POV: Dimitri

The alarm blared so loudly I was beginning to think that somebody crammed it into my ear while I slept. I rolled over, pulling the pillow from underneath my head and hurling it over the room. It landed on the desired target with a soft thud followed by a low, sleepy mumble. The ringing continued so I finally groaned: "Turn that damn thing off you idiot."

"Five more minutes", the mumbling continued as I exhaled and threw my legs over the edge of the bed.

I got up, my head heavy and my legs wobbly, and tumbled over the room while rubbing my eyes. I swore under my breath as I hit the top of the clock with my fist, the wailing dialing down slowly and painfully, like a broken record. I glanced down at the human burrito that arrogated my pillow, using it as an ear muffler and shook my head.

"Get up. We'll be late for work."

"No", his cry vibrated through the pillow.

"Don't make me throw a bucket over your head", I threatened, finally getting his blond head to pop out from the pile and his blue eyes to meet mine through a frown.

"Why do I let you stay here?"

"Because I am, I quote, your best friend."

"Was I drunk when I said that?", he chuckled and I ducked down, taking my pillow back from him despite his protests.

"Quite possibly. Now, on your feet soldier."

"Alright, alright, sheesh."

I made my way to the bathroom, hearing his exaggerated sighs and complaints as he freed himself from the covers. I smiled and rolled my eyes, grabbing my toothbrush and turning the water in the sink on. By the time I was done freshening up, he had at least managed to make it to the kitchen, staring at the hob like that would somehow make the water he was trying to boil speed up in the process. He toyed with the belt of his bathrobe as I joined him and opened the fridge to make us breakfast. He tightened the material around him and yawned before he noticed my expression and asked: "What?"

"That thing looks ridiculous."

"It keeps me warm and if I didn't know any better, I'd say you're jealous?"

"Hardly", I shot, but I had to admit this place was freaking cold. I guess that was what happened when you couldn't afford to pay for heating. I grabbed a couple of eggs from the fridge and noted: "It's empty now again."

"We'll fill it later. We're actually going to get some solid money from today's work for a change."

"Are you sure your friend will come through?"

"Galina? Yeah, she always comes through. She, uh, has been helping me out since I was a kid."

"Wait, Ivan, this job, it's not—?"

"No", he cut in quickly, shaking his head vigorously, "I already told you. I don't go anywhere near that sort of business anymore. If I wanted to be a criminal, I would have never left my family."

I nodded and grabbed a bowl, cracking the eggs against its edge in silence before I finally decided to ask: "Do you ever regret it?"

"What, leaving? Hell no! I mean, sure, things have been a bit rough and I do miss my parents, having food in the fridge and not needing a bathrobe to stay warm. But, trust me, the world I ran from... it's a freaking nightmare. It's filled with pain, grief, blood and death. It makes you into something you can't even recognize. It makes you into a monster."

"That sounds about right", I mumbled, thinking of the man who I had no other choice but to call my father, no matter how much I hated the very air he breathed.

"Anyhow", Ivan suddenly said, his face transforming from grave to cheerful in minutes, "It's not something we should be talking about on a fine morning such as this. I actually wanted to discuss something very important with you and I need your full attention."

"What is it?", I asked, a bit alarmed.

"Black bathrobe. How does that sound for your birthday present?", he prompted and I burst into laughter, surpassing him to get on with the breakfast as he kept mumbling, "No. Not a bathrobe. A cape? Oh, I know - A DUSTER. That's it. It'll be perfect Dimka. You'd be like a cowboy from those American movies you like so much."

I turned the TV off and disposed of the remote control. Two movies and I still couldn't get my damn mind to shut down. I got up from the bed and dragged my tired body over the room, deciding to go for a walk. Maybe the fresh night air could clear my thoughts so that I could finally get some rest. I picked up my duster and flung it over my shoulders, pushing my arms into the sleeves as I slipped through the door. It was pretty late so I wasn't surprised to find the house deathly quiet. Probably everyone except for the men on guard duty was asleep.

I strolled across the yard lazily, nodding to greet Ashford and McCall when I passed by their posts. I headed towards the shooting range out of a habit. The garden behind it was the most beautiful part of the yard, especially during late summer when the still blooming flowers mixed with leaves that were slowly starting to dry and change color.

