was no light when I thought of a life without her.

Jai looked at me, unable to hide his pity. “It’s for the best. You’re keeping her safe. Remember how you felt when Tarun took her? This time, you get to save her before she’s in danger again. You can prevent it.”

I pressed my hand to the center of my chest trying to ease the pain inside. “If that’s supposed to bring me relief, then why does it feel like I can’t breathe?”

He got up from his chair and walked over to me. He put a hand on my slumped shoulders. “Because—you’re inlove.”

Chapter XXVIII

Amelia

Iwoke up to a deliciously sore feeling from the night I’d had. I smiled, remembering it all. His touch. His words. His promise. “This isn’t a proposal. I will do this properly, but do know that I want it.”

He wanted to marry me. We hadn’t discussed the details, but he did want a future with me. I couldn’t imagine myself with anyone else for the rest of my life. My heart swelled every time I pictured us married in a house together, with lots of children and maybe a puppy or two.

Our relationship wasn’t the only thing that had changed; he had changed too. He was no longer afraid of commitment and had let down his guard, trusting me with his emotions.

I reached over to feel for the man who had made love to me until I was too tired to take anymore. His part of the bed was cold, like he had been gone for a while. After the night, and part of the early morning, that we’d had, I would have expected him to be as exhausted as I was and sleep in.

I needed a strong cup of coffee. My stomach grumbled as I stood up and stretched. I needed food too. Lots of food. I usually ate a light breakfast, if even at all, but today I was in the mood for something warm and fried that Raj tried to push on me every morning. I decided I should freshen up first before heading down so I didn’t wreak of sex while talking to the kitchen staff.

My reflection in the bathroom mirror was comical. Hair every which way. Black eye makeup smeared around my face. Stupidly happy grin.

Shyam wasn’t the only one who had changed in this relationship. I had changed too. I was no longer the quiet pushover that he first met. I felt confident in my own skin and assertive enough to hold my own against this strong and powerful man. Before, I would have been mortified if a man ever saw me like this, but now, I didn’t care. It was probably cliché but being in love felt so freeing.

I opted for a quick shower and changed into a flowy pink maxi dress before setting out to search for food.

After freshening up, I entered the bustling kitchen. “Good morning, Raj.”

He was a large man with a warm smile. “Good morning, ma’am. May I get you your usual coffee this morning?”

“Yes, please. Also, I was wondering if you had anything for breakfast?”

“Of course. What would you like?” He clasped his hands in front of his waist, expecting to hear my order of something light like toast or cereal.

“What was that thing you offered me yesterday?” I looked up to the ceiling trying to think of what it was called. “Bread stuffed with potatoes?”

Raj hesitated, as if he had heard incorrectly. “Aloo puri?”

I snapped my fingers with excitement. “Yes, that’s it!”

His face beamed at my request. The man lived to serve, and I could tell I had just made his day. “Of course, ma’am.” He bowed to me. “Right away. Have a seat and I’ll bring it for you.”

I took a seat at the table. Raj quickly set a coffee cup down in front of me.

“Thank you so much,” I said.

“You’re welcome, ma’am. I’ll be right back with yourbreakfast,” he said, turning away quickly to retrieve the food.

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