Two more days went by with very little interaction with Dominik besides at night. She felt like after he came into the bedroom he shed parts of his fear mongering mafia man persona. But hell, what does she know. They've only been married a week.

Salina knew he was already in bed right now. He was reading some book in Russian, he was engrossed in the novel and she didn't care enough to try and ask him about it. They'd gotten more comfortable sleeping besides one another, well she did at least. It seemed Dominik is never uncomfortable. In their sleep they always woke up closer than they'd been when they fell asleep but she couldn't let herself dwell on it.

Taking in a deep breath, she eyed the satin cloth in her hands. Insecurity wasn't something she felt often, especially over something so silly. So, after biting her cheek she slipped her usual bonnet on. In all of her life she had never gone more than a day or two sleeping without a bonnet to protect her natural hair and she'd be damned if this man made her miss more time than he already has. Salina prided herself on her hair, keeping it healthy was important considering how often she changed and styled it. Over the weekend she wants to flat iron it and her silly insecurities have gone on too long.

Salina wasn't sure if it was because no one really sees her wearing it or because she is sure Dominik isn't familiar with women wearing it considering their different backgrounds. Tying the band to the perfect tightness, Salina stepped out while on her phone. Besides that she was in silk pajamas, cute ones that made her look angelic- in Dominik's opinion.

His eyes zeroed in on the black fabric billowing around her hair, his dark gaze finally lifted from his book.

Wasting no time, he put it down and asked. "Why're you wearing that?"

He was never one to beat around the bush.

Salina shut her eyes, huffing quietly. "I usually wear it at night. It's for my hair." She slid into bed as the lights dimmed. It was quiet for a moment but she could feel him still watching her. By now she was used to it when they were in the same room but right now it was pissing her off. Her tongue ran over her teeth but she didn't say anything.

Dominik turned to face her completely now. He didn't ask why she hasn't worn it from the start, her avoidance of eye contact was telling enough. "What does it do for your hair?"

Salina's eyes narrowed in more confusion before scoffing. When she caught sight of his face she saw he was not being sarcastic and simply looking at her waiting for an answer.

"Seriously? Do you want to actually hear why or are you just humoring me?"

"You can tell me or I can search it up." He was a man who craved knowledge- what can he say?

Rolling her plush lips once, she began explaining. "It protects my hair and keeps it from being extra frizzy," she turned to face him. Her brown eyes flitted up to his own momentarily before falling back to look over his shoulder. "Our pillow cases absorb oil from our hair. It doesn't really affect your hair texture because your hair produces more oil than mine. You wash your hair more often because of it too. The silk fabric doesn't absorb oil like that. It's just healthier," Salina felt sheepish for whatever reason as she fiddled with a thread from their duvet.

Dominik hummed, intrigued entirely by the information. Not that he didn't notice their differenced- because he did- his skin was porcelain for God's sake and her own was a rich mahogany that captivated the attention of everyone around. He admired her hair and all the things he's seen her do with it so far, entranced by her curls when they sat naturally but he supposes he never considered how different it may be compared to his down to the fine detail.

"Would you want different pillow cases?" he asked simply as he turned onto his back to stare at the ceiling.

Salina was surprised by the question. "They actually do have those. I'm not sure, I've been wearing a bonnet for years. I might just like the old fashion way."

She hesitated for a second, "Is that your way of telling me you don't like it?"

Dominik scoffed, "If I didn't like it I would have said so when I saw it. I told you- keeping you happy is important to this whole thing working. I can't have my Donna asking for a divorce every month after all. Wear whatever you'd like to bed it doesn't change a thing."

Salina mulled over his words as it seemed he might be going to sleep. She tried to decipher how they made her feel.

"I haven't asked for a divorce once."

"And you won't."

~

Sat in her little window seat as usual, Salina was finishing up her hair. Her curls were now laying down her back, pin straight after hours of work. Her hands ached. She's accepted the silence from Dominik during his endless work hours. It could be worse, she shouldn't expect anything more from him that he's already given her.

Running her fingers through her dark tresses, her eyes flitted up at the sound of Dominik calling her. Before another second could pass they narrowed in suspicion.

