Meanwhile at Abe's Estate

"What the hell are we doing here, Pavel?" I growled out taking the past few weeks' worth of frustration out on my beard, swore I pulled a couple of hairs out in the process as my fingers viciously raked through the unruly bristles. We'd been staring at the same sea of files for two days straight and it was starting to cloud my vision.

"We're trying to find the mole, Sir." Pavel replied eyeing me over warily. He had constantly been on the blunt end of my growing irritation, causing him to routinely walk on eggshells. I knew our situation wasn't to any fault of his own, Pavel was always an amazing confidant, business partner and friend but I couldn't help but toss blame in my shallowed judgment.

"No, I mean here. Searching through files like some undervalued secretary for that cadı. We should be out there, getting names and getting answers. Whether it be by diplomacy or by force." (Witch). Gazing out into the crystal blue coastline that guarded our home, I reached out looking for a shred of comfort. There was none. Memories flashed in my mind of Rose when she was no taller than the shrubbery that laced around the cobblestone walkway leading down to the beach. Her unruly hair flying in any direction the wind felt like carrying it as she raced up and down the beach chasing off all the seagulls like some crazed animal and Janine was never far behind her...

A weight sunk in my chest at the thought of my lost love. It had been almost twenty years since her death and it had yet to get any easier to stomach.

Because it was your fault.

"Sir, believe me, I would much rather be out hunting down whoever is out there threatening Rose but we can't forget Galina is keeping a close eye on us. There is no way she will honor the truce for long so we can't allow ourselves to be easy pickings. She knows as long as Rose is gone you're compromised, and I'm sure she already had a plan in place for this very moment." I took Pavel's words into heavy consideration. It was no mystery Galina couldn't be trusted, but would she really be dumb enough to make a move for Rose? She knows the reverberations that would bring, and we agreed war would only bring calamity to both sides involved. But, I also couldn't ignore the fact that she was an opportunist. If it meant expanding her dominion within the illegitimate market it was well worth any risk. One of her greatest strengths, but also the biggest weakness that would be her downfall.

"That's it then, Pavel. We need to find out what that plan is and behead the hydra. Take out all operations at once and save her for last. Without her connections she's powerless."

"What about her Russian dog?" My blood boiled at the mention of Belikov. I still was all but fond of the idea of that behemoth being alone with my little girl, scheming God knows what. I didn't doubt he would disobey Galina but there are many other forms of pain aside from physical. I should know.

"He's many things but disloyal is not one of them. I have no doubt he'll be keeping his word of agreeing to the ceasefire and not harming Rose. If he does, Galina isn't the only one with powerful associations in Russia. I'd hate for that large family of his to suddenly fall short." It was no secret Belikov had a family he wouldn't hesitate to give his life for back home in Russia. Their location was a little harder to get a hold of but you could learn anything you needed to know for the right price. Or consequence.

Pavel nodded curtly, pulling out his phone to make some calls. One of the most invaluable attributes of our relationship was that we could communicate with very few words needed. I trusted him with my life, my estate, and especially my Rose because he had shown time and time again he was nothing but devoted to this family. His family. Even when I didn't deserve it. We weren't that far off in age, but he often felt so much wiser beyond his years. I'd never admit it to him, last thing he needs is a lift to his self-importance, but I looked to him for a lot more than he knew. If it ever came down to it, I had no question if he would protect me with his life. I just hoped it never came to that.

I often wondered if it would've turned out differently had he been there that day. The day I lost my Janine.

"You bastard! I'll behead you with my bare hands and gift it to your children!" I roared through the crushing pressure in my chest. Growing more intense from the knee penetrating deeper into my back.

"Ibrahim!" A voice I instantly recognized as Janine's gravely called out to me, sounds of muffled stirring echoing in the halls as she struggled against her captor. The sun had long fallen under the coastline around us, leaving the house kindled with nothing but moonlight. What little was able to peek through the towering walls of our home didn't offer much light, making it strenuous to identify anything distinctly besides broad shapes and shadows. The pounding in my temples, very likely due to a heavy blow to the side of the head, wasn't helping the cause much either. There were only three things I knew for sure; one was that someone had broken into our home, two they incapacitated Janine and I, and three whoever had the balls to do so would soon be missing them.

