The Hermit (Mafia Empire Book 1)

Chewing the inside of my cheek, I keep glancing at the door.

Evinka coughs, and hearing a sound from her actually shocks me because since I met her, she’s been completely silent.

She signs something, and Alan translates, “She says to stop biting your cheek. Dominik will be fine.”

Suddenly, we hear an explosion in the distance, and it’s quickly followed by another one that’s much louder.

“Jesus,” I gasp as I run to the door.

We all rush out of the building and look in the direction of the factory, where smoke billows into the air.

“No!” I cry. As I dart forward, Evinka grabs hold of me.

She shakes her head hard, and Alan snaps, “Dominik will be fine. We stay here.”

“We have to go check!” I shout. “He might be hurt.”

Her hands move fast, then Alan says, “If he’s not back in thirty minutes, I’ll go check while you and Evinka stay here.”

I lift a hand and brush my hair back while I look at the plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky. “God,” I groan. “Please let him be okay.”

Evinka rubs her hand up and down my back while she stares in the direction of the factory.

I don’t know what I’ll do if something happens to Dominik. I’ve just found happiness with him. We’ve just started building a life together.

It will kill me.

The tension keeps growing in my chest until it becomes unbearable.

Suddenly, we hear the rumbling of a truck, and when it comes up the street, I start to gasp for air, my eyes glued to the vehicle.

Then I make out the person in the front seat, and only seeing Cassia behind the steering wheel, my body goes ice cold.

“No,” I whisper. “Evinka, I don’t see Dominik!”

She darts past me, and my body just reacts, running after her.

When Cassia stops the truck and jumps out, she shouts, “They’re in the back.”

I dart toward the back, and when I see Enzo sitting beside an unconscious Santiago while Leo and Ilias try to stop the bleeding on Dominik’s side, a cry rips from my soul.

They’re all covered in soot, and there’s blood on the side of Dominik’s head as well.

Evinka leaps onto the back and shoves Ilias away from Dominik.

Frozen in horror, I watch as she rips her armored vest off. She pulls her shirt over her head and presses it hard to the wound. When she signs something at Alan, he jumps onto the back, and taking off his belt, he helps secure the shirt to the wound.

I keep gasping as my entire world is ripped from beneath my feet.

Alan quickly takes off his shirt and hands it to Evinka so she can put it on, and when he and Leo lift Dominik’s lifeless body I start to hyperventilate.

No.

No.

No.

This isn’t happening.

Seeing Dominik’s arm sway limply as the men move him rips my heart from my chest.

Suddenly, Santiago starts to cough as he regains consciousness, but I can’t tear my eyes away from my husband as he’s lifted off the truck.

Stuck in a haze of horror, I follow the men to an SUV. Evinka runs for the driver’s side, but before she can climb behind the steering wheel, Dominik lets out a groan.

I shoot forward, and when the men lower him to the ground, I fall to my knees beside him. The moment his eyes open and I see his blue irises, uncontrollable sobs burst from me.

With trembling hands, I frame his jaw. “Don’t d-die. Just don’t die,” I cry.

“I’m fine,” he grumbles as he begins to sit up.

I shake my head and try to hold him down. “Your side. You’re bleeding so much.”

Evinka drops down on his other side and shakes her head hard at him before signing something.

“I’m fine,” he growls as he sits up. He pulls the shirt away to check the wound, then says, “It’s nothing. The bleeding will stop soon.” Shaking his head, he squints. “If anything’s going to kill me, it’s the headache I have.”

“We need to get out of here,” Enzo tells everyone.

“We can go to my place,” Santiago offers. “It’s the closest. I’ll have a doctor check on Dominik.”

“You have a place in Peru?” Leo asks.

“Of course,” Santiago mutters, then sounds smug as he adds, “I have a house in every country in South America.

“Let’s go,” Dominik agrees.

Evinka and I help him to his feet, and when he sways, I quickly wrap my arm around his lower back.

“Are you sure Pavlov is dead?” Ilias asks Cassia, his tone unhappy as they walk toward us.

“Yes. I saw his body when I dragged Dominik out of the office,” she answers, clearly annoyed with her father.

Dominik’s head snaps in her direction, a flash of pain on his face from the sudden movement, then he says, “You got me out of the office?”

She nods, a proud look on her face. “And Santiago. Your asses are heavy.”

Respect tightens my husband’s features as he says, “Thank you, Cassia.”

“I want the alliance to succeed, and we can’t do that if I let two of you die on our first mission together.”

“Your father can learn a thing or two from you,” Santiago mutters before pointing at the SUVs. “Let’s get out of here.”

I keep hold of Dominik as we walk to the SUV and help him climb into the backseat before joining him.

Evinka gets into the front passanger side while Alan slides behind the steering wheel.

When we all form a convoy behind Santiago’s truck and follow him away from Puerto De Lomas, I keep staring at my husband. I’m so relieved he doesn’t seem to be seriously injured that I can’t think of a single thing to say.

His eyes flick to me, and we stare at each other for what feels like an eternity, then he whispers, “I’m really fine. Just banged up.”

I lean forward and gingerly press a kiss to his mouth, but before I can pull back, his hand grips hold of the side of my neck, and he keeps me in place as he kisses the everloving hell out of me.

