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In my kitchen Dimitri was at my side with all the bags, and looked at me questioningly. I looked at everybody, and sighed.

"You know Old Man, I'm really regretting letting you have my spare key. This is really a violation of my privacy." I took some of the bags from Dimitri and set them on my kitchen counters and Dimitri quickly followed suit.

"Well, if you had answered my calls I wouldn't have had to call your dad, Rose," Lissa fumed. She set my phone on the kitchen island. "Thanks for that, by the way."

"I was out shopping; there is no need to worry. I don't think I was in any danger buying clothes." I looked around at my mother, my father, Lissa and- "And why is Adrian here?!" I exclaimed.

"I take that offensively," Adrian muttered.

"He insisted on coming," my mother explained.

"Who is this guy anyway?" Abe asked.

Everyone's attention immediately turned to Dimitri who looked confused and uncomfortable.

"I met him at the airport," I said, "and obvious to his attire, he is, was, in the army." All eyes snapped to me again.

"Rosemarie we need to speak in the living room." I rolled my eyes but followed him nonetheless.

"Rose, are you stupid?" he asked. His arms were crossed, and he was tapping his foot. His brown eyes were furious, but I couldn't tell if it was because of me or because he couldn't figure out why he wore such a tight, hot suit in June.

"No, I'm not. He needed help so I helped him. It's really simple." I quipped.

"Rose, you can't help everyone in need. This man could have some serious psycho problems so fresh out of war. What if he kills you during your sleep?" He questioned.

"Are you kidding me, look at him?" I gestured towards Dimitri who was having a smooth conversation with my mother. "Are you afraid he's going to kill her too?"

"Rose, this is no time to joke. I am being serious. He is potentially dangerous." Abe uncrossed his arm.

"Look, if I see any sign of danger I'll kick him out," I said.

"That's the problem. By the time you start to see the signs it will be too late." His face was started to get red.

"If you didn't trust my judgment you should have kept me at home." I sighed. "This is my house and this is my decision. He's staying."I turned and started walking towards the others.

"Don't forget who pays your bill, Rose." It was soft and menacing. A voice I had heard him use to many of his business partners just as he was going to pull out from a deal.

I stopped and turned to him. "So, because I refuse to listen to on your annoying demands you are threatening me?" I scoffed "Real mature, Dad." I continued into the kitchen knowing that his threats were simply that and were complete empty air.

"You're funny, Dimitri, I like you. I hope Rose keeps you around." My mother laughed.

Dimitri eyes immediately snapped to mine as I approached.

When I reached them I asked, "Why wouldn't I keep him around?"

Adrian flung his arm around me. "Maybe because I'll be really, really jealous that you are living with another man."

"Good thing I couldn't care less about your feelings." I smiled.

He put his hand on his chest. "That hurts deep, Little Firecracker."

"Rose, me and Christian are having a dinner tonight, you and Dimitri should come." Lissa stepped into the conversation. "Maybe I can get to know him a little better."

I looked at Dimitri to try to get a read on what he thought of that idea. He was already looking at me. His eyes and smile was a definite yes.

"Sure, what time?" I asked. After Lissa gave me the time she excused herself.

My dad made his way back into the kitchen. "Dimitri." He stopped in front of him. "I think it goes without say that I'm not happy that you are here. As a father it makes me uncomfortable to think of my daughter living with a man." Dimitri stood there blinking at him. "That being said. I trust my daughter's judgement and if she trusts you then I trust you. Maybe sometime we can go hunting together." They shook hands firmly as Dimitri agreed. My father turned to me. "I love you Rosemarie and I apologize." He pulled me into a hug. "It's so strange to see my little girl growing up."

"I know, Dad." He pulled away.

"Adrian," he said. "We have to get back to work." He took my mom's hand. "I'll take you home, Honey." They all made their way our the door and I was more than happy to close and lock the door them.

Soon as Dimitri and I were alone we sat on the couch in complete silence. I looked at Dimitri, and he looked at me.

"So," I said breaking the silence, "How does it feel being home?" I smiled.

