Nicole had been playing fetch with the dogs when the car pulled up into the porch. She didn't need to turn around to know it was her husband, the guards standing to attention around her was evident enough of an indicator. 

Persephone had once more snatched the ball from Hades, who let her take it back to Nicole. The woman watching the husky with amusement as it came trotting up to her and released the ball at her feet. 

"Cheater," She chuckled under her breath before picking up the ball and put it into the call launcher to throw it across the yard with both the dogs standing to a ready before her. 

"Nicole," A voice called from behind her causing her to turn around and find Salvatore standing in a three-piece grey tweed suit with a white undershirt and black tie; a black overcoat on top of his suit and gloves on his finger, his entire ensemble had Nicole lick her lips at how good he looked. "Come here," He beckoned her forward as she handed the stick to the guard beside her before making her way towards her husband. 

"Work got off early today?" She inquired as she approached him, her husband chuckling as he took off his sunglasses, handing them to Matteo behind him.  

"You could say that," He responded while wrapping an arm around her waist and leading her inside. "How are you?" 

"I'm good," 

"Are you sure, because you didn't sleep last night," 

"What makes you say that?" Nicole raised an eyebrow as to how he knew and stopped short in her tracks. 

"Because I slept great, and I only sleep great when you don't move, and you don't move when you're awake." Her husband smirked as she stared at him with an open mouth. "Ergo, you haven't slept," 

"Jackass," She grumbled and hit him on his chest as he shook his head and rolled his eyes in half-hearted exasperation. 

"Everything alright?" 

"Yeah, it's fine," Nicole found herself waving dismissively as she allowed her husband to lead her into the east wing. 

"Tell me," 

"Mom called," She sighed. "Said something about doing things for my betterment and that I should end this cold shoulder treatment," 

"How do you feel you should act?" The doors closed behind them as he pulled away from her to take off his coat and gloves. 

"Maybe I am acting childish and petty," Nicole settled down on the couch. "But then she had no right to demand from me to get a divorce without asking me how I felt about it," 

"So..."

"So I am going to stick to this until they learn to apologize," 

"Hmm..." Her husband hummed, looking at something on top of his desk. "If you feel that way, then alright," 

She watched Salvatore pick up his phone and speak a hushed whisper before listening and then responding, finally putting the phone down and noting something on a piece of paper. Having felt her stare, he looked up to see his wife staring at him, forcing his pen to stop mid-stroke. 

"What?" He looked up at her from below his lashes as she continued to look at him with intense eyes. "Either you're going to kill me or rip my clothes off," He chuckled, finishing the note. 

"The latter," Nicole found herself admitting as she stood from her place and made her way to him.  

She wedged herself between him and the desk, effectively putting an end to his scribbling and reading before tangling her fingers into his hair, relishing the way he closed his eyes to enjoy the sensation. Inhaling his cologne, Nicole couldn't help but lean forward and place gentle kisses against his neck, softly sinking her teeth into the flesh. 

"Nu-uh," Salvatore's voice rumbled through her. "No marks, I have a meeting to go to in ten minutes," 

"All the more reason for me to leave a mark," His wife murmured, trailing her lips higher up to his jaw. "Let them all know you're mine," 

"They're greying old men, Nicole," Her husband chuckled. "What would they want from me to have you mark your claim?" 

"Your time," Nicole's lips drew nearer to his lips. "Your energy, and your heart," 

"They have nothing to do with my heart," Salvatore found himself lowering his voice as their lips hovered mere centimeters away from each other. "I made it into steel to survive this business,"

"I'll just have to melt it then," She exhaled before fisting the hair at the back of his head and pulling him towards her, effectively pressing their lips together.  

They couldn't help from devouring each other, Salvatore's hands drifting down to her waist as he grabbed her with hard hands and lifted her onto the table, Nicole gasping into his mouth before wrapping her legs around his waist, pulling him closer. Needing him closer. One hand tangled into the back of his blazer with the other harshly tugging his hair before massaging the spot with her fingertips. 

