A/N

Thank you so very much for all the love! I love your enthusiasm, and those sweet reviews! I apologise for the late update, I had most of this chapter done but then I got busy and couldn't finish it!

Mitrioselove, thank you, you're truly a badass editor, and the best beta anyone could ever ask for! Though, you're an even better friend ;)

I don't own VA, Richelle Mead does, I only wish I could be as amazing as she is! I do own the plot and new characters though ;)

Summer Romance.

Chapter 20.

"What the fuck is he doing here?" I hissed pacing a track back and forth once we were alone.

Lissa's eyes narrowed at my swearing and she bit her lip for a second. To me that second felt like minutes, I did not have the time or patients for this. There was a reason why something in my gut had screamed at me to get to her, and though the reason was unclear at the moment I knew better than to doubt my instincts.

"What has he ever done to you Rose?" I shook my head.

"Nothing Liss, I just don't like the likes of him, much." Lissa rolled her eyes.

"You sound like your father," She stated bluntly. I had to agree.

It wasn't like me to be so sceptical about people, especially people who seemed as nice as Deandre did but there was just something about him. I might not have a valid reason for not trusting him much less for trusting him alone with Lissa without trying something, but as stated before my gut had never been wrong about anyone. And I did not think it was going to start now.

"Because he is my father, now will you answer the dam question?" I snapped. I had not meant to, but her avoiding my question was really starting to piss me off. The fact that my brain chose that exact moment to remember the weird conversation I'd had with a random stranger in the coffee shop the other day did not help matters.

Flashback.

I was out scouring for some of those Russian trinkets I'd heard so much about. The clock was ticking, and soon I would be heading home so I thought I might get an early start on my shopping. Surprisingly despite the size of Baia, there really was everything a person could ever need here. From malls to convenient stores, they had it all and I was going to make myself familiar while I had the time.

Dimitri was at work but he and I were going to meet up in a couple hours, but time really did fly when you're having fun. Lissa and Deandre, Kayla's brother had been hanging out a lot, but she had never brought him to our hotel something I was grateful for. I did not know why, but for some reason I did not like him.

I had been too caught up in my thoughts and not been minding my business, because suddenly I found myself crashing into a strong chest. I was about to apologize I had after all been the one to walk into this unsuspecting person, but upon looking up though; I realized I knew who it was.

None other than Christian Ozera stood looking down at me, his hands resting on my shoulders in his attempt to steady me. I looked around to see if he was with anyone but it did not seem like he was. Avery was nowhere in sight. Something I took as a good sign, but when he told me that he had been at Tasha's a while ago, my hopes fell. I refused to believe that this was it for him and Lissa though and said as much.

We went in to a nearby coffee shop to get out of the heat and we both thought that since we were already there, we might as well milk it for all it was worth. Just because both Christian and I were a bit iffy as to where his relationship or lack thereof stood with Lissa did not mean that we couldn't enjoy some ice lattes and pastries, we were still friends.

Friends who were always at the other's throat with our constant bantering. And I knew to anyone who didn't know us but happened to see the way we interacted with each other, they would say that we weren't friends. Maybe they would say that we were just acquaintances, but they didn't know us. I'd excused myself to go use the bathroom, when I ran into him, literally.

Naturally, I was ready to let the cuss words fly. What can I say I wouldn't be me if I didn't have the mouth of a sailor, but he apologised and reached out to steady me before I could smirk fully in place. Then he went on introducing himself.

His name was Dominic. He had a Russian accent like everyone else in this place did, but those bright blue eyes; curly blond hair and lack of a Russian name spoke of heritage out of Russia. He looked American, and the lighter Russian accent was proof enough that he had indeed spent some time in the states. Honestly, he was cute. Oh don't get me wrong now; I said he was cute not hot. Dimitri was hotness reincarnated, this guy was just cute, and others might even find him hot but not me. His cuteness or hotness or whatever was forgotten as he spoke though.

"Hey, it's Rose right?" My eyes widened at that. How the hell did this guy know my name? Upon further study, I realized that he did look familiar. I'd seen him here on more than one occasion because Lissa and I frequented this place. I nodded.

