That night, Eric was torn between pride and terror.
"You negotiated with Volkov like he was a junior accountant," he said, pacing our bedroom. "It was incredible. And terrifying."
"I told you I could do this."
He stopped pacing, pulling me into his arms. "You're extraordinary. You know that?"
"I'm learning."
He kissed me deeply, his hands roaming over my body with renewed appreciation. "I can't believe you're mine. I can't believe you're carrying my child."
"Believe it." I pulled him closer. "We're building something, Eric. Something that matters."
He lay me on the bed, his body covering mine, and made love to me with a reverence that made my heart ache. He was mindful of the baby, gentle in a way that was completely at odds with his fierce reputation. Every touch was a promise, every kiss a vow.
When we finally came together, it was deep and tender, a physical expression of everything we'd built together. Afterward, he slept with his hand on my stomach, and I lay awake marveling at how far we'd come.
From kidnapped bride to partner. From captive to queen. From stranger to mother of his child.
The meeting with Volkov the next night went better than we'd hoped.
Alone with Eric, the Russian dropped his posturing and admitted the truth: he was in over his head, his financiers were pressuring him, and his own men were muttering about finding new leadership. Eric's offer wasn't just attractive; it was salvation.
"I'll agree to your terms," Volkov said finally. "But I want one more thing."
"What?"
"Her." He nodded toward where I waited in the car. "I want her to oversee the partnership. She's smarter than both of us combined, and I don't trust anyone else to make this work. Moretti, you're a fighter. She's a strategist. I need a strategist."
Eric's jaw tightened. "She's carrying my child. She's not."
"I'm not asking for anything inappropriate. Just her oversight. Quarterly meetings, review of shipments, that's all. She's the only one in your organization who's proven she can think three moves ahead."
Eric looked toward the car, and I saw the conflict in his eyes. I got out and walked over.
"I accept," I said before Eric could object. "Quarterly meetings, full transparency, and your people treat me with respect, or the deal's off."
Volkov smiled. "Done."
The drive home was quiet, Eric's hand gripping mine. "You didn't have to do that," he said finally.
"I know. But I want to. This is my life now, too. I need to be part of building it."
He lifted my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles. "You amaze me."
"That's the idea."