A/N: Thank you all so much! You guys are GREAT!

Disclaimer: I do not, in any way, profit from this story and all creative rights to the characters belong to Richelle Mead.

The original content, ideas and intellectual property of this story are owned by Ms. Belikov. Please do not copy, reproduce, or translate without express written permission.

"Hi, uh…hi." I stuttered as I took in his godly looks. "My…my name is, uh,…my name is Rose. Rose Hathaway. I'm the one you'll be guarding. My dad…he got you for me."

When he smiled in amusement, the heat rose to my cheeks. Yep, I had just made a major fool of myself.

"Yes, I know who you are." Dimitri stuck out his hand. Unable to help myself, I glanced down. His hand was large with long graceful fingers, and his knuckles were permanently swollen, like he'd broken them a lot in his lifetime.

For some reason, I wasn't afraid to touch him. That horrible and dreadful feeling didn't overcome me like it did with anyone else I got close to. I actually wanted to…touch him. The thought excited me.

So I did.

His shake was firm and powerful, radiating with a confidence I wish I had. The skin on his palms was scratchy and rough, yet warm at the same time. I loved how small my hand was in his as he closed his fingers around me, it made me feel safe and protected, like he wouldn't let danger come anywhere near me, like he would destroy anything that tried to harm me.

I decided in that moment that I liked him. That I liked him a lot. It felt kind of nice to touch him…

"It's nice to meet you, Rose." Oh god, the way Dimitri rolled his R's…like he was purring. My body flushed with heat, my heartbeat hammered in my chest, and not in that god awful, panic attack way.

This was a normal girl-meet's-boy-who-she-really-likes reaction.

"You too." I managed to find my voice. It was time to pull it together. "So you're my bodyguard?"

"Don't forget about me, Ma'am." Adrian smirked as he took a spot beside Dimitri.

"I am your main guard, Rose." Dimitri was all business now. That smile that had taken my breath away earlier was gone. "I have already talked with your father, Abe, and he has told me what his wishes are."

"And what's that?" I shot my father a warning stare.

"He wants you to be guarded twenty-four-seven."

"Yeah, I know. He already told me that."

"That means we go wherever you go," Dimitri continued. God, I loved watching the way his full lips moved as he talked. I bet they were soft and sweet and felt good all over my body…

Focus Rose, I scolded myself.

"That's okay with me." I shrugged.

"And he also wishes that you would allow me to live with you."

My eyes wanted to jump out of my skull. "Live with me? Why is that necessary?"

"So I can protect you at all times."

"It's one of his policies, Kiz." Abe chimed in.

"But, but, but…my place isn't big enough for the two of us." I said. "And frankly Dimitri, you take up a lot of space. You won't fit in my one bedroom apartment."

"You'd be surprised what he could fit into," Adrian winked. "This one time after he led our group of soldiers across the Sahara desert—"

"The Sahara desert is humungous." I cut in. "It's not surprising that there would be enough room for him. I'm talking about a one bedroom apartment. A one bedroom apartment, with one small kitchen, a bathroom the size of a cardboard box, and a closet that's stuff full of my clothes."

"You didn't allow me to finish, Ma'am." Adrian smiled tightly. "In the Sahara, at night, the temperatures drop to below freezing. So to keep from getting hypothermia, Captain Dimitri over here ordered me and my fellow soldiers to pitch tents. Turns out, there was hardly enough. And Dimitri had to squeeze into a two-person tent with myself and three other full grown men. Needless to say, it was a tight space. Dimitri woke up with awful neck and back pains after being twisted into a pretzel all night."

"You talk a lot, you know that?"

"Yes, Ma'am. Damn proud of it, too. I like the sound of my voice."

"Well, I don't. So can you shut the yap?"

"Kiz."

"Sorry, dad. But doesn't this guy just make you wanna shove screwdrivers into your ears? God, I don't know how I'm going to live with him."

"Not me," Adrian smiled, unaffected by all the insults I was shooting his way. "I'm only your day guard. I work eight hours and go home to my faithful lady, Ms. Grey Goose every night." He chuckled, and then inclined his head towards Dimitri. "Boss is going to be the one you have to deal with twenty-four-seven. Try not to rip your hair out."

