Hey there everyone, once again I would like to thank everyone for their support, comments and kind words, without them I probably wouldn't be able to find the inspiration that keeps me going :-D I hope you enjoy this chapter, especially as we edge our way toward the finish line. As usual let me know your thoughts/suggestions. R.J.
Chapter 34.
Walking back towards the kitchen I could hear Dimitri, sounding unusually flustered, talking, knowing Christian was still sitting at the table I pushed the door open coming face to face with Dimitri stalking back and forth in front of the doorway, his dark brows drawn together, he looked angry, then seeing the worried look on Christian's face I looked back at Dimitri, not anger I realized, he was panicked. Not good.
I looked at Christian perplexed and mouthed "Who is it?" He shrugged, then mouthed back, "His Mum? I think." Why would a call from his Mum have him looking like a caged animal intent on escape? Oh God, not Yeva, I felt my stomach clench, he'd only seen them yesterday, what could possibly have happened to her? Watching his foreboding presence streak across the kitchen I tried to make out what he was saying, of course my Russian was improving, but still not completely up to par, and whatever he was saying he was firing it off rapidly, making my way over to Christian I sat beside him, not taking my eyes from Dimitri,
"What's he saying?" Christian, like me was watching Dimitri,
"I'm not sure what it's about, but it involves a girl, and he keeps repeating, I'll find her, don't worry I'll bring her home." I felt my stomach drop, there was no way…
"Shit." I thumped the table, drawing Dimitri's focus to me, shaking my head I asked,
"Viktoria?" Still holding the phone he nodded solemnly. "Shit."
Christian jumped, then turned to me, looking completely befuddled, "Well obviously you know something I don't?" Eyes back on Dimitri, I watched him as he started his pacing again, obviously trying to placate his mother.
"Yeah," I couldn't keep the derision out of the tone of my voice, grimacing, "The other night when I went to find Adrian, he was at a bar," Christian nodded,
"This the first night you smacked him up?" Even though I wasn't looking at him I could hear the grin that Christian wore, I nodded grimacing again,
"When I found him, he was making out with this chick, it wasn't until I'd…um…smacked him up, that I realized it was Dimitri's sister Viktoria." I heard Christian cover his laugh by coughing, before his features became serious again,
"Oh," I turned to him, giving him a derisive look,
"Oh doesn't even begin to cover it," looking perplexed again, brows drawn together,
"So what's this got to do with his?...Oh…Shit" I couldn't smother the giggle that slipped out over the changes in Christian's face as the penny dropped. "So, has she followed him? Or did he take her?" Shrugging I turned back to Dimitri as he ended the call to his mother,
"The way I see it, either way Adrian's a dead man." I heard Christian suck in a breath, before pushing back his chair and standing,
"I'll leave you guys to it, I'm going to…" he looked and motioned dismissively upstairs,
"Yeah, good luck with that." I gave him a smile before he walked out the door.
Dimitri was walking towards me as he pocketed his phone, his features tense, trying to cheer him up, I knew wouldn't work, so instead I decided it would be best to kill two birds with one stone,
"Abe and I decided we need to go back to Court anyway," I wasn't, however prepared for his reaction,
"No you're not." He spat back at me, furiously, I felt my anger building again,
"Yes. I. Am." Sucking in a cleansing breath, between my clenched teeth, "I need to, we all need to, it's the only way this can all be over." I could see part of the fight drain out of him as realization hit,
"You're right," he stated begrudgingly, which of course brought a smile to my face,
"Of course I'm right Comrade, I'm always right." The rest of the fight drained away as his lips twitched.
"I…when we get back and they throw you back in that cell, I'm not going to be able to protect you, and Roza, I need to be able to protect you." I leant over and grabbed his hand, turning it over I traced love hearts in his palm,
"Well I guess I'm lucky then that Viktoria will be there to distract you." His face became tense again,
"I love you Roza, but you have the most warped sense of humor out of anyone I know, and that includes Christian." I gave him a dark look,
"Hey, I can be funny, you know I can be funny." I saw his lips twitch again. Although I hated to do it I changed the subject again, "We're leaving tonight, Abe's organized for Ilia, Lissa and Christian to stay with Oksana and Mark, they're going to try and help Ilia as much as they can," I sighed, "So what I'm trying to say is that perhaps you should spend some time with your family before we head back." He didn't respond to that instead he asked,
"What's the plan once we get back?" Biting my lip I hesitated,
"We don't know, it depends what they decide to do with me." His brows furrowed, I fought the urge to rub my finger over the crease between them,
"What do you mean you don't know?" sighing again,
"We are hoping that they'll only arrest me again, and that we'll have at least a couple of days before they execute me." Obviously he hadn't thought about that, his features turned grim, his jaw clenched, his eyes hardened,
"You're not going to die Roza, I will break you out again before that happens." He sounded so vicious; I couldn't stop myself from raising my hand and cupping his jaw,
"So protective," I smiled at him slowly as I leaned in and brushed my lips over his, as I was pulling back, he pulled me out of my seat, lifted me so I was straddling him on his chair. His mouth devouring mine, his hands wrapped in my hair, finally I moved from his mouth as I gasped for air, kissing his way along my jaw he murmured huskily in my ear, "I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you, no matter what. You're mine Roza, only mine." I shivered at the intensity of his words, I probably should've been mad about how possessive he was being, but then again who am I to talk, "I'm not going anywhere this afternoon, I'm right where I should be, where I need to be." He was kissing his way down my neck, I swore there were goosebumps on top of my goosebumps, I closed my eyes and moved to give him better access, savoring every touch.
