Chapter Fourteen

Dimitri

"Well, would you look at this, you're a certified cowboy now," Adrian laughed, breaking through the peace I just barely managed to find.

After tearing apart mine and Rose's room, as well as Eddie and Ryder's, I left the house in search of solitude to think through Rose's note. Several things weren't sitting right with me about it, mainly the fact that she told us to leave if she doesn't come back.

Was she really that worried that she wouldn't make it back home? Or is it something more?

I quickly found myself back in the barn, admiring all of the features; such as the woodwork of the stalls, the hay bins that were built into slides for easy access, and the watering system. Abe didn't cut any corners having this built, and I am overwhelmed with the gesture. However, it didn't help a bit when it came to figuring out why Rose left.

I spent an hour or so just walking the ground floor, memorizing the layout, before climbing the iron latter up to the hayloft. Looking at the bed where I had been mere hours ago with Rose, I felt a slew of emotions.

Love, of course, remembering the feeling, the connection, we shared. But anger was there too, only for a second, for her leaving without a word. Nothing about last night would have led me to believe she was planning on running. Trust me, I learned my lesson the first time. If she had yelled at me and told me love fades again, I would have run right after her. But this time was different. More surprises.

Now, though, all I feel is fear.

I know she wouldn't leave without good reason, even if I don't believe it to be a valid excuse, she wouldn't run unless there was something, or someone, pushing her forward.

Ryder.

I don't know that he is the reason for this, but he is the outsider, and I still struggle with letting go of his history with Rose, so I am placing my bet on him being, at least, partially responsible.

"You going to come down, or do I have to come up?"

"Did you get through to her?" I rose my brow, finally looking down at him.

"No," he sighed, bringing his hand to his forehead to shield his eyes, "but if she is in the U.S. still, she wouldn't be asleep anyway."

"Then I'm good right here." I nodded toward the house, "You should get back inside, I can see the sweat on your shirt."

"Are you going to stay out here all day?"

"Possibly," I shrugged.

His chin fell to his chest, shoulders slumping forward, as he muttered something, but I couldn't hear his exact words.

"What did you say?"

"You're not the only one she left," he spoke louder, looking back up to me, "I get how you felt when we left St. Vlad's now. But she asked us to keep going, so that's what we need to do."

"You get how I feel," I scoffed, "that's rich, Ivashkov, really rich."

"What is that supposed to mean," he snapped back.

"My fiance has left me once again for whatever game it is that she is playing, and you want to 'sympathize' like you what this feels like. Well, let me tell you something, Adrian, you have no idea."

"Maybe not, but being an asshole isn't going to make her magically reappear," his voice rose to the point of screaming. "You know as well as I do that she wouldn't just leave for the fuck of it, something is wrong and you need to 'saddle up' and help me figure it out."

"And how do you plan on doing that?" I tilted my head, giving him a second to come up with an answer, which, no surprise, he didn't have. "I have read the letter a dozen times, she isn't answering her phone, none of them are, we have nothing to go off of, Adrian, nothing."

"Maybe…." he trailed out before his mind took off at hyperspeed, pulling me in,

Ryder… unlikely, he feels indebted to Rose, she got him out.

Eddie… he wouldn't run, not with the way he lights up around Ryder.

What?

But that explains why they both went with her.

But why take Sage? Beautiful fucking, Sage, what purpose does she serve?

Really, Adrian? Sage?

Lissa... and Chris, too.

I know Christian has been a little salty, but they talked about it. Did something else happen that we don't know about? Or maybe, it's just Lissa, after all, she left the Academy because of her, and Eddie, well, and Dimitri too, I guess, but really, it was because of Lissa. She didn't want to choose, to put her in danger…

It was more than that, I silently admitted to myself. Rose simply wasn't happy anymore, she didn't want to live the predetermined lifestyle, she wanted to make her own future. Looking back, I can't really blame her, especially considering how wonderful it has turned out to be. Well, that is up until this morning.

Robert.

Robert was gone when Dimitri and Abe showed up.

He wanted Liss to take the throne, and my Aunt killed, but surely, if he was going after her, or having someone else do it, she would tell me, right? She knows how close I am to Aunt Tatiana. Or is she….

No. No. She would never, Adrian, you know that, focus.

Robert, it has to be him, has to be.

But why not tell us? Why run? She should know we would help her.

Shaking my head, I force myself back into my own mind, "He has something on her."

"How much of that did you hear," he groaned.

"I'm pretty sure all of it," I chuckled, "but don't worry, your secret is safe with me."

"Better be," he muttered, "what could he possibly have on her?"

