Chapter 17 - Rhiannon
The crisp autumn air felt exhilarating against Rhiannon's skin as she stepped out of Adrian's apartment building, her two assigned guards flanking her like silent shadows. For the first time in weeks, she felt truly free, a sense of liberation washing over her that had nothing to do with the expensive clothes she wore or the luxury car waiting for her. It was the freedom from the suffocating expectations of her family, from the constant tension with Adrian, and even from her own self-doubt. It was a freedom that tasted like crisp air and sun-drenched pavements.
She needed to talk to Valentina, her closest friend since high school. They'd bonded over shared secrets, over family drama, over a mutual love of fast cars and even faster thrills. They'd promised each other years ago that nothing—not even the simmering rivalry between their families—would ever come between them. But things had been… complicated lately.
Valentina was waiting at their usual spot—a trendy café overlooking the city. The familiar warmth of their friendship was an immediate comfort, easing the tension that had been coiled tight within Rhiannon for weeks. She quickly updated Valentina, sharing her mixed feelings about Adrian—the raw, untamed passion, the unexpected tenderness, the frightening realization that she'd willingly walked into an uncertain future—and her growing fears about the near-kidnapping.
"So, you married into the Bratva," Valentina said, her voice laced with a mix of excitement and concern. "Wow. That's… intense."
"Tell me about it," Rhiannon replied, a wry smile playing on her lips. "It's all a bit of a whirlwind, honestly."
She recounted the events of the past few weeks, the near-kidnapping, Adrian's intervention, the hasty marriage announcement, her father's casual dismissal of the whole affair—almost unable to believe it herself as she told her friend about it. Then, in between coffee and croissants, she also shared her feelings—the confusion, the anger, the unexpected surge of attraction, and a budding sense of respect for him.
"But the thing is, Val," Rhiannon continued, "he actually seems… different from what I'd imagined. Not as callous as I thought. Maybe not even as manipulative. And when he defended me in front of my brothers… that did something to me."
Valentina raised an eyebrow. "You mean it? You actually think he's not playing a game?"
Rhiannon hesitated before admitting, "I… I don't know. I'm honestly not sure. He could be. But I did trust my instincts when I went for him. And there's something… else, too. Something real under all the intensity."
"Well, I knew about the marriage," Valentina said casually, then took a sip from her cappuccino before resuming, "You know how word spreads around here," she waved her hand nonchalantly. "But from everyone else's perspective, it's clear your dad was all but forcing the issue. I heard the men in my family talking about it all, but not directly with me, obviously." She paused. "I'll be honest with you, Rhi. The alliance was almost a foregone conclusion. The men had been talking about how this would massively boost their power, give them the edge. They all think it's a brilliant move, something that will boost business as well as help out with a few other alliances they might want to make."
"Other alliances?" Rhiannon frowned, "Like what."
"I don't know much," Valentina replied hesitantly, then she shook her head. "I mean, it's practically just speculation at this point, Rhi. But I heard your father's been working on something on the sidelines that will make a lot more money in the long run. I have no doubt it's illegal, but with the hushed way everyone's talking about it… let's just say that an alliance with the Nikolai Bratva could be huge in getting him the connections he needs."
The revelation stunned Rhiannon. Her father had deliberately kept her in the dark, not bothering with the pretense of consulting her, of respecting her feelings and decision-making. It wasn't just that he'd arranged her marriage without her consent; he'd orchestrated the entire thing, treating her as nothing more than a tool.
She immediately messaged Adrian, sharing Valentina's information. A flurry of messages followed—a mix of shock, anger, and the building realization that both sides were playing a far bigger game than she'd ever suspected. The conversation shifted from Adrian's own feelings about her to the bigger picture, and Rhiannon voiced her growing anxiety and uncertainty. They decided to work together to uncover the truth, trusting their instincts and their growing connection.
After parting ways with Valentina and exchanging promises to keep each other updated, Rhiannon decided to confront her father, to question him about the leaked announcement—but the moment she'd stepped into her car and turned on the engine, the world began to spin.
A wave of nausea washed over her. She pulled over, gasping as her stomach lurched. After a while of heaving, when she couldn't control it anymore, she started feeling breathless and cold, needing to sit and rest before continuing. It was then Ilya pulled over next to her and, with a calm voice, asked whether she was okay and if she wanted to go home.
Rhiannon nodded silently, unable to speak, her body weak and trembling. The sudden illness, the overwhelming wave of nausea, left her feeling utterly defeated. As Ilya gently helped her into the back seat and took her home, Rhiannon could only let her feelings wash over her. It wasn't just the betrayal and the anger; it was the realization that she'd been so easily manipulated, so carelessly disregarded. She'd been played, used as a tool, and the weight of that was almost unbearable.