"It's really nice. " he smiled back at me. "Especially since I can stay here instead of a crappy motel."

"I heard that you guys were sent home early," I hoped I wasn't overstepping my boundaries. "How come?"

Suddenly his eyes went from happy to hurt, and pain. "When we were getting haircuts at the base and I was done and waiting for my friend, Ivan, who was almost done getting his, and we were laughing about a joke someone made." He paused as he stared off with a disbelieving look in his eyes. "The door was directly in front of the chair he was in, and we were unprotected. We didn't think anything would happen while getting haircuts, you know?" His snapped to mine.

"Next thing I know I see the guard that was at the front door drop to the floor, at first no one really knew what to do, but then some men with guns, walked in and immediately started shooting. We tried to take cover, but it wasn't enough time for everyone." He looked at me, his eyes shining with unshed tears. "Ivan was the first casualty. There were a lot of people hurt by the time it took for back up to come." He half sighed half laughed.

I got up from the couch, and sat next to him in the love seat. I took one of his hands into both of mines, and whispered, "I'm so sorry, it must've been so devastating. I can only imagine how you must've felt."

He smiled sadly at me, and offered an explanation, "After that we went into full on battle, so I didn't have much time to really hurt, or feel devastated at all. I just haven't really thought about it until now." He looked at me, and his chocolate eyes bore into mine, willing me to be there for him.

I presented him a small smile, and assured him, "If you ever want to talk about it or anything at all, you can always talk to me."

After he thanked me, we went to the kitchen to grab our bags, and take them up to our separate rooms. We went our separate ways to get ready to have dinner at Lissa's house. After I showered I spread out all my new clothes out on my bed as I stood in front of it in my underwear trying to decide, what I would look best in. I looked at my new long khaki pants, and a red shirt lying right next to each other, but decided against it. I moved to the next outfit; blue jeans with a hot pink top. I liked that outfit a lot, the colors were just so contrasting that they looked good together. I moved to the third out fit. I forgot I even bought this, I thought to myself. I absolutely loved, it and decided that it was definitely the one I was going to wear. I put the other outfits back into their bags, promising myself that I would get around to putting them in place in the closet.

I walked to my make-up table with a vanity mirror, and sat down. I pulled out my blow-dryer, and my curling iron. I quickly blow dried my hair then proceeded to curl. Once I was happy with the loose that were framing my face I brushed on some light make-up. I put my outfit on and walked into my walk-in shoe closet, and found just the right pumps. They were red pumps. They were pretty simple, but they brought the outfit together. I looked in the mirror and was happy with what I saw. The black and white dress was one shouldered, and the bottom reached about mid thigh. It was all white with black ribbon wrapping all the way up to my left shoulder, where it dropped and knotted in the back. My favorite thing about the dress was that it was extremely tight. I smiled already seeing the look on Tasha's face.

I walked out of my room, and bumped into Dimitri at the stairs.

"You look wonderful," he said. I returned the complement as I saw he was wearing black slacks with a white button up shirt. I smiled realizing that we matched.

I smiled at him, "Are you ready to endure this dinner?" I asked.

"This," he answered, "sounds like it's going to be awful."

I laughed and walked down the stairs with him trailing behind.

I shook my head thinking about his previous comment, and muttered, "You have no idea."

As we drove to Lissa's house I tried to mentally prepare myself for what I would have to endure. I told myself I would behave because I was a better person than Tasha but if she started something I wouldn't be able to stay shut.

I parked the car in front of her house and steeled myself.

We walked up Lissa's marble front steps. I pressed the doorbell, and waited for someone to open the door.

When the door opened I saw Christian's worried face. "Rose," he said not letting me in. "Are you going to behave yourself?"

I smirked at him, "Don't I always?" I pushed past him, and walked into the living room. I introduced Christian and Dimitri then I noticed Tasha was sitting on the couch in the living room. Anger flared inside me as I remembered the last time I saw her on that couch.

"Tasha." I greeted her.

"Rose." Her eyes flickered to Dimitri. "Who's this?" She smiled and stood.