Our visitors were nice enough to turn the lights on. The conversion took some adjustment to for a few seconds, still leaving the intruders a mystery. I could vaguely hear footsteps at a crescendo as they got closer.

"Now is that any way to talk to your dear old business partner, Abe?" My body was ablaze at the sound of an all too familiar voice I'd only expected to hear in my nightmares. When my vision finally cleared I looked up to greet the ghost I thought I'd left for dead months ago, looking a lot worse for wear at that. Victor Danielli. It all made sense now how they were able to break into the house with the impregnable amount of security I had. Victor knew all the codes. A fit of humorless laughter rumbled from my chest. Janine's umber eyes shot towards me, sharpened in warning. I was all but humored by the current situation, but oh was I going to revel in killing him for a second time when the time came.

Oh, my deepest apologies, I retract my earlier promise, Victor. She's already dead!" I was expecting an impact on my face, but the sudden slimy trail of spit sliding down my cheek was all the more infuriating. The pressure eased up off my back as he stalked forward to seize me by the silk lapel of my evening robe, barely had enough strength to bring us eye level. Now, I got to get a proper look at him. Victor had always been a fairly tall, lanky man with a crook in his step from a bad knee and a narrow face but the figure standing before me was practically all skeleton. His jade eyes had sunken back into their sockets, cheek bones protruded out at an angle from the lack of fat to cushion them, and his once dark hair was now a dusty gray. His weedy arms shook as they struggled to hold me up and I hadn't even noticed the cane he was walking with until he'd dropped it on his way over to me. I was beginning to wonder if he had actually escaped death at all, or if they just had a temporary cease agreement.

"You really don't understand the position you're in here, do you, Ibrahim? Need I remind you..." He trailed off as one of his men descended the stairway with a small body limp in his arms. One little arm decorated with a gold and diamond 'R' charm bracelet swaying lifelessly.

"Rose!" Janine shrieked shooting up from her spot on the floor before I could move and sprinting over to Rose and the man. She didn't get far before another stepped out of the shadows and snatched her back by her hair. The loose auburn curls pulled taut against her scalp making her hiss as she fell back into his arms, caging her. I made a move to do the same before a sharp blade pressed against my neck.

"Tut, tut, Abe. I think I deserve a minute to see my sweet niece, don't I? After everything you've done, you owe me that much at least." He hummed making his way over to her still body that was now laid across my desk. She wasn't moving but the slow and steady rise of her chest said she was still alive. Rose always slept like a rock but it was impossible for her to sleep through this much commotion. She was too nosy to miss out on anything that wasn't related to her. I'd just barely noticed the trickle of blood falling down her arm from a needle injection.

"What did you give her?!" I growled trying my best to keep my voice calm. Janine and I were different, we could take care of ourselves but with Rose involved the circumstances grew much more dire. Victor grinned, taking a seat in the armchair behind my desk to tauntingly pull her into his lap. He brushed her wild bed hair away from her face that hung limply over his arm.

"Just a mild tranquilizer. Wouldn't want to wake the child just to die now would we? And on the off chance she doesn't she won't remember a thing. It'll all just faintly feel like a bad dream she can't quite picture..." He whispered something in her ear that made her stir uncomfortably and my nostrils flare like an enraged bull. The man behind me noticed the tightness in my muscles and pushed the barrel of a pistol into the back of my head. Daring me to act on my anger.

With a wave of Victor's hand over to the other associate, the large man took the signal to carry Janine over beside them. She struggled every step of the way but gained no ground against the stocky assailant. If there was one thing I admired about my wife she was a fighter, and the fire blazing in her eyes said she wasn't done yet. A loud crack sounded throughout the house as she flung her forehead at the man's nose, breaking it on impact and sending him stumbling backwards. Before he could regain his balance she caught him with a kick to the side of his knee forcing him to kneel, and followed up with a roundhouse to the tip of the chin. Knocking the large man, twice her size, out cold. Pride swelled in my chest at the sight of her. Ever since we'd gotten married and had Rosemarie I often forgot of her life before she gave it up in support of being a mother and protector of our family.

