His Inheritance

Negotiations & Promises

When the reception finally started winding down, you took the opportunity while Steve was talking to the heads of the families and his lieutenants to slip away. Yelena escorted you to the stairs and from there, you made your way to the room where you'd been sleeping until last night.

And last night? Well, that had your emotions spiraling more than they already were. Fear of the unknown did battle with curiosity and the deep craving he'd kindled in your body. Yeah, you were officially married now, and consummating the union was inevitable.

Your body was open to the idea. Your mind still rebelled against the loss of your freedom. Your heart?

Blowing out a sigh, you dropped onto the edge of your bed. Your emotions were a tempest you were too tired to control. It felt like you'd been at war for so long.

Standing in front of you, Yelena looked as concerned as you felt. There'd been no opportunity to talk to her in private during the entire affair and she'd looked worried since the confrontation with Katerina.

"While I have the opportunity, I want to apologize to you for earlier," Yelena said slowly and with sincerity. "Hansen created a diversion and that's how Katerina was able to get to you. For that, I am very sorry. I wouldn't have had that happen to you today of all days. Her presence was terrible enough."

It really was.

"What did he do?" you had to ask.

"He followed us when I led you out of the wedding party," she explained. "I went to warn him and he led me on a chase."

That Yelena was wary of Barnes' man was obvious. You understood. You'd be happy never to see the man again. Somehow you doubted you'd be that lucky.

"He stared at you the entire time they were here," she went on. "When I confronted him, the bastard acted like I was overreacting. He made me realize that I really am an amateur here."

That pause, that deep breath she took to steady herself, made you understand that he scared her too.

"I let you down," Yelena told you. "I am so sorry."

You had wondered where she'd been when Katerina was waiting for you outside the bathroom. And then Hansen had found you. You didn't know Yelena at all. You'd just met her today. But intuition told you she was telling the truth.

"Hey, you told me earlier that you were learning," you replied. "So am I. I could have done without ever meeting either of them. But that wasn't your fault. I can't help but feel like it would have been worse without you there."

Yelena nodded, a little hope creeping into her expression.

"What did you say to her?" you wanted to know. "In Russian. You yelled something at her."

"I told her to go before I put my foot up her whore ass." Yelena tried to keep a straight face but couldn't hold it when you laughed.

"Would you be interested in doing this again? Working with me?"

"Working for you?" Yelena's smile was tentative. "I would be very interested, yes."

You hadn't changed your mind about that. You wanted Yelena to be your own security. It was best you didn't say anything to her until Steve agreed to it. And you had a plan to get him to agree to it.

"Thank you," you told her. "Thank you for watching over me today."

Yelena nodded, looked relieved.

"Would you like for me to get the stylists to help you change?" she asked.

"Fuck no," you told her, pulling the veil from your head. "They can go. I've had enough of that for one day."

Yelena did help you out of the elaborate wedding dress. Then there was the gun strapped to your thigh. Removing the .22 and the cuff, she thought about it for a moment and then handed them to you.