We soon began her lessons. The first time she held the gun, she fumbled with it, dropping it at her feet. Thankfully, the safety was on. Elle has gotten more comfortable now. Shemay not be a perfect shot, but now she’s good enough to hit an attacker to slow him down.
Chapter 29
~Elle~
I’ve been running around the kitchen all morning trying to make everything perfect for tonight. I know that I might be silly making a big deal about being married for only a month. But it has been the best month of my life. Dominic has given me a family. I not only gained a husband but brothers also—Dante and Dario treat me like their little sister.
The servants have accepted me as the mistress of the house. Jimmy, who's still following me around, has grown on me. I kept my promise to him, putting in a good word with Susie.. Anna, who rules the kitchen, has loosened her reign, allowing me to help out with the meal prep.
Dominic and I have grown closer, which makes it easier for me to share memories of my childhood with him. We truly enjoy spending time together. Anna mentioned that the men each have their own places in the city, where they often stay when business requires it. She added that she’s glad they’ve been spending much more time at home lately.
I noticed that whenever Dominic is at home he would seek me out for the most random reasons. He hasn’t spoken the words to me yet. But if his actions are anything to go by—I know that he loves me.
Serafina and Nico joined us for dinner, but throughout the meal Dominic seemed distracted. He was attentive, yes, yet there was an unease about him that I couldn’t ignore. He tries to shield me from the darker side of his business, but whatever is happening, the other men at the table are clearly aware of it.
When the meal ended, Dominic leaned in and kissed me before slipping away with the other men to his office. Serafina and I settled into the sitting room across from his study, ourvoices hushed as Dominic disappeared behind the door with Dante, Dario, and Nico. The low murmur of their conversation carried faintly through the walls, a reminder that whatever business they discussed was meant to stay hidden from us.
I leaned toward her, my voice tight with worry. “Serafina, does it feel like something’s wrong? Did Nico tell you anything?”
She reached for my clasped hands, steadying me with her touch. “Nico mentioned a shipment scheduled for tomorrow night,” she said quietly. “He thinks it could be attacked. The men are just trying to make sure everything goes smoothly—so they don’t risk their fragile alliance with the Russians.”
“Oh, I knew it!” Whenever I think about what my husband does for a living and the danger that he is constantly exposed to, I become anxious. Serafina witnesses my worry, and she attempts to reassure me. “Hey Elle, don’t do that. Let the men handle the situation. Panicking is not going to help.”
“Now spill, how has it been going between you and your husband?” Serafina changes the subject in an attempt to divert my attention. “No need to answer that,” she quickly adds, “I saw for myself during dinner. He couldn’t keep his eyes off you.”
“It has been amazing, Serafina.” My voice trembled with emotion.“When Dominic first proposed—only to protect me—I never imagined we’d share anything resembling a real marriage.” The bond we’ve built overwhelms me, bringing tears to my eyes. “Now, I can’t picture my life without him.”
“I feel the same way about Nico. Ours was an arranged marriage, I was forced to marry Nico.” Serafina shares. “I gave him hell in the beginning, but we fell in love. Now we have no regrets.”
The grip on my hands tightens and she shares encouragingly. “These men protect their women Elle. They were born into this world. They know how to navigate it, without getting themselves killed. As the women who love them, we muststand by them, trusting that they are doing all they can to protect us.”
Later that night when Dominic joins me in bed. His body is spooning mine, hands are already cupping my breasts. I hold them in place, because if he continues, there will be no opportunity to talk. And right now, I need some answers.
“Dominic?” I say hesitantly. “Yes Angel?” His voice is seductive and his breath caresses my neck. Determined to remain focused, I press on. “Serafina said that you’re anticipating trouble tomorrow.”
He sighs. “Angel, it’s nothing for you to be concerned about. His demeanor suddenly becomes serious. “We have everything under control. I received some intel from the Russians, confirming that the Albanians were to go after one of our shipments tomorrow. We'll deal with them once and for all then.”
“Promise me, you’ll be careful.” I plead. “Of course, now if we’re done talking—I’d like to make love to my wife.” When I let his hands loose his palm cup my breasts, then he pinched the nipples causing me to moan in pleasure. Firm lips capture mine.
Moving my nightgown slowly up my thighs, he slides my panties aside and his fingers come inside me. Then removing his underwear with an urgency I share he slides into me from behind. Rocking back and forth……increasing his pace until we both orgasm together.
Chapter 30
~Dominic~
“The truck has left the warehouse.” Dario’s voice crackles in my earpiece. He and my men are on the rooftop opposite, watching. Our source couldn’t pinpoint the site of attack. So, their job is simple: track the truck from the warehouse, to confirm the area is clear, then follow to the docks.
All teams have their orders: converge on the docks if the truck passes without incident. Checkpoints line the Brooklyn route, each manned and waiting. I’m stationed here, eyes fixed on the road, every shadow a threat. With no intel on where the strike might come, we’ve locked down the entire path. One mistake and the shipment is gone—and I can’t afford that.
Dario’s tech team has already hacked into the CCTV along the route, monitoring for any suspicious activity. Dante, Nico and I, are currently viewing the feed in a van parked behind one of several shipping containers. Camouflaged in the shadows.
Dante taps his foot impatiently, Nico is leaning forward with narrowed eyes.. Ignoring the hum of generators in the dockyard and the faint creak of the metal containers. Our eyes are on the monitors set up by the tech team—the flicker of static on the monitors, making every shadow look suspicious. The cameras allow us a view of the dock yard.
The truck has finally made its way into the compound without incident. So far, no suspicious activity has been detected. Anticipation builds, as it becomes obvious that this is where they’ll make their move.
“I’m going to scout around and check with the men on lookout.” Dante says, before disappearing into the shadows outside the van. It’s way past midnight. "Thank you for letting Serafina keep Elle company tonight, she was antsy about whatmight be going down tonight.” I look briefly away from the cameras to tell Nico. “I know that your wife will be able to help allay her fears.”
“Sure man, Sera likes your wife……she herself has had to navigate being married to a mafia man. It’s an indescribable feeling knowing that there’s a woman waiting at home—who gives a crap and worries if you’re in danger.” I’m prevented from answering Nico, when I look back to the monitors. A figure appears briefly from the blind spot between two cameras.. The truck had come to a stop. This is where the crates will be loaded onto containers. Then lifted onto the vessel to be shipped.
