The Billion Dollar Wife

#19.

The journey back from the gala was a stifling affair and with Dominic’s unspoken fury. He sat in the far corner of the leather seat, his profile a silhouette against the passing city lights. He didn't look at her, didn't move, didn't breathe a single word. The violence of the corridor still hung about him.

Ava watched him from the corner of her eye, carefully. The silence pressed down on her chest, but she refused to break it first.

Good.

Let him stew in it.

Let him feel it.

When the car finally came to a halt within the safety of the estate. Dominic stepped out the moment the door was opened, his stride long and purposeful as he vanished into the house without a backward glance.

"Dominic!" Ava called out, her voice echoing off the stone walls of the garage.

He didn't stop. He didn't even flinch. He simply continued on, his back a wall of unyielding charcoal wool. Ava watched him go, a slow, calculated smirk spreading across her lips once he was out of sight.

“Possessive,” she murmured softly. “Jealous too.”

Her eyes darkened slightly.

“Good.”

She turned and retired to her room.

*****

The morning light was grey and hesitant when Ava finally emerged from her room. The house was unnaturally quiet. As she passed the corridor leading to the private wing, she noticed the door to Dominic’s office was standing slightly ajar.

Her heart performed a sudden skip. She paused, her mind racing through the possibilities.

After a brief pause, she turned away and headed to the kitchen.

Moments later, she returned with a cup of coffee in hand.

She reached the office and knocked softly on the wood. "Who’s there?" a low growl drifted from within, low and rough.

"It’s me," she responded, her voice steady.

A gruff, unintelligible mutter followed, which she took as an invitation to enter. Dominic was seated behind his desk, his tuxedo replaced by a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing the dark hair and tattoos on his forearms. He looked exhausted, yet alert in a way that made her skin prickle.

She set the porcelain cup on the edge of the desk. "I wasn't entirely certain how you prefer it," she said, her voice dropping into a soft register. "I made it black. No sugar."

Dominic offered a single, curt nod, his gaze remaining fixed on the documents spread before him. He didn't look up, didn't acknowledge her presence beyond that minimal gesture.

Ava hovered, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. The silence stretched, becoming uncomfortable. "You didn't go to the office today?" she asked.

No answer.

Just the quiet sound of his pen.

Ava stepped a little closer.

Her fingers brushed the edge of a file—

And a hand shot out.

Fast.

Firm.

Ava’s heart leaped into her throat. Dominic stood up slowly, his height looming over her, his eyes finally locking onto hers with a burning intensity. He didn't let go, his grip was a firm, warm shackle that held her in place.

"Does this room interest you that much ?" he asked, his voice a low, terrifying hum.

She swallowed hard, her pulse hammering against his thumb. "I... I was just—."

His grip tightened slightly.

“Careful,” he said.

He dragged her closer, his body a wall of heat as he reached out with his free hand and pulled open the top drawer of his desk. The movement was slow.

Ava felt the heat climb her neck, her cheeks blazing a sudden, guilty crimson. She stared into the drawer, her mind frantically searching for a lie that would hold weight.

"Something in this room isn’t where I left it?" he said, his voice dropping into a husky whisper.

Ava tried to squirm away, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps. "I don't know what you’re talking about. I haven't been in here."

"Oh, you don't know?" He questioned.

She went rigid, her spine turning to ice.

Dominic moved then, his actions swift and devoid of any gentleness. He turned her fully to face him and, in one fluid motion, hoisted her up and sat her on the edge of the desk. The impact of her seat against the hard wood was jarring, a reminder of the power he held.

Ava gasped, her hands instinctively flying out to grab the lapels of his shirt to steady herself. Her face was inches from his, his scent, sandalwood and expensive tobacco overwhelming her senses.

"I don’t like people touching what belongs to me.”

He paused, his eyes searching hers for a sign of breaking.

Ava tilted her chin slightly, refusing to shrink.

“And what exactly do you think I touched?” she asked.

A pause.

A dangerous one.

His eyes dropped briefly to her lips before returning to her eyes.

“You’ve been… curious,” he said.

Ava’s heart beat harder, but her face didn’t show it.

“Maybe I’m trying to understand my husband,” she replied.

His jaw tightened slightly.

Then, without warning, his hand came up to her chin, gripping it just enough to hold her still.

“Be careful how far that curiosity goes,” he murmured.

Her breath hitched, just slightly.

He leaned in—

Close enough for her to feel his breath—

Ava watch him, her chest rising and falling, her mind racing.

Did he know?

Or was he guessing?

Dominic adjusted his shirt calmly, his expression unreadable.

"But I’m making a new rule," he interrupted, his voice dropping into a low, possessive rasp. "Your days of wandering out are over. Your outing are now limited. You stay where I can see you."

He growled the words, his face a mask of predatory intent. Ava froze, her mind reeling from the sudden loss of her freedom. She pushed against his chest, desperate to create space, but he didn't budge. He was a mountain of muscle and unyielding will.

"You’re out of your senses," she hissed, her eyes flashing with a desperate, trapped light. "You can’t control me. You can’t command me like one of your men."

She tried to shove him again, but he caught her other wrist, pinning both of her hands against his chest. He pressed closer, forcing chest against his.

"You wanted to be in my life," he growled, the vibration of his voice buzzing through her own skin. "This is what it looks like. And now that you are in my life, you will follow my rules. You are mine to watch, Ava. And I am watching very closely."