I lift my hands to his jaw, and by the time he frees my mouth, I feel a lot better and less emotional.

“I needed that,” he says, his expression soft as he looks at me. “I’m sorry you had such a fright, moja láska..”

Seeing the exhaustion creeping into his eyes, I tug at him so he’ll lean into me. “Just rest until we get to Santiago’s house.”

Evinka signs something, then Dominik says, “I know how a concussion works. It’s not my first one.”

We’re quiet for a moment, then I ask, “What happened when you got to the factory?”

Dominik sounds drowsy as he answers, “A lot of shooting. Bombs going off. People died.” He clears his throat. “Regular shit.”

I shake my head and mutter, “Only you would call all of that regular.”

When we follow Santiago through a heavily armed entrance, I glance around at the huge property that looks more like a resort that has its own little village around it.

“This is Santiago’s home?” I mutter. “It’s insane.”

“Just like the owner,” Dominik chuckles. “But there’s way too many people for my liking.”

“We’ll only stay until a doctor says it’s safe for you to travel,” I tell him.

We all stop near the main entrance to the mansion, for lack of a better word, and when we get out, Santiago smiles wide and says, “Welcome to my humble abode.”

“Humble, my ass,” Enzo mutters. “You don’t believe in keeping a low profile, do you?”

“No.” A vicious look creeps over his usually playful expression. “You don’t rule this place by hiding in the shadows.” The next second, the brutal expression vanishes and he smiles. “Come, let’s all have something to eat and drink while I send for the doctor.”

When we step into Santiago’s home, it’s the complete opposite of our home in the mountains. Every room is bathed in luxuries, showing off his wealth.

“Like I said, humble my ass,” Enzo mumbles behind us.

“When are we attacking Rodion Nikitin?” Ilias barks.

Dominik’s head snaps toward the old man. “Seriously. You want to take out the head of the bratva?”

“Yes! The fucker sent his men to attack us.”

“Are you fucking insane, old man?” Leo snaps. “Nikitin is in Russia.”

“So?” Ilias gives Leo a threatening look. “As the head of the alliance, I demand we take the war to him.”

Dominik steps right up to Ilias, forcing the old man to tip his head back. His voice is nothing but a ruthless growl as he says, “You’re nothing but a member of an alliance I formed. Unless you want to challenge me for the seat at the head of the table, I suggest you learn how to shut your mouth, or I’ll shut it for you.”

Ilias stares for a moment too long, and the next second, Dominik’s fist connects with the old man’s jaw, dropping him to the floor.

“Good. With Ilias out cold, we can proceed,” Santiago says. “It’s a lovely day. Let’s sit outside on the veranda.”

Cassia steps around her father, not sparing him a glance, and asks, “Is there a restroom where I can freshen up?”

“Through that door over there.” Santiago points to the other side of the large foyer.

When we step out onto the veranda, there are five women in the pool. Santiago claps his hands twice, and it has the women scurrying out of the water before quickly disappearing into the mansion.

“Five, Santiago?” Leo asks. “I can barely manage one.”

“They belong to my men. I’m saving myself for my one true love.”

Everyone chuckles, quickly getting used to the way Santiago speaks.

Just as Dominik sinks down on a lounge chair, a man hurries out onto the veranda.

“Antonio, thank you for rushing over.” Santiago gestures at Dominik. “Check my friend.”

Antonio walks to us while asking Santiago, “Are you okay? I should check you, too.”

“Later.”

When the man, who I presume is the doctor, tries to reach for Dominik’s head, Dominik swats his hand away, giving him a dark glare.

“Dominik,” I snap. “You will sit still and let the doctor do his work.” I place my hand on his shoulder. “Please. For me.”

“Fine,” he grumbles, giving Dr. Antonio a nod.

While Dominik’s head and side are inspected, I can feel how tense he is and keep my hand on his shoulder.

“I just need to clean the wound on your side and the gash on your head. Without the right medical equipment, I can’t tell the extent of your injuries. You will definitely have a concussion from the blow to your head.”

“Just clean the wounds and get it over with,” Dominik growls.

The poor doctor quickly gets to work. By the time he finishes sticking an adhesive dressing over the wound on Dominik’s side, my husband looks like he’s a second away from murdering someone.

“Santiago, is there a bedroom we can use for Dominik to get some rest?”

“Of course. Follow me.”

Dominik climbs to his feet, and I quickly glance at the doctor. “Thank you so much. We appreciate your help.”

We follow Santiago into the house and down a hallway. When he opens the door, I practically shove Dominik inside and give our host a grateful smile.

I shut the door behind me before hurrying to my hermit, who’s clearly reached his limit.

Wrapping my arms around him, I say, “Deep breaths.”

He locks me in a tight embrace to his chest, letting out a harsh breath.

“It’s just us. Shhh…” I try to calm him down by pressing kisses to his neck.

It takes a while before I feel his muscles relax. I pull away and say, “Lie down for a little while.”

He shakes his head, but at least he takes a seat on the edge of the bed.

I sit down beside him and stare at the colorful rug on the floor.

Dominik takes hold of my hand, and linking our fingers, he says, “Thanks, moja láska. I was a second away from killing the doctor.”

“I know,” I whisper as I lean my head on his shoulder.