"Yes and you are?" I kept my guard up not willing to take any chances with this guy. I may have seen him here many times before, but that did not mean I knew him.

For all I knew he could've been a news reporter or something, just waiting to take a picture of me. A complication I did not need nor want right now. It was bad enough that Dimitri didn't know of my relationship with Adrian, I could only imagine what would happen if pictures of me suddenly surfaced. I could just picture the headlines.

"I'm Dominic. I just wanted to warn you about that guy Deandre your friend has been hanging out with." I wish I could tell you how many times my eyes flew around the room looking for any sign of a camera, but I can't really remember. I found none, just a bunch of people sipping on various drinks and munching on pastries. A completely normal setting, but still I could not help my paranoia.

"They're friends," I said. Even I could hear how defensive I sounded. Dominic's eyes narrowed.

"I see the way she looks at him, that's more than friendship." I rolled my eyes. What the hell was he even getting at? Lissa didn't look at Deandre in any particular way, there was only one guy for her and that was Christian. She would never give anyone else the time of day. But even as I thought of that, I knew that this Dominic guy was on to something.

"That's none of your business," I said angrily. "So unless you actually have something worth telling, leave me the fuck alone." Ok so that was a bit uncalled for but he deserved it and any sane person would've done the exact same thing in my position.

"Look," He said rolling his eyes not at all phased by my swearing. "I happen to know this guy really well ok, and I can tell you that he is not very good company for a pretty girl like your friend."

"Uh-huh," I said eyes narrowed. "And I suppose you are?" Dominic shook his head.

"Rose, Deandre is nothing but a player. He might seem all nice and charming, but he is anything but." I didn't want to believe Dominic, but why would he lie about something like that? The truth hit me like a slap in the face. He would not because he had no reason to.

"Ok, tell me everything." And tell me he did.

End of flashback.

Apparently, Dominic knew Deandre from high school, and they had at one point been best friends. Until Deandre screwed it up when he screwed Dominic's sister, literally. According to Dominic, he had known that they had been dating, but that wasn't even what had pissed him off. No, it was the child who was robbed of a father, and the mother who was left nursing a broken heart and the unfamiliar world of motherhood.

"We were just hanging out," Lissa said. I jumped slightly as her voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"We had lunch together and both wanted to hang out some more so I suggested a movie but since we didn't want to go to the movies, I suggested here." Yeah, Deandre didn't want to go to the movies because he didn't want to pick up the bill like a reel fucking man. I knew better than to say that to Lissa though. So instead, I just nodded.

"Liss, just be careful, ok?" I told her, "I just don't want you getting hurt."I meant every word. If that fucking asshole hurt her I would have his head, and I would not stop until I could mount it on my parent's mantel. Lissa rolled her eyes, but the answering smile she shot me told me just how much she appreciated my looking out for her.

"I will, Rose. When am I not?" I laughed outright at that, she was right. Lissa was nothing if not careful. She turned to go back to Deandre, but I stopped her before she could.

"Whatever happened to Christian, remember him? I thought you were going to wait for his decision." Lissa spun around in surprise and I have to admit I surprised myself as well. I had not meant to say that to her, but I sure as hell would be lying if I said that I had not been thinking those exact words.

"What are you talking about? Of course I remember him. I also remember saying to him that I'm not going to wait for very long, and it's been weeks." My eyes narrowed. Was she actually considering dating Deandre? God, I hoped not.

"Are you actually considering dating him, Lissa?" I asked eyes still narrowed.

"Honestly Rose I don't know. It's just that I don't really have anyone else to hang out with here. You're always with Dimitri and I don't have a problem with that, in fact I love that you've found someone like him, but that leaves me alone and bored most of the time. Deandre is always there to hang out with."

So maybe she wasn't planning on dating him, but she was right. I'd been so caught up in my relationship with Dimitri that I didn't stop to think of what she was doing in my absence. Our runs were pretty much the only thing we've been doing together lately and that was kind of my fault.

