Three days later I found myself laughing for the first time in a little under a month. Mason has been trying since he got here to get me to laugh but my heart hadn't been in it. But here I was nearly doubled over as I stared at Mason who had been cooking. Peacefully might I add until I walked in and got the urge to throw flour at him. The slight widening of his eyes and flour covering his face had gotten me. The most prominent thing showing was his bright red hair. I couldn't hold it back and laughter bubbled through.
"This is what makes you laugh." Mason groans but still smiles at me as he turns around to clean himself off.
"You should have seen your face!" Eddie sits near by trying to hide his own laughter behind a comic book.
"Whatever. At least your laughing." My laughter slows down but the smile stays on my face.
"It's what you've been wanting has it not?" He comes over newly cleaned and wraps his arm around my shoulders.
"Seeing you smile and laugh has made this whole visit worth while." We sober up a little and I can't help but feel guilty about this moment.
"I just don't know if I should be this happy." The days following the boys coming over had me feeling guilty. Guilty that I was here and the Dragomir's were not. My phycologist had mentioned it being survivors guilt, when I had seen her the day prior. She had told me it was ok to be happy to start to move on, but how could I. Liss still hadn't woken and god knew what she was going to go through when she woke up. I had had it too easy.
"You deserve to be happy Rose. You didn't do anything wrong. Hell you almost died too." Eddie had come over his golden eyes trying to assure me.
"I know. I know." Even though I did know it still hurt. It had been made even harder when I brought the two guys to visit Liss.
"Rose are you here?" My eyes flicked to the front door where I heard someone open and close the door. Dimitri's voice ringing through the small hall.
"In the kitchen." Dimitri came around the corner a small smile on his face. It all but dropped as he took me and the boys in. Mason's arm still around me.
"I'm sorry I didn't know you had company." I slipped away from Mason and inched closer to Dimitri.
"These are friends from college. Mason Ashford and Eddie Castile." They each stepped forward to shake Dimitri's hand. "Guys this is Detective Dimitri Belikov."
"Please it's just Dimitri I'm off duty." He tried for a smile but I could tell it was forced.
"Oh Rose has told us about you. Thank you for being there for her. We wish we could have come sooner but we really didn't know what happened until recently." Mason's words were sincere, but Dimitri's eyes narrowed.
In the last three days I had opened up about what had happened to Eddie and Mason. It had been hard, though a great weight had felt lifted from my shoulders. They had listened and reacted accordingly, and I appreciated it. They never questioned whether not I had something to do with it. Something I didn't know I needed so badly. They took my side and believed me like any good friend would. It helped ease my worries knowing that Dimitri wasn't the only one who believed me. Eddie had been the first to offer to help in any way, and immediately after Mason offered too. We didn't have much to go off. But I suppose you could say we started our own investigation.
"I didn't mean to barge I'll see myself out." I slightly panicked as Dimitri turned around. Although I loved the boys company I had missed time with Dimitri.
"Oh don't leave. Mason is making lasagna and a big one at that. He's a great cook." Dimitri hesitated but quickly relented when I tried my hardest to put on puppy eyes.
"Sure I haven't eaten since this morning." He smiled softly at me and I smiled back.
"Great. I'll make some garlic bread too just to make sure we have enough food." Mason smiled at me and threw a wink my way, I blushed well knowing he was teasing me. I suppose he too had caught on to how much I talked about Dim
"Eddie can you help me?" Eddie smiled as well agreeing as they shooed us away.
Going into the living room Dimitri and I sat side by side on the love seat. Out of all the times he had visited this had to have been the most awkward. We looked towards each other a few times smiling and looking away. I had never acted like this around a guy before. Adrain hitting on me had not even phased me. And having Eddie and Mason here felt so natural. But with Dimitri I felt like I was trying too hard and not at the same time. I had been worried about talking to him before but talking to him came easy. I think it was Dimitri's detective side I was most worried about. Dimitri as a person was amazing, sweet and freaken gorgeous.
