Mine to Protect

DIMITRI'S POV

The car jerked to a halt in front of the house. I reached for the door knob. Elena gasped from beside me, staring through the window at the mansion.

"Elena?" I said. The name tasted strange on my tongue as I called it. I'd get used to it, maybe.

"Elena!" I called again, louder this time. She jerked back to look at me, her face pale and dumbstruck.

"We're coming down," I said. "So get yourself together."

She gulped, nodding. "Yes, sir."

"Good." I released the knob and we climbed out together. Chicago felt so much colder today; even my thick coat wasn't doing anything to avert the cold.

I held out a hand for her. She hesitated one bit, I frowned.

“What's wrong?” 

“Nothing.” She retorted back, avoiding eye contact. I reached out for her hands and grabbed it firmly steering her forward and marching towards the house, The sound of snows crunching under my boot permeated the air as we made it up to the pavement. Umberto trailed closely behind us; two more of my soldiers made up the rear, following us down till we climbed up the steps.

The door opened immediately as we approached. Matteo stood in the doorway, smiling. "Congratulations, Don," he greeted. I forced out a smile. "Thank you, Matteo."

"Dad has put together the most luxurious party this hick town will ever see for you, Don." He continued, shifting from the doorway to give us entrance. I nodded. "I'll have to thank him for the trouble," I said as I crossed him, leading Elena into the house.

Matteo followed behind us. "Romero and the Consigliere are waiting in the office, Don," he whispered into my ear as we rounded the corner, making for the main hall, where loud music was pouring from.

I halted in my tracks and dropped the arm holding up Elena's. She looked up at me.

I signaled for Umberto, before turning to face her.

"I have an important meeting to attend right now. Umberto will see you to the party..." My voice trailed off as I saw the panic and betrayal in her eyes.

"I'll join you in no time," I promised, but she still looked unconvinced, snapping at my lingering patience. The man to my right side took a step forward, the outline of a gun impatiently flashing on his vest.

Elena's eyes widened. She saw it too. Good.

"No, Cesare," I called simply to the guard. He stilled and drew back. I lifted a hand and tilted her chin up a bit, so she could see my face clearly.

"I think there are a few things you need to know, Elena," I muttered softly, caressing her chin. "I don't tolerate disobedience. My men will lead you to the party and I'll join you shortly. Is that clear?"

She nodded.

"Good." I dropped her face and turned around. "Umberto."

He sprang forward from the shadows. "Take her to the party."

"Yes, Don."

I wheeled around and walked away from them, Matteo and Cesare in tow. Matteo was my junior brother, a twin to Romero — both men who had proven their worth to the family and sworn their oath. Romero and Matteo were a couple inches smaller than I was and probably not as broad shouldered, but you couldn't mistake us; we had the same looks. We looked alike so damn much.

"This is too good, brother!" Matteo chuckled. "I'm glad father convinced me to come."

"He ordered you, Matteo," I corrected.

He groaned. "You always spoil the fun."

I chuckled as we were walking towards the basement now. It was the drawing board, where I had my office. Cesare was my personal guard and right-hand man — an old college pal.

He pushed the office door open and I marched in. Romero and Luca stood up and nodded their greetings at me. Luca was Consigliere; he leaned against the marble ledge of the fireplace, legs casually spread. I crossed the threshold to pour myself a glass of scotch, before I whirled back around. Matteo was already sprawled in an armchair, legs wide apart, sharing some silly joke with Romero.

"What is the chatter about?" I asked.

Matteo turned to me, grinning. "It could have been worse."

I raised an eyebrow. "What could have been worse?"

"She could have been ugly. But holy fuck, your little wife is quite an apparition. That dress, that body, and that face." He whistled.

Sharp fury rose in me as I locked eyes with Matteo.

"She's just a child," I said dismissively.

"She didn't look like a child to me," Matteo said, clicking his tongue.

Why was he so determined to provoke me today?

I frowned.

He nudged Cesare. "What do you say? Is Dimitri's wife—"

Cesare shrugged, threw a careful glance at me before voicing his opinion. "I didn't look at her really closely."

He looked disappointed and turned back to Romero.

"What about you, Romero? You got functioning eyes in your head, right?"

Romero didn't bother answering; he picked up his glass and took a sip. Matteo sighed before turning to me.

"Why does it look like no one else sees what I see — or did you threaten to cut off all of our dicks if anyone looked at her?"

My eyes darkened and I walked slowly towards Matteo. "Elena is a married woman. She's mine. If I have to cut off the balls of every man in the outfit to protect her, I'll do that," I said, laughing.

Matteo shook his head. "I didn't think this day would ever come. Are you truly in love with this girl? Isn't she just a pawn in our conquest?"

"She's not!" I snapped. Matteo's eyes widened. Romero, Cesare, and Luca's eyes sprang to mine.

Matteo stood up, staring at me like I was an apparition. "Interesting.” He said chuckling softly. “I've watched you put a bullet in a man without blinking. But just mentioning her now and you're across the room.”

I downed the glass in my hand before staring at my brother. "I don't need to be in love with her to protect what is mine."

The moment we sealed the deal, she became mine. And tonight I would make sure she never forgot it.