Page 9 of Savage Mafia King

Damn it. The crying always gets to me. I don’t know why, but it does. I sigh and soften my tone further. "Yes, Marie. I’m going to protect both of you."

Elena exhales, a sigh filled with relief, but also something else. I know she’s still afraid of me, and while I want her fear when it comes to outsiders, I don’t want it when it comes to me. I want her to trust me, to open up to me. I don’t want to break her—at least, not that way. If she’s going to be mine, fully mine, I need her towantit. And this exchange, this small display of fear from both of them, gives me an idea of how to get her there.

"John, Emile, Joey," I call out, my voice echoing in the dining room. "In here. Now."

Three of my men appear almost immediately. John, my head of security, stands tall and imposing, his arms crossed. Emile,my driver, looks alert as always, and Joey, John’s apprentice, watches everything with the sharp focus of someone ready to prove himself.

"Your new task is to keep Elena and Marie safe at all costs. If either of them leaves this house, even to roam the grounds, you are to be at their side. Stick to them like glue. If one hair is out of place when they return, it’ll beyourass. Am I understood?"

They answer in unison, their voices firm. "Yes, sir."

I turn to Marie, giving her a reassuring nod. "See? You’ll be fine. These men will protect you whenever you step foot out of this house."

Her small nod of gratitude sends a flicker of satisfaction through me. I may be doing this to secure my interests, but there’s something about knowing I’m the one keeping them safe. That I have the power to control their fates.

I pick up my fork and motion for them to continue eating. The food tastes bland in my mouth, my appetite still gone, but I force myself to swallow. I need to maintain appearances, even if this entire meal feels like a charade. The tension still lingers, but it’s different now—more familiar, more manageable.

"So, Marie," I say, turning my attention to her, "how was your first day?"

Marie lights up as she begins talking about her new school, her voice animated as she describes her teacher, the uniforms, the other students. I let her chatter on as I eat, keeping an eye on Elena. Her shoulders have relaxed, and a small, almost shy smile plays at the corner of her lips.

Good. Maybe my actions tonight are working. Maybe she’s starting to see me not just as a monster, but as her protector, her husband.

My pliant little princess. Soon, she’ll understand what that truly means. Soon, she’ll realize that submitting to me is the only way to survive.

And when she does, there will be no more fear, no more hesitation. She’ll be mine. Entirely mine.

9

Elena

Dimitri is coming through on his promise to protect us. Every day, there are more guards around us, shadowing our every step, particularly when I take Marie to school. These men—hulking, silent, ever-watchful—are unsettling, yet I know they’re here for a reason. For our safety. After all, our father was killed. We were left orphaned, vulnerable, with nothing but each other. I never thought we’d find safety again, let alone a sense of home. I wasn’t even sure we’d survive.

But here I am, walking Marie to St. Joseph’s, this prestigious school I never could have afforded. And here we are, living in a grand, sprawling mansion that feels more like a fortress than a home. All because Dimitri chose me as his wife.

His wife.The thought still makes me pause, makes my breath catch. I’m his wife, but I haven’t fulfilled my role. I haven’t consummated the marriage. He’s been patient—more patient than I deserve. Dimitri is myDaddynow, and I know he’s waiting. I know it’s my duty to give him what he wants. What he deserves.

Tonight, after dinner, I’m going to ask him to take me. To claim me. I’ve been holding back, afraid of so many things, but tonight… tonight, I’ll let him. I’ve wanted him, even if I haven’t admitted it to myself. And it’s time. He’s waited long enough.

When I pick up Marie from school, she’s in high spirits, happier than I’ve seen her in a long time. She talks animatedly about her new teacher, her friends, how no one picks on her here for loving science. No one here even knows about our father or the shadow we’ve escaped from. It’s as if she’s in a different world—safe, insulated from the darkness that surrounds us.

But there’s something surreal about this normalcy. About sitting together at dinner, Marie chatting about her day, Dimitri asking her questions as if we’re a real family. As if everything is fine. As if my heart isn’t pounding in my chest with the weight of what’s coming. I’ve dressed up tonight. A nicer dress, my hair styled, my makeup carefully applied. I want Dimitri to notice. I need him to notice.

But if he doesn’t, it’s okay. I’m doing this forus. I’m doing this because it’s long past time I give him what he deserves.

After dinner, Marie heads upstairs to her room, leaving just me and Dimitri. He holds out his hand as he always does, his dark eyes watching me closely.

“Shall we, my princess?” His voice is smooth, authoritative, and sends a shiver down my spine.

I place my hand in his, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine. I smile shyly, glancing up at him through my lashes, but I can’t quite bring myself to meet his gaze fully. He’s a powerful man, and I still can’t believe he chose me—saved me. Savedus.

I follow him as he leads me upstairs to our room, the anticipation building with every step. My heart flutters in my chest, a mixture of nerves and excitement. I know what’s going to happen tonight. It’s been hanging over me for days, but now that it’s here, I feel… ready. Ready to be his in every way.

The moment the door closes behind us, Dimitri turns, pressing me up against the wood, his body firm and unyielding. His hand finds my throat, but he doesn’t squeeze—he just holds me there, a silent reminder of his control, his power. My pulse quickens.

“You better have dressed up for me,” he growls, his voice low and dangerous.

“Of course, Daddy. It’s all for you.” The words slip from my lips easily now, and I feel a rush of heat at the way his eyes darken at my response.

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