SEBASTIAN’S POV
I couldn’t stop myself from checking over my shoulder as I made my way to the table. The tension in the room was palpable, and I could feel the weight of the business hanging heavy in the air. Mafia bosses, men who had a reputation for ruthlessness, sat at the table in front of me.
I was used to it-this was my world-but what unsettled me was the thought of leaving Sasha alone in the room.
Not because I didn’t trust her, but because of the men around us. They were always looking for an opportunity, and some of them… Well, they weren’t exactly the most respectful when it came to women.
“Right here, Sebastian.” One of the men-Luca, I believe-motioned for me to take my seat.
I didn’t acknowledge him immediately. Instead, my gaze locked on Sasha, who was standing a few feet away, near the bar area.
She hadn’t said anything about not wanting to sit with me, but I could tell she liked her space during moments like this-moments where everything felt cold and transactional.
I had promised her I’d be done quickly, and I would make sure I kept that promise.
I took my seat at the table, keeping one eye on Sasha as I did. There was a flicker of concern in my chest as I settled into the leather chair, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to keep an eye on her-make sure she was safe. The business would have to wait; she was always my priority.
“Sebastian,” Luca began again, his voice breaking into my thoughts. “We’re waiting on you, my friend.”
I nodded, snapping my focus back to the matter at hand. “I’m here,” I replied, forcing a calm demeanour. “Let’s get this done.”
The conversation began, flowing smoothly at first. We talked about the usual-distribution channels, territories, and the deal that had been on the table for weeks. The words were business, the same old jargon I had heard a thousand times before.
But all the while, my eyes couldn’t help but flick over to Sasha. She was at the bar now, sipping her drink, her back turned to me as she glanced around the room.
Her dark hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, and she looked calm, but I could sense that there was something underneath. Something about the way she carried herself.
Her beauty always caught attention, whether I wanted it to or not. And right now, I could see a couple of men in the room eyeing her-two from across the table, their gazes lingering a little too long.
My hands clenched into fists under the table, but I stayed focused on the business at hand.
The conversation was picking up momentum, but my mind kept wandering. Was she okay? Was anyone bothering her? I glanced at her once more.
This time, the men had moved closer to her. I couldn’t hear what they were saying from where I was, but the way they were looking at her made my blood boil. There was no mistaking their intentions.
One of them was leaning in too close, speaking in a tone that was far too familiar for comfort. The other was laughing, and though I couldn’t make out the words, I could tell it wasn’t anything respectful.
The air seemed to freeze in that moment, and my heart skipped a beat.
“Excuse me,” I muttered, my voice low but urgent.
Without waiting for their response, I pushed my chair back from the table and stood up abruptly, not caring how it might look. I wasn’t about to let anyone disrespect Sasha. No one.
I walked over with purpose, my strides long and controlled, but inside, my anger was boiling over. As I approached, I could see Sasha’s face tighten.
She was trying to maintain her composure, but it was clear she wasn’t enjoying whatever conversation was unfolding in front of her.
I didn’t give the men a chance to react. The moment I reached them, I placed a hand on the shoulder of the one who had been speaking too closely to Sasha. He turned to look at me, his eyes widening when he realised who it was.
“You’ve got a problem?” I asked, my voice laced with a dangerous calm. My eyes scanned the two men in front of me-two men who had crossed a line by even approaching my wife in the first place.
They were both older than me, but their intimidation tactics meant nothing now. Not when it came to Sasha.
“I-I-” The man stammered, stepping back. “No, no problem at all.”
“You better be careful,” I said, my voice low and threatening. “This is my wife. Keep your hands to yourself and your eyes where they belong.”
Sasha had turned to face me now, her expression unreadable. I could see the relief in her eyes as they settled on me, but I also saw the faintest flicker of annoyance.
I knew she hated when I acted possessive, but right now, I didn’t give a damn. These men needed to know their place.
I didn’t wait for them to respond. “You heard me,” I said again, my tone icy. “Now, leave her alone.”
The two men exchanged a brief look, clearly weighing their options.
But before either of them could say anything else, I made sure to back them off, stepping closer to Sasha, effectively putting myself between her and the men.
“You’re making a scene,” one of the men muttered, his tone defensive.
“Then leave. Now,” I demanded. “And don’t come near her again.”
The air seemed to thicken with tension, but I didn’t budge.
Slowly, the men backed off, and I turned my attention fully to Sasha, stepping closer until I was standing right in front of her.
“Are you okay?” I asked, my voice softer now, my anger simmering down.
I reached for her hand, pulling it into mine as I looked into her eyes.
She was quiet for a moment, her gaze flickering between the two men who were retreating toward their table. Finally, she nodded. “I’m fine. Thank you.”
But there was something in her expression that told me she wasn’t entirely fine. I could tell she didn’t like the way I handled things, but I wasn’t about to let it slide. Not now, not when it came to her.
“I didn’t like how they were looking at you,” I said, my voice low but insistent. “I won’t have it, Sasha. Not with you. You mean everything to me. Do you understand?”
She nodded, her lips pressing into a thin line. “I know, Sebastian. But I can handle myself.”
I smiled slightly, although I didn’t like how she downplayed her own safety. “I know you can. But that doesn’t mean I won’t step in when necessary.”
She didn’t respond, but I could feel the tension leaving her body as she stood beside me.
Her hand tightened in mine, and I could tell she was trying to reassure me, even though she didn’t want to admit that the situation had bothered her.
I didn’t let go of her hand.
“Let’s get out of here,” I said, my voice soft but commanding.
Sasha hesitated, glancing back at the table where the business meeting was still ongoing. “But the meeting-”
“I don’t care about the meeting,” I interrupted. “The moment someone disrespects you, everything else becomes irrelevant.”
She raised an eyebrow at that, but I could see the hint of a smile tug at the corner of her mouth. “You’re impossible,” she murmured, but there was no real anger in her words.
“Only for you,” I said, brushing my thumb over her hand.
I knew the evening wasn’t over, but I wasn’t about to let these men ruin the rest of it.
I could always handle business later. Right now, all I wanted was to take care of Sasha and ensure she knew she was safe. That would always come first.
“Let’s go,” I repeated, my voice firm, and Sasha gave me a small nod.
As we left the room together, I couldn’t help but glance back one last time. The men were watching us leave, but they knew better than to follow. Not after what had just happened.
I made a vow in my mind that I would always protect her. No matter what.