Running my fingers through my hair, I stop at the back of my neck, squeezing tightly in a desperate attempt to relieve some of the tension, "I don't know, but if she felt we were in danger with her here, she would take the fight somewhere else. She will always put us first."

"Why does she have to be so damn dedicated?"

"She's a Hathaway," I shrugged because really, need I say more. Janine may be a horrible mother, but she is a damn good Guardian.

"Yeah, and half Mazur," Adrian chuckled, "I'll say one thing, if it is Robert, and she gets her hands on him…" his head shook side to side, a smile on his face, "the guy is as good as dead."

"I shouldn't condone that, but I hope you're right." Moving away from the ledge, I climb down the latter to meet Adrian outside. I toss my arm over his shoulder, turning us toward the house, "come on, you need to get back inside."

He nodded silently, following my lead.

We barely managed half a mile before he couldn't walk anymore. One thing I have learned quickly about Texas, the sun is brutal. In the week we have been here, I have already darkened a few shades, so I know it's far too much for Adrian's sensitive moroi skin.

Bending down, I lay him over my shoulders to carry him fireman style the rest of the way and make a mental note to buy some type of all-terrain vehicle to drive from the house to the barn. We would need one for when we buy our horses anyway.

"I'll get you some water," I told Adrian as I lay him down on the couch.

"Thanks," he whispered, his eyes falling shut.

"What happened to him," Neil, elbow deep in suds, nodded toward the living room.

"Too much sun," I shrugged, opening the fridge I pull a bottle of water from the door and open it before handing it to Adrian.

"Yeah, Texas is no joke," Neil chuckled, but his smile quickly vanished with his next statement. "My mom grew up here, down near Galveston, she used to complain all the time about how hot it got during the summers."

"I'm sorry."

I didn't need to say any more for him to know what I was apologizing for, and he didn't need to explain the details. I haven't spent much time with him, but much like myself, he takes his job seriously and will do anything you ask of him. Death has a habit of doing that to a person. It makes you realize how easily something can be taken away from you.

"So, were you able to find anything out?"

I leaned back against the counter, gripping the granite slate tightly, "Not really," I sigh, "he can't reach her because she isn't asleep, we don't know where they went, or why they left to begin with."

"Have you called Queen Tatiana?" He rose a brow, rinsing off the last plate, he set it in the drying rack, "see if she knows anything?"

"No," I grab a towel and start wiping the dishes, "I doubt Rose would have told her."

"Doesn't hurt to try, though. Who knows, Rose may be a court right now, it's worth a shot at least."

"I'll have him call once he comes around." I nodded toward Adrian. Even if I truly don't believe she is anywhere near the court, he's right, doesn't hurt to try.

We finished the dishes and settled into the living room. Neil turned on the TV, watching some type of singing competition show, and I turned the pages of one of my favorite paperbacks. My eyes lock onto the page, but the words are lost to me, for my mind is still running with Adrian's earlier thoughts.

There aren't many reasons Rose would up and leave like this, the only logical answer is that someone is threatening her, or us. She isn't one to run away from the fight, but rather toward, which is why I am certain that the threat is toward one us, not her.

The real question is, who?

I have ruled myself out by default because I simply have nothing anyone could hold against me, but Adrian and Lissa do. Between their lineage and unique element, they are both high-profile targets.

Which is why she told us to leave, they know where we are.

Who they are, I don't know, but I'm not going to wait a week to find out. We needed to leave now, and figure out the details later.

"Where are the others?" I asked Neil.

"They went into town, Lissa needed some 'items'."

"Call them and have them return immediately."Marking my page, I set the book on the coffee table. Neil rose a brow but didn't question me further.

Nudging Adrian, I instructed him to go pack a bag and headed back to my room to do the same. Locating my duffle in the closet, I pull it from the shelf, a sealed letter falling to the floor from the movement.

Comrade,

Call this number, he will take care of you.

I'm sorry I left the way I did, but I can't risk anything happening to you. Or her.

You are my everything, Dimitri, and I will make it back home. I promise.

I love you, stay safe, stay hidden, and I will call you when I can.

-Roza-

At the bottom was a number, but no name.

Checking the living area, both Neil and Adrian had gone to pack, so I shut my door and dialed the ten numbers. Holding the phone between my ear and shoulder, I continued my work, pulling my shirts from the closet, and socks from the drawer. The line rang for a while before a male's voice boomed through the speaker.

"Mikey's Diner, how can I help you?"

I stopped, pulling the phone from my ear, I stared at the screen as if we were on video chat. She couldn't really be serious, right?

"Hello," his voice rang through again, "anyone there?"

I didn't want to answer, considering the last time I talked to this man it was with my fist to his face, but Rose has to have a reason for leaving his number.

