POV: Adrian
I downed the rest of my drink and picked up a cigarette, sticking it between my lips. I dug into my pocket to get a lighter while rummaging through the drawer, trying to find the knife I'd stashed in there. As I lit up the cigarette and took a long drag, my fingers finally brushed over the sharp edge of the blade. I bit the bud to allow my lips to part and let out the smoke from my lungs while moving over to the other side of the table where I'd left my package. I plunged the knife into the thick layer of duct tape on top and it split easily, so in no time I needed nothing but my hands to open the box.
"What's that?", Dimitri voiced behind me.
I peered over my shoulder as he slowly walked over to me, sucking on my cigarette again before saying: "You should be in bed."
He ignored me, waiting for me to answer his question instead. I reached inside and pulled out a bulletproof vest. I dangled it in front of him, making him roll his eyes and say: "I told you, I don't want it. I don't like wearing it."
"Nobody likes wearing it. But the condom rule applies."
"The condom rule?", he asked with a quirk of his eyebrow.
"Yeah. You hate it, but it helps you dodge bullets."
He blinked at me a few times, snorted and then outright laughed: "That's a terrible comparison."
"You understood it, didn't you?", I shrugged, tossing the vest at him.
"You know you can't force me to wear this, right?"
"You know you're way too suicidal for someone who claims to be sane, right?"
He made one of the rare, completely readable expressions he had. It was a hundred percent 'annoyed out of my mind' look. He sighed and rubbed his neck, but his arm twisted awkwardly because of his wound. I fixed my eyes on the bandages covering his chest to underline my point as I added: "If that guy's aim was only a bit more accurate, you wouldn't be standing here talking to me right now. That problem could be completely avoided in the future if you stop being so damn stubborn."
"And if I get shot in the head in the future, vest or no vest, I'll be dead. Besides, if I'm meant to go—."
"Oh, no", I cut in, shaking my head, "Don't start with that fate bullshit. I make the rules here and you're not allowed to go any-fucking-where. Got it? Now go back to bed."
"Your rules are ridiculous", he grumbled.
"You're ridiculous."
The soft click of a pencil got me to open my eyes. I couldn't sleep. Not really. I got lost in that familiar limbo between unconsciousness and shifting through memories I had no real wish to dive into. Guilt always put me in that state. Guilt and fear. Not being able to rest only added to my helplessness. Having no power — I didn't have a clue how to deal with it. It wasn't natural. It wasn't right. It was eating at me.
I watched Alberta check the IV drip and scribble something down on a pad before I decided to speak up: "How is he doing Doc?"
She twitched in surprise, but was quick to correct her posture and face me with that usual calm expression I envied at times. I was sure she kicked ass in poker. Peering at the mess of curls sprawled over my lap, she kept her voice low while she replied briefly: "Better."
"Better like he'll be up and running in no time or like he's not at death's door at the moment?"
She pursed her lips before saying: "He's not out of the woods yet, but he is getting away from that door one step at a time."
"You think he'll wake up soon?"
She shrugged, but attempted what I figured was a reassuring smile. I felt Rose shift and instinctively sunk my hand into her hair, scratching her head gently to keep her calm. The arm she'd throw around my leg tightened, but her body quickly relaxed. She'd been in and out of conscious for hours and whenever she woke, I had to hold her down so she wouldn't fall off the couch. She gasped Dimitri's name every time she broke free of her nightmares and the fear in her voice pierced through my heart over and over again. Foucing on keeping her from falling apart was the only thing I could do to stay whole myself. I had to try my best to remain strong for the both of us until Dimitri pulled through.
Please fight, I silently pleaded whenever I looked at him.
"You should get some rest", Alberta said, but we both knew that wouldn't happen.
"Sure", I responded anyway before she left, surpassing Sydney on her way out.
I watched Sydney twist her hair around her finger, peeking at Dimitri before eyeing me with uncertainty. My lips twitched into a smile almost involuntarily as I nodded my approval for her to come in. I tried to keep my movements limited both because of Rose and because I figured anything sudden would freak Sydney out. I knew I'd scared her earlier. Fear still lingered in her eyes as she moved towards me now. She rubbed her arm and I felt my stomach knot up once I realized I must've left bruises on her.
