Claimed by the Dominant Mafia

"But why can't I go out with Emily and the others, Dad? I don't know why I even have to ask you. After all, I'm already twenty-one," I grumbled, annoyed, simply not understanding why my father insisted so much that I stay home.

His dark green eyes finally turned to me as, after what felt like hours, he finally put down the newspaper and turned his attention to me.

"I thought we had already settled this, Princess. You will meet your future husband tomorrow and since I can't let you run away, you will stay home," he scolded me and when his words sank in, I swallowed hard.

The thought that tomorrow I would meet the man I was forced to spend my whole life with sent icy shivers down my body and I found it difficult not to cry.

I knew it was best for both sides, because after all, he came from one of the most influential underground mafias in the country, had connections and power all over the world, but it still took all my self-control not to just buy a one-way ticket to nowhere and run away forever, just like my dad had feared.

"I just don't understand why I have to marry a complete stranger, but my sister was allowed to marry her childhood friends!" I hissed, hurt, frustrated and just angry at the whole world.

"He's not a complete stranger, Princess, and your sister wasn't thrilled either, but is totally happy now. Trust me this one time; you won't regret it. And you know that firstly, you won't be marrying him for a few years and secondly, you can always file for divorce if it gets too much for you, so please, stop bringing it up all the time and finally accept the situation . You're a Reign and you know that-"

"The Reigns take life as it comes and reshape it to their liking in order to master it. I know," I continued his sentence, brushing a dark strand of hair from my face and sighing loudly as I realized that there really was no turning back.

I would be marrying a man I would meet tomorrow in a few years and I had to live with that.

?

"Morning," I just mumble and thank the older lady with a smile. She pours me tea from a small pot and then immediately disappears again.

"Do I have to find another room, or did you cry your eyes out yesterday?" Dean suddenly asks, and I swallow and look into my cup, feeling offended by his snippy tone, but knowing that there's no point in replying.

When I raise my head, Dean doesn't seem remotely interested, he's just scrolling across the screen of his iPad with his mouth full, totally relaxed, as if he hadn't just been hitting on me from the side at the highest level.

"It won't happen again, I promise," I mumble guiltily and tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

"You should be aware that there is only a door separating us, Nora, which means that I hear everything that goes on in your room and vice versa. I think it's better that you know that," says Dean and I nod wordlessly, poking at my scrambled eggs as if it were some kind of physics project.

"You said you wanted to discuss a few things with me?" I ask tensely, trying to change the subject because the disturbingly sexual tension in the air is really getting to me.

"Exactly. You know that we're going to postpone our honeymoon, simply because you can't fly to some island and go on vacation in the middle of your semester and I can't go on vacation during the most stressful time of the year. We'll decide details and other things together when the time comes. We can leave the house together in the morning if you want, after all, your university is right on my way to work, but I'll leave that decision up to you. I want you to feel as comfortable as possible. We don't have to eat together every evening and morning if you don't-"

"Yes, y-yes. I think this gives us a better chance to get closer to each other," I interrupt him, and contrary to what I expected, Dean just listens attentively and then nods in agreement.

"Now we have to set a few boundaries that apply not only to you but also to me. Is that okay with you?" he asks, now a lot more gently, and again I answer his question with a nod of my head.

"Something I can never and will never tolerate: one or more affairs. Yes, we are only in a marriage of convenience, but as long as you bear my last name, you will not have contact with other men, nor have a relationship with one in any way. The same goes for me, so you don't have to worry. I can't risk damaging my reputation because of an unnecessary adultery scandal. If you absolutely need sex, then you either get it yourself or come to me, your husband, I hope I have made myself clear enough."

It takes me a while to fully process his words and suddenly all the blood in my body rushes to my cheeks and I lower my head, far too embarrassed, far too shy to look him in the eyes after these words.

"Speaking of other men, I just want to mention that if I or one of my people find out that this Tristan is trying to contact you, nothing good will happen. He's already done enough damage by showing up at the wedding, I can't take any more," Dean continues, not even trying to hide his dislike for my ex-boyfriend.

"Define, _no good things,_ please," I mutter, nervous and worried to the core, because the images in my head are anything but gentle.

"I'm going to kill him, Nora," Dean replies calmly, as if he hadn't just said he'll kill my first love if he ever tries to contact me.

My whole body tenses and I swallow hard, feeling my appetite diminish more with each passing second until I finally push my plate away.

I was aware from the beginning of what kind of business Dean was doing and what means he used to get what he wanted, as they are exactly the same strategies and methods as my father's.

Still, the thought of how brutal my husband really is disturbs me to the core.

And the fact that he doesn't even talk about _having_ him killed, but actually does it himself, doesn't make things any better.

"No matter when, how or what you need, always come to me or one of my men. If you invite your friends, I just want you to let me know beforehand so that I can prepare for it and otherwise everything is in more detail in the marriage contract," he rattles off and for some reason I find it difficult to follow him.

