Page 122 of The Pakhan’s Accidental Bride

"I'm sorry," I say, and I mean it. I can see the genuine fear in my brothers' eyes, the way their faces are still pale with worry. "I didn't mean to worry you."

"Of course you didn't mean to," Kaleb says softly. "But that doesn't change the fact that we were terrified."

Emil suddenly stands, the movement so abrupt that everyone's attention snaps to him. He runs a hand through his hair, messing up the already disheveled strands. His shirt is still untucked from earlier, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He looks tired, I realize. Exhausted, even. The lines around his eyes are deeper than usual, and there's a tension in his shoulders that speaks of stress and worry.

He turns to face all of us, his expression hardening into something determined and unyielding. "We're not waiting any longer," he says, his voice carrying the weight of absolute authority. "We're getting married tomorrow."

The room erupts. My brothers start talking at once, their voices raised in protest and disbelief. The doctor takes a step back, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden shift in atmosphere. Luca, who I hadn't even noticed standing near the doorway, straightens to attention.

"Tomorrow?" Kevin's voice rises above the others. "Are you insane? She just fainted!"

"Which is exactly why we're not waiting," Emil says, his tone brooking no argument. He turns to Luca, his expression all business. "Make sure the church is available tomorrow. I don't care what you have to do or who you have to pay. Make it happen."

"Yes, Pakhan," Luca says immediately, already pulling out his phone.

Emil's gaze sweeps over my brothers, and I can see the calculation in his eyes. "You're all staying here tonight. I'll have the staff prepare rooms for you."

"Now wait just a minute," Devin starts, but Emil cuts him off with a look.

"This isn't a request. Someone threatened you tonight. Someone knows where you live, your routines, and how to get to you. Until we find out who and why, you're staying here where my security can protect you."

The logic is sound, even if the delivery is autocratic. My brothers exchange glances, and I can see them weighing their options. They don't like being told what to do, especially not by Emil. But they also can't argue with the fact that someone did threaten them tonight, that there is a very real danger.

Before anyone can respond, Emil moves. He bends down and scoops me up into his arms, one arm under my knees and the other supporting my back. I let out a squeal of surprise, my hands automatically grabbing onto his shoulders for balance.

"What are you doing?" I demand, my face flushing with embarrassment at being carried like a child in front of everyone.

"Taking you to bed," he says simply, already moving toward the doorway. "You need rest."

"I can walk!"

"I'm sure you can. But you're not going to."

I want to argue, to demand that he put me down, but the truth is I'm still feeling a bit dizzy and the idea of walking all the way to my room doesn't sound appealing. So instead, I just glare at him, which only makes the corner of his mouth twitch like he's fighting a smile.

My brothers watch us go, their expressions a mixture of concern and resignation. The doctor calls after us that he'll check on me in the morning, and Luca is already on the phone making arrangements for the church.

Emil carries me through the hallways of the estate, his steps sure and steady despite my weight in his arms. The house is quiet at this late hour, most of the staff having retired for the night. The only sounds are our breathing and the soft thud of Emil's footsteps on the marble floors.

When we reach my room, he somehow manages to open the door without putting me down, then carries me inside and deposits me gently on the bed. The mattress dips under my weight, and I sink into the soft comforter with a sigh.

"We don't need to get married tomorrow," I say as he straightens up.

"No." The word is flat, final. He moves to the chair near my bed and sits down heavily, like the weight of the world is pressing down on his shoulders. "We're not waiting. Not after tonight."

"Emil…"

"Someone threatened your brothers to get to you, Kiera. They knew exactly which buttons to push, exactly how to make you vulnerable. And it worked. You would have gone to that meeting if I hadn't stopped you."

I can't argue with that because it's true. If Emil hadn't been there, if he hadn't taken charge and sent his men to protect my brothers, I would have walked right into whatever trap was waiting for me.

"Once we're married, you'll have the full protection of my name and my organization," he continues. "Anyone who comes after you will be coming after me. And that changes everything."

"So this is about protection," I say quietly. "About keeping me safe."

"Yes." He leans forward, his elbows on his knees, his dark eyes locked on mine. "But it's also about making sure no one can take you away from me. Once you're my wife, you're mine. Legally, officially, in every way that matters."

The possessiveness in his voice should bother me. It should make me want to argue and push back against his need to claim and control. But instead, I feel something warm unfurl in my chest. Something that feels dangerously close to happiness.