A/N:
Hi, Guys
Here is the piece I wrote for the AU compilation!
It's a bit more edited. I might write a companion piece in DPOV...
R&R please!
Thanks,
K
So Much More
Summary: In an attempt to find her mother's killer, Rose takes to the streets. Little does she know what awaits her…
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Rose's father had been telling her for months to stop looking into her mother's death. "No good would come of it", he'd said. But Rose was determined to bring her mother's murderer to justice or die trying.
Now it seemed the latter was a real possibility. After months of investigating, following leads and winding up empty handed, Rose found herself at yet another dead end. Figuratively and literally.
Rose was in the worst part of town, dressed like a street walker to not raise suspicion, when she took a wrong turn into a long dark alley.
Rose's mother, the legendary Jeanine Hathaway, was the DA. She was a badass and won most her court cases. She was well on her way to winning over public opinion and running for local council when she was murdered. Rose knew it had to be because of a case she was working on.
She never talked about work at home, but Jeanine did have a home office. All her files were in a wall safe. Rose had cracked the combination easily enough as a young girl and never told her mother. When Jeanine was murdered, Rose went straight to the safe and started combing over files and files and files of cases being investigated, crime scene photos, eye witness testimonies. From all the intel, Rose gathered her mother must have been working on a RICO case. Jeanine was trying to build a case against a local crime syndicate.
And so, Rose set out to find the culprit. She tried to contact the ADA but the spineless twit was so scared after what happened to Jeanine that he was no help at all. Instead she followed her mother's notes and started searching for informants.
It was a slow going process. Rose was a senior in high school and couldn't afford to flunk out, so she was still going to classes in the morning and handing in all her assignments.
But every night, Rose would hit the streets in search of anyone or anything that would point her in the right direction. That's how she found herself in a dark alley.
When Rose heard the footsteps behind her she felt the fear trickle down her spine. When she walked faster the footsteps behind her picked up pace as well. Rose fumbled around in her purse for the taser her father gave her. When she finally pulled it out, she noticed with a gasp that the damn thing wasn't charged!
Don't panic, Rose told herself, you're going to be just fine, she tried to calm herself. Just then she saw that the light at the end of the alley, her beacon of hope, was in fact just a lamp, above a door to an abandoned warehouse and nothing more. There were nothing but shadows and that little light.
Rose's fear was almost paralyzing when she realized she had nowhere to go and the sound of boots hitting the pavement was getting closer.
Pull your shit together, Hathaway. You can talk yourself out of anything, Rose thought happy thoughts.
She turned brazenly to face her would be attacker. She hoped he was just a mugger, but highly doubted it. Not with the way she was dressed.
Even in the dark alley, she could just make out his features. He was tall and slender, yet had well defined muscle mass. His hair was light, short and curly. He didn't look much older than Rose herself. All in all, if they hadn't met in a dark alley, Rose would have thought he was cute.
She braced herself and set out to play the part she was dressed for.
"Hi there girli", the man said. "What are you doing out here all by yourself?" He eyed her up and down, licking his lips all the while.
Rose hid her disgust as best she could. He was fishing for information, no doubt wanting to make sure he wouldn't be interrupted.
Rose gave him her man eating smile. "Well sugar, I'm was on my way to see someone very special, but I got lost on the way", she pouted. She was trying to stall and talk her way out of it.
The dirtbag wiggled his eyebrows at her and took another step forward, "I'm very special".
"Well this someone will be very mad if I don't get there on time", Rose's heart was racing. "You wouldn't want to get me in trouble, would you?", she batted her eyelashes at him innocently.
When the asshat cupped her breast, Rose felt the bile rise in her throat. She took a step back and held her hand up to fend him off. Her voice went icy cold. "Trust me, this is a man you don't want to keep waiting. If I'm late because of you, not only will I pay the price, but he'll gut you like a fish", she said with narrowed eyes. Rose remembered from her mother's files that there were reported cases of people actually being tortured by removing their intestines. While they were still alive.