"God Liss, I'm…" She held her hand up to silence me and quite frankly I was shocked by the fierce look on her face so much so that I shut up and listened to what she had to say.

"Don't you dare say that you're sorry, Rose. You always put everyone first, it's about time that you put you first. I don't know if you see it, but you're a changed woman since you and Dimitri got together. You're happier, it radiates off you in waves. And for that I'm truly happy. I should've noticed that you and Adrian weren't good for each other."

It was honestly weird to hear Lissa talk like that. I was touched that she was happy for me, but at the same time I didn't like her implication that Adrian and I weren't good for each other. Maybe she was right, but I did not like hearing it. We obviously didn't last forever, but we did have some really great times.

"Liss don't talk like that. Adrian and I were good for each other, just not for a long term relationship. We did love each other, but we were not meant to be forever. I know that now and I'm not even all that mad at Sydney anymore. Actually, I'm not mad at her period. We had a pretty civil conversation the other day."

I saw Lissa's curiosity peek in the slight smile that curved at her lips. And so, I launched into the tale of how I ran in to Sydney when I visited the hospital. When I was done, Lissa went back to Deandre and I took some time for myself.

Some time later, I climbed into bed even though it was the middle of the day, something I had not done in a while and picked up where I'd left off in my book. I felt so much calmer now that I knew that Lissa was ok, and the fact that I knew she was right next door certainly helped me relax further. But as always, something would have to interrupt my moment of peace.

I growled slightly as a knock sounded at my door. It wasn't that I didn't want visitors; it was just that moments like the one I was experiencing did not happen very often. Ever since I got here, I hadn't had a moment where I could just relax. Don't get me wrong now, I loved that I've been spending so much time with Dimitri, but sometimes a girl could do with some time to herself. Even back home I was always on the go so moments like these were rare.

The knock sounded once more, and with a sigh I stood and walked over to the door. Upon yanking it open, I stared at who stood before me.

"Are you here to see Lissa?" His icy blues sparkled slightly as a smirk played at his lips.

"No, I'm here to see you. Or is that wrong?" I shook my head at him, but I could not help but stare for a second more. "Are you going to let me in?"

"Smartass," I snapped grabbing his hand and pulling him inside. As the sounds of the movie Lissa and Deandre were watching reached Christian's ears, he shot me a confused look.

"She's home?" I nodded. "Whose with her?" I sighed as I sank down on the bed knowing that he was not going to like the answer.

"Deandre," I said nervously. Christian's eyes widened and his hands balled into fists. As for me, well I mentally prepared myself to do damage control if the need arose. I just hoped he did not set my room on fire.

But I did not need to worry. Christian got up, paced a track around my room, punched the wall a few times in frustration, took a few breaths in an attempt to calm down, and then he came back and sat down beside me as though he hadn't just punched a wall. I stared struck stupid but he met my gaze with an innocent look.

"Christian you're an ass." I stated grandly. The smirk never left his lips as he nodded.

"I know." I rolled my eyes.

"So why are you here?" I asked then realized how mean that sounded. I was going to ask the question in a slightly nicer way, but this was Christian. If there was anyone who was used to my jabs it was him, and he did not mind it.

"Oh no reason, I just wanted to come hang with you cause I'm bored." Ok, I needed to call my parents because the world was seriously about to end. My face may have portrayed exactly what I was thinking because Christian burst out laughing.

"Seriously Rose, let's just play some video games or something." He said in between peals of laughter. I couldn't help but join in.

Some time later, we were having a full out video game fest in my room. I ended up having popcorn in my hair because Christian had the balls to throw some at me. Of course, I retorted with some popcorn of my own, and then it was a full on food war. We were both taking a break as we chugged some water when we heard it.

"No, Deandre please." She sounded terrified, and I instantly felt my anger ready to boil over.

My hands balled into fists as I tried to keep control. Everything Dominic had said to me back at the coffee shop came rushing back to me. I wanted to tell Christian everything I'd been told, but now did not seem like the right time. Not when the anger was radiating off him in waves. I feared that he might flip out and set me on fire.