"That's fine with me…" Oh, yeah. That was definitely okay with me. There was something about Dimitri that made me want to be around him. The thought of him leaving saddened me. Which was really frickin' weird and completely unlike me.

Abe was staring at Dimitri and Adrian, and I could tell by the gleam in his eyes that he liked them, respected them, trusted them, had confidence in them…

Cha ching. The Russian God was coming home with me. Internally, I did a victory dance. And then the naughty thoughts came. Images of him in the shower, naked in my bed, on top of me, me on top of him, all popped and flashed through my brain.

"Rose? Ms. Hathaway? Are you all right?" Dimitri was standing before me.

"What?"

"I asked you if we could talk privately for a moment."

"Oh," The heat danced along my cheeks again. Great, I'd spaced out…now the Russian God defiantly thought I was a freak. No doubt. "Yeah, I guess that'd be okay. Let's go into the dining room."

A moment later, the two of us were seated at the table in which my family ate at every night, while Adrian and my father were cracking up a conversation in the living room, laughter and booming voices filled the house. I guess they liked each other.

"I'd like to ask you a couple of questions. Just to learn a little more about you. That way I can do my job better and ensure your safety." Dimitri said.

"Shoot."

"Well, I have already looked over your file and all your background information. You don't have much of a criminal history. You graduated from high-school but haven't attended college. You work at a restaurant in down town. And you have few friends, all of which I have checked their backgrounds as well and found nothing alarming—"

"How do you know so much about me?" I narrowed my eyes, feeling exposed and vulnerable.

"Like I said earlier, I researched your file and found out as much I could about you. It's all part of my job, Ms. Hathaway." Dimitri said. "I don't get myself in situations where I'm not prepared. Nothing surprises me these days."

"You know, I liked you earlier before you opened your mouth. Now I'm not so sure."

"That so."

"It wasn't my idea to have a bodyguard, you know. My father insisted that I have protection. I didn't want someone following me around like a lost puppy."

"Oh, really." His tone was bored, faintly mocking.

I glared at him. "You could at least pretend to be interested in what I'm saying."

"I'm not here to charm you. I'm here to do my job."

I crossed my arms as my glare got harder, if that was even possible. God, this arrogant bastard annoyed the hell out of me, but still, all I could think about was grabbing his face and kissing him until I couldn't breathe.

What the hell was wrong with me?

Dimitri eased back into his chair, mimicking my stance. He was all male and bulging muscles. "So tell me something I don't know about you."

I searched my brain for answers. "I hate reading books and cats have a very intense fear of me for no apparent reason. Did you know that?"

To my utter shock, one of his dark brows raised in amusement. "No, I did not."

Internally, I did a fist pump. See! Mr. Russian Smarty Pants didn't know everything! "So, uh…tell me something about you." I said nonchalantly, pretending to be uninterested.

"This isn't about me. It's about you. Now, let's stay focused." Dimitri wrote something down on a small pad of paper. I couldn't help but notice how graceful his writing was…

"Whatever. It's your world. I just live in it." Sarcasm was my best friend at times like these.

"How many lovers have you had in the past year?"

I was so thrown off by that question; it felt like my jaw was going to hit the floor. "Excuse me? What did you say? That is none of your damn business."

"Have you ever heard of a crime of passion?" Dimitri said it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Don't talk to me like I'm stupid," I planted both of my palms on the table, unthinkingly getting closer to his face, brushing our knees together. "And, yeah. I know what a crime of passion is."

"Good, then I won't have to explain it to you. And now you know why it is important for me to know the answer of that question. So please, if you are ready…" Dimitri held a pen to his pad, poised to write.

My blush came back with vengeance. "Uh, well, uh…no. I haven't had a boyfriend in the past year. I'm a virgin."

Dimitri's head snapped up. I sucked in a breath, horrified with myself.

If he was shocked by what I'd just confessed, he didn't show it. He was as calm and collected as ever, almost like he was talking about the weather or Sunday paper. "Okay. Well, that narrows the suspects down tremendously, though I will still be cautious about it. I don't take chances and I've never lost a client."