"Ahem…" I froze, then groaned,
"Why is it every, bloody time…" I felt Dimitri chuckle at my collarbone, before twisting my head to stare daggers at the intruder,
"Sorry to interrupt," The smug look on Christian's face was anything but sorry,
"Give me one good reason I shouldn't pulverize you Fire Boy." His grin spread into a cocky smile,
"You mean other than being the love of your best friend's life?" He actually laughed, which only made me glower harder, "Oh, don't be like that, I just thought I'd better let you know that we're leaving soon. Lissa wants some one on one time with you before we leave." I felt my features relax as it dawned on me that it may be the last time I'd see Lissa. I turned back to Dimitri, cupped his jaw and kissed him lingeringly before pulling away and standing, he grabbed my hand kissed my palm before looking at me, his eyes full of love and of course desire. Smiling I squeezed his hand before letting it go, walking over to Christian.
"Make sure she doesn't do anything else stupid," he smiled at me,
"You know I will try, but you also know if she makes her mind up no one can change her mind." I nodded,
"Look after her then, please." He nodded, his love for Lissa written all over his features,
"Always." I briefly hugged him, which felt odd, then headed upstairs, knowing I'd find her in her room.
I knocked gently on the door, I was a bit apprehensive about this meeting, things between us had been so turbulent lately. I at least was going to try and leave things between us as they'd always been, or at least on a positive note.
I poked my head around the door, "Hey," I smiled unsure how to start, then raced forward towards her sobbing form on the bed, "Lissa, what's wrong?" Pulling her into my arms, her tear drenched face on my shoulder,
"I…I'm sorry Rose…so sorry for everything, I want us to be friends again like we were before," she hiccupped, I chuckled as she pretty much repeated my thoughts out loud, pulling away from me looking affronted, "What on Earth is so funny?"
"You just said what I was thinking, it was strange it not being the other way around," I smiled at her teary face wryly. "Now, I don't want to sound like a complete bitch or anything, but you know I don't deal with tears real well," hard to believe with the amount of time I'd spent crying lately, "And honestly wouldn't you prefer it if we talked rather than cried, come on, tell me what's been happening with you and Fire Boy." She hiccupped again, and smiled, wiping at the tears,
She went on to give me a monologue about her and Christian, it was evident from the emotions and thoughts coming at me through our bond that she and Christian had put their separation behind them, and loved each other more than ever. I smiled, relief flowing through me at how happy she was,
"And now I have Ilia as well," She sighed the ecstatic smile not faltering, "I know we'll be able to get him well again, I mean, I don't know what he was like before but I know he'll be alright." She suddenly turned somber again, "Thank you Rose," I shook my head at her,
"Don't Lissa, you have nothing to thank me for, if it wasn't for that letter from Tatiana we wouldn't even know about him." I felt a wave of anguish come at me,
"What are you going to do now?" I didn't need her to clarify, I knew she was talking about when I went back to Court, I shrugged,
"We're working on a couple of things," I hesitated, "I know I promised that I wouldn't leave you behind again, but, well, circumstances have changed now haven't they?" Sighing she nodded,
"Yes, things are different," Suddenly brightening up, "Besides, you're not leaving me, I'm choosing to stay. I need to stay." I could feel the tension behind her smile, but didn't let on. I knew she was putting on a brave front.
"I'm going to miss you, promise me you'll stay safe, please." I felt the tension go out of her smile,
"I'll be fine, but I want you to promise me that you'll be back here soon to come and get us." Her voice wavered, my vision going blurry, I pulled her to me and hugged her tight,
"I'll come back as soon as I can, I promise." Not knowing for certain if it was a promise I could in fact keep.