"Sorry I've been MIA the last few days work has been insane." He finally eased back into the couch and relaxed.
"I understand. I'm sure this case is taking up everyone's time. I'm thankful though, I know all the hard work will pay off." I took sat back and tried to relax as well.
"I must admit in my all my 8 years experience I've never had a case like this." I nodded my head along.
"It's horrible." The words came out as a whisper.
"Visiting friends?" Dimitri's eyes flickered to the kitchen and I smiled.
"Yes. From college. They usually stay out of media and all those things so they just recently found out." His brow furrowed and he inched closer.
"Close friends?" I smile and thought about it.
"Yes and no. I mean we went to college together. We hung out but never out of school." I leaned into the couch seeking comfort, he was digging for information, and I hated it.
"You invited them?" I laughed now.
"No. They heard and came cause they were worried. I wonder if my mother knows." I sighed wondering if she would even care.
"You said you aren't close." I snorted. I suppose I had been vague with how we were how.
"We haven't talked in years. I doubt she knows where I am." Dimtri looks puzzled then.
"No contact all this time?" I slightly felt annoyed with his question. I had answered all this before.
"None and I doubt we ever will." I huffed and sat back.
"I'm sorry I just have a hard time seeing it. I myself am so close to my mother." I smiled remembering Olena. He knew she was my nurse and I had mentioned how amazing she was before.
"Your mother is a saint." I rubbed my chest a dull ache forming.
"How are you feeling? Still in pain?" I shook my head no as I answered.
"I'm still healing but it's bearable. I think my nightmares are the worst part." I shivered thinking of the nightmare I had last night. Those men had found me and put me through hell, I woke up right as one aimed and fired at me.
"I'm sorry to hear that." He reached over and grabbed my hand. "I'm sorry again about Tasha. I'm sure her pushing and having to relive that day didn't help."
"I must admit I really dislike her vendetta against me. I haven't done anything. I didn't make that call Dimitri. I didn't do anything. I love the Dragomir's. I miss them so much." My eyes watered and Dimitri for the first time ever pulled me into him. His arms wrapped around me and I inhaled his scent as I wrapped my arms around his waist. He must wear an aftershave, and I really liked it. That along with whatever shampoo he used calmed me. His chin rested on my head and I sank into the hug.
"I believe you Rose. I know I'm not suppose to take sides. But..." he pulled away slightly his hands landing on my shoulders. "I know something else is going on here. I hate to admit it but I've seen this before, they just want to pin this on someone, it looks bad that we have no one. But I promise you I won't let you take the fall for something you didn't do." My throat dries up at his words. He's determined and here for me. My once small list of
people who cared for me has grown immensely and I am overwhelmed.
"Thank you." It's not much but I am so thankful it almost hurts. Having Dimitri on my side makes me feel strong and hopeful.
"How's Lissa?" He takes his hands away but still faces me.
"Any day now they hope she will wake up." Happiness seeps through me at the thought. I needed my best friend. And I couldn't wait to get her recovery behind us.
"I'm glad to hear that. When she wakes and can tell us her side I'm sure everything will be better." I nod quickly more than agreeing with him.
"They don't know the extent of damage done but they have hope. Her brain activity is amazing. And thank god the bullet only grazed. It's a miracle she's alive and even healing so well but I am so beyond happy." I'm nearly bursting remembering that they really thought she would wake soon. I just hoped I was there when she did.
"That's amazing Roza." The way he says my name in his mother tongue sends chills through me. He inches closer and puts his hand on my cheek. "We will get through this. You just have to stay strong."
I swallow harshly as he seems to come closer. His eyes flick downward and my heart speeds up as I notice he's looking at my lips. My eyes dart to his as well, my mind reeling. I had imagined far more times than I would admit what it would be like to kiss a man like Dimitri. I had kissed quite a few guys but had been all but let down. A lot of young guys were greedy, they wanted one thing only and never appreciated the small things like a kiss. Dimitri seemed like the type of man that cared and was passionate.