I wasn't really paying attention to much until a strong light coming from the building adjacent to the range drew my attention. Looks like somebody is burning the midnight oil after all. I headed towards the gym, intrigued to see who was occupying it. I couldn't say I didn't half expect it, but I was still a bit surprised to find Adrian knocking his fists into the punching bag, his heavy breathing filling the room. By the looks of him, I could tell he'd been at it for quite some time now. His hair was damp, a sheen of sweat making his shirt a shade darker in a thick, uneven circle that spread from his collar to half of his back.

His panting increased until it turned into a growl and the chains that the bag hung from shook violently, threatening to go loose. I was just about to speak up when he suddenly breathed out: "I."

His hits became so strong I thought the leather would fall apart underneath his hands or his skin would crack until it bled. I moved towards him, preparing to tackle him if need be as he added: "Am."

A few more jabs and a textbook example sidekick were followed by another word: "Not."

"Do-ne", was the last thing he managed to say before he almost lost his balance and curled down with a painful cry.

I closed the remaining distance between us, supporting him up while he mumbled something that sounded like I'm fine into his chin. I glanced at his right hand and noticed straight away that it had swelled enough to be double the size it should be. He was clutching his ribs and I prayed to God he didn't rip any of his stitches or worsen the injuries he was still healing from. I helped him to the bench and kneeled in front of him as he angrily tore his hand wraps away from his bruised skin.

"What happened?", I asked, handing him a bottle of water from his duffle.

"Nothing."

"Adrian?"

He looked up at me, but it felt as if he was looking through me. I knew this look, I'd seen it before. Adrian sometimes joked that it was his my mind will go to shit look. To those who believed in such things, he'd seem like someone who knew things and saw things that others couldn't. Like he'd depart from this world to take a stroll through another one, discovering secrets mere mortals weren't privy to. Long ago, I probably would have believed the same thing. I used to believe in a lot of things. Sadly, life had forced me to abandon many of my beliefs. Maybe fear did too.

"Have I corrupted you?", he asked, his voice low and almost dreamy, "Have I deprived you of a better life? Will I drag you down to hell with me?"

"Adrian. Hey, snap out of it", I whispered, grabbing his shoulder and shaking him slightly.

"I have, haven't I? I've doomed you."

"No", I responded calmly, managing to catch his gaze and hold it, "You did no such thing. If I'm going to hell then that's on me and me alone. You didn't force me into anything. You gave me a choice. You're the only one who ever gave me a choice. And a better life? I wouldn't have had a life at all if it wasn't for you. You didn't doom me, you saved me. Do you hear me? You saved me."

He took in an unsteady breath, closing his eyes for a few moments and then opening them again, his vision focused and his mind sober. He lifted his hand and after letting it linger in the air for a few seconds, placed it on my shoulder mumbling: "You're a good man."

Under different circumstances, I probably would have contradicted him, but I didn't want to send his mind into another spiral. I gave him a moment to settle down further before I repeated: "What happened?"

"What I wanted, I guess", he replied, frowning, "My message was heard loud and clear."

"Messa—. Wait, Ibrahim? He got your message?"

Adrian nodded and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around his neck while he continued with: "And he responded."

"And?"

"I don't know Dimitri. I'm not sure I can get him to do what I want. All I know is that he isn't known for his patience or forgiveness. I'm all in now, sink or swim. I have the only person that's stopping him from dropping a nuclear bomb on my head and also the only person that could cost me my life. He has agreed to meet and discuss things, but I don't know, I feel like—."

"He won't honor it?"

"No, he'll honor it. But I feel like I'm losing control and that... scares me."

If he was scared then everyone else should be terrified, I thought as I scanned his face that somehow managed to look incredibly young, yet so very tired and aged at the same time. This was weighing on him and I could do nothing to lift his burden. He never wanted this. He never wanted any of this. He was pushed into it, like Ivan was, like I was. The only thing he did differently was that he didn't run from it. He was smart enough to realize that he couldn't. This was his cross and he was going to bare it for the rest of his life. Just like he said, sink or swim.

POV: Rose

How the hell did Sydney survive college?, I thought as I tried to force my memory to work long enough to form an actual plan. Two groups, three shifts and double rounds. Or was it triple? Damn it, I really needed a pen and paper. I glanced out the window again and saw McCall strolling past the large, round bushes at the furthest corner visible from where I was standing. And a clock, I really needed a clock. It was getting impossible to calculate the time.