And it was that exact threat that caught the asshole's attention. "Who did you say was waiting for you?" He tried to brush off the threat like it meant nothing to him, like he didn't believe her.
Rose was at a loss. She was up shit's creek no matter what name she gave him. Plus she was drawing a blank. In a haze of adrenalin she blurted out what was probably the only name that would save her. Or get her killed.
"Dimitri Belikov". What the hell are you doing Rose?! she immediately chastised herself.
That completely stilled fuck-face's advances. He took a step back as if the mere mention of the name burned him.
"D-D-Dmitri Belikov?" he stuttered.
Rose crossed her arms over her chest and nodded, feeling a small victory.
"Well then we better get you to him", said the idiot and started tugging Rose towards the door she had previously seen at the end of the alley. He pulled her close and said in her ear "If you're lying to me…" he let that hang in the air for a moment before chuckling disturbingly, "Let's just say, I'm going to have a lot of fun".
Rose swallowed hard. Her life was hanging on the whim of a man she'd never met before. All she knew about him was he was supposedly the big boss, everyone feared him and no one in law enforcement had ever seen his face. She was gambling with her life, but at least she was still alive and relatively unharmed for the time being.
They walked into what Rose knew to be an abandoned warehouse only to find that inside it wasn't abandoned at all. Just past the door stood two armed guards. They were guarding two huge double doors. The small room was only slightly less dark than the alley.
"What have you got there, Jesse?" one guard asked.
"A gift for Belikov", Jesse answered as he yanked Rose by the arm.
She didn't allow anyone to see her falter. She was no man's property.
The guards let Jesse pass. But not before frisking Rose. They of course found and confiscated her taser.
Rose shrugged. "Girl's gotta take care of herself". The guard nonchalantly informed Rose she could pick up the taser on her way out. Then turned to the keypad beside the door and unlocked it for the two.
Jesse lead Rose further and further down the rabbit hole. It seems the entrance to where ever the hell Rose was being taken, was through an armory. After that, they walked by what Rose dubbed "the casino" area as there were at least 10 tables surrounded by poker playing thugs. Rose shuddered to think where she was being lead as Jesse continued to tug her up a flight of stairs to what looked like a floor of what used to be offices in the warehouse. As they passed by, it seemed some were converted to lounges.
Rose wound up in a large sparsely furnished room. From the doorway Rose could see a sitting area with several arm chairs and a comfy looking sofa. On the other side of the room was a large oak desk. And behind the oak desk, a high-backed leather office chair that faced away from them. A man was seated there, yelling on the phone in Russian.
Jesse hesitated by the door. Obviously entering this room uninvited was way above his pay grade. Another man, in a gray suit, approached them.
"What the fuck is this, Jesse?" the man motioned towards Rose. "Belikov warned you…"
Before the man had a chance to finish, Jesse cut him off nervously, "Ivan, I found her wandering outside, she said she's here for Mr. Belikov".
Ivan eyed Rose up and down doubtfully. He grabbed Rose's arm and rather roughly pushed her onto the sofa. "Stay", he ordered her before pulling Jesse aside for a heated conversation in whispered tones. The man behind the desk still hadn't finished yelling at the phone.
Rose was trying to plot an escape. She was too high up to jump out the window, she couldn't go back out through the warehouse full of armed goons, and her only weapon was confiscated. She was stuck for now. If she were a believer, she'd have been praying to the gods to save her.
Soon enough Ivan and Jesse approached Rose.
Rose caught the end of their conversation. "The only reason you're still alive is because our mamas are sisters", Ivan snickered to Jesse, who had the good sense to look ashamed. Ivan left Jesse with Rose and walked over to the desk.
The man, the boss Rose figured, had finished his conversation. With his back still turned, he and Ivan were in hushed discussion. Rose assumed it was either about her or Jesse. Either way it wasn't good.
When the man finally turned around, it was like time stood still. Rose had never imagined beauty like his could exist. For a split second, she couldn't care less that she was in all likelihood about to face her untimely demise, so long as she got to stare at his gorgeous face for a little while longer.
