"Ублюдок!" Dominik hissed as he tossed his golf club into the forest to his right.

motherfucker!

Salina sat with her arms crossed as she watched her husband from the golf cart. Next to her was Lev as they watched the three Ivanov men bicker back and forth about their game of golf. They'd just gotten back from their honeymoon and Salina figured it'd be nice if they got together as a family to celebrate privately.

This wasn't what she had in mind, while bringing up the conversation to brainstorm ideas Aleksei had smugly brought up a golfing trip.

Salina didn't understand why Lev had tensed up at the suggestion, but she found out very quickly. Aleksei and Dominik had a rivalry going that's been since rehashed and reignited about who is the better golfer.

Salina had also learned that none of the Ivanov men were particularly good at golf, so it was rather pitiful to watch. She has found their kryptonite at last, they couldn't go on any longer being perfect at everything.

So, here she sat, next to Lev in her all pink golfing outfit with expensive sunglasses sat on her nose waiting for them to finally behave. Salina was actually pretty good at golf, unfortunately this only spurred the men on.

"You're a pompous fucking asshole, you couldn't hit a ball straight if you goddamn tried," Dominik seethed at Aleksei.

"Oh that's rich coming from you. I would say take another swing but your balls in the fucking lake and your club belongs to the wilderness now!"

Dima stood between the oldest and the youngest of the trio, looking at their audience in the golf cart exasperatedly.

Salina took a sip of her cocktail at the same time Lev downed his mimosa.

"You little-!" Dominik lunged for Aleksei's throat. A short yell of alarm bubbled from Aleksei's chest as he didn't move quick enough from the Russian devil.

"What was your favorite part of Italy?" Lev leaned back against his cushioned seat.

Salina hummed in thought as the three of them wrestled to the ground.

"I loved how clear the waters were. Everyone was so welcoming, probably thanks to Angelo. But I think my favorite was how normal it felt. I felt like we were in our own bubble, the security didn't feel as overbearing, we would walk to the market while we were there and went to the local bars. It was serene."

Lev nodded as he felt a twinge of sadness not only for Salina but for his three boys, they would never know a life like that.

Salina couldn't help but grin, "Although, it was bound to get boring eventually."

"So, you like the business aspect then? The trip didn't make you resent it?"

"Oh god no, it was nice temporarily. But I would go stir crazy, besides Dominik wasn't built for that lifestyle. He'd end up in prison even if he grew up as a civilian."

"And you? Do you think you were built for this lifestyle?"

Her glossy lips pursed as she tilted her head cutely in thought, "I don't know. I mean I know I do well enough besides Dominik but I wouldn't be dumb enough to say I was wired for it like him. We think differently."

"Some would say you balance each other out," Lev offered.

Her pearly white showed when her grin widened, "I think that's right."

The two of them glanced up finally when a golf cart of men showed up, seemingly here to golf at this hole. There was four of them and they took in the sight of three grown men fighting near where they intended to set up.

Dominik had Aleksei in a chokehold, Dima however was stood over Dominik trying to claw his little brother out of the Don's clutches.

"Yo! What the fuck!" What looked to be a man, who was probably still in college, pushed out of the cart as his friends followed.

"This is not the time, hop in your little cart and swing back around in-" Dima grunted as Dominik broke free. "In like fifteen. Run along."

Salina cocked her head to the side, watching as the frat boys all got rather riled up at Dima barking orders at them dismissively.

Dima, who had turned back to his cousins found himself abruptly shoved by the lead frat boy. "You can't talk to me like that!"

Salina and Lev both side glanced each other as it caught Dominik and Aleksei's attention immediately.

Now, all three Ivanov's were stood up. All three much bigger than the four college boys and looking much more prepared for a fight.

"Don't put your filthy god damn hands on my cousin, boy," Dominik snarled as he leaned down into the offenders face.

"Th-There are four of us, what are you three gonna do, huh?" Still, the boy tried to sound tough.

"Five," Aleksei butt in. His head nodded towards their own cart. Salina sipped on her straw, waving her fingers as Lev leaned his head back against the headrest.

Scoffing, this gave the frat boys a little more confidence if the girl and the old man were the three behemoths backup.

"We're not leaving- who put you in charge? I don't see your name on the damn course."

Dominik snorted, he could brand his name here if he pleased. Easily.

"You don't want to leave?" He tilted his chin up while watching the boy carefully, a slow smirk tugged onto his lips. To the boys credit, he met his gaze daringly. Until a crazy glint glazed over Dominik's eyes at the challenge, his smirk turned into a full grin.

"That's fine, we'll burry you here then."

Dominik adjusted the rings he wore on his knuckles briefly before slamming his fist into the frat boys nose. He laughed heartily at the sound his nose crunching. Sending his foot into his gut, Dominik watching his victim tumble to the ground before he followed to finish his new nose job with his fist.

Dima and Aleksei had followed in suit, taking on two guys which left one straggler. Salina was sure her own boys could handle it but when Lev moved to stand she held her hand up, "I got it."

Finishing her drink with a loud slurp, she gripped a driver club from behind her. Weighing the golf club in her hand as she swayed towards the fight, her sharp eyes never left that fourth boy. He reached into his pocket, flicking out a pocket knife as he took heavy, nervous breaths.

