Page 111 of In the Dark

I wasn’t supposed to trust the enemy, let alone fall for him, but he was feeling less and less like one as the wedding neared.

“I’m hoping that, for now, I can,” I admitted quietly.

He hummed and walked over to the bed to sit at my thighs. He put his hands on either side of them and got so close I could feel his breath against my lips. “You can trust me, Viper. Always. Now, stop searching for something to be mad at. You can’t build a wall between us just because you’re scared.”

“I’m not scared,” I shot back.

“Aren’t you? Because I am,” he admitted.

“Of what?”

“Of the fact that I’m still contemplating killing your uncle for not taking care of you after you got stabbed, even though the partnership is working out like it should be. Of the fact that I’m worried you want a line between us when I never want a damn thing between us ever. Of the fact that I think of you day and night in that wedding dress and can’t wait to see you walk down the aisle in it.”

“Callahan.” I moved to touch his cheek. “We might be getting carried away with this business marriage arrangement.”

“Doesn’t seem like a business arrangement for me at this point. It seems like I want you, business or not, for the rest of my life.”

“That’s … What?” I stuttered, not sure I heard him correctly.

“Viper, I saw that someone hurt you and it made me want to go after a whole nation to find out who did.” His jaw ticked as he thought about it again.

Those words, I trusted. That statement I knew to be true. Callahan was furious about my wounds.

“They’re almost healed.”

“I want you to see a doctor again.”

“Why? He said I was fine.”

“And even still, I think I’d like confirmation.”

“That’s over the top.”

“I’m going to continue to be over the top with you, Jasmina. Get used to it.”

“For two years,” I whispered, like I needed him to remember, or like I needed to remind myself as he pulled me into his arms and nuzzled against my neck.

“Or as long as you’ll have me. After two years, you can walk away with half of everything I own, Jasmina.”

“Oh, please. I’m more than aware I’m coming out of this with less than what I walked in with. Your lawyers wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“You’re right.” He drew out the word. “That’s why I went over our contract and prenup right before it was brought to you. Guessing you actually didn’t read all that fine print.”

“I knew I was signing away my life. I didn’t need the details.”

“Details are you get half of everything and are always protected.”

“Um … what?”

“I figured you might be the mother of my children, Jas. Plus, I knew I needed you alive after you almost drowned in the ocean and I had to save you.”

“I did not almost drown.”

“You were barely breathing, baby. It’s okay. I saved you.” He said it cheekily, and I slapped his chest.

“Whatever.” I sighed at the rest of his omission, though. “You didn’t have to do me any favors, Callahan. I’ll be fine either way.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. You divorce me, I don’t know what sort of target will be on your back. I wanted insurance there wouldn’t be one.”