Abe was nervous. The manor was made ready. The staff had been prepped. All her demands were met. Yet Abe was still nervous. Which was ridiculous. He was Abe Mazur, for fucks sake. For all his preparations, all his attempts to meet her demands, Abe still knew there was nothing he could do to appease her. She would never be happy. That didn't stop him from trying though.
He went over her list of demands one last time before her much anticipated arrival knowing full well if anything was out of place or not to her liking there would be hell to pay.
As her convoy was approaching, Abe made sure all staff on hand was awaiting her arrival in the foyer, as per her instructions. She wanted to make a grand entrance.
Her impending arrival had everyone on edge. Everyone but the new bodyguard hired specifically to guard her and her alone. Newly appointed guardian Dimitri Belikov had not yet had the pleasure of meeting the illustrious Mary Hathaway. From the bit of gossip he'd heard around the manor Mary kept mostly to herself. Due to Abe's obvious affection to her, she was considered royalty. She was polite and kind to all thus was generally regraded with respect. She was feared only by Abe himself. No one really knew exactly what Abe and Mary's relationship was.
Some theorized she was his concubine, while others insisted they were lovers or even married claiming a man would only fear his own wife in such a way. Either way it was none of Dimitri's business. He was hired to guard Mary Hathaway and that's what he intended to do.
Dimitri never thought he'd work for Abe Mazur seeing as his previous employer was Victor Dashkov, head of Mazur's rival crime syndicate. When Dashkov, along with the rest of the family heads were arrested for racketeering 7 months ago, Dimitri found himself out of a job. So when Abe contacted him personally with a job offer, Dimitri accepted immediately. Dimitri often wondered why Abe had hired him (hand picked him, in point of fact), a man from a rival mob, to guard someone so close to him. But he was getting paid enough not to ask questions.
So now Dimitri had gathered with the rest of the staff in the foyer awaiting the arrival of Mary Hathaway.
When she walked through the door accompanied by Pavel, Abe's head of security, she was not what Dimitri was expecting. He didn't know what to expect, but it surely was not this. She looked like a high end street walker with her big pooffy red hair, her skin tight white leather dress barely covered her tits or her ass. And then there were the six inch heels, it was a wonder she could even walk. Her lipstick was blood red and matched her long claw-like fingernails. Her eyes were hidden behind big Jackie O. sunglasses. It wouldn't have mattered anyway since all staff members were looking intently at their feet.
"Darling!" Abe called out to Mary with open arms.
She marched straight up to Abe, heels clacking on the marble floors, stopped just out of Abe's reach. She took note of the staff respectfully avoiding eye contact. All but one man. It was difficult not to notice a man such as Dimitri Belikov standing beside Abe. He was huge, six foot five at least. He was also gorgeous. Luckily for her, Mary was wearing her sunglasses, this way she could hide the fact that she was ogling him.
"I assume everything has been prepared to my liking?" She asked Abe coldly.
"Of course. Nothing but the best for you".
Dimitri was perplexed at this woman's behavior. No one talked to Abe Mazur that way. Especially not if you were planning on continuing to breathe.
When Mary didn't respond, Abe continued. "If you'll follow me, your wing is this way".
Mary Hathaway had not been seen by anyone in Abe's employment for 2 years. She previously lived at Abe's summer home in California, but 2 years ago disappeared from the estate without a word. Abe had recently found her and convinced her to return to him, making any promise he could to ensure she'd accept his offer.
The first promise being that she have her own private wing in the manor. Her personal guard would of course be accommodated in her private wing, therefore Dimitri had a bedroom as well as a surveillance office dedicated solely to Mary's wing.
As Abe led Mary upstairs to her wing, Dimitri followed despite not yet being introduced to his charge.
The servants were already on the move to retrieve Mary's luggage and personal affects. Most of her possessions were already delivered days before her arrival and set up according to her instructions. These suitcases held the remnants of what was now her former life. The staff had strict orders not to unpack anything.
Mary's wing was set up much like an oversized apartment. The large double doors opened into a massive open plan living space complete with fireplace in the sitting area, a dining area with a fully stocked bar and a large kitchen. Very large considering Mary couldn't cook to save her life.
Mary took a quick look around the space, making sure her flatscreen and sound system were set up just like she liked it, before bombarding Abe with questions regarding the rest of the wing.
"Where is my room, Abe?" She wasn't cold, but definitely distant. Dimitri wondered again why she was allowed to act in such a way. But he knew better than to voice his opinions, so he remained quite while Abe was continually assaulted with questions.
"At the end of the hall". Abe gestured to the hallway.
"And the gym?" Mary asked.
"Adjacent to your bedroom, to the right".
"The security office?" She asked. Dimitri thought it strange this woman would want such information. He'd never had a charge that cared how he guarded them, just that he did it well.
