The Reluctant Wife: Chapter 60

‘I’d say you were pussy-whipped, except it’s my sister you’re married to, and it’s evident to everyone who comes within a mile of her, how happy she is.’ The Crown Prince of Verenza remains standing. At six feet three inches, he’s as tall as me. And as broad.

We both come from money and have had privileged childhoods. The only difference is, I chose to forge my own path when I joined the Marines. And chose not to join the Davenport Group as CEO. The only reason I embraced my wealth was because it was going to help her country, and that was important to her. The crown prince, though, has no such compunctions. He’s in line to succeed the throne. He has no qualms about owning his birthright as the successor to the King of Verenza.

‘I’m the one who’s deliriously happy that she accepted me as her husband.” I sprawl back in my seat. “I consider it my duty to help her fulfill her dreams, her goals, and her aspirations. To bolster her when she’s down. To lift her spirits when she needs a reminder that she’s got this.’

I mean every word I said. I want her brother to realize I don’t take Aura’s happiness for granted. That I’ll do everything in my power to take care of her.

He blinks slowly, a look of such comical surprise on his face that I chuckle. ‘You haven’t got a woman in your life, I take it?’

He scoffs. ‘Not going there, mate. I have enough on my plate, focusing on the country. Verenza is a demanding mistress.’

‘Wait until you meet and fall in love; that will change your mindset, and your life,” I say with a knowing smirk.

‘Which is why I plan on getting married only to perform my duty. None of that falling in love bullshit for me.’

I could point out he’s tempting fate, but that would have no effect. Sometimes, you need to go through the ups and downs that come with finding your soulmate to realize they are the most important thing in your life. Not money. Not power. But love.

The kind of love that has you sacrificing everything, so your other half is happy. The kind that makes you do anything, so they can fulfill their dreams. The kind that makes you put them in the center of your life and do everything in your power to protect them, to keep them safe and to provide for them. The kind where, every time you’re in the same space with them, you can’t stop yourself from touching them to feel their skin with your fingertips and reassure yourself they’re fine. The kind where, when you’re not with them, you miss them. The kind where you respect them enough to give them agency to make up their own mind and believe in the power of your love that they’ll find their own way back to you.

‘Only time will tell.’ I tilt my head.

He must read some of my thoughts, for a flush steals across his features. Then, he sinks down next to me. ‘Nothing personal, of course.’

‘Of course.’ I smirk.

‘What you and my sister have is different.’

‘Hmm…’ I drag my thumb under my lip and stay silent.

He moves around, trying to make himself comfortable. ‘I mean, it’s clear the two of you love each other. And there is a deep bond between the two of you. And thanks to you, Verenza’s future looks far more promising than it did a month ago.’

‘I did it for her.’ I hold his gaze. ‘If she wanted me to burn the world down⁠—’

‘Let me guess, you’d give her the match and not stand in her way?’

I bare my teeth. ‘And after it’s reduced it to cinders, build her a brand new one in which she never has to do anything against her will. I’d take my own life, if it meant she could live hers in a way that makes her happy.’

His jaw drops, then he rubs at his neck. ‘Damn, you have it bad, mate.’

‘You mean I have it good, don’t you?’

‘If that’s what you want to call it.’ He chuckles, then grows serious. ‘I do want you to know I appreciate what you and your family did for Verenza. The money your company invested will make a huge difference to the futures of our children and boost jobs for families. You have my word that it will be invested where it’s most needed.’

‘I have no doubt.’ I nod. ‘This is a good time to let you know that I will be withdrawing from my role as the head of the task force responsible for investing the money.’

He does a double take. ‘It’s money the Davenport group pumped into the economy.’

‘I’m aware.’

‘It’s the most reliable way to ensure it’s invested the way you think is right.’

‘A job my wife is more than capable of managing,’ I point out.

His eyebrows draw down, then he nods. ‘I agree with you. In fact’—he squares his shoulders—’I’ve insisted that my father make Aurelia the lead on that planning commission. She’s more than capable of chairing that group. If she wants that responsibility, that it is.”

‘Good man.’ I clap his shoulder.

‘And what are you going to do now?’ He eyes me curiously. ‘Without your responsibilities on the task force, you could—’ His next few words are drowned out by a series of gunshots.

My heart slams into my ribcage. My body reacts on instinct, and I find myself crouched on the floor, putting the settee between me and the window. Viktor must follow my lead, for he’s next to me.

‘Did someone fire?’ He pulls out his phone and begins to dial someone. His head of security, no doubt.

Without bothering to reply, I’m on my feet and moving in the direction she headed. She’s safe; she has to be. Nothing has happened to her. I scan the people milling about, most wearing confused looks on their faces. I can’t see her. Where is she? Why did I let her leave? I should have gone with her. I— Suddenly, she elbows her way through the groups of people milling around and races toward me. Thank fuck. She’s safe. Something inside of me relaxes. I hold out my arms, and she jumps into them.

‘You’re okay.’ She throws her arms around my neck and presses her nose into it. ‘I was so scared.’ She trembles, and I pull her in even closer. She lifts her chin, and I press my lips to hers.

Outside the window, there’s a high-pitched whistling. We look to the side to find fireworks zipping through the sky then exploding in a burst of colorful stars.

‘It’s only fireworks,’ she breathes.

I remember, now; they were arranged to go off at the end of the evening. It’s a testament to how wrapped up I am in her that I forgot about it.

The tension drains from my body. My head spins with relief, and I bury my nose in her hair, drawing in her scent, enshrining it in my lungs. I squeeze my arms about her, reveling in every curve, every dip, every flare of her gorgeous body. ‘Jesus, baby, that was a hell of a scare. I thought something had happened to you.”

‘Me too.’ She hiccups, then looks up at me through relief-filled eyes which are beginning to tear up. ‘Will you please get me out of here before I break down and make a complete fool of myself?’