Everything was still blurry. The shouting match Rose and I had with Ibrahim about going to the hospital, the drive to Tati's, calling every doctor from my contact's list while trying to keep Dimitri from bleeding out past the point of no return, watching them attempt to keep him alive and having to rip Rose away from him. It was all an unrealistic and jumbled mess. I remembered it vaguely, but it was as if it happened to someone else. But there were two vivid and crystal clear moments in that chaos I remembered perfectly. Not feeling Dimitri's pulse under my fingers when someone asked me to check it. And what I did to Sydney.
She was only trying to help. She was trying to take Rose from my arms to calm her and hug her. She wanted to comfort her best friend. But I was beside myself. It was a reflex reaction. I thought I was about to lose the most important person in my life and an irrational part of my brain cried not Rose too once I felt her being ripped out of my hold. I wasn't in control. I watched my hands latch onto Sydney, heard a roar tear off my lips, felt my body move to pin her to the wall. I could see the fear in her amber eyes, hear her gasp out apologies, feel her trembling, but I could do nothing except wait for my mind to catch up and finally send out commands for my body to stop what it was doing.
"How—, how is he?", she stammered out while I fought to cast those images out of my head.
"Better", I muttered, willing myself to believe it too.
"And Rose?"
I glanced down at her and untangled my fingers from her hair slowly. She stirred as I lifted her head and maneuvered my way off the couch. Sydney moved and picked up a pillow, handing it to me tentatively. I eased Rose's head down on it, pausing to make sure she kept on sleeping before I answered: "She's alright for now."
Sydney's forehead furrowed in worry, but she nodded and gave me a small smile. It took a few moments for either of us to speak or move again and once it happened, I was the one to break the silence. I rubbed the back of my neck and forced myself to meet her eyes when I mumbled: "I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to—, losing my shit like that... I shouldn't have let that happen."
"It's okay", she cut in, but the way she hugged herself protectively indicated things were far from okay.
"It's not. I'm not—", I trailed off and it took me a few tries before I could continue, "I'm not a monster. I know I haven't given you a lot of proof of that, actually, I did quite the opposite, but I... I'll do better. I won't hurt you again. Ever. I swear."
Her eyes pierced through mine, like she was reaching into my soul with them, but I couldn't even scratch that golden surface, let alone make my way past it. Biting her lips, she studied me for several seconds and then simply said: "Okay, I believe you. And forgive you."
"You do?", I prompted, taken by surprise.
"Are you saying I shouldn't?"
"No. I'm just... surprised."
"Maybe you should give me more credit since I seem to be giving you quite a lot."
"I'll keep that in mind", I chuckled.
She moved past me and tucked Rose's blanket around her carefully before offering: "I can stay with her for a while. You can maybe shower, eat something. Oh and you should go find your aunt. She wanted to talk to you."
"Right, yeah, sounds like a plan. Thanks."
She nodded and settled down on the carpet, leaning on the couch. I glanced around, feeling a pang of panic once I thought about leaving the room. I gave myself a little mental nudge, repeating over and over that this was a safe place for my family, that they were protected here before I headed out. It didn't occur to me that I'd included Sydney into that group until I was already halfway down the hall. It was a mindless decision. She was Rose's family and Rose was mine. It wasn't a foreign concept to me. I did, after all, consider Dimitri's family a part of mine too. But, I used to think that was a privilege. Now, I couldn't help wondering if it was a curse. Looking at it from my current standpoint, all I saw in my family tree was a whole lot of dead. I'd be foolish... no, selfish to try and add more people to it. So why do I keep doing it?
POV: Rose
Roza.
My eyes snapped open as air unsteadily wooshed into my body. I sat up and peered across the room. It's real, my mind supplied almost automatically despite my desire to deny Dimitri getting shot was anything but a sick and cruel nightmare. Sighing, I moved to get up until my legs got stuck on something. Adrian? Sure, if his hair had grown and he'd dyed it blond in the last hour or so. No, this was definitely a curled up on the floor, face buried in her arms which were folded on the couch, passed out Sydney. I brushed a hand through her hair, but she was out cold. She was probably as exhausted as the rest of us. I didn't think she'd wake, but I still slid off the couch as quietly as I could, tiptoeing my way to Dimitri's bed.