"To the left of your bedroom".
"I assume the guards room is adjacent to the security room". It was not a question. Abe nodded. "Where is the nurse I required?"
"Her room is off the kitchen, and she should be arriving just after dinner. Alberta, the head maid, has strict orders to show her here as soon as she arrives". Dimitri wondered why Mary would need a private nurse but again held his tongue.
"All the windows are bullet proof?"
"Of course".
"Who has access to this wing other than myself?" Mary asked. The wing was fitted with a state of the art security system that only allowed access to specific personal via thumbprint and keycard.
"Other than yourself, Dimitri and Nurse, I have access, as well as Pavel and Alberta".
Mary nodded. "Files". Mary commanded and held out her hand in which Abe placed a folder. Mary skimmed through the contents of the folder quickly.
"I assure you, he's highly trained and meets all your prerequisites".
Without raising her eyes from the file she answered, "We'll see". After several more moments Mary asked Abe, "Do you trust him?"
"Completely".
"With my life?" Mary asked in an almost pained voice.
"Yes", he answered without hesitation.
She nodded and smirked. An evil idea flashed in her mind, one that she would save for later.
Abe motion for Dimitri to step forward. Dimitri had realized all too late that the were talking about him. "Mary, this is Dimitri Belikov, your new bodyguard".
Mary took off her sunglasses for the first time and blatantly looked Dimitri up and down. It was a wonder she didn't drool. Dimitri immediately took notice of her eyes. It was then that he saw that Mary was actually quite stunning, so much more than a nice ass and big tits in a trashy dress. She was also young. Too young. The rumors suggested that she was young but she couldn't have been more than twenty years old.
Dimitri took Mary's out reached hand and shook it. As Mary licked her lips, Dimitri filled with a lust that was a far cry from appropriate to have towards his charge, especially considering her rumored relation to the man who hired him. Though that didn't show in his facial expression, instead was the cool calm mask he'd always worn on the job.
"Is he to your liking then, Mary?" Abe asked while Dimitri and Mary were still shaking hands for longer than necessary.
Mary hummed in agreement. Abe face palmed, regretting hiring Dimitri already. He knew pretty faces were a weakness for her. But that was the exact reaction Mary wanted from Abe. She loved fucking with him. It was almost a sport for her.
"That will be all Abe." And that was how Abe Mazur had been dismissed by the lovely Mary Hathaway. "Dimitri, be a dear and lock up after him".
Mary turned on her heels and headed to the bar near the dining area. She fixed herself a drink as well as one for Dimitri and took a seat on the large sofa in the living area. When Dimitri returned from the front door of the wing, Mary handed him his drink and instructed him to take a seat. He opted to sit on the sofa across hers.
Mary smirked. "So, what did Abe tell you about me?"
Dimitri recalled his conversation with Abe when he first arrived at the manor several days ago.
"There are some things you need to know about Mary. When she escaped, she escaped her guards, so you will do well to keep a sharp eye on her. She will do anything she can to give you the slip".
"Mr. Mazur," Dimitri interjected, "I get the impression she doesn't want to be here. I didn't sign up to be a jailer or hold someone against their will".
Abe scoffed. "She knows she's safer here than anywhere else, she just needs to be reminded once in a while. She is by no means going to be kept here against her will". Dimitri nodded. "As I was saying, she likes to give her guards the slip every once in a while. She usually comes back on her own." Dimitri listened intently as Abe divulged her Houdini acts. "She knocked a guard out cold once. She roofied a guard, so be wary of any drink she hands you. She even went as far to to charm a guard with her feminine wiles, tied him naked to a bedpost and left". Abe shook his head as if to expel the memory from his mind. Then he got a dark look in his eye. "I'm very protective and possessive of my Mary. If you look at her wrong, I will chop off your fingers. If you touch her, I will chop off an appendage I'm sure you're very attached to". Dimitri swallowed hard, knowing full well what Abe Mazur was capable of. Loosing his favorite appendage would be the least of his worries.
With that in mind Dimitri simply answered, "Understood". Though he was technically in the occupation of thugs, goons, henchmen and hired muscle, Dimitri was always professional. (He was trained to be an elite bodyguard, finished top of his class. He was even offered to train with the secret service but circumstances lead him in a very different direction). Besides, he'd never lay a finger on a woman unless she wanted him to.
"Good. Mary is the single most important person in my life. If anything happens to her, I'll hold you personally responsible." With that Dimitri was sent to walk the grounds, inspect Mary's private wing, make sure the security system was set up appropriately, get settled into this room and await for Mary's arrival.
Dimitri took a seat on the sofa opposite of Mary and set his drink on the table. Even if Abe hadn't told him about the roofie incident, he'd never drink on duty. "Mr. Mazur didn't say much. Just that you were very important to him and that I was to keep you safe".
