Page 40 of His Forced Bride
Inessa crouches on the tile floor in a white slip, long, dark hair falling around her shoulders.
The bathroom window—though small and barred—is partially open.
She's removed two of the metal bars with what looks like a hairpin, blood streaking her knuckles where the metal cut her skin.
She looks up at me, eyes blazing with trapped fury.
"Get out," she hisses, and she presses her back to the tiled wall of the shower.
"Move away from the window."
"No."
She turns back to the third bar, fingers working at the screws while smearing her own blood on the metal.
I cross the bathroom in two steps, my hand closing around her wrist before she can react.
Her skin is ice-cold, and she's trembling.
"Let go of me."
The nails of her free hand dig at my skin, but I squeeze harder and pull her upright.
Her body collides with mine as she tries to twist away, the silk slip thin enough that I feel every curve pressed against my chest.
Her pulse hammers under my palm, and her breathing comes short and fast.
Heat shoots through me.
She's nearly naked, skin flushed where it touches mine, and I can smell soap and something floral that makes my hands ache to explore her.
I want to pin her against the wall, show her exactly what this marriage will mean, claim her here and now before the ceremony even makes it official.
Instead, I step back, keeping my body between her and the window.
I loose her wrist, but my hand still burns, fingers itching to touch her again.
"The car leaves in an hour," I growl, "with or without your cooperation."
She rubs her wrist where my fingers left marks, eyes never leaving my face.
"I'd rather die than marry you."
"Death is permanent. Marriage can be a compromise."
Her laugh cuts through the small space between us.
"Compromise. You mean once you get what you want, you'll discard me."
"What I want is stability. Your father's will ensures a smooth asset transition. My money keeps your fashion lines running while my operations provide legitimate revenue streams."
"Your operations."
She steps closer, fury flashing in her eyes.
"You mean your criminal empire. Money laundering, arms dealing, whatever else you do in those back rooms."
"I do what's necessary to maintain power, and power protects what belongs to me."
