Broken Soul (Jackson Family 3)

Inessa was eating breakfast with the rest of the family when I stepped into the massive dining room. She looked up at me, and instantly, nervousness rang in her eyes at the sight of me.

It must have been clear on my face that I was pissed.

I took the empty seat beside her and gripped her chin, forcing her to keep her eyes locked on mine. I didn’t want her looking away from me. I knew this was probably something we should cover in private, but I was too agitated to care.

“Why didn’t you tell me about your family?” I demanded to know.

She swallowed thickly. “I didn’t want to taint our first time together in five years,” she confessed. “And I learned to cope with it.”

I clenched my jaw and gripped the back of her neck. She swallowed thickly, her pretty eyes locked on mine, nervousness ringing in her gaze. I watched as her tongue darted out over her pink lips.

“One, I am your husband and your dom. You tell me everything, do I make myself clear?” She instantly nodded her head. “Two, your family did not turn their backs on you because of your miscarriage.” Her eyes widened in surprise. “Your family turned their backs on you because you would not leave me. You are loyal to this family—to me—and they hate it.”

Her lips trembled. Tears filled her eyes. “Even grandfather?” she whispered.

I shook my head, hating the broken-hearted expression on her face, and I hated her family even more for putting it there. “Your grandfather is trying to protect you,” I said, leaving it at that. She blew out a soft, relieved breath. I pressed my lips to hers. “Right now, I want you to stay in this house. Don’t leave our room without me or a guard, clear? Your family is about to be in an upheaval, and I will not allow them to use you as a pawn. Understand?”

“I understand,” she said softly.

I pressed my lips to hers. “Good.” I released her. “Finish eating,” I ordered.

She slowly turned back to her plate. I wrapped an arm around the back of her chair and gently trailed my fingers up and down the soft skin of her arm.