Chapter 6

Vodka and I returned to our little tree. I took another shot and leaned against the thick trunk. The darkness started to ease its grip on my body. Now I understood why Adrian was always drunk.

"Rose"

"Speak of the devil" I laughed, "want to come have a drink with me."

"Are you drunk?"

"Shh" I whispered, I think I was whispering. "I won't tell if you don't."

He took my bottle, "Rose its half empty."

"No Adrian" I snatched it back, "its half full." He settled down in front of me, "how did you find me anyways?"

"When you were in prison, I use to sit here all the time" he replied with disgust. "I always brought my best friends though."

"Who Lissa and Christian?"

"No Rose" he sighed, "Captain Morgan and Jack Daniels."

I laughed so much that I had to set my bottle down. "I just wanted vodka" I admitted. I blinked a tear from lauging out of my eyes and saw rustling in that bush again. Someone was there. Instincts so kill my buzz. "It's not safe here" I stood up pulling him towards the main court. I turned to see a figure standing in the darkness. I couldn't see who it was, but I knew. I saluted him then pointed from my eyes to him. "Come on back to safety" I pushed Adrian into an alley and back to the main area.

"What's going on?" he turned on me. I took a shot, eying him carefully.

"Classified" I replied.

"Let's get you back to the house" he took my arm.

"Roza" I froze for a second before taking another drink. "Roza wait."

Adrian turned around first, "Dimitri don't" his hands were up trying to stop him. "She isn't in the frame of mind to talk to you right now."

"Roza please talk to me" obviously the man doesn't listen.

"Dimitri" Adrian warned.

I whipped around so fast that my head was spinning. "What do you want Mr. love fades?" He cringed. "I don't know what your problem is Dimitri Belikov. From the moment I met you, I loved you and you loved me. First you denied it, then you accepted it, then we couldn't be together, then we could make it work, then you were taken from me, I traveled across the world to find you, I broke Victor Dashkov out of jail just for the chance of a way to save you, I met and fell in love with your family, then you wanted to be with me forever, then you wanted to kill me, and then… then your love faded for me." I took a few quick breaths. "Now you want to talk. Don't bother. I know you don't love me, I remind myself every day. So stop torturing the woman who loves you and spare her feelings for once!" I turned to storm away when he caught me by the arm.

Dimitri spun me around until we were face to face. His lips crashed into mine sending a jolt of electricity through my body. The bottle fell from my hand smashing into a million pieces on the sidewalk. Passion and love flowed between us. My back hit a brick wall. Suddenly I was lifted off my feet. I wrapped my legs around his waist as we continued to kiss. His hands rested on my hips, holding me close. My fingers twisted into his hair, pulling slightly. A low moan erupted from him. I was lightheaded and began to sway to the side. He scooped me up, kissed my forehead and carried me away. I don't know what happened to Adrian. I snuggled into his chest unsure of how long this would last. I took in the smell of his after shave.

A door shut behind us and I realized that Dimitri had taken me back to his room. Our lips met again and our hands began to explore.

XXXX

"Rose!" Adrian flashed into my dream, "wake up, it's time to go!"

My eyes opened just as Dimitri entered the bathroom. I dressed and searched for a pen and paper. The shower started and he was singing in Russian. I sat at his desk to compose a letter. I didn't have much time.

Dimitri,

Hey comrade, don't worry about telling me your love has faded. I already know. I like the song. Well I have to go catch a flight. I will always love you.

Roza

I dashed out of the room and headed for the exit. A black SUV was waiting and an upset Pavel sat in the driver's seat. I hopped into the passenger's seat. Abe, Mikhail and my mother sat in the back.

"Wipe that stupid grin off your face" my mother scowled. "The whole court has seen your little escapades."

"Isn't that a kettle calling the pot black" I smiled. "I think I caught sight of your escapade this morning." She turned bright red.

"Rosemarie" my father leaned forward, "what happened to my daughter who has been very descrete about her personal business."

"It doesn't count when alcohol is involved" I replied with a laugh.

"She's drunk" Pavel sighed.

"Am not" I stuck my tongue out at him. Then I caught sight of his face. Pure sadness and disappointment radiated from his face. Suddenly my night didn't seem so great. Well I can't lie, it was but I felt bad for him.

"We aren't going to make it at this speed" my father broke the uncomfortable silence. Pavel sped up. We made with no time to spare.

We said our goodbyes and Mikhail and I rushed through the terminal. Our plane took off soon afterwards. Moscow here we come! I tried to sleep, but honestly I couldn't. I watched at least five movies. By the time we landed I was starving, sober, and bored. In the airport I went to the first restaurant I saw. I gobbled up as much food as I could before we had to catch the private jet that would take us to Novosibirsk.

The human day was just beginning. Mikhail and I spent the entire day searching for a place to rent. We found an apartment close to the clubs and nightlife. A very convenient and fully furnished penthouse gave us a perfect view of the downtown. Most of the first day was spent stocking up the kitchen, unpacking, and of course sleeping. I realized that one of my suitcases had been lost and I was out half of my clothes. The next day, I had to go shopping. I was happy that I hadn't lost my unlimited credit card that Abe gave me when I had joined in the family business. Five hours and seven hundred dollars later I headed back to the apartment.