The Hermit (Mafia Empire Book 1)

My cheeks are on fire from being caught staring at Dominik’s chest.

With a thundering heart and breaths rushing over my lips, I grab the basket of potatoes, beans, and asparagus off the kitchen table. Carrying my haul to the sink, I toss it all inside so I can clean them.

Dominik comes into the kitchen with a smirk on his face, which tells me he knows I was checking him out.

Feeling mortified, I open the faucet and focus on washing the dirt off each vegetable.

“You’re upset,” he states the obvious. “Why?”

“I’m not,” I argue, scrubbing the hell out of a poor potato.

I hear Dominik come closer but before he can reach me, I dart away, potato still in my hand and dripping water everywhere.

“Grace,” Dominik says, his tone gentle. “Calm down.”

“I am calm,” I mutter, refusing to look at him.

Slowly, he comes closer and I have to force myself to keep still as he takes the potato from me. After he tosses it into the sink, he takes hold of my chin and nudges my face up.

It’s a struggle to meet his eyes, and the moment I do, my stomach tightens into a nervous ball.

With no sign of the smirk on his face, his expression is serious as he says, “There’s nothing wrong with feeling attracted to me.”

What if I admit that I think he’s attractive, and he takes it as a sign to try his luck?

As if he can read my thoughts, he shakes his head. “Until you say you’re ready, there will be nothing sexual between us. Understand?”

I nod and it has him moving his hand away from my chin and cupping my cheek.

Leaning a little down, his eyes are locked on mine as he repeats, “So there’s nothing wrong with you finding me attractive.”

I nod again before whispering, “Okay.”

“Dobré dievča.”

Now that I know the words mean ‘good girl’ it has my stomach doing cartwheels.

As Dominik stares into my eyes, it makes my abdomen tighten, and I can’t keep from gasping because I haven’t felt the sensation in years.

The blue of his eyes turns darker and it sends a chill rushing down my spine. When he leans down, I hold my breath until he presses a kiss to my forehead.

Then he pulls away, walks around me, and heads out of the kitchen.

Good God.

I suck in desperate breaths as I press my palm to my abdomen.

Dominik is too much man for me to handle. He belongs with a woman who can satisfy his needs.

The image of Dominik having sex with a faceless woman has anger slithering into my chest instead of panic.

I’m angry because I might never be that woman, and just because we’re married doesn’t mean it will stop him from finding someone who can give him what I can’t.

My thoughts register, and they shock the living hell out of me.

Since we got married, I’ve gotten to know Dominik more and he’s been nothing but good to me. At some point, he made an impression on me, and…Jesus, I like Dominik.

Stunned by the fact that I’ve actually grown to like him, I shove all the crazy thoughts to the back of my mind and get to work.

An hour later, when dinner is ready and there’s no sign of Dominik, I head up the stairs to tell him to come eat.

Reaching his office door, I knock. I feel nervous and excited all at once, the emotions completely foreign to me.

When a minute passes with no answer, I knock again, thinking he should give me the code.

A door to my right opens, and my eyes go wide as saucers when I see Dominik standing in nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist.

Jesus.

I blink because seeing him half-naked is an overload to my system.

“Food,” I mutter the single word while darting down the hallway. “Come eat.” I reach the stairs, then add, “Once you’re dressed.”

Taking the stairs down, I shake my head at myself because I’m being stupid.

So what if the man is the most attractive person I’ve ever laid eyes on? Like he said, there’s nothing wrong with feeling attracted toward him.

If anything, it’s a good thing. It shows Braden didn’t completely screw me up.

And there’s nothing wrong with liking Dominik, either. After all, he’s my husband, and we’re stuck together until one of us dies.

I grab our plates from the kitchen table and carry them out to the veranda, where the sunset is painting the sky in pinks and oranges.

When I head back into the house to get some bottled water, Dominik comes down the stairs, still pulling his shirt over his torso. I get another peek at his six-pack, tattoos, and the V carved into his hips.

When I’m hit with another wave of attraction, I mutter, “I’m starting to think you’re doing it on purpose.”

At the foot of the stairs, he lets out a chuckle, then says, “Just say if you want me to walk around shirtless.”

“Ha-ha.”

I disappear into the kitchen, and opening the fridge, I grab two bottles. After nudging the door closed with my elbow, I head back to the veranda, where Dominik’s already taken a seat.

When I sit down across from him, he says, “I thought I’d give you some space. That’s why I didn’t help prepare dinner.”

I nod as I place a bottle of water on his side of the table. “It’s okay.”

His eyes sharpen on me. “Is it?”

I nod again. “Yes, I worked through my emotions, and I’m all good.”

“Then why did you run away for a second time?”

I can’t tell him to mind his business, because he’s answered every single question I’ve asked him.

Letting out a sigh, I admit, “Because you’re very attractive, and it makes me feel nervous.”

“Nervous is good,” he says, the corner of his mouth lifting in a grin. “I can work with that.”

I pick up my knife and fork and shoot him a playful glare. “Eat.”

“Yes, miláčik.”

Unable to stop it, a smile curves around my lips, and I quickly shove some mashed potatoes into my mouth.

When Dominik steers the Hummer down the mountain, I ask, “Why am I going with you for a meeting?”

Not taking his eyes off the road, he answers, “Because there’s no way I’m leaving you alone.”

Offended, I frown at him, “Why? Do you think I’ll burn down your house?”

“Of course not.” His eyes flick to me before focusing on the road again. “Where I go, you go. That way, I can protect you at all times.”

