Page 58 of Forced By the Bratva King
“It’s over now,” he said, stroking my hair while looking deeply into my eyes. “He’s never gonna hurt you or anyone else ever again.”
I smiled, and he did the same, too. It melted my heart to see that genuine grin etched upon his face for what felt like a long time.
“And my dad?” I asked.
“He went home,” Artem replied. “Said to tell you that you mean the world to him and that he loves you so much.”
“Did you really just relay a message to me from Niall Donovan?” I raised my brows in shock. “That’s a first.”
With a cocky grin, he pulled me in closer. “Don’t make me regret it.”
I realized I’d actually missed being in his arms. I’d missed being in such close proximity with him, missed feeling his erection brushing against me.
My body trembled as he caressed my skin, his gaze fixed on me.
“There’s something I’d like to talk to you about,” I said, searching those hollow eyes boring into mine. “But first, I wanna thank you for setting your pride and anger aside to work with my father. It means a lot to me.”
“I might not like the man, but he’s my in-law, whether I like it or not. He’s the grandfather to my children, and there’s nothing I can do about it,” he replied in a low tone. “Plus, I’d do anything to make you happy.”
Butterflies stirred in my belly, but I needed to be sure. “Don’t play with me, Artem, because I think I’m in love with you,” I confessed, my tear glands charging up for no reason. “I wasn’t sure, but I am now. I’ve grown to love you and care for you, so if you’re lying to me just because the doctor says to avoid any quarrel, then—”
He interrupted my speech with a tender kiss that didn’t just shut me up but also shut my eyes, as well. For the next few seconds, our heads moved in sync with the flow of the kiss as I basked in the euphoria of it.
He slowly left my lips, rubbing his thumbs over my cheeks as he cupped my face in his palms. “I’m not lying to you, Sierra. I’m telling you exactly how I feel.” Artem gazed into my eyes. “I didn’t think it was possible to fall for you so deeply, at least not so soon. But here we are.” He paused and continued with a softer and more delicate tone, “I love you, Sierra.”
Tears rolled down my cheeks at his words, as I was unable to curtail my excitement. My emotions were all over the place, and crying seemed like the best way to express how I felt.
He wiped my tears and wouldn’t tear his gaze off me. “I meant it when I said that I was never gonna let you go. You’re mine, Sierra, as I am yours. Always and forever.”
“I love you, too, Artem,” I choked out, warmth filling me from head to toe. “I love you so much.”
He leaned forward, and we shared another kiss, a deeper one this time.
In a second, I was weightless, as he whisked me up in his arms and climbed the stairs to the bedroom.
Chapter 24 – Artem
My eyelids fluttered for a moment, and I felt a slight pang at the back of my head. I hadn’t been getting enough sleep lately, and this was because my wife was already nine months pregnant, and the babies could come at any time. This meant that I had to be more alert and observant of her. I spent most nights watching over her like a hawk, just to be sure that she was alright.
I knew this overprotective habit I’d picked up over time was unnecessary, yet I couldn’t help it. She was my wife and the mother of the kids we were expecting, so it was my duty as a husband and father-to-be to keep my home safe. She was my home, myeverything, and I would protect her with my life, even if it made me look like a fucking mother hen.
With a silent grunt, I woke up to the muffled sound of a thud coming from across the hallway, prompting me to regain awareness of my surroundings. Alert, I turned to face her side of the bed, and my heart paused for a second. My breath quickened, becoming shallow at the realization that she wasn’t in bed with me.
Without thinking twice, I literally jumped out of bed, tossing the sheets aside as I sprang to my feet, thinking the worst in my head. I couldn’t afford for the incident with Finch to repeat itself again, despite knowing that both Finch and the one who had sent him, the backstabbing Chris, were both dead.
The last time I thought the worst in a situation like this, it turned out that she was actually baking something for my niece in the kitchen. I had freaked out for nothing.
I wiped the cold sweat off my forehead as I let out a sigh, trying to calm myself. She was probably in the kitchen, but doing what? Sierra hadn’t cooked or baked anything in monthsbecause of her condition, so why would she do so now? It didn’t make any sense.
My eyes darted at the acrylic wall clock; it was just a couple of minutes past midnight. Maybe she was hungry. I rubbed my tired eyes, blaming these late-night cravings of hers on her pregnancy. My sister had done worse when she was heavy with Zoya, and her husband had to put up with everything that came with it. It was my turn to do the same.
The marble floor was chill beneath my feet as I headed out of the room, going straight to the kitchen. My descent down the stairs was quick, and in no time, I was already standing by the kitchen entrance. However, to my disappointment, she wasn’t there, but my eyes were sharp enough to catch the yellow note pinned to the fridge.
With gentle steps, I walked forward to get a closer look. It read,Follow the Arrows.
That didn’t make any sense to me at first until I turned around, scoffing at the game she was playing with me at this time of night. By the door, there was yet another note plastered on the handle, and I walked over to it, shifting my head in the direction the arrow drawn on it was pointing.
“What’re you up to, Sierra?” I muttered, stepping out and heading toward the intended direction, which led me back to the stairs.