The Hermit (Mafia Empire Book 1)

(Three months later…)

As the speedboat approaches the tunnel, there’s a sense of pride as I stare up at the alliance’s insignia above the entrance.

The initials V, C, D, T, and O are carved onto a tarot card-themed design. There are two guns at the top, two knives at the bottom, and a rose with a snake curling around the stem in the middle.

It’s not exactly my taste, but it’s what Santiago wanted.

Alan steers us into the tunnel and finds a spot near the stairs where he docks.

“I’m excited to see the final result,” Grace says. “So much work has gone into the sanctuary.”

I get off the boat first, then carefully help my pregnant wife onto solid land.

Not wanting Grace out in the heat for a second longer than necessary, I say, “Let’s get you into the building so you can cool down.”

“I’m fine,” she chuckles while mindlessly rubbing her hand over her beautiful baby bump.

When we reach the top of the stairs, Evinka signs, “I’m going to check the surveillance setup.”

I nod, and while she and Alan head toward the security building, I guide Grace to the fortress, which she likes to call the sanctuary.

The builders managed to keep most of the trees and only removed the ones that were absolutely necessary. There are paths leading to all the main sections, and golf carts and quad bikes for when anyone has to travel to the other side of the island where we’ve built accomodation for our soldiers and staff.

Only the alliance members will get to stay in the fortress.

Suddenly, a wave of nausea makes my stomach churn, and I hurry Grace into the building and straight to the restrooms situated near the entrance. Not giving a shit that it’s marked for women only, I go in with her, and we’re just in time before she loses the lunch I managed to get into her.

I rub her back, wishing she didn’t have morning sickness.

Since it started, we figured out that I have what’s called couvade syndrome. When her morning sickness gets really bad, I always feel nauseous, which I’m now using as a warning sign to get her to the nearest toilet as fast as possible.

The doctor said it’s because I have anxiety about Grace being pregnant, which is the biggest load of bullshit I’ve ever heard. I say it’s because I love her so much that she’s ingrained in my soul and we’re in complete sync with each other.

When she straightens up again, I ask, “Better?”

She nods as we leave the stall, and I let her rinse out her mouth before I pull her into a hug.

I love feeling her baby bump press against me, and as I rub her side the way she loves, I say, “We can take a look around later. I think you should go lie down for an hour or so.”

She shakes her head. “I’m fine. The boat ride to the island just made it a little worse.” When we walk out of the restroom, she asks, “Do you think I can get a glass of lemon water?”

“Of course.” I take her hand and pull her toward the back, where a small restaurant has been built in an encased garden.

The moment the grounds manager spots me, he rushes toward us. “Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Varga. I look forward to serving you in any way possible.”

“Thanks,” I mutter. “My wife wants a glass of freshly squeezed lemon water. Lots of crushed ice.”

“Immediately, Sir.”

He hurries away while I lead Grace to a table situated in the shade of a tree.

“Sit down, miláčik.”

She takes a seat, and just as I join her, I hear Santiago call out, “Ahhh, two of my favorite people.”

“Here we go,” I mumble.

I get up again and shake his hand while asking, “Did you manage to get a meeting for the property we talked about?”

“I did even better,” he replies with a grin. “I bought the place.”

“Now, why the fuck did you do that?” I ask, giving him an incredulous look.

When I mentioned to Santiago that Grace and I were moving to Chile, the man took it upon himself to find the perfect house for us.

Not a day has gone by where he didn’t spam me with photos of properties.

“It’s a welcome to South America gift from me to you and your lovely wife.” He levels me with a serious look I rarely get to see. “Forming a solid relationship with you is very important to me, Dominik.” A grin spreads over his face again. “Plus, I know how much you hate dealing with people, so I thought I’d do you a favor and take care of it all.”

Santiago and I stare at each other for a moment, then I hold my hand out to him. When he shakes it, I say, “Thank you. One day, I’ll get to return the favor.”

“You already did.” When I frown he gets up from his chair, and as he walks away, he explains, “You created this beautiful oasis for us all. The least I can do is buy you a fucking house. The title deed is in your private suit.”

“Thank you, Santiago,” Grace calls out.

“You’re welcome, beautiful.”

When I turn my gaze to Grace, she grins at me. “Admit it.”

“Fine. I like the fucker.”

“He’s something special,” she says as she kicks her ballet flats off.

The manager returns with Grace’s lemon water, two glasses of orange juice, and a platter of sliced fruit.

He quickly places everything on the table, then says, “Just call if there’s anything else I can do.”

Before I’m able to get annoyed, the man scurries off, which gains a lot of favor with me.

Evinka must’ve told the staff to stay away from me unless I call for them.

“Thank God,” Grace murmurs as she picks up the glass, and I watch as she downs half of the lemon water.

“Better?” I ask.

She nods, and glancing around at all the greenery and Asian décor, she says, “It feels so peaceful here. I’m going to love this little restaurant.”

“I figured once our son is born, there won’t be much time for cooking. This way, we can order in and never leave our suite.”

She lets out a burst of laughter. “And so the truth comes out. While you stay in the suite, I’ll be down here.”

“Fine, we can leave the suite once a day,” I concede, giving her a playful smile.

I wait while Grace enjoys some of the fruit, and once her lemon water is finished, I ask, “Ready to see our place?”

“Oh, definitely.”