Swallowing, I just nod before finally looking at him again and, contrary to my expectations, meeting gentle blue eyes that are already looking at me.

"Hopefully things won't always be so matter-of-fact and strict between us, Nora. As soon as you feel more comfortable, everything will be easier and you won't just be the future mother of my children, okay?" he says with a sigh before suddenly reaching for my hand, completely overwhelming me.

"Y-You're planning on starting a family with me?" I ask uncertainly, barely able to breathe properly.

His aura is far too intimidating and the whole situation is far too tense, so I suddenly felt ice cold.

"Of course, you are my wife, Nora," he says calmly and looks at me with ice-blue eyes.

"But you don't love me. So why would you want me to be the mother of your children?" I ask, confused, simply unable to understand him, perhaps also because I have no intention of getting pregnant by him.

As soon as the two-year mark is reached, I will part ways with him, just as planned.

"What good is this marriage to me if you don't get pregnant, Nora?" he says, suddenly a lot more sternly, and I look at him, swallowing.

"But I don't want any children from you," I mumble uncertainly, starting to scratch my neck as I notice that I'm running out of air.

"You're saying that right now because you barely know me and everything is still very formal, but who knows, maybe we'll fall in love or understand each other better," Dean replies and sighs quietly before looking me in the eyes.

"Then you don't plan on sleeping with me either, do you?" my husband asks calmly and immediately my cheeks fill with blood and I feel like I'm about to burst with shame.

"I know you feel that between us, but I will never force you to do anything, so you don't have to worry," he continues, suddenly grabbing the napkin from his lap and taking a sip of his coffee.

"There are a few things that need to be done at the office, so I won't be there until late afternoon. Do you have any plans?"

His voice is a lot softer again and I notice myself tensing up even more.

"M-My sister wanted to go shopping for furniture for the nursery," I explain to him, hating how rough my voice sounds, as if it doesn't belong to me.

Without saying a word, I watch him as he pulls a car key out of his jacket pocket before placing it and his credit card on the table and looking me in the eyes.

"The matte black Audi in front of the door is yours. Billy and Jamie are your bodyguards and will accompany you everywhere. If you don't want to drive yourself, you can just take the same car. OK?" Dean explains to me and thanks his housekeeper for his coat before coming over to me again and putting his hand on my cheek.

"See you tonight," he whispers in my ear before he actually blows a kiss on the corner of my mouth and the way his scent surrounds me like a wall sends goosebumps down my spine and I hate the pulling in my abdomen.

"Your new phone is in your bedroom; we had to replace the old one because we had to make sure it wasn't bugged," is the last thing he says before he smiles at me and then leaves the house with three of his men.

And only when I hear the front door slam shut do I manage to relax, but holy shit, this man is going to drive me crazy.

When I drag myself out of bed the next morning, I immediately feel the consequences of yesterday's crying fit and would like to hide under my covers again immediately, because anyone with two healthy eyes will see that I didn't just cry for ten minutes but almost the whole night through.

The last thing I need right now is to have to listen to the whispering of my overly nosy employees, and on top of that, not only am I the only one who hears all the gossip, but my husband too.

He was already really annoyed by my behavior at the wedding yesterday, and now if he hears what people are saying about us because those damn gossips couldn't keep their mouths shut, he's going to completely freak out.

Well, I don't know if it will really affect him that much, but if I were him, I would be upset about it.

After what feels like an eternity, I finally manage to drag myself into the dining room, where a uniquely delicious breakfast and my husband are already waiting for me.

Immediately, his ice-blue eyes slide towards me and send shivers through my body because I have no idea whether his look is supposed to scare me or turn me on.

Dean straightens up and then nods at me, whereupon I make myself comfortable right next to him.

"Good morning," he begins, his voice deep and tense, but his perfectly trained poker face reveals nothing else.

"Morning," I just mumble and thank the older lady with a smile. She pours me tea from a small pot and then immediately disappears again.

"Do I have to find another room, or did you cry your eyes out yesterday?" Dean suddenly asks, and I swallow and look into my cup, feeling offended by his snippy tone, but knowing that there's no point in replying.

When I raise my head, Dean doesn't seem remotely interested, he's just scrolling across the screen of his iPad with his mouth full, totally relaxed, as if he hadn't just been hitting on me from the side at the highest level.

"It won't happen again, I promise," I mumble guiltily and tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

"You should be aware that there is only a door separating us, Nora, which means that I hear everything that goes on in your room and vice versa. I think it's better that you know that," says Dean and I nod wordlessly, poking at my scrambled eggs as if it were some kind of physics project.

"You said you wanted to discuss a few things with me?" I ask tensely, trying to change the subject because the disturbingly sexual tension in the air is really getting to me.

