~DIMITRI POV~

As I held my daughter and listened to the sound of rain falling, my mind and heart was fully focused on my Roza. I couldn't help but fear that I'd never see her again and had been dreading today for the past week and now that it was here, I wanted to have her safe in my arms but I knew that there was nothing I could do.

Janine stood watching me and I knew that it was because Rose had told her to keep an eye on me and make sure that I didn't leave to help. I would have felt better being there with her if she did need help but I knew trying to get away from a group of assassin's was impossible.

I kissed Vivienne's cheek before laying her down on the mats and walking to where Janine stood, her brown eyes ever watchful. I could hear the rain better from where she was standing and listened to the sound, hoping it would calm me a little bit.

It was a false hope because the more I listened to the rain, the more I thought of Rose. I wondered what was happening with her now. The sound of footsteps made Janine and I both stiffen but I ignored the feeling, remembering Christian was there with us.

"Christian is probably pacing and worrying about Lissa." I said, trying to calm her.

Janine looked my way, not near as certain. "Christian's footsteps aren't that light."

I listened closer and realized that I knew exactly whose footsteps they were. Janine handed me the spare gun that she kept on her belt before aiming it at the door. Vivienne's eyes fluttered open and she raced over to me upon the realization.

"Christian?" Janine called and I knew that she didn't believe it for a second.

The footsteps continued to get louder as the person neared the end of the hallway until they finally came in to view.

"Wrong Ozera." Tasha said and I realized that she had a gun pulled out and pointed at Janine.

I pulled Vivienne behind me and aimed the gun at her but didn't pull the trigger and even Janine seemed to be hesitant.

"What the hell do you want Tasha?" She growled and I looked to Janine, a confused expression on my features.

Tasha smiled before saying "I want what's mine. I went undercover for Dimitri and Vivienne years ago and I am not about to lose them."

"They aren't your and we don't go undercover. Robert wanted to be sure that they didn't leave the country so when he sent his assassin that was meant to kill them, they would be easy to find. We all thought you were dead." Janine growled

Tasha laughed and said "That was your first mistake."

She pulled the trigger and I watched as the bullet pierced Janine's shoulder. "You're second mistake was not pulling the trigger as soon as I walked in."

I took aim and was about to pull the trigger when she looked back at me with her icy blue eyes. "Don't do anything stupid, Dimitri."

I felt Vivienne move from behind me to go to Janine's side and in that second Tasha's gone was pointed at my daughter. I aimed my gun at her heart but knew that she would be able to pull the trigger before my own hit her.

"You've known about everything this whole time haven't you?" I growled and she smiled.

She flipped her long black hair over her shoulder and said "Yes. I was an assassin for Robert and I was originally supposed to keep an eye on you but I fell in love. I decided to keep you and Vivienne safe. I was coming to tell Robert when I overheard Mia and that Hathaway whore talking about what really happened with Andre. I knew that they would come up with a plan to kill him, I just never thought that they would be stupid enough to try."

"Robert knows that their coming." I stated and she shook her head. The smallest sense of relief filled me that they still had the element of surprise but it wasn't going to over shadow the worry I felt as I saw her gun pointed at my daughter.

Vivienne tried to move out of line of sight but Tasha put tightened her finger on the trigger but didn't pull it. "You'd better tell your little girl not to move. I'd hate to have to kill her."

"Daddy." Vivienne said and I could hear the fear in her voice, something that pissed me off more than anything. I was kicking myself because Vivienne had never liked Tasha and I had ignored it. I was desperately wishing I hadn't now.

I didn't take my eyes off of Tasha as I said "It's okay, baby. Everything is going to be okay but you are going to have to stay still."

"Listen to your daddy, Vivienne." Tasha said and I could hear Vivienne sniffle and Janine moaned in pain.

I kept my eyes on Tasha as I asked "What do you want?"

"I want you, me, and Vivienne to be a family. Rose will be dead by tomorrow and I am the only person that can keep you safe after that." She lowered her gun and said "If you love your daughter at all, you'll choose me."

I looked to Vivienne and saw my own eyes staring back at me. I would do whatever it took to protect my little girl. She was all that mattered to me right now.

"I'll take my chances." I said and pulled the trigger on my gun. Tasha's dead body hit the ground as the bullet connected with her heart and I threw the gun down before pulling Vivienne to me.

She wrapped her arms around me and began sobbing. I kissed her forehead and held her close as I repeated the words "I love you."

She was mumbling in Russian and I saw Janine sit up and put her free hand to her shoulder. "Nice shot."

It was something I could hear Rose saying plainly and it made me smile a little despite the sickening feeling I had now. There was one less threat to us now but I still didn't know if Rose would come back to me.

Christian came rushing through the hallway not a moment later and walked past Tasha's body before kneeling next to Janine. I knew that he'd seen her but I didn't even want to think of what was going through his mind right now.

I looked toward Tasha's body and back to him before saying "I'm sorry."

He just gave me a smirk and said "You did what you had to do. Besides, you never liked her anyway."

He bandaged Janine's wound quickly and I picked Vivienne up and walked to another room, knowing that she needed to be as far away from the scent of blood as possible. I let my chin rest on her head gently as I felt guilt wash over me.

Vivienne seemed to feel the change in my body and pulled back to look at me. She smiled sweetly and said "You saved me, daddy."

She knew exactly what I needed to hear and I pulled her closer to me, thankful that I could still hold her.

"I'll always keep you safe."

***Well… Tasha's gone. Was anyone surprised about her story being revealed? Was it good? That answers the question as to whose footsteps were heard while Mia and Rose were talking. It also answers why Rose and Vivienne did not like Tasha. Anyway, to the point: I loved the reviews for the last chapter and was so happy to see that everyone is still very into the story. Thank you so much for the reviews on the last chapter. They were all very unique and made my day so much better. Thank you for reading and don't forget to review. Have a lovely day!