As one we stood, and I was once again hit by a memory. This time it was one from back in high school when Christian and I had to work together to bring the younger kids to safety when a fire had been set in their classroom. It was small, an experiment gone wrong, but nothing worth getting worked up over, but they were a few years younger than we were, and did not know any better.

I was about to ask Christian if this reminded him of anything, but he took off in the direction of her room before I could. I was about to go after him, but then I froze. This might be the wake up call both he and Lissa needed. Something was wrong I knew it like I had before. The feeling coursing through me was like it had been back at the diner, so I knew that Christian barging in there ready to save the day was a pretty good idea. But there was no way that I could just sit there while he went in for the kill.

I'd known all along that Deandre was not to be trusted; I'd known that Lissa should not have been hanging out with him, but convincing her to stay away had proven futile so many times before. Now as I stood in the door to her room, I knew I should've tried harder. I also wanted to snap Deandre's skinny neck.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Christian boomed. Never in the time I'd known him had I heard him use that tone on anyone and I had to admit that it was a bit scary. His icy blues seemed even colder now and I knew without a doubt that if that anger was directed at me I would've been taking a few steps back.

Deandre on the other hand was either stupid or in sane, because he made no move to back away from Lissa who was pinned to the wall held in place by his body. Her frantic eyes met mine and I had to stop myself from telling her I told you so.

Christian took a menacing step toward the pair and Lissa's eyes grew even wider. Deandre even started looking scared, but he made no move to back away. Yes, he was definitely stupid. I couldn't help myself. I walked into the room and stood at Christian's side.

"Take your filthy hands off her, now!" It must have been a coincidence, but Christian and I had said the exact same words at the very same time. And, we got the reaction we wanted.

Deandre untangled his hands from in Lissa's hair and took a few steps back. I saw it moments before it happened, Christian got right up in Deandre's face the moment he knew Lissa was safe. One second Christian's hands were fisted at his sides and the next he was cocking his arm back and aiming straight for Deandre's face. It was in that moment that I saw the karate instructor I hadn't seen since we got here.

"Christian don't." It was Lissa's voice that broke the tension and saved Deandre from getting a broken nose. She'd snapped out of her stunned state and was now stood at my side. Christian whirled around in surprised fist still raised to strike.

"Why not? Are you suddenly into men who push you beyond your comfort zone, Lissa?" Those eyes that had been cold and hard moments before softened slightly and I could see the obvious longing in them. Fury burnt just beneath the surface though, and I knew Lissa saw it as well.

"He wasn't…"

"Don't start, don't you fucking start!" Lissa's eyes widened slightly whether it was at Christian's tone or because it was directed at her I did not know. But then her gaze shifted and hardened as she took up a more defensive stance. As if Christian would ever attack her...

"Will you two just fucking stop it? This is not the time. Liss, what did Deandre do to you? And don't tell me nothing," I demanded before she could start. Sometimes, I just wanted to rip my fucking hair out because my best friend and her annoying boyfriend pissed me off to no end. She sighed and opened her mouth to say something but she was cut off by none other than her guest.

"I was simply trying to kiss her," Deandre said. Was this guy really that stupid? Maybe he had a death wish, why the hell else would he say something so idiotic when Christian was standing there as pissed as a hippo.

"Yes," Lissa said loudly as I took up a position between the two men. "I did tell you no, didn't I? Next fucking time you should listen to me and then none of this would happen." I was more shocked at the fact that she'd just sworn than the fact that her hands were balled into fists and she looked like she was imagining Deandre's neck between her fingers.

This time when Christian flew passed me in a flurry of blue jeans and black t-shirt, I could do nothing to stop him. His eyes were dead set on Deandre, and I knew that he was too far gone to pay very much attention to anything happening around him. So, I was forced to watch and hope that he had enough control to not hit him. I was seriously doubting that, but he surprised me when he just lifted Deandre up by his shirt. Granted he did slam him up against the wall, but that was different and in my opinion Deandre deserved it and so much more. Hell, I wanted to be the one to pummel him with my fists.