The victory was short lived as Rose let out a whimper. Both of our attention snapped to her and Victor, who had a slinky hand rested around her throat.

"Are you done? I'd really like to get on with this if the two of you don't mind." His grip tightened, only slackening when Janine dropped on her knees in front of him in surrender, "Good girl. Now because I consider you a friend, Janine, I'll take that as an uncontrollable mother's instinct and not a personal attack." He got up to lay Rose carefully down beside her and started to make his way around my office.

"I'm sure you're wondering why I paid you this late visit, partner, so I'll just cut to the chase so we can all get on with our lovely night." Cane back in hand he walked slow, but deliberate. Trailing his spindly fingers over the oil painted portrait I had commissioned of Janine for our anniversary next to my desk, the family portrait from Rose's first birthday sitting atop the filing cabinet placed across from it, and finally he stopped at the framed picture of Rose's first ultrasound. He smiled sadly studying it closely.

"You know it truly is a miracle...being a father. Being partly responsible for the miracle of creating another life...I had that. And I was a damned good father before you took my girl from me." He spat flinging the picture in my direction. My heart shattered with the frame as it crashed on the tile below me.

"So, I'm here to collect what is owed. Family for family. A life for a life-"

"No!" Janine hollered shielding Rose's body with hers as much as she could in her restraints, "Victor, please, you can't. She's just a baby. Take me." I couldn't move. I could barely breathe as the weight of what was truly happening crushed me. This wasn't just some petty revenge scheme to get back at me, that I could handle even if it meant death, he wanted to take everything from me. I flinched as the shriek of Victor's laughter suddenly pierced the room.

"So was Natalie. But, I'm sure your husband told you all about that. It's not all bad though, dear friend. Unlike me, Abe, you have a choice here." He chirped skipping over to where Janine and Rose were on the floor, shoving Janine aside with his cane so he could stand between them.

"Your lovely wife," He motioned over Janine, "Or your sweet, innocent baby girl." He grinned ear to ear leaning down to pick Rose up once again, rocking her gently in his arms. My vision grew blurry as I struggled to pull oxygen into my lungs. This wasn't happening. This couldn't be happening. Victor was dead. I killed him.

No matter how much I repeated it to myself, it never became reality.

"Abe, aşkım, it's ok. You know what to do, you can't let him take Rose. It's ok. I'll be ok." (My love). I hadn't even realized Janine shuffling her way over to me until she knelt in front of me. Desperately trying to catch my gaze in her own. Victor mercifully cut her hands from behind her back, giving us what we both knew would be our last moment together. Her hands came up to cradle the sides of my face, thumbs wiping away tears I was unknowingly shedding but as she touched them they started to burn as they fell.

"This isn't your fault, ok? I don't blame you. I love you, I love our life, I love our family. If this is how I'm meant to preserve that then so be it. I know you'll take care of our girl. Teach her how to get through this. She doesn't know it yet but she's strong. She's so strong and she gets it from you." I wanted to laugh at her miserable attempt to butter me when we both knew damn well that was a lie, but I'd grew numb. Even the warmth in her hands was starting to fade. She was so close, yet so far away and I wasn't ready to let go of her. I couldn't.

"How am I supposed to look at her after what I've done?" My voice was barely above a whisper. She tilted my chin up so we were eye to eye. I expected to see hate, regret, disappointment hidden behind her molten brown eyes but there was nothing like that. Not even fear. They were bright with love, appreciation and serenity. She'd already made her mind up. Not just now because of Victor, but years ago. Before Rose. Before our marriage. She knew eventually it would come down to her life for ours, all because of the work I chose to subject her to, and she had accepted the task readily. We came first.

"You hold your head high. I won't say it'll be easy, but eventually she'll understand. Just promise me, you won't let her be a pawn. Don't lock her away like some treasure to be taken. This is my choice. Give her the power to make a better one." Before I could respond her lips were on mine, jolting me back to life with the passion flowing through them. I wanted desperately to hold her, to cradle her in my arms and pull her inside myself where she'd be safe. All the love we'd cultivated, and would continue to after she had gone, were put into that kiss. She wanted me to know that despite her fate, she didn't blame me for any of it. If it meant never coming to have Rose and the fanciful life we'd lived since the day we met, she wouldn't have traded it for anything.