Of course the fourth one zeroed in on Dominik, who was rearranging that first boys face, Salina rolled her eyes at the strangers stupidity. She caught up to him easily as he tried to sneak up behind her husband.

With a little skip as she stepped into her swing, she drove the club right into the frat boys kneecap. A loud crunch sounded along with a metallic ting that made her ears ring.

He buckled instantly, the screams slowing down the momentum of the fight as Dominik glanced over his shoulder to see Salina glaring at the boy. When he'd crumpled to his good knee, Salina- with perfect form- swung the club into his jaw. Not enough to leave permanent damage but enough to get him laid out on the ground.

She is so pretty, he thought was a sigh as he stood. Shaking his hand from of the blood dripping off his fist, he forgot about the one he left himself.

Salina tapped the driver against the boys skull slowly. Her narrowed eyes stayed on his whimpering form.

"Pathetic," she whispered while finally turning to her husband who she didn't look all that happy with either.

"He would have gotten a hit on you," she lectured with a frown on her plushly lips.

Dominik cooed as he wrapped an arm around her wide hips. "Worried? For little old me?" He goaded with his thickened accent.

"Yeah, I'm not sure why I bother. Considering you're willing to start fights with Aleksei over freaking golf."

"Oh don't be like that," he rumbled as he looked at the mess they'd left. But all four the the annoyances had been left alive, so that was an improvement.

"Don't touch me," she said half heartedly while slapping at his hands lightly.

Dominik groaned while hauling her up into his chest and admiring her pretty pink outfit for the umpteenth time. The little baby pink skirt that flared out cutely and the halter top that exposed some of the marks he's left on her skin proudly, he loved it.

"Well... what now?" Aleksei huffed. He was pissed their game was interrupted before he could prove he was the families best golfer. Even though Salina was beating them all.

With the group of four only unconscious, they didn't have to get rid of the bodies.

Looking down at his now grumpy wife, Dominik grunted while rolling his neck. "We'll notify the staff on our way out, I'm over this anyway. Fucking stupid game."

Salina's eyes rolled to the sky, leaving Dominik to get her driver while sitting behind the wheel of the cart. Her husband did just that as the Ivanov brothers sat in the back. Dominik picked her up and sat in the drivers side himself with her perched on his lap. Lev snored softly, having fallen asleep even during the commotion.

"Old man," Dominik shook his head as he drove all five of them away from the scene with no urgency at all. His lips pressed against Salina's shoulders, coaxing her to relax against him. She gave in easily, like always.

•••

Dominik squinted as he looked up, seeing the sun beating down on both him and his wife today. He wore sunglasses and an old baseball cap that he didn't know he owned until today. The white tank he wore was sweaty, matching the worn out jeans hanging from his hips.

Salina was on the other end of the garden, both of them deciding after the hectic day at the golf course to tackle some of the garden while they still have the energy.

"Baby," he groaned while lifting the bottom of his shirt to wipe at his jaw. "Why are you so far?"

Salina glanced up at him from under her sunhat. She wore old jean shorts and one of his t-shirts. He thinks she looks ethereal.

"I'm going to keep getting farther if you ask me that again."

"I would just follow you," Dominik quipped immediately.

Salina snorted, unable to hide her smile at his quick answer because she fully believed him. "But would you catch me?" Salina raised her brows at him cheekily before glancing back down at the pile of weeds she collected.

"We could find out," Dominik suddenly spoke up immensely closer to her than before. She screeched and couldn't help jumping, she glanced up at him like he was crazy.

Immediately, she pushed at his chest while he laughed at her, "Yeah no shit, sherlock! I'm not a behemoth like yourself."

This only made him laugh harder, gripping her hands and pulling her close into his sweaty chest.

"Besides I've been chasing you since I was a boy, I've already caught you," he smirked while pressing his forehead against her own.

Salina rolled her eyes at how cheesy he is, but nonetheless it still gave her butterflies. Leaning up, she kissed him briefly.

The two's eyes met for five heartbeats, unwavering until Dominik leaned down for another one. "Lucky me."

Salina giggled cutely while reaching down, smacking her hand against his ass. "Help me pick which flowers look best here?" she nodded towards where she'd been weeding. Dominik nodded, looking over the options before pointing.

"How bout the hydrangeas?" He scratched his jaw with his other hand.

Salina nodded in agreement, watching him bring the seeds over and grab a shovel.

"Who would've thought..." Salina murmured to herself but Dominik caught it. He perked his head up curiously.

"Who would've thought at the beginning of this the Russian Devil would be gardening with his wife on a Sunday afternoon," her lips spread in a wide, beautiful smile.

Dropping the seeds and shovel, he came right back to her side to press a scalding kiss against her mouth that had her insides lighting aflame.

"And who would have thought how happy he'd be doing it," he sighed against her mouth as he admired her. She scratched at his neck affectionately, nothing but love in her eyes and vice versa before they got back to gardening. Pouring their love into their new garden.

~~~~

literally so sorry this is so late???

apparently i have been busy that's cray HA, anyways that's a wrap folks!! i really struggle with ending chaps?? like idk there's just something about it

epilogues are like one shots and they're so cute and fun but ending chaps are the bane of my existence but it's okay this one is cute 🫶🫶

i know there are epilogues but i've love the interaction on this book and i can't believe it started in september omg i'm so lucky for all of u and i appreciate all the readers that made it all the way here 💞💞

keep an eye out for those epilogues 😚