Mockingly and dramatically, I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand. "Whew. What a relief!"

"So you claim that the man who kidnapped you—" I winced. "is still following you, true?"

"Yes," I said. "I get these weird sensations and my gut twists in fear, like someone is watching me. I hate it."

"Your instincts are probably right. I have no doubt that this man is following you." Dimitri said.

I wrapped my arms around myself as that awful breathing thing came back.

"Listen to me, Rose. Look at me."

I met his brown eyes and was shocked when his hand touched my leg.

"You have nothing to be afraid about, okay? I will do everything in my power to keep you safe. I will protect you at all costs."

Surprisingly, I smiled, feeling more at ease than I had in months. "Okay. I believe you." I nodded my head.

Abruptly, he stood up and slipped that pad of paper in his back pocket. "All right. That is all I need to know. For now."

That cold feeling returned to my body, that empty feeling, and I hated it. I wanted to touch Dimitri again…I wanted him to touch me.

Yep, I was definitely loosing it. Gone off into the deep end. Certified crazy. Looney. Nuts. All of those combined in one human body. My body.

Together we walked out into the living room, where my dad was talking animatedly with Adrian about one of his fly fishing trips.

"Blah. Dad, come on. You're gonna bore him to death."

"Actually," Adrian laughed and smiled. "I was enjoying listening to him. I love fishing. We'll have to go some time. Just me and you, pops."

Pops? As in Papa? He actually gave my dad a nickname. I couldn't believe my ears.

"Oh for sure, son. Anytime. Anytime." Abe patted his back and shook his hand at the same time. "That'd be great."

I grabbed my keys, purse, sunglasses, and walked over to the front door. "So when do you guys start, you know, guarding me?"

Dimitri glanced down at his watch. "Starting forty-five minutes ago, when you first walked in and I laid eyes on you."

Abe clapped his hands once. "Wonderful! God, I just love you boys. I know you're going to take great care of my daughter."

"With my life," Dimitri said at the same time Adrian said, "Of course."

I smiled. No matter how much I didn't like the idea of two men following me around all day, I was in good hands. They would protect me until the end and that had me in complete awe.

"Well, come on boys. Let's go." I opened the door to sunshine and warmth. "I have to pick up the bestie and go shopping for dinner."

The two men waited outside while I said goodbye to Abe.

"Thanks, dad. For everything." I hugged and kissed him on the cheek quickly, feeling like snakes were crawling all over my skin. God, I couldn't describe how much I hated physical contact.

"Do you feel comfortable with them, Kiz?" he asked. "Listen, I know I've been kind of controlling and overprotective…but you know that I only do it for your safety and not to be annoying. I, uh, just can't stand the thought of you being out there alone. No matter what you say, you're still a young woman and you need help—"

"Dad," I said firmly. "Just stop. You do what you do and that's what makes you you. And I love that. You're a great dad. Gee, I really don't know what I'm doing here. I'm not all that good with emotional stuff and love. But um, yeah. Thanks. I feel better now with them watching over me."

"Really?" he beamed, smiling brightly.

"Yes, dad. But…" I glanced at the clock behind his head that was hanging on the wall. "I really gotta go. Lissa's waiting for me."

"Okay,"

"See you later, dad!"

"Bye, Kiz!"

Outside, there was a black SUV with blacked-out windows in the driveway. The engine was running with Adrian behind the wheel. He waved and winked when I made eye contact with him.

Keep the vomit down, I thought. Sure he was good looking—really good looking—but something about him was repulsive.

"So, are you guys following me to pick up—"

"Adrian is. I'm coming with you." Dimitri said. I noticed a long brown coat draped over his arm, like a duster or something. It was straight out of a cowboy movie.

"In my car?"

"In your car." he confirmed.

"Whatever," I shrugged and slid into my red Honda Civic. It wasn't anything special, but it was sturdy and reliable. Worked for me.

Dimitri got into the passenger seat and I had to laugh. His long legs were all awkward and smashed up against the dashboard.

"The adjuster is on the right side."

"Thanks," He pulled it and the seat slid all the way back. His large body still didn't fit properly but at least he looked comfortable now.