As the man approached her in the seating area, all Rose could hear was the drumming of her own heartbeat in her ears. She didn't realize anyone was talking to her until the man spoke. His velvety accented voice fit his god-like features perfectly. His long hair only added to the allure.
"What?" Rose asked out of her daze.
"I said", he only looked marginally annoyed, "Are you alright? Did Jesse hurt you?"
Rose shook her head. "No".
"See!" Jesse exclaimed, "I told you I didn't do anything to her!"
It was Ivan who answered, "Shut up, Jesse. You're on thin ice as it is. If you weren't going to hurt her, why did you bring her here?"
"She said she was here to meet Mr. Belikov", Jesse bumbled. "She said her name is Rose Hathaway and that if I didn't bring her here you'd gut me like a fish".
"Clever girl", Dimitri murmured, mostly to himself.
From the bits and pieces Rose was able to learn, she got the feeling that she wasn't the first girl Jesse tried to get freaky with. She got the impression that Ivan and Mr. Belikov did not approve. That's why she cleared her throat, getting their attention, and said, "Jesse was kind enough to make it very clear that if I was not a guest of Mr. Belikov he was going to have a lot of fun with me". Rose shivered at he memory.
Rose locked eyes with Belikov. She wasn't sure what he saw in her, but she trusted him to save her life. "What would you like me to do with him, Roza?" He asked Rose indulgently.
Rose didn't let anyone see how surprised she was. Belikov was going along with her story for some reason, which she was grateful for. But she was baffled by the question. "What do you mean?"
"I'm letting you decide how we will punish Jesse. He's had a second and a third chance. Personally, I'd like to put him in the ground. But he's Ivan's cousin, and you know how Ivan and I are", Belikov conversed with Rose as if they were old mates.
Rose nodded playing along. She knew from her research that supposedly the head of the syndicate, aka Dimitri Belikov, and his right hand man, aka Ivan Zeklos, were like brothers.
"I think the punishment you'll choose for young Mr. Zeklos", Dimitri continued, "will be far less final than the punishment I have in store for him".
"Don't be too sure about that", Rose replied.
Dimitri smiled in answer. He was even more beautiful, if that were possible.
"Remind me, does this place have a basement?" Rose asked. She already knew the answer. While it was unknown where Belikov's headquarters where, it was believed that there was a facility on premise, perfect for beating information out of someone, or beating someone into submission, or just for beating in general, where no one can hear you scream.
The answer came as though it was obvious. "Of course".
"Well then", Rose straighten up, crossed her legs, revealing even more skin in her too-short skirt, "I say you have him taken downstairs and beaten to a pulp. Make sure you break his hand for touching me without permission" Rose shuddered again. "On a more creative note, I suggest giving paper cuts up and down his tiny penis. Maybe the pain will teach him some manners".
Ivan laughed, Dimitri chuckled and Jesse hissed 'bitch' under his breath.
"I rather like that idea", Dimitri complimented. "So should you, Jesse. She just saved your life. Ivan, deal with this", he motion to Jesse. "I have more pressing matters to handle".
Ivan nodded once and escorted Jesse out. Jesse had the good sense not to put up a fight.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Dimitri turned on Rose. He extended his hand to her, "Allow me to properly introduce myself. Dimitri Belikov".
The man just saved her from a horrible fate, the least she could do was introduce herself and shake his hand. "Rose Hathaway".
"Alright, out of sheer curiosity, I played along with your ruse. What are you really doing here, Ms. Hathaway?"
"Jesse caught me in the alley. I figured if he thought you were waiting for me, he'd let me go", Rose explained.
"I guessed as much. Clever. It was a gamble, but clever non the less. But what are you doing in the alley in the first place?" Dimitri leaned towards the table with the decanter and poured two glasses of whiskey.
"I was looking for a John", Rose answered automatically. It was her rehearsed answer, it went with her outfit. "I got lost".
