Chapter 7 She's Hot And She's Mine

Leni

As I walked into the building, a smile crept onto my face. Dusan had taken care of everything on my list, including securing me a job here in St. Petersburg at one of the city's most prestigious law firms.

"Welcome, Mrs. Nikolic," the beautiful receptionist at the front desk greeted me. I turned, slightly surprised. Nikolic? Right, that's his surname. It would take some getting used to.

"Oh, please call me Leni," I said, offering her a warm smile. I'm far too young to be addressed as 'Mrs.'

Her expression seemed to tighten slightly. "Your husband made it clear that we are not to call you by your first name, I'm sorry."

A strange sensation fluttered in my stomach at the word 'husband'. Dusan certainly knew how to make me feel like I belonged here.

"Well, he's not here now, so please, Leni will do," I insisted, maintaining my smile.

"Okay, Mrs. Leni." I could work with that. The poor girl looked terrified at the idea of using my first name.

"And what's your name?" I asked, trying to put her at ease.

"I'm Amanda, ma'am."

****

The office was significantly larger than my previous one in Florence, and my new colleagues seemed genuinely welcoming. Deciding it was time to check in with Elise, I reached for my phone. A small note slipped from my bag: "Enjoy your day at work, D." A quiet smile touched my lips. He had been so considerate since our arrangement near the kitchen two nights ago.

"Hi, munchkin."

"Hello, sis. So, how's married life with Dusan?" Ever the direct girl.

I scoffed at her question, married life? "It's just there. Nothing exciting to report."

"I don't believe you. And when are you coming home?"

"Believe what you want. And I won't be back anytime soon. Dusan has work that keeps him here."

"God, you sound just like a wife."

I rolled my eyes at her comment ignoring the little flip my heart did.

"Ew, I do not. I'm only with him for his protection, nothing more."

"So, you haven't seen under his shirt yet?" I paused the memory of our near-kiss on our honeymoon flashing through my mind, causing my heart to skip a beat.

"Oh my god! You have! How was it?"

"We haven't done anything, not even a hug. Now get your head out of the gutter."

"Sheesh, this is the most action your love life has ever seen. I'm happy for you."

"Is that a dig? Tsk, you forget I'm your elder sister."

"I'm sorry, sister. Do you need me to polish your work shoes?"

"Shut up." I held myself back from asking but it was impossible not to.

"How's Mum?"

"Forget Mum, what about your job here in Florence?" Elise calmly avoided the question, and I knew exactly why.

"Dusan managed to get me a transfer, so I'm currently working here in St. Petersburg. I started today."

"Oh my, does he have a brother?" I rolled my eyes again at her silliness and ended the call, focusing on work.

Dusan's Pov

The smell of roasting herbs and steaming sauce filled the air as I entered the kitchen. Leni stood at the counter, a familiar sight, her back to me as she talked with Rafaela. I watched her for a moment, the way her hair caught the kitchen's warm light, a small smile tugging at my lips.

"Leni," I said, my voice cutting through their conversation. Both women turned, Rafaela with a polite nod, Leni with a question in her eyes.

"I need you tonight, we have an urgent event to attend."

Her brow furrowed slightly. "A party? Tonight?"

"Yes. It's important." I kept my tone firm, but not unkind. "It is a matter of business." Rafaela, sensing the shift in the air, excused herself, leaving us alone.

I gestured towards a box on the kitchen table. "A gown has been arranged for you. Please, be ready in an hour."

Leni left the kitchen almost immediately to get ready and I paced around, waiting for her. Suddenly i remembered our wedding day, and somehow my nerves ran wild now as they did then. When she descended, I couldn't help but pause. Fuck, she's heavenly. moy ray.[My Heaven]

The gown was a deep emerald green that hugged at her curves in all the right places, I nearly made her go back to the room. But her eyes challenged me, she knew the effect she had on me and she was testing to know how much hold she has.

"ya pozhertvuyu svoyey zhizn'yu radi tebya" [i will sacrifice my life for you]

"Huh?" A smile spread across her face.

Fuck, I said that out loud.

"Ready?" I asked, my voice a touch lower than intended. She nodded, a slight flush coloring her cheeks. "Ready."

The party had already started when we got there, it was being hosted by Sergei Volkov, I needed to talk to him about the new shipment coming in. I introduced Leni to the guests, a mix of business associates, politicians, and, of course, the heads of other mafia families in St. Petersburg.

I guided her to a seating area designated for the wives and female companions.

"Stay here," I instructed, my voice low. "I'll be back shortly."

As I moved through the crowd, I kept my eyes on her. She sat composed, a delicate smile playing on her lips. But I could see the subtle tension in her demeanor, in the way her eyes darted around the room. I like that she was security-conscious, to be a Medvedi is to be aware of the dangers you'll most likely face.

Later, from across the room, I saw the tight, polite smiles of the other women surrounding Leni. I also saw the malice in their eyes as they glanced at her, and then at me. I knew what they were thinking. I had never been one to be tied down nor did I ever come off as a committed man, they did this every time I brought a woman here.

I clenched my jaw, anger rising within me. I wanted to pull her away, shield her from their vile words. But I knew I couldn't. Not yet. This was part of the game. For her sake, no one could know she was my wife, no one here.

The low murmur of voices, a mix of Russian and Italian, filled the private room. Maps and ledgers were spread across the table, illuminated by the soft glow of a crystal chandelier.

"The transport routes must be secured," Volkov stated, his voice gravelly, his eyes sharp. "Any weakness will be capitalized on."

"Agreed," I replied, my gaze flicking towards the downstairs doors. I could hear the faint sounds of music, and the clinking of glasses.

"We'll reinforce the northern checkpoints." But my attention kept drifting. I could picture Leni in her emerald gown, her elegant silhouette against the backdrop of the crowded room. I remembered the way the fabric had hugged her as she moved, the way her hair caught the light.

"Dusan?" Volkov's voice cut through my thoughts. "Is there something wrong?"

"No," I said, refocusing my attention. "Just... a minor distraction."

"Is the distraction the sweet thing you brought with along?" Volkov asked, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Even I couldn't take my eyes off her."

"Indeed," I replied, I ground my teeth together resisting the urge to punch him across his face.

We resumed our discussion, but my mind kept going back to her. I pictured Leni, in my arms and her gown on the floor.

Then, through the partially open ballroom doors, I noticed someone walking towards Leni. A man, I hadn't seen him around here before. He was tall and well-dressed, and he had a smile that I would soon wipe off his face.

"Excuse me," I said abruptly, rising from my chair.

"Dusan," Volkov protested, his brow furrowed. "We're in the middle of-"

"This will only take a moment," I said, my voice low and firm.

I strode towards the room, my eyes narrowed. I saw the man lean closer to Leni, his words causing a genuine smile to grow on her face. A smile that I hadn't seen in weeks, a smile that only me should be able to put on her face.

"And what do you do for a living, Miss Leni?" The man asked, his voice smooth.

"I am a lawyer," Leni replied, her voice clear and a smile played at her lips. Was my wife flirting with another man?

"A lawyer," he repeated, his smile widening."How fascinating. I find that quite sweet, I love challenges."

"Is that so?" Leni said, her tone neutral.

"Yes," he said, his hand gesturing slightly, "I find intelligence in a woman, most intriguing."

Enough. I felt a surge of possessiveness and absolute rage coursing through me. I couldn't allow this. Fuck people finding out about us.

"Hello, Wife."