"Better?" I smiled.

"Yes."

I stuck the key into the ignition, started the car, and pulled out of the driveway. We were on the road, with Adrian behind us in the black SUV, when Dimitri suddenly ripped the mardi gra beads and colorful lei's that were hanging from my rearview mirror down.

"Hey! What the hell?"

"It's distracting and you're not driving with them." he said. "I cannot keep an eye out if these damn flowers keep smacking me in the face."

"I'd like to smack you right now." I muttered.

"What?"

"I don't like you." Growling, I pulled my Honda into the apartment complex where me, Lissa, and Christian all lived in.

"Does it look like I care?"

"No."

"I don't. You're just a job to me. A pay day. That's all."

"Now I really don't like you, fucker."

"Don't. That makes it easier on both of us if we keep our relationship professional."

"Who said I wanted to make it more?" I honked on the horn. Lissa peaked in the window and put up her forefinger, signaling for me to give her another moment. I nodded and she disappeared.

"I see the way you look at me. You are attracted to me. Very attracted."

My head swirled around; I stared at him in shock. "I am not!"

To my absolute fury, his mouth twisted into a big amused grinned. "No offense, Ms. Hathaway, but you're incredibly easy to read. You're an open book to me."

"And you're just an arrogant son of a bitch, you know that? Get off your high horse and come join us regular people on the ground. And it's Rose to you, buddy. Rose."

"As you wish, Rose." He was mocking me. I knew it. He knew it. Hell, the Honda knew it and the thing didn't have a brain.

As Lissa walked out wearing a brilliant yellow summer dress that made her pale skin radiate, Dimitri stepped out of the passenger door and got into the back seat.

I glared at him in the rearview mirror. "Well aren't you a gentleman."

"Thank you."

"It wasn't a compliment."

"Anything that is even remotely nice that comes out of your lips is a compliment to me, Ms. Hathaway."

I was about to correct him on the whole name thing when Lissa hopped into the passenger seat. "Hi, Rose!" Those jade-green eyes widened as she looked at Dimitri. Yeah, the guy was really goddamn hot. So what?

"Oh…hi." she said.

Don't be jealous of your best friend, I chanted in my head over and over again, she's got a boyfriend, there's no reason to be.

"Hey, Liss. This is Dimitri. One of the bodyguards."

She smiled and shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise, Lissa."

Fifteen minutes later, I pulled into a parking space at the supermarket and grabbed a cart. While Adrian and Dimitri were busy checking the perimeter for danger, Lissa ran up to me and linked her arm through mine.

"Ohmigod, they're hot!"

"Whoa. Relax there, girl. You've got a man."

"That doesn't mean I can't fantasize about them," She said as her eyes traveled up and down both of their bodies, a little too long on Dimitri's for my liking. I didn't give a crap about Adrian. She could have sex with him right in the store in front of all these people for all I cared.

Dimitri was the one I wanted. The one I had to have.

"You're undressing them with your eyes, aren't you?" I rolled my eyes as I pushed the cart through the dairy aisle and grabbed a block of parmesan cheese.

"Oh, yeahhhh."

A giggle escaped my mouth. "You sound like the Kool Aid man, and frankly, your perverseness is frightening me."

"Sorry." Her jade-green eyes snapped away, she gnawed on her bottom lip. "Oh, granola bars. Gotta get some of those! Christian goes through these like you go through chocolate glazed donuts." She quickly ran over, grabbed two boxes, and tossed them into the cart.

I was very aware of Dimitri's presence. Although he was about twenty feet behind me, pretending to be a normal shopper deciding which bottle of wine to choose, I could feel his eyes on me, watching my every move. It made me feel good, safe, protected, comfortable…free. And those weren't things I had felt in months. Not since that man had kidnapped and tortured me.

After Lissa and I were done shopping, I dropped her off at her apartment and went to go inside mine—

"Wait," Dimitri hissed, grabbing my arm and jerking me behind him. He leaned down and whispered in my ear, "We go in first. You stay here. Understand?"

Unable to find my voice, I bobbed my head up and down like an idiot.

