Page 63 of Unleashed

When he’s opened everything, Rodion stands and reaches for Anissa. He bends down to engulf her in a big hug. “Thank you.”

“Of course.”

When they pull away, tears shine in her eyes. Fuck.

She’s the missing link to the family I didn’t know we needed.

I didn’t realize how badlyIneeded her.

She’s softened something in me. And for a minute, while I see my bride seamlessly blended into my family, my brother’s shining eyes and my sister’s smile, it feels like I can have it all—my family, my family’s stability… and her.

She watches as we set the table, her eyes dancing with warmth. For someone who’s lost everything and been forced into a situation she didn’t choose, she’s shown so much resilience. Damn, I admire that.

The whole house feels lighter with her here, and the usual tension that weighs on me is nearly… gone.

There’s a strange sense in my chest so foreign I almost don’t recognize it…peace.It’s peace. Maybe, just maybe, I can haveher,my beautiful little swan, and everything else. I can still hold onto the control I need to keep the people I love safe and still haveher.

My world.

As I glance at her, my hand over hers, she smiles at me. Trusting. Warm. I pull her into me, onto my lap. My beautiful wife. The more time I spend with her, the more I hope she feels what I do, but I know… the moment is perfect. Too perfect, even. Peaceisn’t lasting in our world. I might as well enjoy these stolen moments while I can.

A knock sounds at the door.

“Don’t open it,” I snap to Rodion, his hand on the knob.

“Just us,” my uncle yells on the other side.

Anissa frowns. “We should refuse to open and make them come in the way you’ve asked them to.” Her arms cross over her chest, and she says in a haughty tone, “I don’t like them disobeying you.”

I don’t either. I turn to the door. “This one’s locked. Go to the front,” I snap.

They curse, and I can hear the sound of retreating footsteps, but they do what I say. Anissa fairly gloats.

I send Rodion to let them in, and when the door to the kitchen opens, my uncle and aunt make themselves at home.

I don’t like the way my aunt looks at Anissa. “I’m taking Anissa out. We have business in town.” My business involves taking her on a bit of a spending spree before we meet the rest of the family for dinner.

“My, my, my, aren’t we spoiled,” my aunt says with a sour look, staring at the table with strewn wrapping paper and gifts.

“You got your son aMaseratifor his sixteenth birthday,” Zoya says, her eyes narrowed. “Rodion got a summons to court for his eighteenth. Seems fair enough he can be spoiled every once in a while.”

Anissa nearly chokes on her tea. My aunt glares at Zoya and opens her mouth to snap back, when Anissa jumps in. No onewill be rude to Zoya on her watch. “Excuse me,” she says in her clear, confident voice. “Thank you for coming in the way you were asked. My husband has rules for security purposes.” She smiles sweetly. “Please don’t make that mistake again. I’d hate to see you shot by accident.”

My aunt opens her mouth to protest, but Anissa is not done. “It’s very important that you do what my husband says. Heisthe one in charge here.”

My uncle stares but nods.

By the time we get to the car, I’m determined to reward her. She snuggles onto my lap.

“You were a good girl in there. Defending your husband.”

She gives me a haughty shrug with her chin in the air. “That bitch will not put down your family and disrespect you. Noway.”

I smile into her hair, breathing her in. “Good girl,” I whisper against the shell of her ear. “I think you’ve earned a reward.”

“Ooooh,” she hums.

“Spread your legs, baby doll.Now.”

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