“Oh.” I quickly glance out the window, a warm sensation in the region of my heart. Then a thought pops into my head, and I ask, “So you’ll take me with you when you have to assassinate someone?”

“Not for the kill shot. You can wait in the car with Evinka.”

A smile forms on my face. “You’re serious.”

He glances at me again. “Yes.”

Before I can think the question through, I ask, “But what if I’m pregnant or we have kids?”

Dominik’s head snaps in my direction, and seeing the shock on his face, I realize what I just said.

I quickly look away, and I’m surprised when he answers, “Then I’ll leave Evinka with you.”

I nod, not sure if he’s looking at the road or me.

There’s a moment’s silence, then Dominik asks, “Before all the shit with Mallon, did you want to be a mother?”

My voice is soft as I answer, “It has always been one of my biggest dreams. That’s why I took over caring for Ciara after our mother passed away.”

“You’ll make an incredible mother, Grace.”

“Thank you,” I whisper as I look at him again.

Dominik steers the Hummer onto a main road, and the ride becomes less bumpy, then he says, “If it’s something you’re worried about, we can go the artificial insemination route.”

Once again, I’m amazed by Dominik, and I stare at him for the longest time before I reply, “We can talk about it at a later stage.”

He nods, and silence falls between us for the rest of the drive to the airfield.

My thoughts revolve around the man sitting next to me. It’s crazy how much has changed since I married him.

If I’d gotten to know this side of him before the wedding, I would’ve married him with a smile on my face.

I would’ve agreed to him marrying Ciara. She would’ve been so happy here on the mountain.

We haven’t spoken again since I told her that Dad was killed, but as soon as I have a new phone, I’ll reach out to her.

Dominik said she also didn’t go to Dad’s funeral, and a part of me feels guilty, but I’m sure Uncle Gerry gave Dad a nice service.

It’s not like Dominik would’ve let me go anyway. Thankfully, the matter was out of my hands.

Turning my head to look at Dominik, I ask, “Did you know your father?”

“No.”

That’s sad. Dominik only has Evinka.

“You don’t have to tell me, but how did Evinka get the scar on her neck?”

He’s quiet for a moment before he answers, “We don’t have much information about what happened. Just that her family was attacked and her throat was slit. It damaged her vocal cords. It happened a few months before I met her at the orphanage.”

Lifting a hand to cover my mouth, I whisper, “Jesus.”

He lets out a heavy breath, then says, “She was raped when she was thirteen. The image of her running toward me half-naked is seared into my mind forever.”

Shocked, I can only stare at Dominik as my heart goes out to Evinka.

Now I understand why Dominik is so patient with me.

“Besides you, Evinka is the most important person to me,” he murmurs, “She’s the only person I trust.”

I nod, understanding the bond they share. “Hopefully, you can learn to trust me too.”

The corner of his mouth lifts slightly, but he doesn’t reply to what I said. I get why. Trust is earned.

I can see the entrance to the airfield and ask, “Where are we going?”

“Chile. With the layover, it should be an eighteen-hour flight.”

“Will it be just us?”

He shakes his head and points in the direction of the hangar where the private jet stands ready. There’s also an SUV, and I see Evinka standing with the four guards who escorted us the day we got married.

“What’s the meeting about?” I ask as we drive closer to the group.

“I’m forming an alliance to fight the bratva.” The vehicle slows down until it comes to a stop, then he looks at me. “Only you and Evinka know where my house is. Don’t ever share the location with anyone else. Not even Ciara.”

My lips part, and before I can ask the question, he answers, “Yes, I trust you, Grace. Don’t make me regret it.”

I nod quickly before opening the passenger door and climbing out of the Hummer.

Dominik gets out and looks at me over the top of the vehicle. “Hopefully, one day, you can trust me too.”

A smile pulls at my mouth as I say, “You’re halfway there.”

When he begins to walk, I hurry to catch up with him, and I don’t pull away when he takes hold of my hand.

Evinka’s eyes lock on our joined hands, then she grins wide and gives us a chin lift.

“Hi,” I say, and remembering what Dominik told me, I pull my hand free from his and wrap my arms around her.

She stands frozen for a few seconds before she returns the hug, patting my back twice before pulling away to look at my face.

I see the silent question in her eyes and nod. “I’m fine. Dominik has been nothing but good to me.”

She signs something that has Dominik chuckling, then he translates, “She says she’s glad to see I haven’t killed you, and who knew I could make a good husband.”

Evinka signals something to one of the guards and he holds a brand new cell phone out to me.

Taking it, I say, “Thank you.”

Evinka signs, and Dominik translates, “The phone is secure, and it also has Evinka’s number programmed into it. If anything happens to me, text her, and she’ll come.”

“Okay.” I give her a grateful smile.

Dominik places his hand on my lower back and nudges me so I’ll start walking.

When we board the plane, I wait for him to pick a seat before sitting beside him. He reaches across me and puts on my seat belt, then takes care of his own before taking my hand again.

I watch as he links our fingers, and having him touch me makes my stomach flutter like a kaleidoscope of butterflies is taking flight.

There’s no urge to pull away and no panic.

He leans his head closer to mine and asks, “Is it okay if I hold your hand?”

“A little late to ask,” I tease him.

“It’s so we’ll show a united front to everyone around us,” he explains, and I feel a flicker of disappointment because that’s the reason.

Am I seriously upset because Dominik’s only holding my hand for show?