Dimitri nodded. "Now tell me the truth, Roza". He handed Rose a glass.
Rose was quiet, debating how to answer. She downed the liquid courage in her glass and went with the brave truth. "I'm investigating a murder".
"Oh? Whose?"
Rose bit her lip. She saw Dimitri's eyes flash to her mouth and immediately she felt her blood rush to her cheeks. And her core. When their eyes met again, Rose felt as though Dimitri were holding her in place with his gaze. "My mother was murdered in your neighborhood a few months ago".
"Ah, yes. DA Jeanine Hathaway", Dimitri stated.
Rose wondered how he knew. Then again he was Dimitri Belikov. Rose assumed there wasn't much he didn't know.
"How is the investigation going?" Dimitri appeared genuine.
Rose shrugged. It wasn't going well at all.
"I've looked into her death as well", Dimitri stated, leaving Rose shocked.
"Why?" Rose asked breathlessly.
"Your mother's death caused quite a bit of trouble for me. She and I had an agreement". Dimitri sipped his whiskey.
"You're lying!" Rose refused to believe her mother would have anything to do with a crime syndicate other than to prosecute it.
Dimitri finished off his whiskey before pouring himself and Rose another. "Despite what you might have heard about me or what you think of me, I am the lesser of two evils. Your mother knew this. We worked together to take down a common enemy".
"The Dashkov's", Rose gasped.
"Yes", Dimitri nodded. "The man who murdered you mother has been dealt with. It took some time, but I found him and let's just say he won't ever be bothering anyone again".
Rose shook her head. "How do I know your not lying to me? How can I trust anything you say?" Tears were streaking her face.
"You don't. But I am telling the truth".
Rose should have been relieved and happy. Her mother's killer paid the ultimate price. But instead she was angry. Furious, even. She was supposed to get justice for her mother. And Dimitri Belikov took that from her. Rose gripped her whiskey glass so hard, Dimitri was afraid it might break in her hand.
"I can see this news has been anticlimactic for you, Rose". Dimitri took the glass from her hand.
"I wanted justice for my mother", Rose said with gritted teeth. There was no feeling of catharsis for her in this.
"You got justice for your mother. You wanted revenge". Dimitri glared at her. "And from the look on your face, you wanted savage revenge".
"I wanted him to beg for his life", Rose was fuming.
"Roza, I assure you, he begged for his life".
"Tell me", Rose pleaded.
Dimitri glanced at his watch. "Not now".
"Why not?!" Rose huffed.
"Because if we don't leave soon, my men will get suspicious". Dimitri answered Rose's confused look, "You came to me dressed like that. The men know my habits. This office is for business only. You've been here too long".
"I'll leave then", Rose stated.
"You misunderstand. You and I need to leave together. Back to my place. My driver is waiting outside".
Rose panicked. "I don't want to go anywhere with you".
"You don't have a choice. You walked into he lions den. I'm afraid I'm your only way out".
"Then why can't you just take me home?"
"My driver will know where you live, and that you didn't stay with me. You'd be surprised how quickly rumors can start here and how quickly you'll be in danger", Dimitri already put his coat on.
"My father will be looking for me", it was Rose's hail Mary.
Dimitri smirked, calling her bluff. "No he won't. He's no doubt already passed out drunk. And in the event that he remembers he's a father, a message has been sent to him that you're staying the night at a friend's".
Dimitri lent Rose his hand. She stared at his hand shakily.
"No harm will come to you, Roza. You have my word".
It was only the warmth of his voice and softness in his eyes that convinced Rose. She took his hand. Dimitri wrapped his arm around Rose's waist, securing her possessively to him. "If they think you're mine, they won't try anything", he whispered in her ear. She shivered again, this time, it wasn't fear.
In the back of the limo, far from prying eyes and ears, Rose asked, "Why can't I just go home after we get to your place?"
"For this to be believable, you'll need to stay for at least a couple of hours and by then you'll be better off staying till morning, rather than wondering around in the streets in the middle of the night". Dimitri glanced at her. "It's too dangerous, I won't allow it".
