Page 86 of The Pakhan's Arranged Bride
I think about everything we said to each other, how brutal it was, how nasty. I said the most horrible things to him. I didn’t mean it. I don’t think he meant it either. It was just in the heat of the moment.
My food arrives.
The guy smiles polity and sets it up on the table by the window.
I wait for him to leave.
Then I lie on my bed again and think.
I was angry enough with Benedikt that I might not have been entirely fair.
He’s been keeping me locked up in the house, yes, but didn’t he have good reason to worry about me going out alone? It wasn’t an irrational reaction to want me to go places with him instead.
Miron has already proven that he might show up anywhere. And last time I bumped into him I was alone—and it was terrifying. Benedikt is only trying to save me from that exact situation happening again.
I groan and press my hands into my eyes. There is a slow and steady headache building there, and I’m starting to realize it’s all my fault.
But he doesn’t trust you, my mind taunts.
Yes, but he has good reason not to trust me. I already broke his trust. I lied. It doesn’t matter why I did it. I did it. And he’s worried that my thirst for revenge will cause me to do it again.
Trust is a two way street. Once broken, I have toearnit back.
If I’d been a little more patient with him I could have had the chance to do that.
I groan again, rolling to the edge of the bed, annoyed with myself. I don’t want to be here alone, eating dinner in a hotelroom when I could be at home with my husband—the man who has shown me nothing but patience and understanding.
He didn’t chase me, because I’m the one who has to do the chasing and apologizing this time. He said some ugly things, but so did I. and he tries to say sorry. I know it was in the heat of the moment and we were both frustrated. But dammit, I was in the wrong. I should never have compared him to Miron. Miron was a monster with selfish, horrible intentions. Benedikt was only trying to keep me safe. His intention all along was to look out for me. It’s not the same thing and it was harsh of me to accuse him of being like Miron.
Running away wasn’t ever going to be the answer. It was unfair, and if I want to find a solution with him, to fix this mess—I have to be there and willing to work with him.
I have to go home.
As soon as I decide that, my body feels lighter. My heart flutters, thinking of seeing him.
I love him.
The thought comes out of nowhere.
And instantly I know it’s true.
I love him and I want to make this work. I’ll do whatever he asks me to do until the Miron thing is over. I love him, I don’t want to lose him.
Jumping up, ready to grab my things and leave, there is a knock at the door.
A massive smile breaks out over my face. He tracked the car, and he followed me after all. I rush to the hotel door and tug it open, ready to jump into his arms and tell him how sorry I am.
But it’s not Benedikt.
It’s Miron.
I yelp in fright and move to slam the door closed again. But Miron steps forward, blocking it. He grabs the edge of the door and shoves it hard with his body weight.
He’s not as tall as Benedikt, but he’s solid, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t fight him.
When he steps into the hotel room and closes the door behind himself, I scurry backwards, searching the room for a weapon.
“Finally, my love, we get to be alone,” he says, grinning like a maniac.