"Stop trying to pull my hair out, gattino," Salvatore growled before taking her bottom lip between his teeth, gently biting into it as she gasped before he let go. "I can do the same and worse to you, baby," 

"Then do it," Nicole heaved through her pants. "Show me what you can do," 

An amused smirk overcame his lips as she felt a jolt pass through her spine, her head reeling as his eyes hardened into ice blue orbs and his hands slipped beneath her dress, caressing the skin of her thigh as she gasped, one hand clutching onto the edge of the table with the other bunching the fabric on his shoulder. 

A knock sounding on the door had Salvatore pull away from Nicole as she groaned at the lack of his warmth, her husband sparing her a fleeting glance before helping her off the table and settling her on the couch, running a hand through her hair to settle it. Before moving away, he leaned down to press a deep kiss to her lips, having his wife cling onto him, silently begging him to stay, but he pulled away and smirked at her. 

Running a hand through his hair, he moved towards the front of his desk, leaning against the edge and started taking off his blazer. 

"Come," He called authoritatively, rolling up his sleeves as Tazio entered in a pinstriped navy blue suit. 

"Sir," The second-in-command began to speak but halted when he saw Nicole seated on the sofa, flipping through a magazine before her. "They're here," 

"Have you settled them?" 

"Yes, sir," 

"Alright," He nodded and dismissed him with a wave of his hand. 

Standing straight, he held out his hand to Nicole, his wife taking it before allowing him to lead her out the office. 

"Why don't you go and enjoy the sunlight?" He suggested outside his office doors. "I'll see you in a bit," He placed a kiss on her forehead as she nodded, going down the path to her left while Salvatore went to the right.

Straightening his appearance, he nodded to the guards on either side of the door as they swung it open. Standing tall, Salvatore walked inside, all the mafia bosses standing from their seats and bowing their heads to him as he made his way to the other end of the table. Settling in the plush high backed velvet seat he gave a nod to the Mafia bosses, allowing them to settle down as well.

"Welcome," Salvatore's voice rung through the room. "Everyone knows the rules, so I need not repeat them. If you breach them, these men will be very glad to remind you," He gestured to the armed men stationed around the room, all of them holding loaded guns in hand and staring at everyone.

"Now, let the meeting commence."

While Salvatore dealt with the men, Nicole decided to enjoy the sunlight, running alongside the dogs and playing tag. Getting sweaty at the end of her little exercise, she decided to head back inside. Nicole couldn't keep the grin off her face as she finally felt happy and content with where she was in life. 

Their relationship has come a long way from awkward eye contact and she had to chuckle at the memory of them together.

Since the first time, they kissed things had become increasingly easy between the two. He was a lot more open and affectionate towards her, taking her out on dates, giving her chaste kisses, and buying her various gifts, he once even made her a card with his nieces which ended with him being covered in glitter. 

Often on his way back from work, he'd buy her a fresh bouquet of flowers, loving the way she smiled at him. Sometimes when the mood took him, Salvatore would have Nicole dance with her, both of them laughing at various things and just overall enjoying the way their relationship was going.

If she didn't know any better, Nicole could say that she was falling in love with him.

The realization having her cheeks flush with a shy smile overcoming her face. they were still taking it relatively slowly, but neither had an issue with it. 

However, one issue Nicole had was that Salvatore didn't tell her what was on his mind. He was very good at hiding his feelings, but sometimes when she would see him pacing around the room or he was sitting with his eyebrows furrowed, she would try to get him to talk to her, but he never did.

As a matter of fact, she did not much of what made him substantially him because he wouldn't let her in. But she knew that she was breaking that hard exterior of his, and Nicole had no doubt that with enough commitment and time, Salvatore would realize that he can trust her.

Trust.