"Fine", Rose conceded, wondering what the hell he could possible do with her for a couple of hours. That sparked a new line of thought for Rose. One that made her blush just thinking it. Unconsciously she crossed her legs.
"You knew the second I stepped through your doors that I wouldn't be going home tonight", Rose stated.
Dimitri didn't even try to deny it, "Yes".
They arrived at Dimitri's penthouse. It was so much more light and airy than Rose expected. Most of the furniture was lightly colored. Even the hardwood floors were whitewashed. The walls were floor to ceiling windows and viewed the entire city. The kitchen was rustic and seemed out of place for the high-rise, but fit the apartment and Dimitri so well.
"Would you like something to eat?" Dimitri offered.
Rose shook her head.
"How about a hot chocolate?"
Rose smiled and nodded.
"Have a seat, I'll be right back". Dimitri turned towards where Rose assumed was the bedrooms. "Make yourself at home", he called back to her.
Rose didn't need to be told twice. She immediately removed the ridiculous high heeled boots she was wearing, along with her coat. Rose looked around for a bathroom. She figured one of the doors by the entrance was her best bet. She found a coat closet first, so she stashed her coat and boots there.
The next door she tried was the bathroom. She relieved herself and washed the makeup from her face. She let her hair down and ran a brush she found through it. Rose took off the itchy fishnet stalkings she was wearing and removed the giant hoop earrings. She gathered all her thing in her purse. Feeling much more like herself, Rose returned to the living room to find two piping hot mugs of chocolate milk on the coffee table.
"Comrade?" She called out.
Dimitri chuckled at the new nickname. "In here", he called from the kitchen. He approached the living room with a small tray.
Dimitri had changed out of his charcoal suit. He was wearing gray sweatpants and a snug fitting white teeshirt. Rose could see every muscle in his body ripple as he walked towards her.
You will not drool, Rose chastised herself.
Only now, that she wasn't in her heels, Rose saw how tall Dimitri was. He had a good foot on her.
"This is black bread", Dimitri gestured to the plate after they were seated on the couch.
He took a slice, lathered it with butter and handed it to Rose.
"Mmmmhhhh", Rose moaned. "This is amazing!" She took another bite. "How have I lived my entire life without this in it?!" After wolfing down a slice, Dimitri placed another slice in her hand with a smile. "Where did you buy this?", Rose asked.
"I baked it".
Rose moaned with each bite she took. She caught Dimitri staring at her. "What?"
"You're beautiful", he stated simply.
Rose took a sip of her hot chocolate to hide her embarrassment. Guys had been telling her for years she was hotness incarnate, but they rarely called her beautiful. It made her feel warm and fuzzy. This wasn't the kind of thing she expected to feel around a mob boss. "How did you become a mob boss?" The question was out there before she knew it. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to pry, it's just that I don't get a mob boss vibe from you". While she'd known Dimitri for all of 2 hours, being a mob boss seemed out of character for him.
"I inherited the business from my father. I didn't want this when I was younger. But I didn't have a choice in the matter. When I said I was the lesser evil I meant it. If my father's lieutenant were to run the business…" Dimitri shuddered. "Let's just say, the streets of this city would run red with blood".
Rose accept the answer and didn't pry any further. She finished her hot chocolate, and gathered the mugs and tray to the kitchen.
"You don't have to do that", Dimitri tried to stop her when Rose headed to sink.
"It's the least I can do, comrade", Rose already had the water running. "Beside there are hardly any dishes to do". She handed him a clean mug, "Here, I'll wash, you dry". Dimitri grabbed a dish towel and started working.
They washed the dishes in silence, standing shoulder to shoulder. Or they would have been if it weren't for the height difference. A heat crackled between them. Rose wondered if it was just her.
Dishes done, they turned towards each other.
"Thank you", Dimitri said, his voice husky, his eyes burning with desire.