I cracked my neck and then rubbed it since it was still sore from my unfortunate run-in with a tree. I strolled back towards the bed just in time to avoid looking too suspicious since Mason knocked and quickly popped his head inside to tell me lunch was ready. I thanked him and made my way to the dining room.

I was so lost in my thoughts it took me a while to notice that there was only one plate set on the table. Mason was just about to head out when I asked: "Where's everyone else?"

He turned back and shrugged, giving me an easy smile while he replied: "The answer to that is above my paygrade. McCall's around and I'll be at my post if you need me."

"Mase, you do know I have no idea where your post is, right?"

He laughed, slapping his forehead with his palm and added: "Entrance. For this shift at least. So just... holler."

"Thanks."

Entrance? I thought that was Eddie's post. He left and I glanced down at my plate, blinking rapidly as things began to sink in. Eddie wasn't here. Neither was Adrian or Dimitri. They weren't home. All of the other guards too, none of them were here. Why would they leave the house unprotected? Oh, wait... because almost nobody knew where it was. Adrian had told me that. Even if he didn't, it would have been more than obvious. They never allowed me to see my surroundings until we were away from the house and I was their prisoner. I had no one to tell and I wasn't exactly what one might call a threat. Besides, Adrian would have been arrested or killed a long time ago if it was so easy for people to find him. You can't pay off the entire world, right? And from what I'd gathered so far, he had a lot of enemies and kept making more. Like, for example, my father.

I heard Adrian mention him a few times over the past couple of days. I figured something was going on since this sudden continuous presence of my father's name in hushed conversations between Dimitri and Adrian coincided with a plummet in Adrian's mood. He was on edge and for the first time not really all that pleasant to be around. He'd lose his shit over the slightest inconveniences and... well, nobody wanted to be close by when an eccentric, gun-loving mobster didn't get his way. So I kept to myself, if you didn't count the odd moments when Dimitri kept me company. No, not odd - more like unbelievable. I was the one that was in a car accident, but he must have banged his head too because he was acting hella weird.

Since that night in Zamora when he apologized for his behavior he'd been clearly trying not to repeat it. We were far from being chummy, but we actually managed to have a few pretty normal conversations. He was still extremely secretive and would shut down whenever I brought up any personal topics. He let it slip that he had a few sisters, but he wasn't really specific on the number. I managed to figure out that he lived in Russia for the better part of his life, not that his strong accent wasn't a clue enough. I caught on to a few more things, but in the end, they were just small details that left me even more clueless about the real Dimitri Belikov. He was hiding behind a thick wall of I'm not here to make friends bullshit, but I had a feeling my initial assumptions were right - he wasn't as cold as he wanted people to think.

I picked up my spoon and turned it around, glancing at my reflection in it. How did I seem to the people who didn't know me? A small smile spread over my lips as I remembered how Sydney described her first impression of me once we were already friends for a long time. The girl who'd rather burn the world down than let it tame her. I wondered if that was even true anymore. I allowed the world to bend me so much I was on the brink of breaking. And I allowed Adrian to keep me captive. If that wasn't taming, then I didn't know what was. But Adrian isn't here right now, my mind supplied and I finally found myself rounding the full circle and going back to the important information Mason had mentioned. The thing that could change everything. Two groups, three shifts, and double rounds. Less if there was almost no one around. This was my chance. I could make a run for it.

Escaping was an option I never abandoned. If I had, that would have meant I gave up. I was many things, but a quitter wasn't one of them. Perhaps Adrian was right and the world outside placed a target on my back that would follow me wherever I went, but he claimed I'd be safer with them and after the car-chasing shoot off I wasn't exactly all that convinced by his promises. Maybe those people weren't after me at all. Maybe they were after him and he was just using me as a shield. So maybe there was a chance that he was wrong or lying in order to make me more compliant. All I knew was that I didn't want to be a pawn in anyone's game and I really, really wanted to go home. And now I finally had a chance to try.

I jumped to my feet hastily and then forced myself to regain my composure, calmly picking up my plate and disposing of my food. I slowly made my way up the stairs, glancing around to make sure no one was there. Once at the top, instead of turning to head to my room, I chose the opposite direction, hoping that my destination didn't need fingerprint access too. It was the door right next to the study, one of the doors I wasn't allowed past. I gripped the knob, breathing in and out slowly before I dared to push it down. It tipped and clicked, the door moving forward almost effortlessly. It was unlocked, how freaking unexpected! I quickly slipped inside, easing the door to a close before switching the light on.