"Ok, time's up kids. There are still adults present, behave yourselves." Victor chimed in snatching Janine away from me by the back of her hair. My eyes intricately scanned over every part of her to commit to memory. The bright auburn curls that reached her shoulders and never fell in the direction she wanted them to, the subtle freckles spattered across her nose you'd never notice unless you were close enough to kiss her, her fair soft skin that always had a peachy undertone glowing from underneath, her nimble body that was toned but femininely curved in all the right places and the way it fit perfectly against mine, and last but not least her dark brown eyes that burned bright amber whenever touched by the sunlight. The eyes that would still haunt me long after she was gone. The eyes she had given to Rose.

"Not that I wouldn't love to stay and chat some more but it's time to choose, Ibrahim." He knew what the decision was going to be before he even set foot in our home, but he wanted this to be the final nail in the coffin that would seal my future with endless torment. He wanted to make it perfectly clear, beyond a reasonable doubt, that her blood was on my hands. He needed me to say it. I wouldn't have been surprised if he handed me a gun to carry out the deed myself, but he knew that would've only resulted in a bullet through my own skull. Rendering any hope of revenge null. I had no options. No tricks up my sleeves. No last ditch efforts. Not unless I wanted Rose left to be raised by this sack of shit instead. I was cornered against my worst nightmare with no possibilities of waking up. He had won.

"Janine or Rose."

"Ibrahim." Pavel's hand on my shoulder pulled me out of my tormented thoughts. He gave me a small smile as he grabbed the now nearly empty bottle of Jack I'd been nursing from my white knuckles. A marvel the glass didn't shatter.

"I have to get this right, Pavel. I owe it to her." I didn't need to speak the name for him to understand who I was speaking of, which had become common practice since the murder. His free hand came to clamp down on my shoulder in a tight reassuring squeeze. It wasn't much, but held all the meaning it needed.

"There was never any other option, sir."

Dimitri POV

I stared down at Rose bouncing around on her heels with her fists raised up like they did in those old timey cartoons whenever someone was getting ready to fight. Our massive height difference only magnified the silly comparison. I tried my best to keep the amusement out of my eyes, but could feel the mask faltering.

"No." She pouted throwing herself back onto the same couch we'd just been...together on and threw her hands up in the air exasperatedly.

"Come on, Dimitri. You've been trying to kill me for years, now here I am giving you a free pass to kick my ass, well try to at least, and you won't take it?" Her bottom lip jutted out in a pout, making my stomach stir as the thought of what it might feel like to-

"No!" I cleared my throat heartily, hoping to regain some control back, "I told you no strain on your hands. It hasn't even been a day since I bandaged them up and you're already trying to make it worse." I lied hoping she wouldn't catch on to the real reason I didn't want to be too close to her from the quickly growing strain I was beginning to feel against my jeans. Thankfully, she didn't notice.

Some innocent contact here and there and one hand hold and you're acting like a horny teenager! Get it together!

There were still too many emotions stirring within me after what had just happened between us, and I wasn't in the proper headspace to pick at them. I was losing things to place blame on for my suddenly 'amicable' feelings towards Rose and I needed to reign them in before it got too far out of my control. Before I did something I would come to regret. This time I decided to blame it on a combination of lack of sleep, months of pent up "energy" and the first ease of stress I'd gotten in a while. The farther I was away from her the better I could think, and the sooner everything would go back to how it should be. I couldn't remember the last time I was this plagued by sexual desire but for whatever reason this instance was becoming much worse than usual and I needed to get a lid on it fast.

"What are you now my doctor? We both know you don't really give a shit so cut the crap, Dimitri. What are you actually afraid of?" I couldn't meet her hard eyes.

A play by play instantly started to roll in my mind of all the possible inappropriate positions we could find ourselves in when sparring, along with my very erotic responses to them when my resolve finally cracked under the temptation from the gnawing promise of beguilement that would unquestionably come from lying with Rose. I wasn't a stranger to bedding a woman without any lingering attachment afterwords but these women hadn't been my greatest threat to living a somewhat calm life or the murderer of my best friend. Although, after hearing the account of the motivations behind her actions all the resent I held against her for so long was dissipating. I was nowhere near close to forgiving her, and I couldn't say if I ever would be, but I could no longer hold the grudge against her for it. Not because it was what she deserved but because it was a step I needed to take in order to begin healing from his death. No matter how deeply we may care for someone that alone doesn't cleanse them of their sins.

