A/N: Again, thank you all so much for your amazing reviews! I always love hearing what you guys have to say. I hope you enjoy this chapter! :-)

MPOV:

"Ugh. I feel like shiiiiiiiiiit." Aaron groaned.

"I know, honey. I know. I'm sorry." Placing a palm to his clammy forehead, I felt a twinge of nausea boil in my gut as his hot sweat covered my skin. "It'll be over in ten more hours."

"But it's already been like...a gazillion hours!"

"Actually, only fourteen. But yeah, it'll be over soon and you'll be back to normal."

"Get me some soup, will ya?"

My anger spiked at his request. My boyfriend had been like this all day. Treating me like a servant. I wouldn't have minded playing the butler role, had he actually been appreciative of my hard work and coughed up a thank you here and there, instead of his usual that's okay or hmmm, could be better but it'll do.

I bet Darius would be more than grateful if I was taking care of him while he was ill.

I shook my head. Why did my thoughts always drift towards that man?

Plastering a Barbie smile on my face, I pressed a kiss against his sticky cheek and headed for the door. "I'll be right back with your soup. Would you like anything else?"

"Some tea...if it wouldn't be too much of a burden."

I ground my teeth in annoyance, still keeping up with the plastic grin. "Of course. You just rest, sweetheart."

Downstairs in the kitchen, I grumbled curse after curse under my breath as I pulled out a pan, opened the can of soup, and waited for the broth to boil. My movements were sharp and angry, making loud noises as I ripped a mug from the cupboard and filled it with water from the sink. "That's right, Aaron. You're getting tap water, whether you like it or not. Oh, and your tea? It's instant. Yeah, I said instant. I'm not waiting for the damn kettle to boil. You can kiss my ass if you want me to check the temperature. I hope it burns your goddamn filthy rich tongue."

I took a deep breath and exhaled. God, where had all this hatred come from? I needed to get a grip. l was talking bad to myself about my boyfriend in his mothers kitchen while he was sick upstairs waiting for me to come and ease his pain.

It was cruel of me, now that I thought of it.

The soup had just started to bubble when my phone bumped up the Jay-Z song. I glanced at the screen. "Jesus Christ." It was the seventeenth time Darius had called in the hour. With a swift movement, I hit the reject button before I could do something stupid.

The call ended in the middle of the fourth ring, and I was well aware that Darius knew what I was doing.

A moment later, the cell buzzed and the screen read:

Darius

VOICE MAIL

Fingers shaking, I entered my password, then held the device to my ear.

"Mia..." I closed my eyes at the sound of his brass voice, biting my lip. "Why are you ignoring me? What did I do? Whatever it was, I'm sorry. Please let me make it up to you." There was yearning in his tone, and it broke my heart because I knew what we had would never lead to anything. "Shit. Something's gotta tone down all this testosterone, so I'm just gonna go out there and say this: I really miss you, Tesoro—"

I erased the message, not able to stand hearing anymore.

Eyes burning, I scrolled through the list, pressed dozens of buttons, then hit confirm, blocking Darius' number permanently.

1 week later…

DPOV:

There was a delicious weight cradled in my lap as Rose straddled me, placing kisses up and down my bare chest. "I know you're awake. Don't play with me, Comrade."

I smiled inwardly, trying to keep my mouth from twitching.

"Open your eyes!" she braced her palms against my pectorals and started to push and shake. Minutes later, she exhaled in annoyance. "Fine. I give up. No relieving that morning wood."

When she made a move to climb down from my hips, my eyes snapped open and I clamped my palms around her thighs. "You're not going anywhere," I growled playfully. Leaning up, I stuffed my face into the crook of her neck and nibbled on the soft creamy skin.

A giggle bubbled out of her mouth. "Happy birthday!"

My face still stuffed in her hair, I flipped Rose over and rested on top of her, entering her with one deep thrust. She arched cat-like and groaned.