The steady beeping of the machines he was hooked to made my stomach turn. With no food in my system I was sure I was safe from throwing up, but that didn't stop a nauseating feeling from spreading all through me. I put my hand on his, seeing and feeling it shake when his didn't move to squeeze back. I swallowed a lump of tears that kept on fighting to burst out ever since we got here. I had to hold them back. It was the only way I'd stop myself from crumbling and ending up curled in a ball for however long it took Dimitri to recover. If he recovers.
I shook my head to cast my last thought out and lifted his hand. I ducked down and pressed my lips to his fingers before whispering: "I'll be right back."
I knew he probably couldn't hear me, but it felt right to tell him that. I snuck out of the room and eased the door to a close, deciding I'd let Syd get a bit more rest until it was time to chase her off to an actual bed before all of her muscles could cramp.
The more I progressed down the hall, the louder the rumble of voices floating from downstairs became. I couldn't make out who was talking or what they were saying, at least not until I was just outside the living room. The first clear sentence I caught was spoken through a roar: "What I'd like is to make someone—, make them pay. I want to kill every single person who had a hand in what happened last night."
"Unfortunately, we're currently out of bitter revenge so it's either tea or nothing", I heard Tatiana's calm response before I pushed the door open.
"Take the tea", Ibrahim voiced, raising his own cup, "It'll calm your nerves."
Ibrahim and Tatiana were both seated, but Adrian restlessly paced back and forth at the speed that was surely going to tire him soon. I was certain the sharp slide of his shoes through the carpet would eventually end in sparks and then a raging fire.
"Fuck that", Adrian snapped which led to Tatiana mumbling language. He stopped pacing when he noticed me lingering in the doorway.
"Anger only makes you stupid and being stupid gets you killed", Ibrahim voiced as I moved, stepping into his and Tatiana's line of sigh.
"Is your only purpose here spewing words of wisdom or will you actually decide to do something useful?"
"Rosemarie, how nice of you to join us", he responded nearly cheerfully.
Tatiana nodded a greeting as I shifted closer to Adrian, reaching out until our hands brushed. I really wanted to lace my fingers with his and let that comforting warmth of his touch ground me, but I knew now wasn't the right time for it. This place was safe, but it wasn't our home. Tatiana was Adrian's family, but I still didn't trust her. And I trusted Ibrahim even less. Adrian had to stay in control here, he had to be the kind of person everyone around would respect, if for no other reason than because they feared him. Kindness, gentleness — these people considered them weaknesses and I knew Adrian couldn't show them. At least not more than he already has. So, I pulled away quickly, only sharing a slightly lingering look with him that was meant to show him I was alright and on board with whatever he wanted to do or say next.
"No more games. I'm going after Dashkov. Those who are working alongside him signed their death warrant the moment Mia Rinaldi died."
"You're not wrong about that", Wilket spoke up from behind me, waving with his phone to underline his words, "Andrea called."
"Wait, isn't that Spiridon's boss?", I asked as I moved to sit down. It didn't take me long to abandon that idea. Every free spot was either next to Ibrahim or Tatiana and I did not want to be anywhere near them.
"Yeah", Adrian replied before Ibrahim frowned.
"Actually, I believe Spiridon works for Dashkov."
"Why am I not surprised that you know that? You're great pals after all, right? And it's worked. Past tense. Adrian killed him when he tried to kill me."
"He didn't try to kill you", he responded calmly, taking a sip of his tea, "He tried to retrieve you."
"Well, him shooting me said otherwise", I nearly screamed before Adrian put his hand on my shoulder, probably with the intention of calming me.
"What did Andrea want?", Adrian asked Wilket who'd been shifting from one foot to the other uncomfortably through the brief argument.
"Peace. He actually confirmed in a way what Mr. Mazur just said. Apparently, their ranks had been infiltrated by a few men who seemed to have worked for Victor. He took care of that situation, but he said he's aware of the troubles that brought you. I told him you weren't in a forgiving mood, but he said perhaps a gift will make you reconsider."