Rose could feel the heat radiate off him. When Dimitri cupped her cheek, she melted to him. Rose placed her hands on his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart. Warmth spread through her fingertips as she splayed them over his pecs.
Rose rising on her tip toes towards Dimitri was all the confirmation he needed before he leaned in to meet her half way. When their lips met it lit a fire in both them. Without a conscious decision, they wound up wrapped around each other. Dimitri lifted Rose to the counter top, she wrapped her legs around his waist and ran her nails through his hair, grazing his scalp. He moaned.
Dimitri had a firm grip on her ass, while his other hand pressed her body deliciously against his.
Their tongues danced delectably. When Rose pulled back for air, Dimitri's lips never left her. He fisted her hair and tilted her head back, exposing her neck to him. He trailed open mouth kisses along her jaw line, to her ear and down her neck to her pulse point.
Rose let her hands explore his body, from his shoulder blades down his back. Dimitri was all hard muscles, yet at the same time he felt soft to the touch. When she reached the hem of his shirt and started tugging at it, Dimitri got the hint and discarded the offending material. Rose watch hungrily as his shirt rose and exposed more and more of his abs and chest. His sweats hung dangerously low on his hips.
Rose shyly placed her hand on his bare chest, caressing his skin. She pulled him back into the cradle of her legs and ran her lips across his collar bone. She worked her mouth up his neck until she was finally kissing his lips again.
Rose sucked his bottom lip into her mouth and bit gently. When Dimitri moaned, she slipped her tongue back in his mouth.
Dimitri let his hands wander on Rose's body. With her skirt riding all the way up and her fishnets long gone, her legs were completely exposed and bare. He gripped her legs, reveling in how smooth and flawless her skin was. Everywhere he touched set Rose's skin ablaze.
Dimitri's manhood had been rubbing Rose's core from the minute they started making out. Rose knew her panties were soaked through. She wondered if Dimitri could feel it as well.
Now it was Dimitri's turn to pull back. "We should go to bed", he declared.
"Yes, please", Rose answered huskily.
Dimitri pulled further back, gently prying Rose's hands from around his neck. "I meant, we should go to sleep. It's late and I don't want you to do anything you'll regret in the morning".
"Is that a nice way of saying you don't want me?" Rose asked trying to hide her hurt.
"Roza, I do want you," that caused Rose to look back into his pleading eyes, "more than you know. Which is why we're going to bed. To sleep. Nothing more".
Rose failed to see the logic. "You're not making any sense".
"You are the bravest woman I have ever met. And by far the most beautiful. You amaze and intrigue me. How could I not want you?"
"I feel a but coming".
Dimitri smiled. "But you're also young. I don't want to be something you look back at and regret."
Rose was quiet. She didn't quite know how to respond. Dimitri was trying to be considerate and caring. That only made her want to shag him all the more.
"Stay with me tonight. In my bed", Dimitri offered hopeful.
Rose nodded and let Dimitri take her to bed. He gave her a tee shirt to sleep in, which she was grateful for. The tee shirt felt so soft against her skin and it smelled like him.
They laid in bed facing one another. "I can't think of anything better to wake up to", Dimitri whispered. Rose smiled and hid her face in the pillow.
"Have dinner with me tomorrow night, Roza", It wasn't really a question.
"Like a date?"
"Yes".
Rose was silent for a while. "Dimitri, you're a mob boss. How can I date a mob boss? My mother was the DA, for crying out loud".
"I'm so much more than a mob boss", he answered, hurt evident on his face.
"I know that". Rose took Dimitri's hand in hers and kissed his palm, making his hurt dissipate immediately. "So, where are we going tomorrow night?" she asked.
Dimitri's smile could have lit up the room. "I'll think about it and let you know. I want it to be special".
In the gargantuan bed, in the darkness, they found each other. Rose clung to him as if his arms were the safest place on earth. Dimitri held on to her as though she was his light in the dark, as if she could save his soul. They fell asleep knowing this was the beginning of something new and special, something that was so much more.