"Just be yourselves. The right opportunity will present itself," Janine said sagely, trying to project a voice of reason.
Truth be told, she was shitting herself. Pavel had shared that he, and Abe, had arranged several interviews for Rose and Dimitri, but it was hard for Janine to imagine her girl going out into the human world without any of the support she could subtly provide behind the scenes as an experienced and respected Guardian.
YES, Abe had considerable influence – and Lord knows he'd moved heaven and earth to keep their girl safe. But it was different to being a MOM. At least in her mind. Even though she knew she'd not been much of one, Rosemarie's welfare was her utmost priority now she was being given a second chance with her.
"We'll be fine, Mom," Rose replied, also not showing her fears. She'd never been for a job interview before, and did not know what to expect. She was almost about to suggest she and Dimitri just return to Court and take their chances when her man said calmly, "We have nothing to lose. If a position does not suit us, then we just say no. They are interviewing us, but we are interviewing them, too. We don't need to take on just any position. We have options."
Options provided by Abe. He'd made it clear that he was willing to support the pair for as long as necessary as they worked out where to next. It was a major relief to Dimitri. After everything they'd been through – all Rose had done for him – he was glad they weren't in a situation where they'd have to take on just any job to keep them together and their heads above water!
"Just think about what you want," Janine counselled, straightening the collar on Rose's demure black shift dress before checking Dimitri was suitably presentable in a dark suit and tie. "You don't need to agree to anything right off."
The two nodding, they exited the suite and moved to the elevator. Lissa and Christian had left two days ago with their Guardians to return to LeHigh. So now it was just Rose, Dimitri, Pavel, and Janine in the gargantuan suite – with the lattermost having way too much time to spend with her daughter. Rose was almost relieved to have an excuse to leave the suite even if it did involve a job interview!
"So where are we going?" Rose asked Dimitri once they were in a cab headed towards their first interview. They had two set up, today, and a third tomorrow.
"An apartment," Dimitri said, scant on details. Pavel had told him next to nothing about each potential assignment, other than saying they all knew/knew of Abe, and would not ask any questions about their former service. Both Pavel and Abe had provided glowing recommendations, conveniently skirting the information that Rose was Abe's daughter.
"I'm scared, Comrade," Rose said in a whisper as they crawled through the busy city traffic. It was raining, which added to Rose's pensive mood.
"Don't be," Dimitri muttered, grabbing her hand and lifting it before gently kissing her knuckles. "As long as we are together, everything will be fine."
Rose smiled, shyly. He was right. They had endured so much together and apart. No matter what their future looked like, if she was with him, and he with her, then it would be perfect.
"We don't have to accept the first offer," he added. "See what feels right."
Moments later, they pulled up in front of a luxury high-rise building. Rose looked up, trying to read the name emblazoned at the top of the building, but it was so high up she could not discern the lettering, despite her superior Dhampir eyesight.
"Escala," Dimitri said with a chuckle, pointing to the ground-level signage Rose had completely missed.
"Yeah yeah," Rose muttered, pretending she'd already noticed it.
Stepping inside the immaculate yet cavernous foyer, she followed Dimitri across the dark granite tiles to the solid granite reception desk.
"Dimitri Belikov and Rose Hathaway. We have a 1pm appointment in the penthouse," Dimitri said with calm authority.
"Certainly, Mr. Belikov. They are expecting you. Please follow me."
The concierge walked toward the elevator, opening the doors and inputting a code before stating, "You will be met in the foyer of the penthouse." He then stepped out and the elevator car rose steadily upward.
In moments, the elevator stopped, and the doors opened into a tastefully decorated vestibule. A large table with white roses, hyacinths, lilies and white peonies made a stunning display, as did several Madonna and Child artworks on the wall. A bit too formal for Rose's taste, she could nonetheless appreciate the aesthetic.
"Mr Belikov and Ms Hathaway?" a man in his 40s enquired. With short cropped hair, in a tailored black suit, if in uniform he could almost pass as a Guardian.
"That's right," Dimitri said, stepping forward and offering his hand. "Please call me Dimitri."
"Taylor," the man replied, shaking his hand before offering it to Rose.
"Rose," she said, also shaking his hand.
"I'll need you to sign a non-disclosure agreement," he said almost apologetically. Pavel had warned them this would be the case, so after each briefly scanning the document, they signed and handed them back to Taylor.
"Please come through. Mr. Grey is ready for you."
