No Matter What

Dusan

The morning was quiet, but my mind wasn’t. Things were finally looking up with Leni but I couldn't get over something, Boris and his fucking test.

Irina was everything I didn't need, she didn't see humans she saw money and gold. She was just like Boris and it fucking scared me, not for me but for my sweet Leni.

I sat in my office, fingers drumming against the desk as I listened to Viktor go over the latest reports.

"The breach has been handled," he said, standing near the window. "The attempt was sloppy. And it leads back to one of Moretti’s men."

Moretti.

Leni’s father had been silent since our marriage, I expected it. He never really gave a fuck about my princess. Sidelined her, erased her from the earth, kidnapped her just to frighten her into getting married to me and now he's back. And I do not want to know what for.

"Has he reached out?" I asked.

Viktor shook his head. "No, but this was intentional. He wants us to know he’s watching."

Of course, he did.

"Keep eyes on him," I said. "And find out which man he used. If Moretti is testing the waters, I want to be prepared before he does more than scratch the surface."

Viktor gave a curt nod. "Understood."

As if on cue, Moretti’s name flashed across my phone screen.

Viktor’s gaze met mine. I accepted the call, leaning back in my chair.

"Moretti."

A beat of silence. Then a low, smooth voice filled the line.

"Dusan," he greeted, almost amused. "I hear you’ve been looking into my men."

"I hear you’ve been looking into my shipments."

A dry chuckle. "Only because I have to, genero."

The title made my jaw clench.

"You’re reaching too far," I warned.

"Am I? I don’t think so. My daughter belongs to me."

"Your daughter is my wife."

Moretti hummed. “We both know that is a temporary arrangement.”

My fingers tightened around the phone. "Careful."

"You think a ring means you own her?" His voice dropped, cool and cutting. "You don’t know her as I do. She’s still looking for a way out, isn’t she?"

I exhaled slowly, keeping my temper in check. "Is there a reason you called, Moretti?"

A pause.

"Just a reminder," he murmured. "Leni will always be a Moretti."

I let out a dark chuckle. "She stopped being a Moretti years ago and now she's a Nikolic."

The line went dead.

I set my phone down, looking at Viktor.

"Watch him," I said again. "Closely."

Viktor nodded. "I’ll handle it."

Enough of this. I had better things to focus on.

Like Leni.

I found her in the library, curled up in the corner with a book in her lap.

She didn’t look up immediately, too lost in the pages to notice me.

A rare sight.

I leaned against the doorframe, watching her. Loose tendrils of hair framed her face, her lips parted slightly as she read. The sunlight filtering through the high windows cast a golden glow over her skin, making her look almost untouched by the world outside.

Almost.

I let a few seconds pass before I spoke. "Enjoying yourself?"

Leni startled, glancing up. Her eyes narrowed when she saw me. "I was."

I smirked, stepping into the room. "Rafaela said you’ve been here all morning."

She sighed, closing the book but keeping her fingers between the pages. "You were busy."

I sat down in the armchair across from her. "You could’ve come to find me."

She hesitated. "I didn’t want to bother you."

"Since when has that ever stopped you?"

A small smile ghosted across her lips before she turned her focus back to her book.

I let the silence linger, my gaze traveling over her. The soft sweater she wore dipped at the collar, exposing the delicate line of her throat.

"You’re not going to read," she murmured, eyes still on the pages.

I smirked. "No."

She sighed. "Then what do you want?"

I reached over, tugging the book from her hands and lying in between her legs.

"Dusan—"

"We are leaving in two days."

She blinked. "What?"

"Our honeymoon," I reminded her.

Her expression shifted, something unreadable flickering in her gaze.

I studied her. "Not happy?"

"No," she said quickly. "I mean… I am."

I arched a brow.

She exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "It’s just never thought we’d actually do it."

I smirked. "Did you think I’d break my promise?”

"No, not that. Just…" She bit her lip, searching for the words.

"You still don’t trust me."

Her shoulders stiffened. "That’s not what I meant."

"Then say what you mean."

She hesitated before looking at me. “Ive never had anyone care to keeptheir promise to me.”

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “I am not anyone, I'm your husband.”

She held my gaze, searching for something in my expression.

When she didn’t answer, I reached for her hand, brushing my thumb over her knuckles. "You wanted a honeymoon, didn’t you?"

Leni swallowed. "Yes."

"Then enjoy it."

Her fingers curled slightly around mine. "You’ll enjoy it too, right?"

My smirk deepened. "Oh, kotenok, you have no idea."

Her cheeks warmed.

I sat up, my voice dropping. "Come here."

She hesitated, but I didn’t give her a choice. I pulled her into my lap, her legs straddling me as I tilted her chin up.

"You’re mine, Leni," I murmured, my thumb stroking her jaw. "No matter what anyone thinks and it is never changing.”

Her lips parted, her breath shaky.

"Say it," I ordered.

She swallowed. "I’m yours."

Satisfaction curled in my chest, it wasn't enough but it managed to cool the raging beast in me.

I kissed her, slow and deep, pulling her tighter against me.

By the time I pulled back, her breath was uneven, her fingers tangled in my shirt.

I smirked. "Now, be a good wife and let me read with you."

She rolled her eyes but didn’t move.

I took that as a victory.

The boutique was high-end, private, and exactly what I wanted for today.

Leni walked ahead of me, fingers trailing over expensive fabrics as she browsed.

The saleswoman approached her. "Do you have anything in mind, Mrs. Nikolic?”

Leni glanced at me.

I smirked. "She’ll try on whatever you recommend."

The woman nodded eagerly, pulling pieces from the racks.

Leni shot me a look. "Bossy."

I leaned in. "You love it."

She huffed but let herself be led to the dressing room.

Minutes passed.

Then the curtain pulled back.

My smirk faded.

She wore a silk slip, delicate and thin, the softest blush against her skin. It clung to every curve, lace teasing just the right amount of thigh.

My fingers curled against my thigh.

Leni met my gaze, playful. "Too much?"

I leaned back, exhaling slowly. "Turn around."

She did, the fabric shifting with her movements.

"Do you like it?" she asked innocently.

I smirked. "Come here."

She stepped forward.

I reached out, skimming my fingers along her hip. "We’re taking all of them."

Her breath hitched.

I leaned up, my lips brushing her ear. "And when we get home, you’re going to model each one for me."

She shivered, fingers gripping my shoulders.

I kissed the corner of her mouth.

"Go change, zhena," I murmured. "Before I lose my patience."

She stepped back, her eyes dark with anticipation.

I watched her disappear behind the curtain, already counting down the hours.