"Yes sir," I cleared my throat, what exactly am I supposed to tell him? Does he know where she is? And how is he supposed to help us? "Rose…"

I barely got her name out before he cut me off, "Hold on," he whispered. I heard a door open and close, "write down this address."He rattled off a house address in Queen Anne, "When are you leaving?"

"First thing in the morning," I took a quick look at my watch, it's just shy of noon, and I don't want to drive after dark, so it's best we leave in the morning. "But it's going to take two days to drive."

"Can you catch a flight? Would be much faster?"

"Yeah, and traceable. If we drive, we can avoid the paper trail."

"Is it that serious," his tone shifted to one of surprise, "She didn't tell me what was going on, but that she needed a favor."

I shook my head, before remembering he couldn't see me, "I don't know to be honest with you, but I would rather not risk it."

"Understood, just call this number when you are close and I will meet you at that address."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, Dimitri."

I hit the red button and slipped my phone in my back pocket, and placed my packed duffle at the foot of my bed.

I walked back into the living room at the same time Lissa and the others came through the front door, Grant and Serena looking a bit frazzled.

"Everything okay," I rose my brow to them.

"You tell us," Grant waved a hand, "pulling her out of Victoria Secret damn near caused World War III."

I laughed, knowing exactly what he went through. I have taken my fair share of shopping trips with Rose and Lissa.

"Sorry," I paused to clear my throat, "I know that wasn't easy, but we really needed you all here. It's not safe to be away from the house right now."

"What do you mean?" Christian asked.

"Come sit down." I led everyone into the living area and filled them in on the details.

Adrian and Neil had rejoined us, so I included the new note I found from Rose, letting them know she already has a place set for us to go but didn't mention the location. I don't believe the house to have been bugged, or one of them to be giving information out, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

"We are leaving in the morning, so each of you needs to pack, and have your bags ready tonight."

"Have you cleared this through the council," Serena asked.

"No, we do not answer to the Council," I informed, "We are under no assignment here, and by association, neither are you. We are free to move as we please, besides, the less they know, the better in this case."

"I did call Auntie, though," Adrian jumped in, "I heard you talking about it earlier."

"Did she say anything?" my heart fluttered with hope, only to nosedive with the look in his eyes and a shake of his head. "I knew it was a long shot," I shrugged.

But I think Abe is there. I rose my brow, I am pretty sure it was his voice I heard in the background, but I can't be positive.

I nodded, giving him a look to say, we will talk later, and turned the conversation back, "Have your bags in the foyer by ten, I'll load them tonight, and we will leave at sunrise."

With the final instructions given, I stood, Adrian following, and took him to my room. Shutting the door, I handed him the letters from Rose, the one found today, and the one from the cabin, "Do you see the difference in her handwriting?"

"Or her. Does she mean Liss or Auntie.."

"Or someone else," I finished for him.

"But who?"

"I don't know, but when she left the Academy, she named Lissa." Pointing to the lines, I showed him the difference, "She was specific about what she was doing, and why, but this, the way she wrote so small…" I shook my head, staring at the simple note, "something feels different like she doesn't even know."

"Well if this doesn't just keep getting better and better," he scoffed, "how are we supposed to help if she doesn't even know what she is doing?"

"I don't know, but even if I did, I think it's best that we just lay low and let her work it out. There are too many variables."

I have come to realize that the best course of action for us right now is to do nothing. As much as it pains me to leave her to fight this battle alone, with the number of unknowns on both parts, we would hinder her. I need to do what she needs of me and that is to protect our family.

"So, where are we going exactly?"

"Back to where it all started," I answered vaguely, "you will see in a few days."

I really should have been more specific when I told the group to pack their bags. Lissa's three large suitcases didn't surprise me, nor did Adrian's two, but the real shocker, Serena. For a Guardian, she really should know better, but lesson learned. I just hope there is enough room at this house for everything they brought.

I had planned to call Mikey once we hit Tacoma, about an hour south of Queen Anne, but with Lissa's insistence that we stop at some coffee shop in Portland that she and Rose used to go to, I decided to call him now.

"Are you finally going to tell me where the hell we're going? Seattle? Spokane? Freaking, Montana?" Adrian leaned over my shoulder from the back seat, trying to see the number I dialed.

"Seattle, now shush," holding the phone to my ear, Adrian's head next to mine, I waited for him to answer, "Hey, it's Dimitri," I said when he picked up.

"Where are you, you should have been in town hours ago," he gritted.

"Had a few unplanned stops," I rolled my eyes, looking into the cafe, "we should be there in about three hours."

With a few instructions on where to park and such, we disconnected just as the others joined us.