I take hold of her hand and help her to her feet before wrapping my arm around her shoulders.

When I lead Grace through a doorway we walk through a hallway that has retractable windows. It’s basically a bridge over a stream that’s surrounded by green shrubs.

“I love the sounds of the birds in the trees,” Grace mentions.

I had the fortress built in a crown shape, a walkway leading from the main entrance and restaurant to each of the five private suites with nature weaved in between each walkway.

“It’s so pretty here,” Grace murmurs. “In a way, it reminds me of our place in the mountains, but it’s also very different.”

“It’s the Zen feel,” I reply.

She nods while I push our front door open, and I let her enter first before following after her.

“Dominik!” she gasps as she looks at the exact replica of our house in the mountains.

“I wanted you to feel instantly at home,” I say.

“Oh my God.” She lets out a sob, spins around, and plasters her face to my chest. “This is so amazing.”

“I know how much you love our home.” I brush my hand up and down her back. “Now we have one on both sides of the world.”

“Jesus, I love you so much,” she says while she tries to regain control of her emotions that have been all over the place since her second trimester started.

“I love you more.” I grip hold of her chin and tip her head back before placing a tender kiss on her mouth.

When I pull back, I stare deep into Grace’s eyes, and all I can see is our entire future shining in her gray irises.

She’s become my beginning and end and everything in between.

GRACE

When I come out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around my body, Dominik watches me from where he’s lying on our king-sized bed.

I walk to our closet, and digging through his shirts, I pick a white one.

Dropping the towel, I pull the shirt on while walking to the bed. “It feels like my baby bump grew double in size the past week.”

“I love it,” Dominik murmurs, and as soon as I climb onto the mattress, he opens his arm so I can lie down against his side.

When I can’t get comfortable, I let out a huff and turn onto my other side.

Dominik leans over me and presses a kiss on my cheek. “We’ll have to find creative ways to have sex.” His hand coasts down my side to my thigh. “From behind is a no-go, and there’s no way I can be on top.” He presses another kiss to the side of my neck. “And with you on top will bounce our boy too much.” I glance at him from over my shoulder as he continues, “You can lie on the edge of the bed, and I’ll stand. That will work.”

My sex drive has been out of control since my second trimester started, and Dominik knows that listing the positions will get me in the mood in a heartbeat.

Feeling I’ve healed enough to give it a try, I say, “Let’s do it with you behind me.”

His eyes snap to mine. “Are you sure?”

I nod. “I really don’t think it will trigger anything.”

With his gaze locked on mine, he pushes up the shirt I’m wearing until the fabric is bunched above my breasts.

His eyes drift over my body, and he lets out a groan. “So fucking sexy.”

Dominik’s hand slips around my front, and when his fingers brush over my clit, I lean back against him while a smile stretches over my face.

“Do you like that, moja žena?” he murmurs in my ear, his voice deep and rough with desire. “Do you like when I stroke your soaked pussy?”

“Always,” I groan, reaching behind me to grab a fist full of his hair.

He starts to alternate between stroking the crap out of my clit and thrusting his finger inside me, every movement drawing me closer to an orgasm.

“Yes,” I sigh, my body straining for release.

He pulls his hand away, and I instantly shoot him a dark glare. “Don’t you start teasing me, Dominik! I’m pregnant and unstable.”

He lets out a chuckle as he pushes his sweatpants down, freeing his hard cock. “I wouldn’t dare.”

With a hell of a lot of impatience I watch as he tucks a pillow by my baby bump. Then he rolls me slightly onto it while nudging my legs open.

“Comfortable?” he asks.

“Yes. Fuck me now,” I beg. “Please. I was so close.”

Dominik reaches around my front again, and as he starts to massage my clit exactly how I like it, he thrusts his cock deep inside me.

“Oh God. Yes,” I moan in utter relief.

He presses kisses to my shoulder and neck while he slowly rocks in and out of me, and for some reason, it begins to feel much more intimate than usual.

“I love you, Grace,” he whispers in my ear, and I’m quickly overcome with emotion as he makes love to me.

While Dominik fills me with slow and deep thrusts, he eliminates another one of my triggers.

I focus one hundred percent on my husband, and it doesn’t even take another minute before the much-needed orgasm shudders through my body.

I push my butt out, giving Dominik better access as his movements speed up, and when he starts to hammer inside me, another orgasm follows close on the tail of the first one. A cry rips from me as mindblowing ecstasy washes through my body.

When I hear him groan in my ear, goosebumps spread over my body from the hot-as-hell sound giving me a braingasm.

His arms wrap around me, and with my back pressed to his chest, we enjoy the last of our pleasure.

“Stay on the bed,” he orders while he pulls away from me.

Feeling satisfied, I listen to his familiar and comforting footfall as Dominik walks to the bathroom. A minute later, he returns with a washcloth, and I chuckle when he cleans between my legs.

“You’re so good to me,” I say as he comes to lie behind me again after disposing of the washcloth.

He adjusts my shirt, then snuggles me and kisses my cheek, jaw, and neck. “Not half as good as you’re to me. You put up with all my shit.”

“I don’t put up with anything,” I whisper sleepily. “I love everything about you, my hermit. To me, you’re the most perfect man alive.”

“Sweet dreams, moja láska,” he murmurs lovingly, and with his strong arms wrapped around me, I fall into a peaceful sleep.