"A gift?"
"He set up a meeting for you. Soldati family."
"Soldatis are backing Dashkov. Why the fuck would I want to meet with them?"
"Their not backing him anymore. Andrea said they're far from switching sides, but they are willing to give you valuable information. For a price, of course."
"Of course."
"But why would they turn on him? I mean, I know I don't really know these people or much about all the gangs, groups and mafias, but this sounds like another trap to me", I voiced, seeing Adrian's forehead furrow thoughtfully.
"Dashkov fucked up", Wilket offered.
"How?"
"Mia", Adrian muttered, glancing at me briefly, "She was supposed to be protected from everyone. Rinaldis avoided being a part of any war for decades. They're what you might call mediators. And Mia's father is basically a convenience store for any illegal thing you want to get your hands on and he sells to anyone, no picking sides or favouritism. By killing Mia Dashkov essentially invaded Switzerland which was the quickest and most effective way to piss a lot of people off."
"That doesn't mean everyone is willing to back out of the fight", Ibrahim added as Tatiana placed her teacup down, "Many will continue to follow him despite this."
"What Dashkov did tipped the scales", Tatiana voiced, "It's yet to be determined in whose favour. There'll be those who won't be willing to follow him after this. And, as Ibrahim pointed out, others will put it aside only because such ruthlessness gives them reassurance that he'll stop at nothing to win. However, our supporters could get scared off. This was never just a war. It was and is retribution. The girl's death, unfortunate as it was, didn't come out of nowhere. Rinaldis didn't choose sides, but even I know she was our sympathizer. Killing her was a strategic move meant to do damage to our support. He more or less told the world this is what happens to those who stand beside us, even if they don't actually fight with us."
"So, you think anyone who was willing to support Adrian will back down to avoid retribution themselves?", I asked, feeling uneasy even before I finished speaking. If she was right, we were going to lose. And losing was just another word for dying around here.
Adrian didn't wait for confirmation. His jaw tightened and his frown deepened. He absentmindedly nodded, cleared his throat before he announced: "Then we have to make a move before fear can fully settle in. Wilket, call Andrea, tell him I'll meet the Soldatis today."
"Yes Sir."
"I'll come with", I instantly said which made Ibrahim lose his cool and jump out of his seat with a protest.
"You're not going anywhere."
"Did that sound like a question? Because it wasn't. And it certainly wouldn't have been directed at you if it was."
"Rosemarie—."
"Don't!", I warned, glaring at him, "Don't presume that you have any say in what I do with my life. You've already mostly lost your vote in my decision making when you abandoned me and you've definitely lost it when I was tortured and had to pick between becoming a murderer and watching the man I love die. You honestly think giving us a lift is going to make up for your betrayal? It won't. Now, everyone here seems cool with the fact that you're still breathing but, if you ask me, you're lucky Adrian took my gun or I would've—."
Killed you. I couldn't get the words out. I could think about them, but not say them. Could you live with someone's blood on your hands?, Dimitri once asked me. They were already coated in it. Jesse and all the people I shot last night... that was quite a lot of lives to carry on my conscious, my soul, for the rest of my life. I didn't know if I could add Ibrahim to the list. Then again, Dimitri did also say he'd kill his own father on sight so maybe I could bring myself to do the same.
"R—", Ibrahim tried, but I didn't give him a chance to finish my name.
"Do not interrupt me", I hissed through gritted teeth, taking a few steps forward, "I mean, what did you think was gonna happen when you popped in two decades late, going all Star Wars I'm your father? And don't even think about giving me that shit line — I did all of this for you. What I wanted, needed, were parents who'd protect, love and stick with me, not ditch me because things weren't perfect. You took the easy road not the best. Nothing you say will make that less true. So what exactly do you want from Ibrahim?"
By the time I stopped talking my lungs were screaming at me for air and my mouth felt like sandpaper. I could sense wide-eyed stares drilling holes into my head, but I couldn't find it within me to care. Ibrahim's face had paled through my rant, but he was quick to scold the slack-jawed expression my words had caused before asking: "Are you done?"
