She nods, her expression smoothing, turning serious. “Okay. What are they?”
Her acquiescence is a relief. At least she isn’t going to argue with me on this point, which means she’s smart. A good quality for her to have, if she’s going to survive this situation.
I close the door, leaning against it as I look at her. “First: you don't leave the estate grounds. Not for any reason, not under any circumstances. The moment you step outside these gates, you become a target. And Konstantin can’t give you 24/7 security to follow you around. As long as you stay on the grounds, you’ll be safe without needing personal security. "
"What about Adam?” Sienna interrupts, her voice taking on an edge of panic. “He's going to need?—"
“Ifyou need to go out,” I continue, as if she hadn’t spoken, “then you need to let me know in advance, and I can make arrangements. But as far as anything you need for yourself or Adam sooner rather than later, I can arrange to get it for you. Clothes, toys, books, toiletries, whatever you need. I’ll make arrangements today to have the room furnished appropriately for him—it’ll be done by the end of the day.”
Sienna’s eyes are wide now, her lips parted in surprise. “Damian, I can’t afford?—”
“You don’t need to,” I tell her bluntly. “You’re my wife. Whatever you need, whatever Adam needs, will be provided.”
“But you just said it was temporary.” She chews on her lip, clearlyexpecting some other shoe to drop, for there to be a catch. “I can’t pay you back. I don’t have a job now, and all of this?—”
“Sienna.” I blow out a sharp, exasperated breath. “There’s no paying me back. There’s no debt. Nothing will come owed. While we’re married, everything will be taken care of. Okay?”
She swallows hard, and I can still see the disbelief in her eyes. “Okay.”
I nod, glad that’s been addressed. “You’re welcome to go anywhere you please in the house or on the grounds, except for private rooms like Konstantin’s room, his wife’s study, his office, etcetera. But give yourself time to get used to how things are done around here. There’s staff available for your needs, but they all have their own jobs to do too. And no one here is used to having a child around. You’ll need to keep him out of the way, as much as possible. Nothing about this mansion is… childproof.”
Something flashes in her eyes at that—anger, maybe, or maternal protectiveness. "He's three years old. He's not going to understand?—"
"Then make him understand." My voice is harder than it needs to be, but the thought of Adam wandering into the wrong room, getting hurt because the mansion isn’t meant for a child to run rampant around, makes my blood run cold in a way that I don’t entirely understand. "I didn’t expect to be responsible for more than just you, Sienna. It’s up to you to help me with this.”
She’s quiet for a long moment, and then she nods. “You’re upset,” she says in a smaller voice than before.
“No.” I try to soften my voice as much as I’m able, though it’s not something I’m accustomed to doing. “I’m worried. I wasn’t prepared to deal with a child, Sienna. I don’t want anything to happen to him.”
She lets out a slow breath, leaning back against the dresser. “How long?” she asks quietly. “You said it was temporary. How long?”
“I don’t know,” I tell her honestly. “Konstantin has his ways of dealing with things. I have my opinions about how effective they will be. There will almost certainly be violence, and how both sides handle it depends on how long the conflict lasts. The way for you to stay safe is to listen to me, and stay on the estate, and out of the way.”
I see the fear that flickers in her eyes. Her lips press together, and I can see her hands trembling as she flexes her fingers back and forth, as if to try to disguise it. “And what happens after that?” she whispers.
“Then, I’ll help you relocate. You’re better off with new identities, a new place to live…” I trail off, seeing the shock on her face. “You can just leave, if you want. But there might always be someone out there who wants you gone, who wants what you know erased, even if it’s not all that much. A fresh start might be better for you. It won’t be the same life you had before, but it could be a better one. More, certainly, than you would have had if I'd left you in that warehouse."
She nods slowly, and I can see her trying to process everything I've told her. The isolation, the restrictions, the complete upheaval of everything she's ever known. It's a lot to ask of anyone, especially someone who never chose to be part of this world.
But she's stronger than she looks. I can see it in the way she straightens her shoulders, the determination that replaces the fear in her eyes.
"Thank you," she says finally. "For explaining."
“You needed to know how to manage, here.” I watch her from across the room, feeling the tension in the air, the thinly veiled awkwardness. We’re husband and wife, but two people have never been further apart. “Keep to yourself, keep Adam out of harm’s way, and stay on the estate grounds. As long as you do that, you’ll be fine.”
“Fine,” she echoes, and I see the disbelief in her eyes. I shake my head.
“Alive,” I correct myself. “Alive, and safe. I’ll keep you that way until this is all over, Sienna, I promise. Both of you.”
Her throat moves as she swallows, and I have to look away, fresh desire surging through me. I don’t know what it is about her that affects me like this, when no woman has ever made me feel this kind of lust before. I enjoy sex as much as the next man, and I’d rather fuck a warm, willing woman any day than my own hand, but I’ve never felt anything likethis. This feels like a need, like hunger, like something that demands satisfaction.
But I’m not a man ruled by his urges, and this is no different.
“If you need anything, let me know,” I say flatly, opening the door. “If you have concerns, let me know. Otherwise…” I trail off, stepping out into the hall. “I’ll see you later, Sienna.”
I close the door firmly behind me, before she can say anything. I head down the hall, intent on focusing on my own responsibilities, on my duties to Konstantin and to the Bratva, on the threat that we’re all facing.
But the image of my wife, in lavender lingerie with water beading on her skin, doesn’t leave my mind for a long, long time.