As I went to stand by the wall with grocery bags in my arms, Dimitri and Adrian headed for my front door. Their movements were silent and lethal and cautious as they opened my door and went inside. The gasp got caught in my throat when they pulled out guns that were in holsters under their coats.

Five minutes later, Dimitri emerged and told me it was safe to go inside.

"Gee, thanks."

"Well, Boss…I'm heading home for tonight. See you in the morning, Rose." Adrian gave Dimitri a pat on the back, smiled at me, waved as he got into the SUV, and disappeared.

"I'm starved. Let's eat."

Well, I tried to make dinner but failed miserably. After torching three boxes of spaghetti, and nearly burning the whole damn apartment down when I accidentally left a rag over the stove and it caught in flames, I gave up on cooking.

Thank god Dimitri was a fast reactor. He had run over and stomped on the rag, got the fire extinguisher from under the sink, and covered the whole kitchen in white.

I was mad when I realized he'd ruined the garlic bread and I couldn't eat it, but he quickly ordered Chinese take out…I forgave him.

"Thanks," I said as we cleaned up the kitchen after stuffing our stomachs full.

Dimitri pulled out a new roll of paper towels and started wiping up what the fire extinguisher left behind. "You're welcome, Rose." I was pleased to hear the sincerity in his deep voice.

"So, uh, I guess it's time for bed."

He glanced at the watch on his left wrist. "It'd be good for you to get some rest. I can tell that you are sleep deprived."

More like Dimitri deprived, I thought. God, what was wrong with me? I'd only met this guy today! "Are you going to bed?"

He smiled, a little. "Don't worry about me. I'll take care of myself."

"Where are you going to sleep?"

"On the couch."

"But that's uncomfortable."

"I'll be fine."

"Whatever you say," I laid in bed. "Goodnight, Dimitri."

"Night." He shut the door to my bedroom.

Turning off the light, I prayed that I would have a dreamless sleep.

Of course, I never get my wish…

I screamed and thrashed until my lungs felt like they were full of push pins and my wrists and ankles were bleeding where the chains were.

God, if there was a hell; this was it. No. This was worst than hell. This was something straight out of a horror movie. This was your worst nightmare.

The locks hissed and growled as they were opened and the man with the colorful mask came in, his voice was distorted by that little device as he spoke, "I brought you food."

"Fuck you."

"Pizza and fudge covered brownie. Your favorite. I hope you like it." The man picked up the slice of pizza, balanced the triangle in his hand, and held it to my mouth. "Take a bite. Eat. You need it."

I spit in his face.

Wham.

Black spots danced before my vision as I choked out blood.

"Now, let's try that again." He said, bringing the brownie to my mouth.

I took a bite.

He petted my hair. "Good girl—"

I spit the chunks at him. "I hate you, you sick bastard! Go to hell!"

The man with the mask screamed out curse after curse, his distorted voice rising to hysteria. "You need to learn a lesson!" He grabbed a needle and thread from the shelf and came towards me.

"What are you doing?" I squeaked.

"Closing your mouth. Permanently. I'm so sorry that I have to do this, but it's for your own good. I love you..."

I screamed in agony as the needle and thread drove into my lips over and over again.

"Rose! Rose! Rose! ROSE!"

"Get away from me! Please! Somebody help!" I punched, kicked, bit, scratched, and fought with everything in me. "Leave me alone! Get away from me!"

"It's me, Dimitri. I won't hurt you, Rose. I'm here to protect you. Stop fighting me!" My arms were pinned over my head as a heavy weight pressed down on my body, immobilizing me. "Listen to my voice, baby. Concentrate on it. I promise I won't hurt you…"

"Dimitri?" I opened my eyes to find the most beautiful, frantic brown eyes. "Dimitri is that you?"

"It's me, baby. I'm here. It's okay. Shhhh. It was just a nightmare."

"Oh, god." I sobbed and threw my arms around his neck, pulling him harder against me. "Thank you for being here!" I cried. "Thank you so much!"

For the first time in almost a year, I let someone hold me and took comfort in it.

"I'm here, Roza." Dimitri whispered. "It's going to be okay."