"Good morning," I smiled at the blissful expression on her delicate face. Her hair was tangled from sleep, locks curling this way and that way. Raspberry lips were dark and swollen, parted from pleasure. Brown eyes were wide and sparkling.

She couldn't have been more tempting.

Fifteen minutes later, we were in a tangle of sheets and naked limbs. Rose gazed up at me, tracing the line of my jaw with gentle fingertips. "How does it feel being thirty-two?"

"My family is safe. My friends are happy. I'm in my home, with the love of my life's warm body in my arms. And for the next hour or so, we're going to be making love. How do you think I feel?"

"Like an old grandpa?"

I laughed, then nuzzled her bare breasts, mounting her once again. "Roza, you make me feel anything but old."

Sitting on the bed, dressed in a fresh Hanes T-shirt and jeans, I was enjoying the view of Rose drying off from the shower we had, when she turn around and said something that completely stunned me.

"Marry me?"

I quickly regained my composure. "No."

Hurt flashed across her face. The ache was heavy in my chest to realize that she'd been serious.

"Why?" Rose asked.

"Because that's my job,"

"Then get down on one knee and ask. Here," she stuck out her left hand, wiggling her ring finger. "You know what? We don't even need a ring. We can get tattoos. How awesome would that be? But, wait. You hate tattoos. So what are we stuck with now—"

"Roza," I interrupted. "Where's all this coming from?"

She wrapped the towel around her body and walked out to the bedroom. I watched her feet for a moment. Her toenails were like little shells, painted in a strange reddish-orange color that complimented her golden skin wonderfully. God, I loved her feet. Matter of fact, I loved everything about her.

Rose dropped down on the canopied bed, face pinched with a sour expression. "Christian and Lissa are engaged."

"Really?"

She nodded bitterly.

"That's nice."

"No, it's not! Shit. I think I'm having a mid-life crisis."

I outright laughed.

"No! I'm serious, Dimitri! I'm almost twenty-four. I have no future plans. I haven't gone to college. I have no purpose. Where is my life going? As for Lissa? She's got everything perfect. A fiancé that she loves. Caring parents. Her own place. A degree. A job. A car. Money. Next thing you know, she's going to be announcing her pregnancy. And me? Nothing.

Grabbing her hands in mine, I met her frantic eyes and said, "All of that's ridiculous. Lissa isn't you. Lissa is…Lissa. Can you honestly say that's who you really want to be?"

"Everything about her life is perfect."

"Perfect isn't you. It's never been." I put a finger to her lips when I knew she was about to argue. "No matter how much you deny it, I know marriage isn't something you want right now. Stop worrying about what other people expect of you. Don't compare your life to theirs."

"You haven't even asked me to be your girlfriend!" she blurted.

My lips twitched into a smile. Her words warmed me like nothing else would. "Is that what you'd like?"

Rose glanced down sheepishly. "Yeah. But…you haven't asked me yet. Does that mean you don't want me?"

I captured her face in my palms. "My desire for you is the last thing you need to worry about," My mouth pressed against hers. Getting down on my knees before her, I scooted between her thighs and asked, "Roza, would you be my girlfriend?"

"God, I'm blushing and smiling like I'm in high school again when you first asked me out," Roza giggled, then gnawed on her bottom lip. "With you bowing down, looking at me like a starving tiger…I guess I have no choice but to say yes."

I laid her down on the mattress and showed her how much I loved her. Over and over again.

RPOV:

"Seriously, Dimitri. No more. There has to be a limit." We emerged from our bedroom two hours later, hand in hand, heading down the grand staircase for lunch. "I'm your girlfriend and I can make that call now. No sex. I think you may be an addict."

Dimitri traced a soothing pattern over my wrist with his thumb pad. "I'm addicted to your body, Roza, not the sex."

Yeva was on her way to the kitchen, when she stopped and halted back. "My grandson…happy birthday. Roza, go back up stairs and cover up those hickeys."