"Yeah. Adrian, ready to go?"
If I were to base my interpretation of Adrian's thoughts solely on his expression, he was the closest he's ever been to wanting to give me a big, fat, juicy kiss. The pride in his eyes was oddly heartwarming. Before he could say anything though, Ibrahim continued: "I'd given you the courtesy of listening to what you had to say. Now it's your turn. Take a seat Rosemarie."
"I'm not—."
"Take. A seat", he punched out, giving me a look that actually scared me, "Tatiana, I don't wish to abuse your hospitality, but if you could please—."
She stood up before he'd finished, addressing Adrian: "Let's go find you some new clothes."
"Tati", Adrian started, glancing at me with uncertainty.
"Now, boy."
He looked torn and I could really blame him. His aunt wasn't someone you wanted to disobey, but I wouldn't want to leave him alone if roles were reversed either. His reluctance was appreciated and even when my mind screamed at me to do anything to make him stay, I gritted my teeth and gave him a sharp nod. I'm a big girl, I told him through the brief eye contact we shared. He left and I took the armchair closest to the door. I forced myself to stay, but left myself a quick way out of here in case I needed it. Better safe than sorry.
Ibrahim wasted no time. He sat down as soon as the door closed behind Adrian and said: "You asked what I want from you? Nothing. What I want for you is a different story altogether. I never presume anything and neither should you. You don't know much about me so I don't expect you to understand my motives for wanting to give you a normal life and wanting to keep you as safe as possible. I willingly admit my failures, but don't ever think that there's anything I would put in front of you. Now, I'm sorry you were—."
He stopped so abruptly it caught me by surprise. His face twitched, painfully, and it took him a few moments to continue: "I will never forgive myself for the fact that I helped put you on a path both your mother and I did all we could to keep you from. And even if you wanted to, I wouldn't expect you to forgive me either. And though saying this won't really make a difference or change what had happened to you, no one gave me a guidebook on how to save you. I was forced to make things up as I go which is why I chose to work with someone I didn't want to and hoped that was the quickest way to get you out of this mess."
I really wanted to pout and refuse to speak until he told me he was finished, but the little voice in my head that sounded an awful lot like Dimitri wouldn't let me. I had to truly be a big girl. I had to because I'd avoided being an adult for far to long and I didn't have that luxury anymore. So, once Ibrahim paused and obviously gave me a shot to participate, I pushed out: "You had to have known Victor would play you. I mean, sure, I don't know you, but I'm willing to bet my intelligence was inherited from both of my parents."
"I'd taken that possibility into my considerations, yes. But I was certain Victor, just like Ivashkov, wouldn't dare kill you and I figured I should try a different approach in my attempts to rescue you. I'd gotten nowhere trying to free you from Ivashkov on my own."
"Did it ever occur to you that I didn't need or want rescuing?"
"Not until I saw you protecting him and Belikov yesterday. I didn't think—."
"I was brave enough to do it?", I prompted, watching a small smile twitch his lips.
"I knew you were brave Rose, I just didn't realize you'd come to care for them."
"Love them", I corrected which made him shift almost uncomfortably, "I love them both. And there's nothing I would put in front of them. I'd die before letting Victor kill them. So if you care about me as much as you're trying to convince me you do, then you'll help them."
He was silent for a small eternity, his face completely blank though I could almost see the cogs in his brain working and then he finally said: "Alright. What should I do?"
"For now, stay here. Someone needs to keep Dimitri and Sydney safe."
"You'd trust me with their lives?", he questioned with a dose of amusement.
"I don't trust you, but I'm certain you wouldn't dare let them die", I said, knowing I sounded a lot like him when he talked about Victor and giving him a smirk once I made sure he knew it too, "I have to go. Nice talk. Let's not do it again."
"Agreed", he muttered while I stood up and headed for the door. I paused, glancing at him over my shoulder to add one last thing.
"And Ibrahim, if you betray us again—", I started, fighting to finish my threat. Ah, freaking voice of reason that sounds like Dimitri, leave me alone! Alright, fine. If I couldn't work past those damn words I could certainly improvise: "You're going to wish one of your enemies had the balls to off me."