Even if I didn't know whose room I'd walked into, it wouldn't be hard to guess. The first thing I noticed was an enormous, white, tufted bed with dark purple covers and large pillows. I think it was safe to call it the king among king-sized beds. It could easily and comfortably accommodate four people at least. The twin nightstands that rounded the bed each had posh, silver table lamps on top of them and the fluffy carpet before the bed looked so amazing and soft I'd probably chose to sleep on it instead of the bed if given the chance. Everything else was in various shades of grey and silver, glass and shiny surfaces. Classy, bold and extravagant... yes, this room screamed Adrian.

Sadly, I didn't really have a lot of time on my hands, so checking it out more or snooping around was not really an option, despite the fact that I felt very curious. Adrian, on first glance, seemed like an open book, but even his room showed that his words weren't the only thing about him that could be vague and lacking anything revealing. The space around me looked more like a hotel room or one of those fancy settings they made in furniture stores. No pictures, mementos, no personal belongings whatsoever.

I sighed and pushed myself to finally move, racing towards the bed and grabbing the sheets. I tugged them towards me and rolled them in a messy ball to make them easier to carry. I wondered if I needed to rob Dimitri's room as well, especially since it would have been pretty satisfying after what he did to my apartment, but I decided I had more than enough material for the planned purposes. I guess if everything went well now, I'd never get a chance to see what was hidden behind Dimitri's door. Though I was pretty certain that if his room reflected his character I wouldn't learn much about it either.

Once I stripped everything I could, I dashed towards the door and popped my head out first, scanning the quiet hallway. My heart began playing ping pong with my chest and I instinctively held my breath in as I slid across the hallway and escaped into the relative safety of the room I still hardly ever called mine. With my back against the door, I huffed, letting the purple mess slide from my embrace onto the floor. I gave myself a moment before I skipped over Adrian's sheets and attacked the ones that were on the bed before me.

This better fucking work, I thought as I grabbed two sheets by their edges and began tying them together. I was fairly convinced I was going to break at least one bone during my endeavors, but this was the only escaped route I actually managed to think through a little. I needed to wait though, I'd concluded as I snuck a peek at the window. There was that short time when the daylight was almost gone and the outdoor lighting wasn't yet turned on that was perfect for my escape. Visibility or rather the lack of it was just one more advantage I could use right about now. I just had to hope the rest of the household wouldn't come back and that Mason and McCall wouldn't go for a stroll in the meantime.

I got up and went to the other side of the bed, placing my palms firmly on the frame and digging my feet into the floor. I took a few quick breaths and then pushed with all of my strength. The bed moved but made too much noise, so I paused and carefully listened to check if I drew anyone's attention. The house remained deathly quiet so I pushed again and again until the bed bumped against the wall next to the window. I slumped down, feeling my muscles burn. I really needed to start going to the gym. I glanced out the window again and nervously bit my lips. I was bad at sitting around and waiting so finally I decided to do one more thing before leaving.

I went back downstairs, peering towards the window near the entrance. Mason's red hair caught my eye and I felt more confident now that I knew where at least one of the guards was. I made my way back into the kitchen and went straight for the drawer with the cutlery. I took the very knife Adrian challenged me to attack him with and carefully tucked it into the back pocket of my jeans, glad that it had its casing because I really didn't want to accidentally carve up my butt.

I heard footsteps which gave me only a few seconds to close the drawer and pull my shirt over the knife. I turned around just as McCall showed up and gave me a polite smile while he asked: "Any of the food left? I skipped lunch."

"I think there are some leftovers in the fridge", I blurted out, inching towards the dining room.

Clearly, he didn't find my behavior, presence or extra amount of sweat suspicious since he just nodded and surpassed me, leaving me to my business. If my heart was thumping loud earlier, now it was hammering its way out of my chest and echoing through the entire house. The plus side of my encounter with McCall though, was that I knew where he was too.

