Chapter 53
Katerina
After sleeping overnight, I feel revived today. A new life has started for me. One where I’m free from the horrors of my past. Unfortunately, Dominic doesn’t seem to have the same sentiment.
Dominic’s been quiet since the ambush. He’s barely looked at me today, and when he does, it’s full of anguish.
“What is the matter with you?” I demand at lunch. “Why do you look like someone kicked your puppy?”
“What do you mean?” His head jerks up, and he looks startled, as if my outburst wasn’t expected and isn’t warranted.
“I mean, why are you acting like this? You should be happy. It’s over! The fight is over! And yet, you look tormented. Tell me what’s wrong!”
He sighs and runs his fingers through his hair. Dammit, he’s nervous about something. It’s starting to freak me out.
“Let’s go on a walk.” He’s slow to leave his chair and offers me a hand. I tentatively take it, and he leads me out of the house.
We walk in silence for a few minutes until it overwhelms me.
“Just tell me.” It’s a plea.
“Yesterday, after everything was over, your brother talked to me. He said he’s enforcing peace with the Syndicate no strings attached.” He looks crestfallen. “He said he’s absolving the peace treaty and that we’re free to get a divorce.”
“What?” I whisper.
“Divorce. He said we can divorce.” He keeps walking, not looking at me. “It’s up to you. We’ll do whatever you want.”
Fuck this.
“Come with me,” I order him, grabbing his hand and dragging him.
We enter the gym on the compound, where there are a few Syndicate soldiers working out. That won’t do.
“OUT!” I shout, and they all immediately comply. Seems like slashing the enemy’s throat gains you some respect around here.
“What’s going on, Katerina? Why are we in here?” Dominic looks so lost, and it’s pissing me off.
“Do you want to divorce me?” I spit out through gritted teeth.
“It’s not about what I want.” His shoulders droop.
“Answer the damn question!” I hiss at him.
“I don’t want to force you into anything,” he confesses. The guilt radiating off him infuriates me further.
“Get in the ring!”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
I kick off my shoes and slip between the cords. Silently, he follows behind me. Even if his obedience comes from curiosity, it still makes me victorious that I tamed the great Dominic Montclair.
“What are we doing–”
He’s cut off with a round kick to his side.
“Fuck!” he hisses.
“You think you can force me into something I don’t want? You really think anyone can force me to do anything?” I circle him, hopping on my toes, ready to fight. My arms are raised in a perfect boxing stance.
“No?”
“That’s right!”
“Which is why I’m giving you a choice.” His sorrowful eyes earn him another hit. He blocks my jab, so I counter with a cross.
“It’s not that simple. You don’t get to leave me that easily. You said I’m yours! You promised! So, I’m not going anywhere.”
“I don’t want you to go anywhere,” he sighs heavily. His halfhearted attempt to parry another jab fuels my fire.
“Then fucking fight for me! Be a damn man! Tell me what you what! Make me stay!”
“But–”
I try to kick him again, but he catches my leg and pulls me into him. I swing at him, but he grabs my arms. He quickly rolls us to the floor, trapping me under him.
“You want me to make you stay? Here you go!” He grins sadistically.
“You’re mine, Katerina Montclair. You’re my wife.
You have my last name. And you rule over my men.
I won’t give you up. I won’t let you leave.
Treaty be damned. It hasn’t been about the Syndicate or Bratva in a long time.
I’d choose you every time. So, fuck Pyotr and his fucking offer.
Divorce isn’t an option. You are my wife. Nothing can change that.”
“Much better,” I purr, pulling him down to me.
He meets me halfway, his lips dancing with mine. The kiss isn’t innocent or sweet. It’s passion and control. He leads me, cupping my jaw, forcing my mouth where he wants it. His hand moves to cradle the back of my head as he kisses me down into the mat.
“Mine,” he growls against my lips.
“Damn straight. You better not forget it,” I answer against his.
He pulls back and grins at me. It’s a look of utter joy.
“You’re everything I never knew I needed.”
I moan in agreement. He eyes take on an earnest look as he caresses my cheeks with soft strokes.
“I love you, Katerina. You know that, right?”
“I know.” I sigh. His eyes harden as he dares me to reply. “I love you too, husband.”
He lets out a guttural groan and attacks my lips. “I fucking love when you call me that.” He rips my leggings down my legs, then pauses at my bareness under them.
“Where are your panties?” His accusing tone makes me giggle.
“I don’t wear them under my leggings. Panty lines.” Smirking, I wiggle my bare pussy catching his heated gaze.
“Don’t walk around my men bare,” he demands.
“As if I’m taking orders from you, Dom.” I scoff at him.
“What did you just say?”
“You heard me.”
“Naughty wife. Maybe you need a reminder of who your husband, Dominic, is.” He playfully slaps my thigh. I open them wider and shimmy his pants down his legs. Gripping his member, I guide him to my entrance.
“Someone’s impatient,” he teases.
“I need my husband,” I goad him. “Right now.”
He pushes inside me in one thrust then keeps rutting into me. I meet his hips just as aggressively. He may be owning my body, but I own his just as much.
The mat crinkles against my back, but it only adds to the sensation. The sound of our bodies meeting echoes through the gym. He wiggles a hand under my bra and tweaks my nipples. I reach up, demanding a kiss.
There’s no teasing, no playfulness. We’re staking our claims on each other. Burning ourselves into one another.
When we come, we come together. Our sweaty bodies glide against each other in a reverent way. Our moans combine into a melody of pleasure.
And as we come down, we hold each other. With one arm propping himself up, he stares at me adoringly.
“I love you, Katerina. No one compares to you, my fiery, brave, beautiful wife.” He gently moves a piece of my hair off of my face.
“Even if I stab you sometimes?” I smirk.
“Even then, because I probably deserve it,” he chuckles.
We laugh, and the movement causes me to clench around him. He hardens, still sheathed inside of me, and then we’re fucking.
My future looks bright in the arms of Dominic Montclair. My husband saved me from my cage and gave me a life I never could have imagined.