Humming in thought, she slowly found her way to the swinging door separating them. Peaking her head in, she found Dominik's eyes on her already.

"...Yes?" He never usually talked to her when he was busy. He only came into the room to see what she wanted to eat.

He looked her over, nodding for her to come closer. Sucking on her bottom lip, she did so and leaned against his desk before crossing her arms. She looked down at him with a question clear on her face.

Dominik leaned forward, sliding his fingers over her soft hair and twirling it around gently. "It looks good."

Her brows rose up, before thanking him quietly. Of course it looked good. "Is that what you called me in for?"

"You're my wife is it so unbelievable I want to see you?"

Her gaze narrowed at him and he leaned back in his chair with nothing but smugness littered on his features. Salina reached over, her hand faltering for a second before committing and gripping his wrist. She turned it over to look at the time. "It's three o'clock in the middle of the day. You haven't seen me at this time since we got married. Unless you were dropping off food."

"If I didn't know any better I'd say you sounded jealous, жена. Salina you surprise me."

Her lips parted in shock and frankly in offense. "Jealous? Of your paperwork? That's funny." Her voice was in a low murmur, dark eyes rolling up to the sky. With a smirk, Dominik thought about several other ways he could get her eyes to roll.

This past week has been interesting with his new wife, she was incredibly smart from what he could gather. She was smart with her words and who she allows to hear them, he admired that about her. But she'd lost that weariness around him the last couple days. He suspects now that she's more sure he wouldn't hurt her, Salina is comfortable to speak freely.

"Are you just going to stare at me this entire time?" Ah, there it is. Dominik felt a jolt up his spine at the way she spoke to him. His eyes alit with mischief, he gripped her skirt and yanked her closer.

Salina gasped and braced herself on his shoulders, immediately she removed them and tried to lean back but he didn't release the thin fabric.

"Where did those manners go, pretty girl?"

With a pout, Salina tilted her chin up. "You wouldn't know manners if they hit you upside the head, you caveman."

Domink snorted, sliding his hand from her skirt up to her hip gingerly.

"Hm, my pretty wife has such an attitude today," he tilted his head in thought. "Is something bothering you?"

Salina looked surprised at the question, he momentarily regretted asking as he stood up. She became entrapped against the desk. "Nothings bothering me except my husband seems to think I'm at his beck and call. Not to mention he keeps me locked in a room ten hours a day."

Clicking his tongue, his head tilted the other way but he eyed her from the side. "I told you your safety is more important than your entertainment."

"You were the one that wanted a 'partner' Ivanov. Partners are usually at least close to equal, I'm not equal being hidden away with little to no communication." Salina inhaled deeply as she voiced her thoughts finally. They'd been sitting on her tongue all week. Now she'd gotten past the hurdle of actually saying them. She couldn't fall into her habit of sitting on things if she wanted to make the most out of this marriage.

Dominik was thinking something similar, along the lines of if he wanted to make this end goal a reality- he had to make Salina feel important. He needed her to feel useful. And she is both of those things but he has a feeling that telling her she essentially just needs to act as an extension of himself in case of an emergency wouldn't do well.

"Your safety is more important than busy work right now. News hasn't gotten out about our marriage yet but it will soon and I want to be prepared for it."

Salina rolled her eyes. Prepared doesn't have to include keeping her in a glorified doll house. But she relented, Salina was still hesitant to truly start an argument with Dominik. He was playful now but she knew he wouldn't always be like this.

Honestly, she expected a hardened and calculated man but that isn't who she's experienced at all.

A knock at the door cut them both off, Dominik narrowed his eyes but before he could even respond someone was pushing through the entrance unwelcomed.

Sliding a hand to his closest drawer, he gripped a hand gun quicker than Salina could comprehend and his other arm wedged itself around her. Promptly, Salina was yanked behind Dominik's large body.

Yelping despite herself at the jerky movements, she gripped his jacket as a man walked in with his hands up.

"I apologize for the interruption, Don Ivanov," a thick Gaelic accent sounded. False confidence covered up the shakiness in his voice. Salina got a glimpse of a blonde man who had a slimy smile on his face that others may perceive as charming.

Dominik sucked on his teeth, flicking the safety off of his gun. "You've got some fucking nerve."