I had to laugh. "Hello to you too, Babushka."

As the two of them embraced and spoke adoringly in their native tongue, I headed for the dining table where the whole crew was munching on some strange looking food that was unfamiliar to me.

"Good morning, Auntie Roza!" Paul sang cheerfully.

"That Borscht?" I guessed as I sat down, my face scrunching up in disgust.

Viktoria rolled her eyes. "Not all Russian food is Borscht, Roza."

Pavel strolled out of the kitchen. "It's pirozhki and pelmeni. Olena insisted that she make it herself this morning. Using her secret recipe." he gave her a smile, something that was rare on his hard face.

"That's great," I said. "Mind whipping me up some bacon and eggs?"

"Roza," Dimitri warned, taking the seat beside me. Yeva went around to the other side. The Belikov family and friends shouted their birthday wishes at him.

"What?" I asked innocently, staring at Olena. "You're a great cook, mom. It's just that…I don't favor eating kangaroo or dog or whatever Russians eat."

Darius and Ivan practically choked on their food. Viktoria leaned to her left and patted Ivan's back, her brown eyes full of lust.

I counted their age difference in my head. Not gonna work. Oh, boy. I only hoped Dimitri didn't notice his little sister drooling over his business partner. I was positive that Ivan wouldn't take an interest in Viktoria romantically, but still…that was just dangerous territory.

When the stunning blond smiled at her and said his thank you, Viktoria lit up like a Christmas tree.

"I guarantee you Roza, there is nothing in this meat that you haven't eaten before." Dimitri kissed me once, then began scooping food onto my plate.

"All right. That's enough. Thank you, babe."

Everyone watched me closely as I took my first bite. Much to my surprise, I moaned and quickly sunk my teeth into more pelmini. "That's delicious. Quite possibly the best lunch I have ever had. Thank you, mom."

Olena smile, but she didn't look surprised. "No worries, Roza. Take as much as you like."

Boy, did I. I went back for seconds. And thirds. And fourths. Then settled on an unusual but tasty pastry.

LPOV:

"Be good at this party. I'm not kidding. No inappropriate jokes or asking people to arm wrestle with you after you've had one too many drinks." I told Christian as we waited in my white Mercedes convertible outside Mia's house. "That goes for you too, Adrian."

He grunted, taking yet another sip from the silver flask in his palm. "Whatever. I cannot believe you're dragging me to the cradle robber's birthday party. Sydney's filing a restraining order against me."

"It's important to Rose. So I expect both of you to be on your best behavior. There's going to be a ton of people there. Rich, snotty ones. So don't make this night any worse than it has to be."

"Yeah, sure, mother." Adrian muttered.

Christian drummed his thumbs against his thighs, clearly bored. "Hey, babe. Wanna make out while we're waiting? It'll past the time. And frankly, I'm in desperate need of a little tongue action. You haven't been putting out for weeks—"

I cut him off with a smack to the back of the head.

"Ouch!"

"Thank, God." Adrian said. "I was about to hurl back here all over your precious leather seats."

The door to the luxurious studio apartment opened and out walked Mia and her boyfriend Aaron.

As my second best friend neared the car, I couldn't help but notice how anxious and tense she looked. "Hey, guys!" she forced a cheerful tone.

"You look great," I told her, giving her fantastic shimmering silver gown a once over.

"Thanks." Mia and Aaron climbed in the backseat, squeezing beside a complaining Adrian.

Turning the key in the ignition, the engine purred to life and smoothed out on the quiet street of Cambridge Hill.

"How are you feeling, Aaron?" I asked, smiling at him in the rear view mirror. Making conversation with the guy was like talking to a wall. And it wasn't because he lacked in the social skills department, he was just a shallow jerk like that. If he didn't believe you were worthy of his time, he didn't give a rats ass how rude you believed him to be.

"Better."

"Are you still sick?"

"No."