"Oh comrade, I'll never be safe", Mary said with a sad smile. "But I'm sure Abe's mentioned my misadventures, as it were".
"He may have mentioned something". Mary finished her drink and moved on to Dimitri's untouched glass.
Just then Dimitri phone buzzed. He conveyed the message he received to Mary that her nurse had been delayed and would not arrive until the next day. A pile up on the free way caused her to miss her flight. Knowing her nurse all too well, Mary assumed she also had her driver pull over so she could tend to the wounded.
The thought that Nurse was filling her duty to mankind brought Mary little comfort. "Well that's just great!" Mary hissed angrily. She gripped the glass in her hand so tightly Dimitri was sure it would shatter. Then she carefully glimpsed at Dimitri. "I guess you'll have to help me then".
"Of course" Dimitri answered courteously. "How can I be of assistance?"
"Well," Mary rose from the sofa and sashayed her way to Dimitri. "I can't take off these damn shoes and this hideous dress with these ridiculous nails", Mary flashed her fingernails in front of Dimitri's face. She slowly and suggestively lifted her leg and placed her high heeled foot on the edge of the sofa right between Dimitri's leg. Dimitri backed up in his seat to avoid contact with Mary.
Mary smile. "Funny. It doesn't mention that you're shy in your file, comrade".
Dimitri was definitely not shy, but having heard all of Abe's warnings and threats he tread with caution. He undid the strap on Mary's shoe, gently lifted her leg by her calf and slowly slid the shoe off her foot, letting drop. After placing Mary's foot on the floor, Mary raised he other leg and Dimitri repeated the action. The sensation of Dimitri's rough hands on her bare legs sent shivers down Mary's spine.
She turned her back to Dimitri suggestively and asked he unzip her dress. Dimitri was very careful not to caress Mary's bare back yet him pulling down her zipper excited Mary more than she thought it would. Dimitri swallowed hard when he realized she wasn't wearing a bra.
"Thanks", Mary said. "I'm going to take a very long bath. You should join me", she said brazenly.
"That's a not good idea", Dimitri nearly flattered before answering. What was this woman doing to him?
Mary shrugged. "Suit yourself". Rose sauntered to her bedroom. "Door's open if you change your mind".
While Dimitri was waiting he remember that Mary didn't smell at all like alcohol. He lifted one of the glasses on the table to his nose and inhaled. Apple juice. She was drinking apple juice! Dimitri felt like he was missing something.
An hour later, Mary emerged from her room with a long white bathrobe securely wrapped around her, her hair held up in a towel like a turban on her head and a big grin. Dimitri wondered why she had a towel on her hair when he clearly heard her blow-dry it minutes ago.
Dimitri met her gaze. "Is everything alright?", he asked.
"Yes", Mary answered. "Thank you for not joining me. Abe finally found a guard willing to work for him who's actually a good man". She continued to smile. "When I was young I was very trusting. Some things happened and now I don't give my trust to anyone. I trust myself, Abe and my best friend who'll be arriving tomorrow. But I want to trust you." Mary placed her hand atop of Dimitri's and closed her eyes. "Please don't break my trust. Don't make me regret this". She took a deep breath. "Here goes nothing", she murmured. She removed the towel from her head and let her hair cascade down her back.
Dimitri had never seen anything so beautiful. Locks and locks of silky dark brown, almost black, hair spilled over Mary's shoulders and framed her face, a stark contrast to the blazing red she had previously. Her make up had been washed away and she was breathtaking. She looked even younger than Dimitri had initially thought. Her big brown eyes pleading with him to be worthy of her trust. Dimitri noticed then that her whole demeanor was completely different than before she went to the bathroom. Even her claw fingernails were gone. He realized that everything that happened before this moment was a ruse. She was in disguise. Where before she held herself with arrogance and an air narcissism, she was now surround by a halo of innocence. The worry was evident in her eyes. Gone was the woman with the claw like nails who nearly pressed her toes into his crotch. Left in her wake was a girl desperate for someone she could entrust with her life. A sudden urge to defend and protect this beautiful girl swelled in Dimitri, so much more than his job required him to.
Noticing how Dimitri was staring at her, Mary started to explain the situation further. "I hate that ridiculous get up. The wig, the awful makeup, nails that prevent me from doing anything with my fingers." Dimitri was completely enamored by her beauty and the way she carried herself. "But it's a necessary evil. I always leave the house dressed like that so no one will associate me with Abe. He has many enemies and I'm his only weakness." The mention of Abe was a bitter reminder to Dimitri of exactly what his role in Mary's life was. A guardian. Nothing more.
Mary held out her hand as if to introduce herself again. Dimitri accepted her hand. "Hi. My name is Rosemary Hathaway-Mazur. Please call me Rose".