Gabriel and Fern followed after the Irish man. "Boss he was waiting outside- I unlocked the door to notify you of his arrival and... yeah," he waved to the nuisance. Dominik grunted and put his finger on the trigger, he was very obviously about to pull it when the Irishman spoke up.

"We were supposed to discuss a business engagement!"

Dominik tilted his head, "All the business I have with the Irish is handled."

"I understand. But I just need a moment of your time, my name is Michael we've met briefly before. We have something that might change your mind~" He trailed off. Gabriel reluctantly let in the woman that was waiting outside when she pushed on the door. In walked a blonde woman as if the office doorway was a runway. Salina's eyes rolled up to the ceiling.

"Of course," she scoffed. The blonde was tall, with her long legs encased in a tight dress. It wasn't revealing perse but tight enough that everything she had to offer was on display.

Michael and the blonde looked at Salina as she was standing closer to the Don than anyone previously thought possible.

"Don would you like us to get rid of them?"

Everyone in the room knew they didn't mean take them off the property.

Salina leaned forward, her chest pressing against Dominik's back. The physical contact made her shiver and squirm at the unfamiliar intimacy of it.

It was different then when they happened to be close to each other at night. Here she sought out his comfort as he was the only one she knew had her best interest at heart. Even if it was only to benefit himself at the end of the day.

Dominik grunted lowly, feeling her warmth and the eyes of everyone on them.

The blonde woman looked red in the face, Salina noted.

Leaning her head against Dominik's body, her cheek squished against his bicep as she raised a brow at the annoying woman.

The blonde looked around the age of her and Dominik, very classically pretty. The stranger has simple but striking features in comparison to her own unique beauty.

Their eyes met, Salina's brown ones clashing with the vibrant green that popped against the bright, angry red of her skin.

Slowly, Salina smirked at her. She knew exactly what this was.
The rejects Dominik had left in the dust. He had to of had other engagement offers. Dominik decided to hear these people out begrudgingly. He had a point to prove. Instructing the security in the room to train their weapons on them.

Michael exhaled a shaky breath.

"Don I've come to you to speak about the possible engagement of my niece, Delilah."

The ugly anger on Delilah's face fell away to give Dominik a sweet smile.

Salina's eyes bounced back and forth between the two, trying to hide her arrogant grin. This was like reality television, Dominik's job just became much more appealing to her if he got to see people making a fool of themselves.

Because despite everything, despite officially meeting him yesterday, Salina had a basic level of trust with Dominik.

He was her only life vest in this massive sea of confusion and danger. He gave her his word there would be no one else, he'd treated her better than anyone else she could've been arranged to marry so far.

Salina just hopes he doesn't disappoint her with this simple task of getting rid of whatever Delilah is.

Michael continued, "I'm aware you've had other... offers..." he looked at Salina with distaste. "But Delilah here she's primed and ready- trained to be a good wife. She'd give you pure children. Knows all the in and outs," he nodded suggestively.

Salina's eye twitched, her manicured nails digging into Dominik's bicep. What the fuck is pure children supposed to mean? Of course, she knew exactly what he meant.

Eight day old husband or not- he's her husband damnit. Irrational possessiveness flooded her.

"We're sure she'd be a better fit before making anything else official... you could try her out right here right now. The McCaffrey's would be just honored to work closer with you- sir."

The married couple was silent for a moment, Dominik glanced down at Salina to see her casually wiping at the rock on her left ring finger. The Don smirked at the smug look on her face.

"I think we'd look just perfect together," Delilah suddenly butted in. Stepping closer boldly to the desk. She completely ignored Salina.

"I could make you feel good," Delilah whispered as she wiped at her glossy lips. "I can be good, listen to whatever you say Dominik-"

Salina's eyes twitched in annoyance once again. Feeling her nails in his arm, Dominik glanced at his wife to see her reaction to the disrespect.

Sighing, he pulled his arm from Salina's grip and saw a flicker of hope on Delilah's face. It was diminished quickly when he had only lifted the gun back up to point it square at her temple.

Delilah began to tremble violently, freezing like a statue.

Michael made a loud noise in protest, cursing abruptly and jerking forward when all of the other guns in the security men's hands cocked and pointed at him.