"No? Did it pass?"

"Yeah," Aaron grumbled. "It passed."

"I was worried about you."

"Okay."

"Anyways, that's good. I'm glad you were able to make it to this party with us."

He didn't say anything.

However, Christian did.

"She's talking to you, dickhead. Have enough respect to at least pretend like you're half interested in what my girl has to say."

Adrian chuckled, choking back the last of vodka.

Yeah, all conversation pretty much ceased to exist the rest of the car ride.

"Access granted. Please enter." The robotic voice said, opening the massive iron gates.

"Who the hell has a twenty-one digit security code?" Adrian shook his head in disbelief.

"Dimitri, apparently."

"Shit. Would you look at how many cars are there. You'd think Jesus was making his third coming." Christian's face pinched tight over his sky-high cheekbones.

He wasn't one for crowds or social events. Most of the time he just lingered in the corner, waiting for it to be over. I felt bad for putting him in a uncomfortable situation, but I was doing this for my best friend and Dimitri. I respected the hell out of him. He knew how to handle Rose and that was just what the loose cannon needed.

Ten minutes later, we finally found a spot out on the back of the gravel road and parked it. Christian ran around the other side, and like the gentleman he was only with me, hooked his arm around my waist and helped me walk through the rocks.

"Thanks." I gave him a kiss, to which he happily returned.

"Just didn't want you to fall," he murmured. "High-heels can be very dangerous."

"Bet you would know from experience," Adrian slurred slightly. "Dancing naked in front of the mirror with your dick tucked behind your ass and some pumps on can be dangerous, too."

As Mia and I coughed to cover up our laughter, Christian gave Adrian the bird and mouthed a very nasty word I didn't dare repeat to anyone.

Inside the mansion, there was a sea of people mingling and laughing in fancy dresses and expensive suits drinking unusual cocktails. Mia and Aaron joined the crowd while Adrian made like a moth to a light and pursued a pair of brunettes.

"Oh, God," Christian gagged, choking back a cracker with caviar spread over the top. "That's disgusting. What the fuck is that?"

The caterer held his silver stray, staring at Christian with a worried expression.

Running over and yanking on his arm, I quickly dragged him out of the circle of people gawking at him. "You just ate fish eggs." I told my fiance.

"Ewww." Using his palms like napkins, he frantically wiped off his tongue. "God…rich people…"

I should have been grossed out, but instead I rolled my eyes and laughed.

Suddenly, clapping erupted as Dimitri finally made his appearance. He descended the stairs in a deep grey suit and silk black shirt. Beside him, smiling and holding his hand, was Rose in an emerald green gown that brushed the floor.

"They're beautiful together, aren't they?" Darius said.

I glanced over and had to look up and up to meet his piercing blue stare. His suit—which I didn't believe they made sizes that huge—was the same color of his jet-black chopped hair. Ivan stood next to his friend, clad in all white, his beauty something from above.

Although I was in a happy relationship, it was hard not to gape at the two males. Nodding, I said, "Yeah. They're beautiful. Amazing."

Distantly, I was aware of the crowd greeting Dimitri and glaring at Rose in envy of her spot with one of the richest men in the world. To my best friend's absolute credit, she kept her cool, smiling and accepting air kisses from complete strangers.

"Where's Mia?" Darius asked.

"Give it a rest, man," Christian grabbed my hand. "She's here with her boyfriend."

Something dangerous flashed in Darius' eyes. He finished off his martini and set it on a passing caterer's tray. "That's wonderful. I'll go welcome our two new guests."

When he made a move to go searching through the crowd, no doubt looking for trouble, a hand clamped on the man's bicep.

"No." Ivan's voice was quiet and deep, deadly. "Don't even start. Not tonight."

Darius shrugged off the grip effortlessly. "S'all good. I just gotta take a piss."

Obviously not wanting to create a scene, Ivan grimaced and released his close friend, watching as the six-foot-nine frame disappeared in to the throng of Couture and Armani covered bodies.