"Whether you choose to believe it or not, my answer is the same. Let it go." It was best to take my leave of her before she had the opportunity to push the subject any further and knowing Rose she certainly would. I pivoted on my heels to start heading back to my room, but she was always faster. Her smaller frame easily snaked between me and the door, pushing me back against the wall I'd just been standing against. Her petite hand pressing firmly on my chest. It wasn't nearly enough to keep me in place, I could've easily brushed her aside if I wanted. But, I wasn't exactly in peak combative condition at the moment considering she'd caught me off guard and there was barely enough space for air to travel freely between us as she pressed closer against me.

"You should know by now you're a pretty shitty liar, Comrade. Eventually, I can always figure you out..." She purred allowing her hand on my chest to freely roam over me. Everywhere she touched lit my skin ablaze underneath. Her fingers were light but unyielding as they grazed back and forth over my chest, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction when she gulped, taking in just how tiny she was in comparison to my size and build.

Then she moved down to trace each indent of the carved muscles on my stomach agonizingly slow. I wanted to grab her hand and push her off, yell at her to never touch me again and to stay away from me but I couldn't trust myself to come in even the slightest contact with her. The more she touched the more feverish my body was growing in hunger to take her. I wanted to make her weak in ways she'd never felt by any other man, to make her beg to have every bit of me nestled tightly within her, to make her surrender to my will in any and every way. I wanted to show her once and for all who was really in charge. Once I touched her, I wouldn't be able to pull myself back.

"Rose..." I tried to warn as her hands started to eagerly venture into lower territories, my accent growing thicker as I spoke her name. I expected a sly grin or her usual man-eater smile when she looked up at me but her face was flushed with desire, chest heaving erratically against mine as she licked her lips in anticipation. When she first began I thought she was toying with me, wholly embodying the spirit she was named after as she used all tools in her arsenal to bring me to my lowest knowing I couldn't fight her. But, as she looked at me now with her sultry eyes blackened by lust I could see we were both coming undone by one another.

This is dangerous. You need to STOP this!

It was too late. She finally reached her final destination and stopped at the area where my shirt met the waist band of my jeans, edging it. I tried one final time to subdue her, letting her see the carnal need in my eyes threatening to take hold of all my better reasoning and that if she crossed that threshold I couldn't be responsible for what was to happen afterwards.

Her hand slipped inside. Brushing the sensitive skin just below my navel and I split. All the logical thinking I had was securely locked away as the monster buried within me took over.

"Dimitri!" She squeaked as I briskly hoisted her up, forcing her to lock her legs around my waist and walked us over to the kitchen counter. Her mouth parted to share a hesitation but she didn't get the chance before my tongue slipped between them making her gasp against my lips. My hands snaked under her tank top immediately to claim her body as my own, fervently exploring every curve and raised mark in her skin from our many run-ins with each other. When she finally met my tongue with her own it only spurred me on more. The fight for dominance didn't last long as she started to melt into me. I pulled her tighter to me so we met flush at the core. She moaned into me arching her back to push herself even closer. Now that I could fully smell her, to taste her, and to feel her in a way I never could before I needed more. Everything she is I needed to possess, to mark as mine. I started with her neck, entangling my hands in her silken hair that fell all around us in cascading waves and pulled forcing her head back to allow better access. She hissed at the sudden pain but the hand gripping the back of my neck to hold me in place said it wasn't at all a turn off for her. I took my time pulling the supple skin into my teeth and nipping at it, not too much to cause pain but just enough to leave the perfect amount of discoloration against her sun-kissed skin I was looking for. When it started to turn a deep purple I relented, soothing the area with soft kisses and a gentle lapping of my tongue much to her pleasure.

"Dimitri..." She pleaded in my ear, pulling at my zipper frantically. I growled bestially in response, ripping her hands away and pinning them behind her back. She wasn't allowed to do anything I didn't give her permission to do. I have the power here.