An act her husband did not indulge in with anyone. He hadn't told her why he doesn't trust people, nor did Stephan, but she was hoping that just like one day she'll find the strength to tell him about her fears, he'd tell her about what caused him to become distrusting towards everyone.

The sound of the husky barking had her jump in surprise as she looked up to find their bedroom door before them. Shaking her head, she pushed it open as the dogs ran in before her while she headed towards the bathroom to wash up. 

Once she showered she got changed into dark jeans with a denim button up under a white sweater. Just as she had stepped out, the sound of music reached her ears, a wide grin splitting across her face, glad that her husband was back. 

Bounding out the walk-in closet, she saw him standing at the foot of the bed, music playing on the T.V. Chuckling at him, she wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his shoulder blades and inhaling his perfume.

"How did the meeting go? Hope the men weren't too much trouble to deal with." She asked, kissing the space between his shoulder blades.

"This used to be our song," His voice reached her ears, Nicole freezing in shock at hearing him speak. "So it's true," He resumed.

Nicole released her hold on him as if though he had burned her and stumbled away from him. The man turned around, holding the photo frame housing a selfie she had taken with Salvatore kissing her temple and looking into the camera as she was grinning in the photo. He was tall and lean, dirty blonde hair pushed back with the sides shaved short, grey eyes looking at her in amusement as he had a knowing smirk sported on his face.

"Jayson," Nicole breathed out in disbelief, stepping back but gasping when she came in contact with a wall, the man before her instantly having her caged in.

"You know, I heard that you got married..." He cupped her chin into his hand, tilting her head back as he looked at her with a disappointment, forcing memories to resurface as Nicole swallowed the lump in her throat with tears burning her eyes. "I was disappointed. But even more so when I learned that you married a Regnante of all people. Come on, baby, you're so much better than that wanna-be kid."

"I..." Nicole tried to say something, defend Salvatore, but her throat gave up on her, fear and anxiety surfacing and brimming in her as she just wanted to get away. She tried sidestepping him, but instead, he grabbed her, and pinned her to the wall, forcing her to close her eyes as Nicole's heart hammered against her chest, all the memories resurfacing, all that fear, all that pain, resurfacing."Now, now, sweetheart, you know the rules." He chastised, digging his short clipped nails into her cheek, forcing a whimper out of her as sh clamped her eyes shut tightly, the tears streaming down. 

"You stay still while I talk to you. Isn't that right?"

"Let go," Nicole finally managed to choke out.

"Let go?" Jayson mocked with a laugh. "Oh no, sweetheart, I just found you and I ain't planning on letting go anytime soon."

Nicole's heart beat rapidly against her chest when she found his lips against her's, repulsion and fear overflowing her mind as she tried to push at his chest, trying to get him off her, tears streaming down her cheeks as she wanted to cry out for help, feeling helpless and pathetic in her desperate state.

"Attacco," A voice commanded from the doorway, a ferocious growl ringing through the room as Jayson pulled away from her only to get pounced on by Salvatore's large wolf-hybrid, the dog growling and snapping his jaw in the face of the man. 

Jayson trying his hardest to keep the dog away from him, his hands coiling around his neck as Salvatore leisurely walked over to him.

He placed his foot against Jayson's windpipe, instantly causing the man to gag and lose his grip on the dog.

"Lo sperone (Heel)," He told the dog, instantly he got off the man, as Salvatore pressed his shoe harder into his neck, Jayson squirming beneath him and gasping, his eyes widening as the Mafia Boss took out his gun, pointing it at his head. "If I ever see you again, I will kill you without hesitation."

With that, he let him. Salvatore watching the man coughs and gag as he finally got to breathe. The Boss watched as two guards take him away. 

Running a hand through his hair, he felt the ache in his chest at seeing Nicole kissing another man. 

And not just any man, her ex-boyfriend.

"Salvatore," She whimpered, reaching out to touch him, but her movement faltering when he looked over his shoulder at her, his eyes an icy blue and instantly Nicole had to cover her mouth, tears streaming down her face. Knowing that he had just erected all the walls she had spent so long taking down.

