Page 44 of The Reluctant Wife

“It would be best if all communication with your team went through me.” His tone is firm but soft.

I rub at my temple. What he’s suggesting is for my own safety. But it means losing another freedom.

“It’s only until we track down whoever is behind the shooting.”

Hearing him say that sends another shudder down my spine. “You’re convinced someone from within my inner circle is involved somehow?”

He nods. “Given I’d mentioned it to them, it seems probable someone shared details of where we were headed with the perpetrators. I don’t want to take any more chances with your safety.”

I’m more than a little gutted at what he’s implying. If I can’t trust those in my inner circle, then who can I rely on?You can trust Ryot. And Zoey, and your friends.And your father. And your brothers.I have people I can lean on. The thought reassures me.

I nod. “Okay.”

The tension leaches from his shoulder. His lips quirk. “Thank you for believing in me, Princess. I won’t let you down.”

“I know you won’t,” a flood of feelings grips my chest. My heart feels like it’s going to burst. My cheeks grow warm. I have never felt this close to anyone before. It goes beyond physical attraction. This is something more. I trust him with my life. I want more. But I can’t have it because I must marry someone else.

Tell him, Aura. Tell him you’re engaged.

Given Ryot has information about my background and must have made his own enquiries too…There’s no way he doesn’t know I am, right? And if it doesn’t bother him, then who am I to bring it up?I convince myself.

Besides, if I mentioned it to him, our dynamic would change. This closeness I feel with him, would be gone. This understanding and affection that’s developed between us would be shattered. Right now, I can’t bear that. No, I’ll tell him later, when the time is right.

"I have another question." I nod toward my clothes. "These are my size; how did you manage that?"

"I reached out to a clothes-shopper my sister-in-law, Skylar, uses and gave her your size. She packed enough clothes to last a few days, including some formal wear. I had my brother, Tyler, deliver them to me early this morning."

"Your brother knows where we are?"

He hesitates. "I’d have preferred no one knew, but if I did have to take someone’s help, it would be Tyler. He’s a former Marine, and I’d trust him with my life… And yours."

Something about how he says it is so sincere, so absolute, I believe him. I am grateful to have clothes in my size. And I appreciate that he was thoughtful enough to think this through. "Thank you."

“We’re safe here. There’s an electric fence around the property, plus a complete array of cameras and drones, all of which are linked to the security app on my phone. And to Tyler’s phone, as well. Nothing can get in or out without our knowing. Given the security, we don’t need to be confined to the house either. We can move about the grounds freely.”

He's so thoughtful, that lightness in my chest expands until it fills my entire body. It confirms to me I made the right decision in not telling him about my upcoming nuptials. I don’t want to spoil this moment between us.

“Thank you,” I say softly.

He inclines his head. "You should eat." He nods in the direction of the heaped plate he set in front of me.

I pick up my knife and fork and cut up a piece of the sausage, along with a bit of the hash browns and baked beans. I fork it into my mouth, and the flavors explode on my palate. The sausage is juicy and well-seasoned, with a blend of herbs and spices, the baked beans are sweet and tangy, and the hashbrowns are crunchy. I couldn’t tell this came from a can and frozen ingredients. "Whoa. This is surprisingly good."

His lip twitch. I can tell by the crinkling of the lines around his eyes that he’s pleased by my compliments.

I concentrate on eating for the next few minutes, and so does he. When I’ve finished more than half of what’s on my plate, I lean back with a sigh. "I’m full."

"You’re sure?"

21

Aurelia

Veronica: Your Highness, I was wondering if you had any thoughts of your schedule for the next few days. People are asking for confirmations.

Me: All my movements need to go through Ryot.

Veronica: I’ll message him. But if you had any preferences on which events you’d definitely be attending, then please do share.

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