Page 80 of The Pakhan's Dangerous Secret
"Andrey," I whisper.
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
The words slip out before I can stop them, honest and raw. Andrey goes very still beneath me, his breathing stopping for a heartbeat.
"Say it again," he says roughly.
"I love you." The words come easier this time, more certain. "I think I have for a while now."
His eyes search mine, and I see something shift in his expression. Something vulnerable and fierce all at once. "Mariya…"
"You don't have to say it back," I start, but he cuts me off with a kiss.
When he pulls away, his forehead rests against mine. "I love you too. God, I love you so fucking much, it terrifies me."
My breath catches. We stare at each other in the darkness, both of us surprised by the admission, both of us wondering how we got here. From a kidnapping and forced marriage to this. To love.
"When did you know?" I ask softly.
"I don't know exactly." His thumb continues its gentle path across my cheek. "Maybe when you stood up to me that first week. Maybe when you started running the household like you were born to it. Or maybe it was when you looked at me during dinner one night and smiled, and I realized I'd do anything to see that smile again."
We kiss again, slower this time, savoring it. When we finally settle back into the pillows, I'm tucked against his side with his arm wrapped securely around me.
"Sleep," he murmurs against my hair. "We'll figure everything else out tomorrow."
I close my eyes and let exhaustion pull me under, safe in the knowledge that I'm exactly where I belong.
The next morning, I wake with a sudden certainty that makes me sit up in bed.
"The cemetery," I say out loud.
Andrey stirs beside me, his pale eyes opening slowly. "What?"
"Papa left me a message at the cemetery before. Maybe he left another one."
Andrey is fully awake immediately, his expression sharpening. "You think he'd risk going back there?"
"I think he'd risk anything to let me know he's okay. He's already proven that by calling you." I'm already climbing out of bed, reaching for clothes. "We need to check."
Twenty minutes later, we're pulling up to the cemetery gates. The morning is cold and gray, with mist hanging low over the headstones. I lead Andrey to my aunt’s grave, my heart pounding with anticipation.
There, tucked beneath a small stone near the base of the headstone, is a folded piece of paper.
I grab it with shaking hands and unfold it carefully. Papa's handwriting fills the page, and my eyes blur with tears as I read.
My darling Mariya,
I'm so relieved you're safe. When I heard what happened, I knew Andrey would move Heaven and Earth to bring you home. I was right to trust him with you.
I can't tell you where I am or when we'll see each other again. But know that I think of you every day. I'm proud of the woman you've become and I love you more than words can express.
Stay safe, my daughter. Trust your husband. He'll protect you when I can't.
All my love,
Papa