"If you ever touch her like that ever again without her permission," Christian practically growled, "I will make sure you could see your own intestines, permanently. Do you hear me?" Deandre struggled to nod because of Christian's arm pressing against his throat but in the end he succeeded.

"Good, now get the fuck out of here." Christian let go of the other man who fell to the floor in a crumpled heap of a gasping sputtering mess.

"I said get out!" Christian had no patients, and I couldn't blame him for it. If Deandre had any sense he would've gotten the hell out of there the moment he hit the ground. Thankfully Christian's booming voice sent him scampering to his feet and dashing out the door in seconds.

I waited for Christian to calm down, it was as though he was sucking every bit of air right out of the room with his anger, but the pissed off look stayed on his face. He was fuming, completely livid and I knew that Lissa was not going to be spared. Not that he had any right to be as pissed as he was at her, seeing as how it was because he didn't tell her about his whatever it was he had with Avery, I still refused to admit that they actually had a relationship, was what caused this mess in the first place. I was about to tell him just that, but he beat me to it as he stormed over to where Lissa stood beside me.

"And you," He said angrily. "What the hell do you think you're doing? Don't you remember whose brother he is? Seriously Lissa, I thought you had standards."

"Excuse me?" Lissa was pissed now and I could not really blame her, but Christian was jealous. Of course, Lissa didn't notice the obvious jealousy radiating off him, or she was too blinded by the anger coursing through her to care.

"Who the hell do you think you are to talk to me like that? You are aware that if you'd just told me about you and Avery none of this would've happened, right?" Christian's eyes narrowed and his hands clenched into fists.

"Oh for fuck's sake, will you two just fucking stop and listen to yourselves? Do you see what keeping secrets could cause?" I felt a pang in my chest at the mention of keeping secrets. Who the hell was I to lecture them about keeping secrets when I was doing the same thing? I decided that it didn't matter. This was not about me. It was time that they saw sense and I would be the one to make that happen if I had to be.

"I didn't keep any secret, Rose." Lissa said eyes still blazing with her earlier anger.

"I know, but maybe you guys shouldn't have this conversation now. Christian you need to cool off before you say something that you'll regret. And Liss, you to."

"Whatever," Christian grumbled before turning around and making a beeline for the door. I told Lissa that I would be back and took off after him.

"What the hell was that, Ozera?" Maybe I was coming on a bit harshly, but he needed to chill out. His eyes snapped to mine as an incredulous look came over his face.

"Are you seriously asking me that, Rose? For fucking weeks I've tried to ignore her hanging out with him, for weeks I tried to pretend that I didn't see the change in her. But the thing is that I saw it, and I didn't know how to fix it!"

"So what you're saying is that you are jealous of Deandre and Lissa's friendship or whatever it is that they have going?" I asked already knowing the answer. Christian rolled his eyes but he shook his head. "Yeah, deny it all you want Ozera, I know the truth."

"Whatever help me, Rose. How do I make Lissa see sense?" I shook my head. I didn't have the answer to that, lord knew I tried myself to do that but Lissa was just so dam stubborn.

"Don't say you don't know, you're her best friend, you guys practically grew up together, no one knows her better than you do." That was true, but I really was at a loss.

"Christian, I want to help you I really do but I don't know how to. I tried to make her see sense, but she's too stubborn." He sighed before muttering that he knew.

"So, since you want to get back with Liss, does that mean that you've figured out what it is you feel for Avery?" Christian nodded and both my eyebrows shot up in question. He opened his mouth ready to explain but a knock at the door stopped him. I growled slightly annoyed at being interrupted. What the hell was it with people and knocking at the weirdest of times?

As I walked over to the door and opened it though, my annoyance faded only to be replaced by confusion. The person standing there was not someone I would've expected to see any time soon, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't delighted.

A/N

So, thoughts? Any ideas as to who's at the door? Looks like Rose was right about Deandre, huh? Any ideas as to what's going to happen next? Anyone else thinking it's about time Lissa and Christian get back together? Let me know, just hit that review button, you know you want to… :D

Review lovelies and you'll run into Dimitri while shopping…Maybe he'll take you for a coffee… :P

XXXX

Roza