That was Mikey, wasn't it, Adrian's thoughts rang in my mind, his excitement evident. Oh fuck, I hope he makes me some pie, it's the best, you should try it.

"Really?" I spoke out loud, catching his eyes in the rearview.

Hey, once you eat it, you will understand.

The last leg of the trip passed with ease, no more unplanned detours, or traffic issues. Listening to the navigation, I made the necessary turns and pulled up in front of a two-story home in the middle of a massive subdivision. If the GPS hadn't said, "your destination is on the right", I would have never known.

Every single house looked identical, white paneling, same archways, same garages, same lawns. Exactly. The. Same. Cookie-cutter. Definitely not something I would ever buy, and certainly not a place I would think to look for a group of Moroi and Dhampirs.

Perfect.

Neil and I exit first, checking the exterior before knocking on the back door as instructed.

"Welcome," Mikey smiled, holding his hand out to me.

"Thank you," I shook his hand firmly, and pointed toward the front, "are we clear for them?"

"Yes, bring your vehicle into the garage, I just finished stacking the boxes, so there should be room now."

Stepping around him, I took my first look at the inside of the residence, while Neil brought the others in. There wasn't much here, a couch, a few dining chairs, and upstairs, which held three bedrooms. Looking over the layout, I counted the exits, windows, and interior doors, planning the best course of action for protection as well as retreat should it be needed.

Opening the last door upstairs to inspect the room, I heard a loud groan coming from the kitchen area.

"What's wrong," I shouted over the sound of my feet thudding against the stairs.

"Apple Pie," Adrian bellowed, wrapping his arms around the older Guardians waist, "I freaking love you, Mikey!"

"You have issues," Christian laughed.

I think we can all agree on that.

Haters.

"You're welcome, Jett, now let go," Mikey chuckled, prying Adrian's arms away. "Now, how long do you think this is going to last," he looked to me for the answer.

"I have no idea, have you been in contact with her since she left?"

"She called two days ago, said she had some things to take care of and she may need a place for her fiance and family to stay," his eyes bounced between me and Adrian. "I thought you two had already gotten married?"

"What?" Lissa screeched, "When did that happen," she glared at me.

"Rose and Jett were never married," I answered to Mikey, "I am the fiance, he is her best friend."

"That explains a lot," Mikey laughed.

"Sorry about that by the way, but I didn't know who to trust, all I knew was she was in trouble."

"In the past," he waved me off.

What did I miss?

"Nothing," I whispered to Adrian, and turned back to the group, "Liss, Chris, take the room in the back corner, Grant and Serena, share the one in the middle, and Adrian the first off the stairs. Neil and I will stay in the living room. We will work out a full shift later."

"There is another room off of the garage," Mikey pointed to the single door downstairs, "it's not much, but it's big enough for one."

"Neil, you can take that one, I'll stay in the living room."

He nodded and took off, as did the others, while I sat on the couch beside Mikey.

"Tell me, Dimitri, is Rose in any kind of trouble?"

I thought about his question for a moment, my immediate thought is to say yes, but really, is she? She left a trail of clues that are harder to decipher than the Da Vinci Code. Shaking my head, I give him the only honest answer I can.

"I don't have an answer to that, but hopefully, I will soon."

"Well, until then, you are welcome to stay here. Anything you need, anything at all, you call this number," I took the paper he held out, "No one knows this house is mine, and I don't believe you will be in any danger here. There are no wards, so you will need to fit that in your schedule, but there is an alarm system."

"Thank you, Mikey."

With a nod, he took his leave, allowing us to settle in on our own.

I leaned back into the couch, my head resting against the cushion, and my eyes started to close. I am beyond exhausted from the drive, and probably should settle the shifts and details before resting, but the pull of sleep is currently winning the battle of wills.

They will be fine for a few hours, I tell myself, and slip away, dreaming of one day when we can settle down at the ranch, start a family of our own, and not fear everything outside our front door.

One day, we will be able to stop running, but for now, I'll rest for the marathon.

Author's Note:

Thank you guys for hanging in there with me over these last few updates. I hate when life gets in the way and I can't get them to you as promised. With that being said, I am going to shift back to my old schedule, Sunday's and Thursday's, that seems to fit better with work and such.

Now, for this one, I know there was a lot of ground covered, 4k worth, so what are your thoughts.

We will be meeting up with Rose next, so keep a look out for that come Sunday.

Side Note: Are you following me on Facebook, then you know there is a new story coming your way soon. Join up, and keep a lookout for blurbs and the cover photo to go up in a week or so. When that story goes live, I will be doing a giveaway, which you can only win on FB.

All My Love, have a wonderful rest of your week,

Dream