Rose one, imaginary Dimitri zero.
POV: Kit
Soldatis were a nightmare to make deals with. That much was obvious when we all wound up going in circles where Adrian patiently asked for Dashkov's location and Massimo constantly claimed he'd love to help, but also wouldn't back down until it was made clear what he'd get in return. I've been a part of many negotiations since I started working for Adrian, I knew all of his strategies and approaches so noticing he was reluctant to give into any demands didn't escape my notice. I didn't know if it was his lack of trust in them or the fact that he was surely tired of being forced to cooperate with scum. Either way, we were getting nowhere.
"You know this isn't how things work amico", Massimo pressed before his brother, Emilio, tried to end the pointless discussion.
"Come on now. I'm sure we can work out our compensation with Andrea."
"Andrea isn't here", one of their men protested and I couldn't help thinking Adrian would bury me if I talked over him like that, "We're here to negotiate with this one so... what do we get for helping you?"
"You get to keep breathing", Rose mumbled to herself, but didn't do it as quietly as she probably meant to.
"Nobody asked you, puttana", the man hissed and I noticed Adrian freeze with his cigarette halfway to his mouth. I didn't know what the last word meant, but Adrian clearly did. Massimo and Emilio cringed at it and seemed somewhat alerted when Adrian put out his half-finished cigarette in the closest ashtray and took a few steps forward. He gave the brothers a warning look once they attempted to move as well.
"If you don't want me as your enemy—", he trailed off, but Emilio clearly finished the sentence on his own, pulling his brother back and muttering something to him.
Adrian's lips pulled into a smile, but there was something twisted in his expression, something that looked a lot like a predator zoning in on its prey. He fixed his sharp, cold gaze on the man and added: "How rude of me to not introduce the lovely lady. Her name is Rosemarie Hathaway."
I saw his hand curl into a fist and put my over my holster. The men left of Massimo started pulling his gun out before he was stopped by his boss. I knew what was in the cards for the guy who called Rose whatever puttana meant, not that I couldn't guess, and saw realization filling his face seconds before Adrian's fist came flying toward him. It was a blow strong enough to knock him down. Everyone tensed, but no one tried to interfere. Our forces were equal and it didn't take a genius to figure out most of us wouldn't walk away from this if guns joined the party. Still, I had to be ready for anything. This apartment was one of Andrea's safehouses, but the fact that it was on the third floor didn't really instil the feeling of safety. There were no easy escape routes out of here so if push came to shove, we'd be in some deep shit.
"She's a friend of my family", Adrian hissed, kicking the man a few times and then circled him with his legs, ducking to grab the front of his shirt and pull him closer.
The man scrambled to get his gun, but Adrian swiftly kicked it out of reach. He did all he could to shield himself, but Adrian's hits came down hard and on every place he could reach as he added: "And, I assure you, the furthest thing from a whore."
Soldati's men began murmuring something in Italian to their bosses and I looked at Wilket for clues. He understood the language to some extent and the uneasy shift in his posture made me nervous. I delicately moved closer to Rose who'd been staring at Adrian and flinching with each hit he delivered. I brushed her shoulder and tilted my head to motion her back. Her feet moved, but her eyes stayed glued to Adrian as he continued: "So I suggest. You show her. Some fucking respect!"
Blood was already pouring out of the man's nose and his left eye was barely visible because of the tarnished skin and swellings around it. The last blow Adrian landed, by the sound of it, broke a bone or two. He let go of him and let him struggle to his knees before reaching under his jacket for his gun. Just like that every holster in the room was emptied and I knew we were a match away from lighting the fuse of this already volatile situation. There was a collective intake of breath as Adrian clicked the safety off and lined the gun up with the man's head. I felt Rose burying her face into my shoulder a second before the bang.
I watched Adrian as he carefully pinched the handkerchief folded in the pocket of his jacket and pull it out. He used it to leisurely wipe blood off his knuckles before throwing it on the lifeless body in front of him. He straightened his clothes and ran a hand through his hair to smooth it back before he cleared his throat and said: "If anyone else wants to negotiate, step right up, but I suggest you make your decision wisely or your brains might as well decorate this ugly ass carpet."