"Dimitri this is Tasha. Tasha this is Dimitri." I didn't want to introduce them. I didn't want her anywhere near him.

Christian watched me with squinted eyes. He was surprised I was being civil but wondered if I was up to something.

I hear something banging around in the kitchen, and then Lissa's voice drifted to the living room. "Christian get in here, you know I can't cook."

Christian ran past me, and into the kitchen.

"We met on the plane, right?" Tasha batted her eyelashes as she asked Dimitri.

"Well, we bumped into each other on the plane, but sure." Dimitri rested his hand on my lower back. I smiled when I figured out what he was doing; he was letting Tasha know that he was here with me.

"Dinner's ready," she said, pulling her lips up into a fake smile.

We all sat around the dinner table in silence with our plates sitting in front of us full of food. No one made any move to eat. Lissa and Christian were sitting right across from me and Dimitri, while Tasha sat on the end nearest to Dimitri.

"So, Dimitri, you met me earlier," Lissa said relieving the silence. "But, this is my fiance Christian, and his aunt Tasha."

"Oh, no need. Dimitri was on the plane with us." she smiled and took a sip of her wine. "We bumped into each other; it may have been fate." I rolled my eyes and Dimitri gave her a look of confusion.

"Wow, Tasha are you seriously with Dimitri right now?" I asked. Lissa gave me a warning look, that I ignored, and Christian, just began eating, ignoring us.

"Oh, please," Tasha said. "I can do whatever I want." She flipped her hair and picked up her fork about to take a bite of food.

"Oh, we know," I muttered. "You do whatever you want. Whoever you want." I shoved a spoonful of food in my mouth.

"Somebody had to do him." My head snapped up and I felt my face getting red. I felt Dimitri's hand on mine and I looked over at him. He gave me a look that told me to rise above.

"Tasha, that is enough," Christian bellowed.

We both ignored him. I got up and said, "You know what you stupid little bitch, that's all you are good for; sleeping with men that aren't yours. I'm sure if Christian weren't your nephew you would have slept with him too." I was always taught to quit while I was ahead, so I held my head high and walked out of the kitchen.

I heard Dimitri excuse himself and follow me out.

I walked out of the house, down the walkway, and into my car. Dimitri slid into the passenger seat as I started the car. As soon as he was secured in the car I sped off. About two minutes on the rode tears started blurring my vision.

"Pull over," I heard Dimitri's voice say. I didn't have it in me to argue that I was okay.

When I pulled over Dimitri got out of the car, and circled around to my side. He opened the door, took my hand, and pulled me out of the car. He pulled me into a tight hug. I couldn't help but sob into his shirt, uncontrollably might I add. It would have been weird if he had been a total stranger, but at that point he was mostly a friend.

"I hate her so much," I sobbed. "Why does she have to be so cruel?" I asked no one in particular. Dimitri stayed quiet, just rubbing my back. Soon I stopped crying, and just let him hold me. My cheek was against his very defined chest. I could smell his after shave, and at the moment that's all I wanted to smell.

I pulled away from Dimitri, remembering that he was still sort of a stranger. I didn't move away any further, and looked up at him, blushing. "Sorry for breaking down on you like that," I looked at his shirt that was shaded in black from my mascara, "and ruining your shirt."

"It's fine, and you have done too much for me for me to care about a shirt," Dimitri chuckled.

I looked down at my hands, knotting them. "I'm sorry that you had to witness that. I promise I'm not usually like that. Only around her."

"Don't worry about it. I understand. She gets under your skin." He rubbed my bare arms. "Let's get you back in the car."

"You can drive." I handed him my keys and made my way to the passenger seat.

I watched as he rubbed the steering wheel and fixed the rear view mirror. He looked over at me. "I love your car."

I smiled just as my stomach started to growl. "I'm so hungry."

"I can cook dinner for us," he offered.

I accepted and we made our way home.

Thanks once again to everyone who reads this story and a special thanks to those people who take extra time to review. Thank you soo soo much. Next chapter will be coming soon.