Page 54 of Savage Truce

His eyebrow lifts. “But?”

It takes a lot to gather courage, so I can be vulnerable enough to admit, “I have spent thousands of days dreaming about you, and I can’t do that any longer. Not when I have you standing in front of me.” I begin to tremble from nerves and overwhelming emotions. “I’m just worried that I’ve lost too much of the woman you fell in love with, and you’ll grow tired of who I am now.”

Leaning down, his blue eyes bore deep into mine. “You are even more incredible than I initially thought you were. You’re fucking strong and have more endurance than any other person I’ve ever met.” Looking at me with reverence, he adds, “And instead of letting the pain harden you, you’re still so sweet and caring.” His expression turns harsh until I can feel all of his power radiating from him. “You are so extraordinary, I’m falling even harder for you the second time around.”

With parted lips, I hang onto every word, and just like earlier, he seals more cracks in my self-esteem.

Others might have broken me, but Rodian has the ability to put me back together.

“Yes.”

Not understanding, he tilts his head and gives me a questioning look.

“I choose to be your wife.”

CHAPTER 17

Rodian

Dressed in a black tux and ready, I welcome the guests as they arrive.

Atanas is standing beside me, looking like a damn meercat every time a car pulls up.

“Don’t make it obvious,” I chuckle.

“Fuck that shit.” He checks the time on his wristwatch, then asks, “Are you sure she’s coming?”

“For the hundredth time, she said she would.” I shoo him away from me. “Go get a drink. You’re making me fucking nervous.”

Just then, a Porsche 911 Turbo draws everyone’s attention as the engine roars.

“I need to get myself one of those,” Constantin, the head of the Romanian mafia, says as he comes to stand by us.

The sports car comes to a standstill, and when one of my many guards opens the driver’s door, a woman gets out. Her light brown hair is cut in a stylish bob with blue streaks woven through the strands. They match the dress she’s wearing, which leaves her entire back exposed, a red dragon tattoo on full display.

When she turns around and I see her face, I’m fucking surprised that it’s Rosie. Taking the steps down, I shake my head and say, “I almost didn’t recognize you.”

“Am I first?” She glances over all the cars, and the next instant a Mustang pulls up the driveway, and she fist-bumps the air. “I won!” Turning back to face me, she grins. “Wow, you clean up pretty nicely.”

I lean down and press a kiss to her cheek. “Trust you to make an entrance.”

“Of course.” She walks around the Porsche and opens the passenger door, then proceeds to take out two phones, a tablet, and a backpack, slinging the strap over her shoulder.

Taking the steps to the porch, she says, “I’m so glad Atanas and Constantin are already here. Follow me, gentlemen. I need to insert your tracker devices.”

“Can’t it wait?” Atanas asks, his eyes barely leaving the driveway.

“No.”

Giving Andrei a chin lift, I say, “I’ll be back in five minutes.”

“If anyone sees Devran, send him to Rodian’s office,” Rosie calls out to no one specific.

“And Ryo?” I ask about the head of the Yakuza, who still has to arrive.

“No, he already has a tracking device,” Rosie replies.

Enzo catches up to me, and we shake hands while we walk, then he goes to grab the backpack from his fiancée and gives her a dark scowl. “I’m going to tan your ass. You were going way too fucking fast.”