After a four hour drive, Rose and Dimitri reached the apartment in Williamsburg. Standing outside the door, Rose turned the handle and stepped through the threshold. It was unlocked which already had Dimitri on edge. But what had him more on edge was the man in the armchair by the window, sitting like he owned the place.
Dimitri stepped forward, putting himself between Rose and the serpent, as he growled, "Zmey".
"Belikov", Abe's sneer was just as unpleasant, though he did motion to his guardian, Pavel who was ready to intervene, that he could handle himself.
"What are you doing here, old man?" Rose came around Dimitri, finding his defensive stance ridiculous and endearing at the same time.
"I'm here to make sure you arrived safely", Abe stepped towards Rose.
The closer he got, the more Dimitri pushed himself forward, ready to leap if necessary.
Soon Rose was wedged between the 2 men. She pushed them both back demanding them to, "Stand down!"
She glared at her father and her former lover. This was a situation she never expected to find herself in. And yet here she was, refereeing a pissing contest. "Do not make me repeat myself", Rose said in a stone cold voice.
After they backed of, Rose hugged Pavel affectionately. "You couldn't stop him?" she whispered in his ear.
"Can anyone?" Pavel chuckled.
"She takes after her mother", Abe said to Dimitri, both were still staring as Rose, both still a little terrified. "You're old man doesn't get a hug, kiz?"
"No", Rose answered defiantly. "You promised me that you would butt out".
Abe sighed dramatically. "I've got the papers all ready", he handed Rose a large manila envelope.
Apparently she thought that was deserving of a hug. "Thank you, dad. How did you get it done so quickly?"
"They don't call Zmey for nothing".
"Dimitri?" It was now Rose noticed how shocked Dimitri was. He may or may not have uttered a 'fuck'.
"Your father is Abe Mazur?!" Dimitri pinched the bridge of his nose. Although, knowing Rose, it shouldn't have come as that much of a shock…
"I take offense to that tone, boy", Abe said menacingly. "Or at least I would, if I cared", he added with a shrug.
"Abe, be nice", Rose chastised.
"Sorry dear", he kissed her cheek. "How do you like the apartment?"
Rose looked around. It was gorgeous and in a great neighborhood. "It's fantastic. Do I want to know how you got it?"
Abe laughed. "No". He said, "It's yours as long as you'd like it to be. Personally I wish you'd stay at my penthouse".
"I already told you, no thank you. And I'm only staying for a couple of days", she reminded.
"Ah, well, in that case, Belikov, my boy", Abe turned to Dimitri, a tad bit more pleasantly, "You can stay here as long as you like. And if you're up for it, I have an opening at my company in my Russian affairs division. An advisory of sorts. I could use a man like you in the ranks".
Dimitri raised his eyebrow at Abe, looking from him to Rose. Dimitri knew Abe didn't need an advisory and he was technically making a generous offer, but there was no way in hell he'd take that kind of job. And his body language said as much.
"There is another position available. It's less lucrative", Abe added. "I own this building and the adjacent one. That's a lot of apartments and I need a super intendant that lives on premise. The job is yours if you want it".
Dimitri was still impersonating a statue. He was disgusted by the thought of working for a mobster.
"Take your time, think it over. We can discuss it when you and Rose join me for dinner tomorrow night", Abe stated plain as that. "I'll send the car to get you".
"It's getting late for me", Abe said looking at his watch. He still operated on Moroi time. The sun was shining brightly. "You two should get some rest if you're switching over to human schedule. I'll see you tomorrow darling". Abe hugged Rose. "There are groceries in the kitchen which should last you a week. I've left a credit card on the counter with no limit, you can use any way you like. Treat yourself to some shopping. Please".
Rose didn't want to take Abe's money, he'd done enough with the apartment and the documents. She also knew that Abe was always trying to make up for lost time with extravagant gifts. She reluctantly nodded, knowing that accepting his offer would please him more than it would hurt her.
Pavel also hugged Rose on the way out. He whispered that dinner reservations for the next night was at a very high end restaurant and to dress appropriately. And now Rose understood why she needed the credit card. Pavel would later text Rose a list of shops she and Dimitri could find appropriate attire.
And they were gone, leaving Rose alone with Dimitri.