62

CHAPTER SIXTY TWO

GABRIELLE

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A look of triumph flickered across his features, his fingers softly caress my face as though he thought this was a dream that would fade away if he held me any tighter.

"Tell me again." He demanded, his voice was thick, his gaze burning into mine, devouring all of me, leaving me no option but to give in to his demand.

"I love you...It's only you Lucian, you don't need to doubt that." My voice was no more than a whisper, each word was torn from out of my very soul. I was consumed by the power of his stare which turned several shades darker as his pupils dilated, his grip on me tighter, much more confident as his lips met mine hard, making me whimper from the fierceness of his ownership.

He only kissed me deeper, tongue and all. The fire started in my chest, slowly spreading the warmth all over my body until a muffled moan escaped my mouth.

He pulled back a bit so our foreheads would brush against each other's, I met his smoldering eyes, breathing heavily.

"Say it. One more time Brie, please I need to hear it." It was an urgent plea, he wants all of me and I wanted to give everything to him. I could tell him how much I loved him as many times as he needed to hear it, I fell in love with my sadistic husband and nothing in the world could change that, not even me.

I repeated the words I said, cupping his chin affectionately as I did so. His eyes were of pure adoration, they seemed to worship me at this moment like he couldn't get enough of me, the feeling was both magical and powerful, even if he didn't say the words, I knew that he loved me in his own way, probably more than I did him, but I didn't think that was possible, my heart seemed about burst with all the emotions surging through.

A smile slowly cracked across his features, it was rare that he smiled warmly like this, I wanted to stare at him and savor this moment forever, but all too soon he leaned to capture my lips again in a breath-knocking kiss. I belonged to him, heart, body, and soul, and this time, he knows it as well.

~~~~~

We took the flight back home to New York the next morning, I was disappointed that I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to my mother.

I also wanted to know what was going on between dad and Lucian, did he know that dad was working with the Russians? Was our marriage only a facade carried out by my father as Derek had said? If it was true, then this could have been the opportunity to get my freedom, the marriage contract had mentioned that if one of the partners failed to keep up with the end of the agreement then the alliance could be considered invalid. Not only that I didn't want to leave, but I doubted Lucian would let me go even if that were to be true.

I was pacing around the room restlessly when Lucian walked in casually, our gazes met briefly and I could feel the heat creeping their way up my neck. I couldn't explain my sudden shyness around him after my confession yesterday. I had lost complete control of my emotions, thinking now of how overly dramatic I had been always made my ears turn red, thankfully, my hair was keeping it hidden from his view.

He started to take off his casual t-shirt when I hurried towards him, even though the bullet had not penetrated his shoulders, he still needed to be careful with it, I still remembered the blatant look of disapproval on the doctor's face when he had asked to be discharged.

"Slowly, I will help you." I murmured, lifting the edge of his shirt, I stared at him in amusement when he brushed off my hand, wearing a slight scowl.

"I can do it, I'm not some kid who needs help changing."

I arched up a brow, did I mention that his injury seemed to have damaged his male ego or something, he probably saw it as a form of weakness which he didn't like to show. For me, he appeared more human, and like everyone, he could also need a hand sometimes.

"I clearly remember the doctor saying that you don't need more stress on this shoulder, it will only slow down your recovery process." I stated the doctor's phrase, word for word and it was Lucian's turn to look amused. I decided to ignore the stare and started to take off his shirt again but he caught my wrist.

"Are you disobeying me?" He spoke in an authoritative voice, dipping his face closer. I held his stare briefly before nodding twice.

"Yes, I am" I didn't know why I replied without an ounce of panic, maybe because I could guess that his tough look was all an act and thus he was not scary as he used to be.

"I'm your wife, I still need to take care of you, even if you don't want to." I murmured but I knew he heard me, I paused before adding.

"And showing you are hurt and doesn't make you seem any weaker. That's what makes us human."

I knew I was right about his fake act when his lips curved into a smile, he didn't say anything but his continuous stare made my face burn hotter than it already was.

I helped him take off his shirt, and seeing he was in a good mood, I thought maybe I should ask him about the topic that had been situated in my mind.

"Is it true that you and my father have some disagreement?"

He looked surprised, and I didn't like it when his expression started to turn serious.

"How did you hear of that?"

I opened my mouth but was unable to speak, I couldn't say it was Derek that told me, I very much liked our present peaceful state and wasn't ready for it to end, which I knew it would if I mentioned it was Derek.

"My mother mentioned it." I averted instead, but all I got was a hummed sound from Lucian, that wasn't the answer I was looking for but he didn't seem inclined to talk about it, I knew I had to take the bull by the horn, so I decided to ask him in a more direct manner.

"She told me that dad is cooperating with the Russians." I whispered in a secretive tone. Lucian didn't give the reaction I expected. He only muttered an "Is that so?" that didn't give the slightest hint that he was surprised.

"You already know that!" I shot accusingly. Even more frustrating was when he gave me a single-word answer.

"Yes." He sounded like it was no big deal that my father was cooperating with his rivals, even though I knew almost nothing about the arms business, I freaked out when Derek had informed me, how could Lucian not care at all?

"Since when did you know about it?" I questioned. When he didn't reply, I repeated the question.

He had that hesitant look in his eyes, he tried to hide it, but I already saw it before it disappeared.

"I already suspected before we got married."

I stared at him in struck with disbelief, if he already knew, then why would he strike a deal with a potential opponent?

Unless he wasn't just suspicious, he must have known everything for a fact! As though he read my eyes and knew full well what I was thinking, his admittance came next.

"Your father tried to hide it because he didn't want to make an enemy of me, but in reality, I didn't give a fuck who he partners with as long as he doesn't get in the way of my business, And also, your father sought to cover up his involvements with the Russians by suggesting an alliance with me by marriage to one of his daughters when that opportunity came...I wasn't going to lose the chance of getting you after so long." He spoke quite softly and caressed my cheek with a brush of his thumb.

It wouldn't change anything, but I felt deceived, I was the only one who had been tricked, first it was by my father who only cared about his continuous flow of profits, he traded me so easily just to cover up his misdeed and Lucian had gone to the extent of marrying the daughter of a person who was supposed to be his enemy. I had stood no chance against him, even from the beginning.

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