Hours later, after resting and regaining a bit of her strength, Rhiannon was curled up on her couch when Adrian arrived, his face etched with concern. He'd heard about her sudden illness, the rushed trip home. He sat beside her, his arm wrapping around her shoulders, his touch gentle and comforting, dispelling some of the darkness that threatened to engulf her. He listened as she recounted her conversation with Valentina and her subsequent illness, sharing her own frustration and his own suspicion toward her father. They shared quiet moments, exchanging words of comfort and reassurance, their connection deepening amidst the chaos and uncertainty.
Hours drifted by, marked only by the deepening twilight that painted the room in hues of orange and purple. Adrian remained by Rhiannon's side, his presence a comforting anchor amidst the storm raging within her. He didn't try to fix things or offer easy solutions; he simply was there, a silent bulwark against the waves of uncertainty and fear threatening to consume her. He stroked her hair, his touch gentle yet firm, offering a silent reassurance that transcended words.
"It's all a bit much, isn't it?" Rhiannon finally whispered, her voice barely audible above the quiet rhythm of his touch. A shudder ran through her, a testament to the physical and emotional toll of the day.
Adrian tightened his embrace, his gaze fixed on the shadows dancing on the wall. "It is," he agreed, his voice a low rumble that resonated through her. "But we'll get through it together."
"Do you really think so?" she asked, her voice laced with doubt. The weight of the near-kidnapping, the hastily arranged marriage, and the betrayal by her father was almost unbearable.
He paused, considering his words carefully. "I do. I've never felt… this way about anyone before," he admitted, the raw honesty of his confession startling her.
She looked up at him, her eyes wide, searching for some sign of deception. His gaze was unwavering, intense, and filled with a raw vulnerability that she hadn't seen in him before.
"I'm not going to lie; this whole thing has been a bit of a shock," Rhiannon admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "But you saved me, Adrian. I know that. And that means something."
He leaned down, his lips brushing against her forehead. "It does," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "And what happened last night… that means something too."
A blush crept onto her cheeks, the memory of their passionate entanglement sending a fresh wave of heat through her. She still couldn't entirely comprehend her feelings. They were complicated, volatile—a mixture of apprehension, gratitude, and a dangerous, exhilarating desire.
"My family," she said softly, her voice filled with a mixture of anger and hurt, "they don't see it, Adrian. They don't see that I'm capable, that I deserve more than being used as a pawn."
He shifted, pulling her closer, cradling her in his arms. "They're blind, Rhiannon. Blind to your strength, your intelligence, your worth. But I see it, and I'll make sure everyone else sees it too."
"You're in this with me, right?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper, her gaze searching his. "This marriage isn't just some convenient alliance?"
He held her gaze, his eyes intense. "It's not. I want a partnership, Rhiannon, an equal alliance. I want you by my side, not as a pawn, but as a partner, an equal."
The raw honesty of his confession, the intensity in his eyes, dispelled some of her doubts. But the fear still lingered, a shadow that threatened to engulf them both.
"There are risks involved, Adrian," Rhiannon stated, her voice barely above a whisper. "Risks to both our families, to both our lives. What if this whole thing backfires?"
He kissed the top of her head. His touch was gentle, comforting. "We'll face them together. We always have, haven't we?"
She leaned into his embrace, letting the warmth of his body soothe her. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice a trembling whisper. "But I feel… safe with you, Adrian. More than I've ever felt before."
"And I'll make sure you always feel safe," he promised, his voice filled with a depth of feeling that sent another wave of heat through her. "Because you are safe with me."
The shared vulnerability in their confessions deepened their connection. They spoke about their fears, their hopes, and their dreams for the future—a future that was suddenly filled with both exhilarating possibilities and frightening uncertainties. It was in those quiet moments, in the unspoken communion between them, that their initial antagonism morphed into something deeper, something real and powerful. They were bound together not just by circumstance but by a powerful, undeniable connection.
As the shadows deepened, Adrian pulled her closer, his lips finding hers in a kiss that was both tender and passionate, a testament to the growing bond between them. The kiss deepened, and all doubts, all uncertainties, were momentarily swept aside. It was then, as she drifted off to sleep in the comfort of his embrace, that Rhiannon knew, regardless of the challenges ahead, she'd have him. He'd protect her. He'd always be there for her. And for the first time in her life, she felt fully and completely secure.