The Hermit (Mafia Empire Book 1)

The Hermit: Chapter 8



When Grace leaves the kitchen with the fear of God trembling in her eyes, I stand rooted to the spot for a couple of minutes.

Interesting. When we fight, she doesn’t back down, but if I show her kindness, she retreats at the speed of light.

I glance at the mess on the floor, and walking to it, I crouch down and begin to clean it all up.

Once I’m done, I search for another pan and turn on the heat while my thoughts revolve around Grace.

I enjoyed watching her in the kitchen and actually found it relaxing.

Instead of seeking solitude in the cottage, I find myself gravitating more and more toward Grace.

It’s only been two days, but I’ve learned a lot about her. She’s strong, and when she sets her mind to something, she carries it through. Not even the threat of death makes her back off.

Her fiery temper and bravery are only making my attraction toward her grow.

I think it’s safe to say there’s no way I’m marrying Ciara. Ian doesn’t have to know yet. Once I’ve had the meeting with the Portuguese, Italians, and Greeks, and we’ve formed an alliance, I’ll tell him I’m taking Grace.

The man should be only too relieved I’m still agreeing to marry one of his daughters to put up a fight.

And if he tries to fight, I’ll just kill him.

I continue making one pancake after the other while I plan the next couple of weeks.

Evinka should arrive today. I’ll instruct her to find a place where we can hold the meetings. Somewhere, the bratva can’t easily attack us. Maybe a bunker or island in the middle of nowhere.

When I hear someone coming toward the kitchen, I’m pulled out of my thoughts. I glance over my shoulder and see the housekeeper shooting anxious glances my way as she comes into the room.

Her tone is strained with fear as she asks, “Do you need help, sir?”

I glance at the pancakes and mutter, “Bring me eggs and bacon.”

“I can prepare breakfast,” she offers while I hear her open the fridge.

I shake my head and continue to focus on the pancakes.

Living alone in the mountains, I’ve gotten quite good at cooking. It’s one of the few things I enjoy doing.

When the housekeeper places a tray of eggs and two packs of bacon on the counter near me, irritation ghosts over my skin.

I’m highly aware of the woman as she moves around the kitchen, and not even five minutes later, I snap, “Leave!”

I listen to her footsteps hurry out of the room before I let out a sigh of relief.

I continue preparing breakfast while making plans to conquer the bratva. Just as I switch off the stove, I hear footsteps again.

“He’s been making breakfast, and from the anxious state my housekeeper is in, he seems to be in a bad mood,” I hear Ian whisper outside the kitchen.

I walk to the sink and wash my hands before turning around to see who’s with Ian. When my eyes lock on Evinka, the corner of my mouth lifts.

There’s a shocked expression on her face as she glances between me and the food I prepared, then she signs, “Who are you, and what did you do with my brother?”

I let out a chuckle, which seems to give Ian the guts to pop his head into the kitchen. “I hear you made breakfast. Should we move to the dining room?”

Nodding, I leave the kitchen with Evinka right behind me.

When we walk into the dining room, I ask, “Did you bring the clothes and ammunition?”

She nods, and while I take a seat, she decides to sit at the head of the table, which makes me smirk.

As the Devlins join us, I assume none of them know sign language, so I sign to Evinka, “Eat fast. We have a lot of work to do.”

She nods again, then looks at Grace and Ciara before asking, “Which one are you marrying?”

My hands move quickly as I reply, “The deal is for the redhead, but I’m going to change it to the blond.”

Evinka looks at Grace again, who doesn’t waste a second to return the stare.

I feel a little tense as I watch the two women, then Grace asks, “Aren’t you going to introduce us?”

“Evinka is my sister and second-in-charge,” I reply, using the term sister so Grace will know I consider Evinka family. Gesturing in their direction, I say, “Grace and Ciara.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Grace says, her tone cautious but polite.

Evinka’s eyes flick to my face, then she signs, “Tell her same here.”

“She says likewise,” I relay the message.

The housekeeper brings the food, and before she can prepare a plate for me, Evinka rises to her feet to dish up for her and me.

When she sets the plate loaded with bacon, pancakes, and eggs down in front of me, I murmur, “Thanks.”

With the Devlins sitting on the other side of the table, it feels as if the room has been divided in half, tension filling the space between us.

After eating a pancake, Evinka signs, “Why change from the redhead to the blond?”

Not wanting the Devlins to hear, I sign my reply, “Her name is Grace. She’s stronger and will survive at my side.”

A frown forms on Evinka’s face. “At your side?” She glances at Grace again before meeting my eyes. “What happened to the marriage only being in name.”

My eyes narrow on hers as I snap, “Drop the subject.”

Evinka does as she’s ordered, and returning her attention to her food, she continues to eat.

I stare at the plate in front of me as my mind races to catch up.

When did it change from leaving my wife here in Ireland to her coming with me?

My eyes flick to Grace, and the longer I stare at her, the faster my heart beats.

Jebat. I like the woman way too fucking much.

I shake my head hard, and it has Grace glancing in my direction.

Not even a second passes then she asks, “What? Why are you staring at me like that?”

I can feel Evinka’s eyes on me as I mutter, “No reason.”

Leaving my food untouched, I shove the chair back and climb to my feet.

Evinka grabs the bacon off my plate and eats it as she quickly sets after me when I stalk out of the dining room.

My years on this planet have proven I’m incapable of expressing romantic interest in a woman, yet my heart is beating a different tune.

When we finally reach the privacy of the cottage, Evinka signs, “What was that?”

I shake my head as I stop in front of the window that gives me a perfect view of the backyard and mansion.

Minutes of silence pass before Evinka pats my arm so I’ll look at her.

“Talk to me,” she signs.

My face pulls in a grimace then I admit, “I think I like Grace.”

Evinka’s eyebrows shoot up, and then her hands fly at the speed of light. “What? Like in a romantic way? Are you sure?”

Am I?

I shrug. “She doesn’t annoy me at all.”

Again, surprise flutters over my sister’s face. “Wow. Miracles do happen.”

“Enough of Grace,” I mutter. Changing the topic, I say, “I’m setting up a meeting with Leo, Enzo, and Ilias so we can form an alliance. I’m tired of the bratva interfering in my business, and it’s time to show them who rules the world.”

Evinka’s face sets in a serious expression, and she nods.

“I want a bunker in a desert or an island in the middle of nowhere. It must be difficult for the Russians to attack.”

Evinka signs, “On it.”

My eyes lock with hers. “Be careful out there.”

She nods again, and only then do I notice she’s cut her hair shorter.

“Any shorter, and you might as well shave your head bald,” I mutter.

She rolls her eyes at me, then signs, “It makes me look badass.”

Moving away from the window, I take a seat on one of the couches and ask, “Where are Alan and Krystof?”

She sits down on the other couch and signs, “Out front checking the Devlins’ guards. I’m leaving Sef and Martin with you.”

I shake my head. “I don’t need guards.”

Her eyes narrow, and just from the stubborn look she’s giving me, I know she’ll fight me on the matter.

I let out a sigh, then say, “They’ll only annoy me, and I’ll end up killing them. Keep the men with you.”

With one hard shake of her head, her fingers begin to fly again. “You’re not invincible, Dominik! With the bratva attacking everywhere, you have to know you have a target on your back. Just keep Sef and Martin with you while you’re here. I’ll tell them to stay out of your way.” She gives me a pleading look. “Besides, I don’t trust Devlin at all.”

Giving in because I know Evinka is right, I nod, and it makes her let out a relieved sigh.

I need to wrap up business with Devlin as fast as possible and get my ass off this property.


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