The walk to my room seemed way longer than usual and when I was finally there I was past the point of being able to wait. I tied the rope of sheets I'd made around the bedpost and then pushed the window wide open. I popped my head out and scanned the yard before I took out the knife and hurled it into the grass. Casing or not, I didn't want any sharp objects anywhere near me on my way down. I pushed the sheets out of the window and fought to hold back a groan when I realized they barely reached the first floor. Guess I should have stolen Dimitri's sheets too after all. Then not only would my rope reach the ground, but it'd also smell fantastic between his and Adrian's cologne. Why the hell am I thinking about their colognes?

"Focus Rose", I warned myself quietly, climbing on the window-sill and throwing my legs over to the other side.

Heaven help me, I thought as I grabbed the sheets and rolled them around my hands, taking an unsteady breath before slipping down to the first knot. The homemade rope shook and the material made an alarming cracking sound, but it didn't give under my weight. I'm a fucking genius, I encouraged myself as I began climbing down. And then my foot slipped just as I was about to reach the last knot and I ungracefully tumbled to the ground, hitting it hard enough to knock all the air out of my lungs. I'm a fucking idiot, I thought as I rolled onto my side and coughed into the grass, feeling my way around my body for any broken or twisted parts. I pushed myself onto my knees and crawled towards the place where the knife fell, picking it up before I stood up and ran towards the first bushes. One of my ankles ached, but I ignored it since I couldn't afford to move slowly.

As soon as I had some cover I scanned my surroundings again, making sure there was no one around. I hope Adrian doesn't have boobytraps all over the place. Since the coast was clear I took off towards what I hoped was the way out of this gaudy prison trying to stay close to the greenery and keeping my head down. Every second passed by agonizingly slow and every ruffle of leaves gave me a mini heart attack and then out of nowhere I ran into the fence.

I glanced up and frowned because of course, nothing was going to be easy for me. What am I a fucking ninja? If climbing down from windows wasn't hard enough now I had to climb up and over this damn thing. I extended my hand and carefully brushed the fence because I seriously wouldn't be surprised if Adrian had an electric one built. Satisfied that I didn't get killed so close to being out of here I latched onto to the fence and dug my leg into it.

Click. I froze so solidly an iceberg would envy me and felt cold sweat washing over me instantly. I couldn't breathe and I could hardly make myself even glance over my shoulder, let alone face the person that was most likely pointing a gun at the back of my head.

"Step away from the fence", a voice that was familiar despite its newly acquired sharpness instructed.

I uncurled my fingers at the command feeling unsteady as I slowly turned to face Mason. Looks like it was triple rounds after all. Adrian really had an admirable set of employees. Mason shook his gun to the side, indicating I should start walking in that direction, but I didn't move. This was it, all or nothing, I thought as I gathered the courage to speak.

"Go ahead and just shoot me right now. I'm not going back."

"Rose, don't be stupid", he warned, stepping closer, "Let's just go back inside and I don't even have to tell anyone what you did or, well, tried to do."

"No."

"Rose—."

"Mason, please, I just... I want to go home. Please."

"You really think you can make it?", he asked, his brow rising in a challenge.

"I don't know", I breathed out, feeling a chill run through my body, "But if you give me a chance, I might. No one will know that you let me go. With a few seconds difference, you wouldn't have even seen me. You can just finish your round, go to fake check on me and then alert everyone when you fake find out I'm gone. It'll give me a head start and you won't get in trouble. Please, please give me a chance."

He fixed my eyes with such intensity for a moment he had me thinking of his bosses. He really picked up a lot from them. He didn't have that hard look when I first saw him. And it didn't seem natural, it just seemed well practiced. No way he was going to betray Adrian and Dimitri. You fucked up Rose, it's over. He took another step towards me and a shaky sigh escaped me, but then he lowered his gun and nodded.

I blinked at him a few times, not believing my eyes, but when he made an impatient expression I remembered to start moving. I grabbed the fence and started climbing, slowing down only to maneuver my body onto the other side. I slipped down and then just jumped when I was halfway to the ground, my ankle practically screaming at me now. I looked through the grid that separated me from Mason only to see him staring at me, his gun hanging loosely in his hand. I mouthed thank you and he just simply whispered: "Good luck."

And then we both took off, praying for the best outcome.

Hey everyone, hope you're having a great weekend and that you enjoyed this chapter! I'm gonna keep this AN short and just thank everyone (again) for following, reading and reviewing this story! As always, let me know what you think about today's update and I hope I'll "see" y'all next week!

XOXO T!

Songs: Control - Halsey, The Mountain - Three Days Grace