"I...It's not what it looks like," She tried to explain, gasping between her tears and watched him walk towards the door without a word or a second glance towards her. 

"Salvatore, please! Listen to me!" Nicole begged to grab hold of his arm, her resolve momentarily faltering to see the emotionless look on his face. 

"Hades." He called out with venom lacing his voice. He did not raise his voice, nor did he yell, instead he spoke with such authority and commands that Nicole had to wince back and moved away when the dog began growling, slowly prowling towards her, not stopping when Persephone stood before Nicole, growling as well, but she shrunk back when the wolf-hybrid lunged at her and threateningly pressed his teeth into her neck, the husky whimpering before he let go upon his master's command. "Let's go,"

 "Salvatore," Nicole sobbed, helplessly watching him walk out the door, and closing it behind him with a bang. 

Salvatore stood on the other end of the door, his hand still on the handle as he tried to regain his composure, the ache in his chest forcing his breathing to feel restricted as if though there wasn't enough air. His throat constricted as he instantly knew he was suffering an attack. Grabbing his inhaler with shaky fingers, he put it in his mouth, taking a shot and then another. Once having regained his breathing, he slicked back his hair, standing straight before making his way downstairs.

Once he reached the ground floor, he could see all the Mafia Bosses huddled together and murmuring, the guards looking confused and concerned.

"What's going on?" One of the men asked. "Boss," He added at seeing the murderous glare in Salvatore's eyes.

"Let it be known that from now on Jayson Leone had become an enemy of the Regnante Mafia for having blatantly disrespected me and my family in my presence." Salvatore's voice rung clear, all the men and guards looking at one another in shock. "If he approaches any one of you, I am to be informed immediately. You may all leave."

"Tazio, Piero, Marco," Salvatore called out to the three, all of them standing to attention. "With me,"

Instantly they followed him into the east wing and into his office as he stood behind his desk, his Capo's standing before him in attention.

"Tazio let everyone know to keep an eye out for Jayson and any of his affiliates," Salvatore instructed, pouring himself a glass of scotch from the crystal decanter as his second in command nodded in understanding. "Piero, double the security measures around not only the Mafia but the company and the nightclubs too. Also, check on the status of the weaponry that is meant to be delivered tomorrow, ensure its safe passage."

"Marco." Salvatore downed the drink in one go, pinching the bridge of his nose and shutting his eyes as he tried to formulate his thoughts through a pounding headache against his skull. "Marco, I want you to handpick two men whom you trust, and have them shadow every single movement of Jayson. I want to know what that guy has for breakfast and what's his poison,"

The three men looked at each other uncertainly, silently questioning who asks as they looked at Salvatore standing with his gaze down, pinching the bridge of his nose, the empty scotch glass placed next to his hand on the desk.

"Salvatore," Marco spoke up hesitantly, all of them sensing the tension around him.

"Dismissed," He stated firmly, all three fidgetting in their spot and hesitating for a moment before spinning on their heels when the Mafia Boss looked up at them with ice cold eyes.

No soon had the door closed behind them did he grab the glass and hurled it at the wooden structure, sending shards of glass flying everywhere.

 Furious at himself for having let his walls down, for letting her get into his head, into his heart; for not having known better. Slamming his hands down on the table, everything rattled with the force of his action, as he felt his head pounding furiously against his skull and his heart ached, his stomach churning in unease as he tried to even out his breathing

"This is why you don't fucking trust anyone," Salvatore whispered to himself, his chest feeling tight as it ached and his voice trembling when he repeated his little facts. "This is why you don't let your walls down, not for anyone. No exceptions. No exceptions."

"No exception." He reminded himself sternly, pulling the silver wedding band off his finger and letting it fall onto the wooden surface of the table. 

Leaving it to contrast against the dark wood as he made his way out of the office, the doors clicking closed behind him.