"Exactly. You know that we're going to postpone our honeymoon, simply because you can't fly to some island and go on vacation in the middle of your semester and I can't go on vacation during the most stressful time of the year. We'll decide details and other things together when the time comes. We can leave the house together in the morning if you want, after all, your university is right on my way to work, but I'll leave that decision up to you. I want you to feel as comfortable as possible. We don't have to eat together every evening and morning if you don't-"

"Yes, y-yes. I think this gives us a better chance to get closer to each other," I interrupt him, and contrary to what I expected, Dean just listens attentively and then nods in agreement.

"Now we have to set a few boundaries that apply not only to you but also to me. Is that okay with you?" he asks, now a lot more gently, and again I answer his question with a nod of my head.

"Something I can never and will never tolerate: one or more affairs. Yes, we are only in a marriage of convenience, but as long as you bear my last name, you will not have contact with other men, nor have a relationship with one in any way. The same goes for me, so you don't have to worry. I can't risk damaging my reputation because of an unnecessary adultery scandal. If you absolutely need sex, then you either get it yourself or come to me, your husband, I hope I have made myself clear enough."

It takes me a while to fully process his words and suddenly all the blood in my body rushes to my cheeks and I lower my head, far too embarrassed, far too shy to look him in the eyes after these words.

"Speaking of other men, I just want to mention that if I or one of my people find out that this Tristan is trying to contact you, nothing good will happen. He's already done enough damage by showing up at the wedding, I can't take any more," Dean continues, not even trying to hide his dislike for my ex-boyfriend.

"Define, _no good things,_ please," I mutter, nervous and worried to the core, because the images in my head are anything but gentle.

"I'm going to kill him, Nora," Dean replies calmly, as if he hadn't just said he'll kill my first love if he ever tries to contact me.

My whole body tenses and I swallow hard, feeling my appetite diminish more with each passing second until I finally push my plate away.

I was aware from the beginning of what kind of business Dean was doing and what means he used to get what he wanted, as they are exactly the same strategies and methods as my father's.

Still, the thought of how brutal my husband really is disturbs me to the core.

And the fact that he doesn't even talk about _having_ him killed, but actually does it himself, doesn't make things any better.

"No matter when, how or what you need, always come to me or one of my men. If you invite your friends, I just want you to let me know beforehand so that I can prepare for it and otherwise everything is in more detail in the marriage contract," he rattles off and for some reason I find it difficult to follow him.

Swallowing, I just nod before finally looking at him again and, contrary to my expectations, meeting gentle blue eyes that are already looking at me.

"Hopefully things won't always be so matter-of-fact and strict between us, Nora. As soon as you feel more comfortable, everything will be easier and you won't just be the future mother of my children, okay?" he says with a sigh before suddenly reaching for my hand, completely overwhelming me.

"Y-You're planning on starting a family with me?" I ask uncertainly, barely able to breathe properly.

His aura is far too intimidating and the whole situation is far too tense, so I suddenly felt ice cold.

"Of course, you are my wife, Nora," he says calmly and looks at me with ice-blue eyes.

"But you don't love me. So why would you want me to be the mother of your children?" I ask, confused, simply unable to understand him, perhaps also because I have no intention of getting pregnant by him.

As soon as the two-year mark is reached, I will part ways with him, just as planned.

"What good is this marriage to me if you don't get pregnant, Nora?" he says, suddenly a lot more sternly, and I look at him, swallowing.

"But I don't want any children from you," I mumble uncertainly, starting to scratch my neck as I notice that I'm running out of air.

"You're saying that right now because you barely know me and everything is still very formal, but who knows, maybe we'll fall in love or understand each other better," Dean replies and sighs quietly before looking me in the eyes.

"Then you don't plan on sleeping with me either, do you?" my husband asks calmly and immediately my cheeks fill with blood and I feel like I'm about to burst with shame.

"I know you feel that between us, but I will never force you to do anything, so you don't have to worry," he continues, suddenly grabbing the napkin from his lap and taking a sip of his coffee.

"There are a few things that need to be done at the office, so I won't be there until late afternoon. Do you have any plans?"

His voice is a lot softer again and I notice myself tensing up even more.

"M-My sister wanted to go shopping for furniture for the nursery," I explain to him, hating how rough my voice sounds, as if it doesn't belong to me.

Without saying a word, I watch him as he pulls a car key out of his jacket pocket before placing it and his credit card on the table and looking me in the eyes.

"The matte black Audi in front of the door is yours. Billy and Jamie are your bodyguards and will accompany you everywhere. If you don't want to drive yourself, you can just take the same car. OK?" Dean explains to me and thanks his housekeeper for his coat before coming over to me again and putting his hand on my cheek.

"See you tonight," he whispers in my ear before he actually blows a kiss on the corner of my mouth and the way his scent surrounds me like a wall sends goosebumps down my spine and I hate the pulling in my abdomen.

"Your new phone is in your bedroom; we had to replace the old one because we had to make sure it wasn't bugged," is the last thing he says before he smiles at me and then leaves the house with three of his men.

And only when I hear the front door slam shut do I manage to relax, but holy shit, this man is going to drive me crazy.