Rose and Dimitri followed Taylor around the corner and into a home office. More of an office than most business establishments, both Rose and Dimitri were impressed by the setup.
"Christian Grey," a young man said, standing up behind his desk. He did not offer to shake hands, and Rose immediately got the feeling he was rather stand-off-ish.
"Rose Hathaway, and Dimitri Belikov," Rose said, trying to suss out this man's vibe.
"Pleased to meet you," he said, gesturing for them to take a seat. They did so, both noticing Taylor remained in the room, standing at ease by the wall directly behind them. Humans might not have noticed his presence, but Dhampir (and particularly Guardians) were much more observant.
"So, I see you have both worked for Ibrahim Mazur?" Grey stated, looking at Dimitri and then Rose. Grey knew Ibrahim was a major player in New York property acquisition and development. He also had fingers in numerous investment banks and hotel chains and if his intel was correct - and it usually was – then apparently his European interests completely eclipsed what he did within the US. While his interests had never crossed Grey's, he was still aware of him as someone worthy of keeping an eye on.
"That is correct. You will understand we can't disclose anything specific about our roles, other than to let you know we were both involved in close personal protection, as well as covert protection and operations as required," Dimitri replied, using the line Pavel had suggested.
"He speaks very highly of you both," Grey said, almost to himself. "So why did you leave?"
Expecting his question, this time Rose replied. "We loved working for Mr. Mazur, but variety is the spice of life. We have an open invitation to return to Mr. Mazur's employ at any time if it suits us – but we wanted to branch out and have new adventures."
"You've always worked as a team?" Grey asked, eyeing the two speculatively. The male, Dimitri, was a well-built and handsome specimen. The female was smaller, and brunette, but nothing about her appealed. Not that anyone appealed since he'd found his fiancée Ana, but he was relieved he could see a small brunette and not have any reaction beyond asking professional work questions.
"Yes. We always work together," Dimitri said unequivocally.
"You would not consider separate assignments?" Grey asked leadingly.
"No," Rose said, shutting that line of enquiry immediately. "Can I ask the assignment you have in mind?"
Gery tented his fingers, regarding the duo carefully. He got the sense they genuinely did not know about him or his wealth.
"I am recently engaged," he said, smiling softly despite himself. Even thinking of Ana was enough to put a smile on Grey's face. "I am planning a two-month European honeymoon with my fiancée. We will be taking several of our existing security, but I'd like additional protection."
Dimitri nodded, looking at Rose. So far, this sounded ok.
"What exactly do you have in mind?" Rose probed, trying to get a sense of what they might be signing up for.
"I don't really know," Grey admitted. "Ana does not enjoy security. It's never been a part of her world, but with me it is necessary…"
"Would she know we were shadowing her?" Rose pressed, trying to get at least the basics sorted.
"Oh yes. Any security would be known to her," Grey asserted. Rose did not even have to look at Dimitri to know he'd pick up that must have been an issue in the past!
"Then may we meet her?" Rose asked. Signing up to guard a young woman who might be reticent could be a nightmare. Rose wanted a sense of who they would be protecting.
Grey looked flabbergasted. "You want to meet my fiancée?" he clarified.
"Yes," Rose replied. "If we are to protect her, she needs to know and learn to trust us and visa versa. I'd like to get a sense of her and her of us."
Grey's eyes flicked to where Taylor was standing behind them. While they could not see Taylor's face, they were obviously having a wordless conversation much like Abe frequently did with Pavel.
"I'll ask Ms. Steele to step in," Taylor said, discreetly moving out of the study and into the apartment. The three of them remained silent, Grey observing the pair in front of him speculatively. He was used to people filling quiet moments with chatter. That these two did not feel the need to was somewhat soothing.
"Baby," Grey said with a smile when a young, slim brunette walked into the room flanked by Taylor. Despite there being a vacant chair beside her man, she perched herself on his lap and smiled as he wrapped his arms around her. In most cases that act would seem over the top and proprietary. But with these two, it was just sweet and loving.
"Ana? This is Rose and Dimitri. I am interviewing them for extra security for our honeymoon."
Ana looked at Grey with wide blue eyes. "More security?" she asked, sounding disturbed.
"Just while we are away from home," he placated.
"How would that work?" Ana asked.