"Look at me," Dominik leaned forward towards Delilah.

Delilah could barely focus on him.

"Now look at her," the Don nodded to his wife.

The two women's eyes met as Salina sat down on the arm of the desk chair now.

"You've disrespected her and I don't appreciate that," Dominik mused with his deep rumbly voice. Delilah stammered an apology and Michael tried to speak over her.

"I've claimed her already," Dominik glanced at Michael who paled even more if possible.

"Your insults to her are a direct insult to myself. You've disregarded our relationship," the dark haired Russian man glanced back at Salina who observed this all curiously. "I should use you as a warning, have you notify the others what happens when you disrespect me."

"I-I would never-" Delilah cried softly.

"You already have!" Dominik boomed. Everyone but Salina behind him flinched.

"I should cut a fucking limb off and send you back in the world. Let word of mouth do the trick," Dominik shook his head. "I don't have the patience for that." His body shifted entirely in front of his wife.

He cocked the hammer back and Delilah begged sharply and quickly but Dominik pulled the trigger.

Salina clamped her mouth shut to avoid making the noise of surprise that rose to her throat. Blood splattered on Dominik who acted as a shield for her.

Delilah's body shot back from the force of the bullet scaling through her skull, dropping dead weight against the desk.

Dominik huffed in annoyance at the blood over his things now, meeting the eyes of the head security as Michael began to curse and beg for forgiveness.

"Kill him," Dominik nodded to the Irishman.

"Cut them up and send their bodies to all the higher up families. Let everyone know."

Michael sobbed at the instruction just before bullets riddled his body.

Salina hadn't looked away until he too fell on the ground limp. Blinking slowly, she glanced at her husband who was already looking at her. Without missing a beat, he reached and gripped Delilah by her hair. He lifted up the dead woman's head so they could both see her face.

He looked back at Salina, he hummed in thought. "You're much prettier than her," he commented while lifting up the dead weight. Salina sighed through her nose before prying his hand off and watching her head slam against the desk and her body fall down. They both winced.

"Any questions?" he sighed down to her. He expected ones like- did he have to kill them? How could he be so cold hearted? Why did he do that?

Pursing her lips, slowly she shook her head. Rolling her lips together, she meekly grabbed a tissue. Pushing onto her toes, Salina gently wiped at the blood speckled on his face. His dark brows lifted in visible surprise, feeling her soft touch properly take care of him. She cleaned from his forehead to his neck before tossing the bloodied tissue away.

"At least I know you're not messing around about what you said before," she murmured to herself more so before turning and going into the library.

Dominik's eyes were hazy as they followed the beautiful woman all the way through the door. When she was out of sight, he seemed to remember the two guards in the room with him-waiting to be dismissed. Amusement flooded his face at his wife's intriguing behavior.

He would have fun with her.

Sighing, he finally acknowledged Gabriel and Fern. Dominik pulled himself out of his thoughts.

Grinning wolfishly, he nodded his head over to where Salina had just left through. "Good pick, eh?"

Fern gave him a small grin and nod, watching Dominik follow after her. Over the shoulder he called, "Just have the cleaners come by, you're free to leave when it's done."

The Ivanov man found her sitting at her table with a frown on her face, her chin rested on the heel of her hand.

Sighing, he sat across from her. He wasn't sure why she might be frowning, he didn't really have the patience to ask either.

"I think I'm going to finish work early after that," he told her as he looked her over. Salina was dressed in a crew neck and skirt as she lounged around the house. He liked seeing her so relaxed, it itched a part of his brain that he hasn't ever let himself explore.

Salina looked back at him finally, not looking convinced. "Mhm," she hummed while reaching for her book.

Dominik gripped the book and her wrist quicker than she could react to. He tugged on her hand a bit, a wild smirk pointed down at her. "Since I'm off that means you're coming to dinner with me."

His wife's eyes widened at the demand before he was pulling her up to get ready.

•••

eee so excited to get into regular updates for this book wish me luck juggling everything i got planned pfft

as someone who still gets nervous when new people see me wearing my bonnet, i feel seen in this chapter lmao

Dominik is a need, not a want anymore