Two hours later, I was sitting on a couch with aching feet watching my best friend fight not to knock someone out. A woman in her late twenties with blond hair, silicone filled breasts, and everything Barbie and Playboy stood in front of Rose, talking animatedly with her manicured hands as she sipped on her countless flute of Champagne.

From where I was, it was impossible to hear what Blondie was saying over the hum of voices in the mansion. I could tell from the strain in Rose's face that she wished she was with the man she loved so that he could provide her with strength and comfort.

Unfortunately, Dimitri was standing on the other side of the room, talking with an endless stream of people who seemed to attach themselves to him like chewed gum on the sole of a shoe. If Dimitri even tried to get away from his swarm of admirers, it would be like fighting off an army.

"Don't worry about her, babe," Christian massaged my shoulders. "Rose can handle herself."

"It's not her I'm worried about,"

"Would you look at that," My fiancé leaned forward and grabbed my left wrist. "Your hands are even more beautiful with my ring on. I didn't think it was possible."

I giggled and leaned forward to kiss him. His lips were perfect and so soft, like silk. I couldn't get enough of his love—

Mia ran up to us, heels clinking against the ivory marble. When I raised my eyes, tears were streaming out of hers, mascara running down her red cheeks.

"What's wrong, baby?" I stood up, immediately bringing her into my arms.

"I'm fine. I'm fine." She sniffled, smearing some of the black makeup with her fingers. "I just…can we go? Aaron really wants to leave."

"What's wrong?" Automatically, we headed for the door. The last thing she needed right now was more distress. Christian followed, placing a hand to the small of my back, letting me know that he was there for the both of us.

"He thinks I like Darius," Mia hiccuped. "Earlier, he went to the restroom, and when he came back, he caught Darius and I arguing…oh, God. What have I done?"

"Yeah, Darius is a little intoxicated right now. Probably wasn't very smart of him to confront you like that. What were you two fighting about?"

"I blocked his number," Mia took shallow breaths, as if she were trying extremely hard not to start crying again. "He's angry with me that I did. And then Aaron came up and was like, You gave this guy your number? When I told him no, he didn't believe me. Even when I begged him to. Oh, gosh, do you think he's going to break up with me?"

Funny thing about Mia was that she could take on the world by herself, but bring her around Aaron, and she turned into a hopeless woman trying desperately to cling onto her man. It disgusted me that she would do anything to keep a scumbag like Aaron.

Like the pathetic excuse of a boyfriend that he was, Aaron made his anger clear by walking ten feet ahead, ignoring us as if we weren't there.

Mia cried harder.

It was great to be outside and away from the watchful eyes of the rich snobs.

That relief soon vanished as I spotted Darius leaning against a wall, smoking a cigarette.

Praying that he wouldn't be stupid and just stay where he was, I clutched Mia further into my side and made quick strides for the Mercedes.

"Don't leave with him, Princess ." Darius called out, pinching the orange cherry between his thumb and forefinger. "You deserve so much better."

She stopped and scoffed. "Like you?"

"Whoever you decide is worthy of being with you. That doesn't mean it's me. He doesn't treat you right. And you know that."

"Get lost, punk. We're leaving, Mia." Suddenly, Aaron became very possessive of his girlfriend. He yanked on her arm. "Let's go. Now."

"Ouch! Aaron," Mia lurched forward from one of his nasty tugs. "Please…stop! You're hurting my arm."

That was naturally Darius' cue to go apeshit.

Christian and I were smart enough to get out of the way as he stalked over. With an eerie calm, Darius clamped his huge hand on Aaron's shoulder. "Hey, buddy. How you doing? I'm the guy who's going to steal your girl. Just thought you should know that before I pick you up like sack of potatoes and toss you over there."

Darius was a man of his words.

Aaron landed on the hood of my convertible.