Grey looked completely out of his depth, so Dimitri stepped in. "Rose and I work as a team – usually one near guard and the other further back. In your case, it is probably more appropriate Rose is your near guard. She can blend in more easily, and also accompany you to the ladies room, changerooms and the like without raising questions. We are both hand to hand and firearm combat trained and have previously worked for very high-status individuals," Dimitri concluded. "We can protect you absolutely."
Rose noticed Ana's eyes going wide. "Ignore him," she said with a giggle. "He's the serious one. I'd be the one closer to you, and I am a lot more fun!"
Ana laughed, appreciating Rose's candor. She had no doubt Rose would be an amazing protector, but the idea of a young woman close to her own age being a companion on her honeymoon was certainly more appealing than some nameless suited man who'd stand outside the ladies room while she peed. Appreciating her fiancée would doubtless have more questions for the duo, Ana stood up and took her leave.
"Nice to meet you, Rose and Dimitri. I really hope to see you again, soon." It was Ana's way of telling Christian she approved of the pair. While the meeting had been brief, she could see herself getting along well with Rose, and Dimitri seemed nice, too.
Grey sat back in his chair, his fingers steepled. Theirs was the fourth interview he'd conducted for additional honeymoon security, but they'd been the first to ask to meet Ana. He really wasn't sure what to make of it.
"Tell me what makes you the best choice for this position," he said, falling back on a tried and true interview question he'd used over the years. He found, more often than not, it gave him answers to questions he hadn't thought to ask.
Dimitri started. "Firstly, I get the sense you are a very private individual. We have worked for people who are likewise. We respect your wish to be confidential. Additionally, I get the sense your fiancée is uncomfortable with needing personal protection. While Rose is equally as skilled as I at guarding, I feel being of a similar age to Ms. Steele is a benefit. She can accompany your new bride into women only spaces without raising any questions. Also, before our time with Mr. Mazur, Rose successfully guarded a high-profile woman her own age and managed to be both her protector but also her friend. They developed a strong bond built on trust and mutual respect. Finally, since you are traveling to Europe, it may assist that I am fluent in English, French, and Russian, but can also speak conversational German, Swedish and Turkish."
Rose had her Guardian mask on, but this was the first time she'd heard her man could also speak German and Swedish. Two new languages she could cajole him to teach her how to cuss in, now being quite proficient in Russian and Turkish swearing thanks to Abe and Pavel.
"I prefer to guard a female," Rose added, redirecting her thoughts back to the here and now. "While I can guard a male just as efficiently, guarding a female is more fulfilling," she said, trying to justify what she meant. "I don't know how to explain it, other than to say it's a lot easier to form a rapport."
Dimitri nodded. He'd seen her connection with Lissa , and while he appreciated Rose would never have the same level of connection with another, he recognized she gelled best with female charges.
Grey considered the young people before him. He really knew very little about the duo, other than they came highly recommended by Mazur. He had no reason to doubt his recommendation, but every single background check he'd done prior to their meeting had turned up naught. Yet his gut was telling him they were the right pick – for him, but especially for Ana.
"Thank you for coming in," he said, standing and indicating for them to do likewise. "We will be in touch by tomorrow afternoon at the latest."
"We'd appreciate that," Dimitri said, shaking Grey's hand. "We have two more interviews in the next 24 hours, so would appreciate your communication as soon as possible,"
Rose also shook Grey's hand, and seeing Ana in the kitchen off to one side with an older blonde woman, she waved her hand and gave her a smile before Taylor escorted them to the elevator. Stepping inside the car when it arrived, Rose did not even have to glance at Dimitri to let him know she was almost certain they were on CCTV and being observed.
"What did you think?" he asked, innocuously.
"She seems lovely," Rose replied, as if she had no idea their conversation might be overheard.
"What about him? He's a damned good-looking dude," Dimitri teased. Like Rose, he'd got the sense Grey was used to women falling all over him.
"Then lucky Ms. Steele, soon to be Mrs. Grey," Rose said, wrapping her arms around Dimitri's neck. "I happen to prefer tall, dark, well-built men with a Russian accent," she cooed, kissing him soundly. They'd not explicitly stated they were a couple during the interview, but getting the sense Grey was possessive as hell, it couldn't hurt to make it clear they were together and not interested in anyone else.
"I'd actually be interested in the position, if they offered it to us," Dimitri said as the elevator car slowed as they approached the ground floor. "Traveling through Europe is also appealing."
"I think it could be a good fit, too," Rose replied before they stepped out of the elevator car. "But if not, then so be it. Lots of opportunities for us out there."