"You're beautiful." His eyes burned into mine as his hand slipped to my nape.
His lips were nearly touching mine. I breathed in inhaling his hot breath. I had never felt such a pull to someone before. Not like this. I had been on dates, kissed guys and fooled around. What I felt around Dimitri was so much more, I felt a connection to him. And now that he was about to kiss me I couldn't believe that he too felt it as well. As my eyes fluttered close his lips feathered onto mine. I melted fully my hands reaching for his neck.
"Dinner is ready." We both pulled away quickly as Mason skidded to a stop. "Oh. Wow. Geez. I'm sorry."
"It's fine we were... we were." I blanked as I tried and failed to calm my nerves.
"Talking." Dimitri stood up and walked around the couch. "Do you need help?"
"Umm no the table is set." Mason lets out a small amused laugh and turns towards the dinning room. I start to walk after him when Dimitri's hand stops me.
"Can we talk later?" I swallow the lump in my throat, slightly fearful of what he has to say.
"Yea of course." He smiles a little smirk and it helps ease some of my worry. His hand slides down my forearm and gives my fingers a squeeze, before he slowly eases it to my lower back giving my a small push.
All throughout dinner all I can think about is what almost happened. The light feathering of his lips against mine still lingers. It was barely a kiss but it meant so much to me. My stomach twists as I fear what he's going to say. I already know why it's wrong. His job. The case. Our age. My current status as a possible suspect. The negative racks on, and I fear that the one good thing I felt in a while is also going to be ripped away from me. Mason and Eddie leaving was already weighing heavy on me. Could I possibly take on one more hit?
"Rose has told us how things have been going with the case. Has anything else been found." Dimitri finishes his bite his eyes flashing to mine then back to Eddie's.
"We sadly have a small suspect list and most have no motive and or connection to what happened. As Rose may have told you we arrested Avery but it's been a dead end. We had Victor and Robert on our radar but not for the murders. It's hard with such big companies working against each other. Emotions run high, small problems seem bigger than they are." He sighs deeply. You can feel the tension coming off of him, this has been weighing on him as well. Although it's terrible he's been so stressed and pulled into this case I couldn't ask for a better person.
"I can imagine it's hard." Mason chimes in a sad look across his face. "The Dragomir's were such great people. Eddie and I don't follow media or tv stuff but we did read The Dragomir's newspaper."
"It's filled with such insight." Eddie added also seeming sad. I knew the feeling. They had only met the Dragomir's once but it was enough to impact them.
"I just don't understand why anyone would want such amazing people dead." My voice is soft my eyes again filled with tears. "They did so much for so many people. There wasn't a mean bone in them."
"Sadly that's what makes it hard to solve. They have a spotless reputation. Received some threats but nothing we can tie into the murders. We hope talking to more people will help." Dimitri has reached under the table his hand finding home on my knee giving it a small squeeze.
"I'm just glad you're on the case." Mason looks at Dimitri a strong look of appreciation. I know the feeling, but I also fear we are putting too much on Dimitri's shoulders.
"I'm just doing my job." Dimitri blushes and hides it by wiping his napkin over invisible spots on his face.
"I'll clear off he table." Eddie stands grabbing mine and Dimitri's plate before I can react.
"Yea I'll help." Mason looks my way and nods his head towards Dimitri. Silly boy was trying to let us talk, but I had been hoping to put it off.
"You wanna go talk?" My voice shakes as I ask, I wanted to know but at the same time I didn't.
"Of course." He stands gracefully his hand reaching out to mine. A smile graces his face and I try to smile back but my heart is clenching. When had I become so attached. And why was him rejecting me hurting so much. I didn't know this man, time had still not given us enough to know the other fully. Yet I felt close to him, felt as if I had seen a side to him no one else had. I just hoped it was enough, that I was enough. And deep down I hoped he wasn't doing this to solve the case.