Page 83 of The Russian Pakhan's Forced Bride
Without hesitation, I melt into it, pulling in his warmth and that comforting scent I’ve come to adore. It’s all so overwhelming at once, but I give in to it, needing it like a lifeline.
“Thank god,” Roman murmurs, holding the back of my head with a gentle touch before pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I’m sorry…I’m so sorry for all of this.”
“Don’t, please,” I say back, unable to pull myself away from his hold just yet. “I’m just glad it’s over...that you came to get me.”
I feel as he relaxes somewhat from my words before his grip tightens again, and there’s no avoiding the extent of his own emotions.
“It doesn’t matter what happens…I’ll always find you. I’ll risk everything just to have you in my life,” he says, only for me.
Before I can completely lose my composure, I’m lifted into his arms with ease, and he walks me out of the building without another word.
Eventually, I find myself in the back of an SUV while the others roll in, coming to handle the cleanup and everything else.
My blood runs cold the moment I spot Maxim leaving the warehouse…or rather, being mostly dragged out with a wounded leg and cuffs around his wrists. Several men haul him into a different vehicle.
Then, Roman’s in front of me again, and his thumb brushes against my cheek.
Meeting his gaze, my brows pinch together. “Why’s he still alive?”
Letting go of a breath, he lightly strokes my skin, taking me in with complete reverence. “Because I missed on purpose.”
“Why?”
“Sometimes, death is a mercy,” Roman says quietly, just barely letting the corner of his lip pull. “…that would’ve been far too easy for him.”
Despite understanding his point, that confusion lingers. “Where’s he going now?”
“My men are taking him to lockup…somewhere far away and out of reach. Somewhere ideal for him to rot and face the consequences of ever going after you.”
Regardless of how dark it sounds, there’s a tenderness in the way he looks me over, caressing me so carefully, almost afraid I’ll break.
“And your siblings…are they alright?”
He nods, leaning in to press his forehead against mine. “Nobody else was harmed, fortunately. Just Maxim and his men.”
Able to breathe easier, I nod, instinctively closing my eyes. “Good…”
“You don’t need to worry about anyone else. Right now, I’m going to take you home, and we’re going to recuperate,” Roman says gently, letting his nose brush against mine. “You’re safe now…nobody is going to take you from me again.”
Soaking in his touch and the depth in his words, I know now that he absolutely means it.
Chapter 29 - Roman
I never thought the day would come when the estate would feel like a true home instead of just the place I retreated to. But with light spilling in through the tall windows, casting its warmth across everything, I know that day has arrived after all.
As a first for everyone in quite some time, there’s no tension. No orders being barked, and no wondering when the other shoe will drop.
Instead, there’s peace. Lighthearted laughter and contentment.
I also never thought I’d find myself sitting on a loveseat next to my wife, surrounded by my siblings and all the gifts they picked out for us.
And yet, that’s exactly where I am.
It seems odd for a house like this one to be the location of a baby shower, of all things, but somehow, it works, and I’m not going to complain about it.
Elena insisted on the main living room being completely transformed just for the event, much to my insistence that it was completely unnecessary.
Of course, I can never say no to her; thus, everything was moved and decorated.
