Consumed by Deception (Deception Trilogy, #3)

by Rina Kent

“Remember when you asked me if I ever loved you?” I nod, fresh tears surging to my eyes. “I didn’t understand my emotions at the time, but I do now. I do love you, Lia. I always have. But my form of love isn’t sweetness or softness. It’s nothing noble or delicate. My love is selfish and villainous. My love is the type where I will kill people to protect you and erase others to avenge you. My love is possessive, obsessive, and knows no boundaries, not when I first met you and certainly not now.”

“I wish it could’ve been different between the two of us. I wish I were the man you deserve instead of the villain you’ve got.”

Lia, who used to tremble in front of a gun, killed someone to protect me. I probably shouldn’t be proud of that fact, but I am.

“Is it worth it?” “Is what worth it?” “Losing everything for her?” A small smile grazes my lips. “Absolutely.”

Despite everything, marrying Lia was the best decision I’ve made in my life.

Adrian and Jeremy have always made it better. No matter how hard it’s gotten, having them by my side has always helped, even when I was too blind to see it.

“Where’s Papa, Mommy?” I hug Jeremy to my chest, smoothing his hair. “He’s not here, my angel, but Mommy will get him back.”

At some point, protecting her became my life’s priority and I survived if not for anything, then for that purpose alone.

I’m ready to throw it all away if it means keeping Lia safe and with me.

A potent rush of energy has been whirling inside me since the moment I realized I have no choice but to step up in order to save our family. It might not have started in the most conventional way and we’re not perfect by any means, but it’s still our family. Mine and Adrian’s.

“Who asked you to walk toward death for me? Since when are you a hero? You’re a villain, so act like one and take responsibility for your actions.” “My actions?” “You made me addicted to you and unable to function unless I get my fix, so don’t you dare think you can leave and expect me to let you go without a fight.”

Just what were you hoping for? That I’d get over you and pick up the pieces of my life as if you were never in it?” “With time, yes. Isn’t that what you wanted all along? A life away from me?” “Idiot. Fucking idiot. You think I can live away from you when you’re the one who gave meaning to my life?”

“You think I would ever want you with another man? That’s like gutting myself with my own hands. You’re mine and I only ever want you to stay mine, not someone else’s.” “Then don’t say you’ll leave me again. You’re my last stop and I plan to stay, not move on.” “You’re my last stop, too.”

Not only did he slowly fill the hollow gaps, but he also disallowed me from running away. He became my shield and continued to even when I scratched the armor and attempted to destroy it.

I can finally breathe. I finally have the air that I’ve been deprived of since the moment he left me behind in that snowstorm. Now, I have my oxygen back.

“At first, I thought you were the wrong choice for him.” I narrow my eyes on her. “You preferred Kristina, didn’t you?” “Yes.” “Wow. Your honesty is cutting.” “She was the most logical choice for him while you were…well, uninterested mostly, so I thought maybe he’d made a grave mistake. However, over the years, I’ve realized that you might be the most fitting for him.” “Why?” “Because you accept him the way he is. Not even his parents did that.”

My husband, who’s currently placing a firm hand at the small of my back, is wearing his tux that might be responsible for making me fall further in love with him. He just looks so delectable in formal wear, as if he was born for this type of appearance. Add his sharp features and his untouchable aura, and he’s a sight to behold.

“That would work, too. But think about why Adrian is so smitten with you.” “He’s smitten with me?” “He is.” “Which part?” “Your softness, Lia. Your finesse, your elegance. He sometimes watches you as if he wants to stab the air for making you cold.”

“Dance with me.” I’m speechless for a second, my gaze flitting from his hand to his face. “W-what?” “May I have this dance, Mrs. Volkov?”

“I didn’t know you danced, Adrian.” “I don’t.” “You are right now.” “Because you look beautiful.” “You’re dancing because I look beautiful?” “It’s a perfectly good reason.” “Is that really all?” “No. I need to stake my claim so that no fucker looks at you.”

“And…you won’t try to hide me away again?” “Believe me, I would if I could. If it were up to me, I would’ve worshipped you away from onlookers, where you’re safe, but you’re not happy with only that anymore, and I would never drive you to the edge of a cliff again, Lenochka.”

Lia stares up at me with those huge imploring eyes. She’s so beautiful, it physically aches sometimes.

My Lenochka has been slowly but surely evolving, and I don’t want to miss any second of it. Is this a new form of an obsession? Possibly. I have no doubt that just like her character, my obsession with her will keep growing to match it.

She’ll always be my lone rose—the resilient rose that I’d pluck from the side of the road over and over again, even if her thorns caused me to bleed.

She’s my rose. Her thorns as well as her exotic scent are mine and mine alone.

The moment she whispered that she loved me, then shouted it, I was a goner. It’s not lust. Far from it. She’s touched parts of me I thought were long dead.

I told you how different my love is, how dark it can get, but I do love you, more than I’ve ever loved anyone in my life. I don’t only need you; I also genuinely cannot live without you and the light you bring to my darkness. I know you deserve better, but I’m unable to let you go, so I’ll try my best to be worthy of you, Lenochka.”

“I’ll try to be better. Though I’ll probably never be a hero.” “Who says I want a hero? I’m perfectly happy with you, my villain.”

“I love you, Adrian, and though it hurts sometimes, I’ve never regretted it.” His lips meet mine and I squeal as he picks me up and carries me in his arms.

We started with blood and death, but something much more beautiful blossomed from the darkness. It’d be a lie to say we live a fairytale. If there’s anything that won’t change about Adrian, it’s the fact that he’s a villain.

“Adrian…” He kisses his way down my neck. “What?” “I’m pregnant.”

Putting our daughter, Annika, to sleep is a mission all on its own. She’s such a handful compared to when Jeremy was an infant.

Jeremy has been over the moon since he found out that he’d have a baby sister, and he’s the first one she smiled at. He said he will protect her as her older brother. Our boy is so responsible, even at a young age, and has already learned how to hold his sister properly.

She’s still the most beautiful rose I’ve ever seen.

“I’m curious. If you believed I cheated, how come you never let me go? Wouldn’t that have been the most logical thing to do?” “Not to me. I would rather have you, even knowing you cheated, than not having you at all.”

“You’re not only my lover and my husband, you’re also my best friend and my partner in everything.” “And you are mine, Lenochka.”

“I love you, Mr. Volkov.” “I love you, Mrs. Volkov.” And I’ll spend the rest of my life showing her exactly how deep and raw that love is.