"Holy crap!" I ran over, more worried about the condition of my vehicle than the person on it. "Darius, that's going to leave a huge dent."

"My sincere apologies, senorita. Leave me your insurance information, and I will gladly pay for the damages." Despite his relaxed tone, there was something sinister and dark in his cruel face as he stared at Mia kneeled by Aaron on the ground. "Lord knows it was worth every single penny."

Mia stood up, blazing with her anger. "How could you do this! You son of a bitch!"

Darius just stood there calmly as she walked up and slapped the man with a force that kicked his head to the side.

Christian grabbed my waist protectively. "He just fucked up badly."

"Ya think?" I muttered.

"What the fuck is going on?" Dimitri boomed. He cursed and looked around, taking in the situation.

"Ivan...get Darius the hell out of here." Dimitri commanded. "Get him a pan and take him to his room. Make sure he stays there."

Darius allowed himself to be dragged off by Ivan in a choke hold.

Dimitri stared back at us. "All of you go. Now. Take Aaron to the hospital. I wouldn't be surprised if he's got multiple broken bones and internal bleeding."

Christian gave me a reassuring hand squeeze, then went over to help Mia get Aaron off the ground. The two of them sandwiched him while I ran to the car and opened the back door.

The curse and echoing footsteps told me Dimitri had stalked back inside the mansion.

RPOV:

"Oops!" Yeva tipped her drink all over the front of Brittany's sparkling blue dress.

Blondie, aka Dimitri's ex-lover and commercial model, screamed in horror as she made a fuss out of uselessly scrubbing the fabric with a napkin.

It was hard to stifle my laugh when Yeva went into innocent mode. The lady was a good actress. "Oh, dear! Look at the mess I've made! I am so sorry. I tripped and fell."

Brittany shot Dimitri's grandmother a murderous glare, then dramatically walked off into the kitchen, shouting for someone to help her. Two men eagerly took the job.

"That was good, Babushka. That was good." I bumped knuckles with Yeva.

She shrugged. "She was a savage that needed to be stopped."

"Did you see the way she was rubbing her relationship with Dimitri in my face? Dimka and I work so well together! Dimka and I make magic! Dimka and I are so close!" I mimicked her nasally, high-pitched voice. "You're a saint, Babushka."

"Tell me something I don't know," Yeva averted her eyes and smoothed out her rose patterned blouse and long black skirt, as if she was uncomfortable. "That savage was bothering you. I don't stand for people messing with my grandbabies."

I grinned so big it was a wonder my face didn't crack. "Did you just call me your grandbaby? Uh-oh. Babushka's getting all protective over me! Admit it, you like me!"

She grunted, polishing off her drink. "Don't get all sappy on me, little girl."

Nothing could have taken my happiness away from me in that moment.

"Hey, I'm not getting lucky tonight." Adrian slurred, sauntering up to us. "They left me. Can I crash here?"

Rolling my eyes, I said, "Yeah. You can take any one of those guest bedrooms over there in that hallway." I pointed.

"Thanks. Night." he grunted. And then he was gone, just like that.

"Hi." I said.

Dimitri shut the bedroom door, and when he turned around, he stopped dead in his tracks, those beautiful brown eyes bugging out of his skull. "Fuck. Me."

"Oh, I plan to," I purred, climbing off the bed like a prowling cat. "Happy birthday—oh, what the hell. Can you just lick it off already? The whip cream and chocolate syrup is really sticky. I hate it. And I'm sorry, but I already ate the two cherries."

My boyfriend—God, that sounded so good—chuckled as he strode over and picked me up in his arms. "You alone are sweeter than anything I could ever need or want,"

I rolled my eyes and smacked his chest. "You're so cheesy. But I love it."

Dimitri licked a trail from the bottom of my breast to the tip of my chin. He lifted his head and smiled at me, swallowing the dessert as he carried me to the shower.

"Best. Birthday. Ever." he said.