The whole room stood still so, after allowing a few seconds of silence to go by, he added: "I'll take that as a no. Now, give me the information I want and I'll consider it a favour. Andrea can confirm I always return favours. Sounds good?"
Emilio stepped forward, motioning his men to lower their weapons. I nodded to the ones from our team to do the same. I was so focused on what everyone standing on the other side of the room was doing that I nearly missed Rose walking out. Adrian was clearly well aware of it though since he jerked his head in a silent order for me to follow her before she even opened the front door.
I instinctively looked for Ethan to let him know he should fill my spot as usual, but quickly and with a sinking feeling remembered he was no longer with us. The fight we had yesterday cost us a few of our men. Ethan Walker was one of them. Now, it was Ashford who stood where Ethan should be. He was a smart kid so he'd already moved closer to Adrian by the time our eyes met. He knew what to do but, as great as that was, I couldn't help feeling bitter about how easy he made replacing the guy who'd fought by my side for years seem. It wasn't his fault. Or Adrian's. We had a war to win and honoring and mourning our losses was a luxury we couldn't afford.
Rose hadn't gone far. I ran into her almost as soon as I stepped outside. Her back was turned to me and her hands firmly holding onto the railing of the stairway. She breathed in and pushed out: "I just needed a minute."
"Take as many as you want", I said, leaning in next to her. The way she ducked her head and hunched her shoulders made me realize she was trying to hide her face so I gave a bit of privacy by keeping my eyes glued to the wall on the other side of the stairway.
"I've never seen Adrian this—", she trailed off, clearly attempting to come up with an adequate description. I saved her the trouble.
"I have. Once. Two years ago. It was the first time Dimitri got seriously hurt."
Her head twitched and I could feel her eyes carefully climbing up to my face as she prompted: "He... acts out when Dimitri is hurt?"
"He acts out whenever he pleases, but he emploads the ground he walks on when it comes to that man. He might seem detached and probably is when it comes to most of the world, but he sure as hell loves Dimitri."
"He's not the only one", she sighed and I instantly felt the urge to comfort her. She managed a smile when I put my hand over hers, but it was a faint one.
Before either of us could say anything else Adrian stormed out into the hallway, his phone in his hand. He brought it to his ear and hissed: "What?"
And then he froze. The expression that spread over his face was hard to describe. It was like a mix of relief, anger, happiness, fear, surprise and confusion all at once. It was quite unusual to see him so unguarded. Even more so when his voice trembled as he nearly whispered: "Dimitri?"
Hey everyone! It was past time I posted, huh? Not gonna lie, I'm not really all that proud of this chapter, but I wanted to give y'all an early Christmas present so here it is! I've been rewriting this thing for over a week and... well, what I didn't give you in quality I tried making up with quantity (aka this chapter is over 1000 something words longer than the usual)! Thoughts? Hope you guys don't hate it! Alsoooo, to all of you who've been asking about whether Rose will tear Abe a new one at some point, hope this was satisfying! XD
Anyhow, I'll TRY to squeeze in another chapter before the year is up (especially cause I know y'all want to "see" Dimitri again), but no promises! I've been having difficulties writing lately for some reason so I don't know if I'll finish CH45 in time! If I don't, Happy New Year as well as Christmas!
Question of the week: What's your favorite holiday related tradition? For me it's definitely the whole process I have with my folks when it comes to decorating the Christmas tree (though I have to say egg tapping for Easter is second place for sure)! We usually do it somewhere around the catholic Christmas and keep the tree and the rest of the decorations around until our (orthodox) Christmas is over! We (and I still don't know how or why we started doing this) listen to Crazy Frog Christmas CD every year while we decorate and that never stops making me smile!
That's it for today! Thanks for reading! Happy holidays! I'm sending out hugs and kisses to all of you!
Songs: Nothing To Lose But You - Three Days Grace, Familia - Nicki Minaj & Anuel AA
P.S. FF disabled email notifications for PMs! Thought I should share this in case you didn't notice!