Page 11 of Savage Mafia King

After handling the territories, I sit down for lunch with my inner circle. These men, the ones who protect Elena and Marie when they leave the house, are the only ones I trust. As I pick up my pizza, I glance around the table, noticing the tension in their eyes. I don’t like it.

“I don’t mean to ruin your lunch, Dimitri,” John, my head of security, starts cautiously, “but I can’t beat around the bush here. We’re still seeing some suspicious activity around Elena and Marie in the mornings. What do you want us to do?”

I chew slowly, processing his words. Suspicious activity? My jaw tightens. The idea that someone might be watching them, waiting to make a move, sends a rush of anger through me. I won’t allow it. Not after everything I’ve done to keep them safe.

“Do your jobs,” I say, my voice low and cold as I take another bite.

John hesitates, his eyes flicking toward the others before he speaks again. “Well, wouldn’t it be better to pull the girl out of school?”

I stop mid-chew, the suggestion igniting something inside me. "Absolutely not." My voice is sharp, cutting through the tension. "That would show weakness. I’m not doing that."

He opens his mouth to argue, but I cut him off. “Are you questioning me?”

The room goes still. I can feel the weight of my words, the way they hang in the air like a threat. John’s face pales slightly, his bravado crumbling.

“No, boss,” he says softly, lowering his eyes.

“Good. Now go. Do your jobs.”

They leave me in peace, and I focus back on my pizza. But the anger is still simmering beneath the surface. The thought of someone targeting Elena or Marie—of anyone daring to come near what’s mine—makes my blood boil. I’ve spent years building this empire, taking control of everything around me. I’ll burn the city to the ground before I let anyone take her from me.

As I finish my lunch, my mind drifts back to Elena, the memory of her body pressed against mine this morning still fresh. My cock stirs at the thought of her, the way her skin felt under my hands, the way she gasped when I took her. Maybe tonight I’ll introduce her to something new. Maybe I’ll teach her about blowjobs. I’d love to feel her lips around my cock, to watch her as she pleases me with that sweet mouth of hers.

I shift in my seat, trying to calm the arousal that’s building. I can’t get up like this. Not with the wrong suit on, too much room in the pants. But the thought lingers—her mouth, her submission, her willingness to do whatever I ask.

At least I know she’ll be compliant. Unlike everyone else in my life who keeps trying to test me, question me. I’m fucking sick of it. I want things to run smoothly, to let my cousin’s power expand without interruption. That’s good for all of us, especially for Elena. She’s my princess, my wife, and if anyone dares to put her in danger… well, heads will roll. I’ll make sure of it.

For now, I just need to get through this day and get back to her. Back to my bed. Back toher.

11

Elena

"Come on, Marie, we’re going to be late." My voice sounds more urgent than I intend, but I can’t help it. Marie is fussing with her hair in the mirror, adjusting and readjusting her ponytail for what feels like the hundredth time. She’d insisted on wearing a pantsuit today, convinced it was the only way to look smart and authoritative as the captain of her debate team. It’s a huge day for her—she’s debating against another school, a team from the city, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

I know Dimitri allowed us to go to this event because it's at a secure location, but I don’t tell her that. I don’t want to remind her of the shadows that constantly follow us, the danger lurking just outside the safety of our guards. I want today to feel normal for her, something that isn’t overshadowed by the world we’ve been pulled into.

Once we arrive at the school, a wave of anxiety washes over me. The crowd is larger than I expected, a sea of parents and students bustling around the auditorium. I’ve never done this before. Father used to take Marie to these things, not me. I’dalways been in the background, more of a protective sister than a parent. But now... now I’m her guardian. Dimitri and I have to be her parents, too. The thought presses heavily on my heart. I have to be more than just her sister—I have to be the one cheering her on, guiding her through this life we never asked for.

Marie rushes off to join her team, her face a mask of calm confidence, but I can see the nervous energy bubbling underneath. She’s always been good at hiding her emotions from others, but I know her too well. I know she’s scared.

I scan the room, taking in the other parents gathered in clusters, chatting and laughing easily with each other. A pang of insecurity hits me—what do I even say to them?They’ll ask questions, questions I’m not sure how to answer. I take a deep breath, steadying myself, and walk toward the crowd, forcing myself to blend in.

"Oh, are you Marie’s mother?" A blonde woman approaches me, her bright smile plastered across her face.

I flinch slightly at the word ‘mother,’ but quickly recover. "Sister," I correct her, offering a small smile. "But how did you know?"

She chuckles lightly. "You two look so much alike—almost like twins. But I figured you were her older sister."

There’s something about the way she’s talking, the way she’s prying, that sets off alarm bells in my head. I’m wary of anyone who wants to know too much. We’ve only just met. Why does she care?

"Yes, I’m just over twenty-one," I reply, choosing my words carefully. "When our father died, my husband and I took custody of her."

"Oh, you’re married?" She seems almost incredulous, her eyes widening. "But you’re so young!"

Her words sting, though I don’t let it show.Yes, I’m young. Too young to have lost my father, too young to have been thrust into a world I barely understand. Too young to be a wife, but here I am.

"Yes," I reply, forcing a pleasant tone. "It was a quick courtship, something my father wanted." I quickly shift the conversation. "Are you a parent of one of the debate team members?"

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