"Not until I say so." She whimpered under my feral gaze but never pulled back from me, instead rubbing her legs together to provide some relief to the need flowing between them.

"Strip." I demanded stepping back from her to pull my own shirt over my head and unbuttoned my pants while waiting for her to descend from the counter. She shyly climbed down biting her lip again in nervousness as she pulled the shirt over her head and let it drop to the floor. This was the most I had ever seen of her flesh and it was absolutely breathtaking. There was no shame pecking at my mind as I allowed my eyes to fervently sweep over every new exposed inch of skin they could find. Her ample breasts sat perkily, firmly cradled in the lace black bra she wore. I could already imagine how amazing they would feel being kneading in my hands and pressed against my chest. I grew envious at the thought of all the men she'd given all of herself to like this over the years. How many men had received the blessing of seeing her look at them the way she was hungrily eyeing me now? How many unworthy men had she let herself lay bare with? Never again. I would be the only one to have her, intimately, from here on out. The only one she'd ever crave again.

"Come here." She didn't need to be told twice, happily bouncing over to stand in front of me. Awaiting further instructions.

"Turn around." I lightly traced along the muscles over her back and between her shoulder blades before unclasping the bra she wore. I closed my eyes, letting myself become completely engrossed by her body. I wanted to make a mental map of her every crevice, every twist and curve, and every mark to commit to memory. Starting with her breasts I took them both in my hands, surprised that even with how large my hands are there was still excess bust left over I couldn't grip. She hummed letting her head fall back against my chest, losing herself to the bliss of my fingers massaging over her. They were warm and supple, like freshly risen dough ready to be molded however I pleased. When I finally reached the stiff peaks at the center of them I gave her a light pinch making her moan and recline, further pushing my own stiffened arousal deeper into her back. I needed to take her now.

"Dimitri," She begged opening her eyes to meet mine, "Please. I need to feel you," She paused reaching her hand back to enclose around me, fingers not long enough to handle all of my girth. I groaned at the unexpected sensation instinctually bucking against her, "All of you." I wanted nothing more than to finally join with her, but it wasn't enough.

I ripped the shorts from her hips, panties falling with them, and lifted her once again on top of the island. She giggled as the chilled stone counter met her bare butt, but it was quickly replaced by a breath getting caught in her throat as I eased her legs apart from one another. Revealing her rosy depths that were glistening, soaked with her own arousal. She blushed fiercely, nervously waiting for my next move.

I need to hear it.

"Tell me, Rose. Tell me what you want." My eyes never left hers as I let my fingers drag across her legs, teasing her towards the edge as they grew closer into her inner thighs. Her chest heaved erratically while she struggled to catch her breath. Roughly capturing her bottom lip between mine, I nibbled slightly in effort to try and better coax the words out of her. She moaned throatily, leaning into me and pushing my fingers closer to her sweet spot.

"Dimitri..." She whispered against my lips.

Yes.

"Dimitri..."

That's it, let me hear it.

"DIMITRI!" A pillow smacking into the side of my face snatched me out of the daydream I didn't even realize I'd fallen into. Or more like a waking nightmare. Rose stood before me, arms crossed over her chest and fully clothed. She attempted to raise her brown again in question but only ended up making a funny face. "Do you have some condition I need to know about? I may be medically trained but I can't fix brain damage. Are you having seizures or brain aneurysms or something?"

I would be so lucky.

"No, I'm fine. Just a little stressed from lack of sleep. Quick nap and I'll be good." I lied again, which was starting to become a bad habit of mine, taking multiple steps back from her. Her lips pursed in argument, but thankfully she left it alone.

"Ok then...I'll see you." Without another word I all but sprinted back to my room, triple checking that the door was secured. Last thing I needed was her barging in and seeing the real reason I desperately needed to get away from her and change into some much looser pants than the ones I currently had on. I all but dug my fingers into my eyes as I rubbed them, urgently trying to erase the vivid fantasy still freshly rolling behind them. A grumble sat low in my chest as the realization hit; I was a lot more worse off than I thought. Suddenly, I understood where Mazur got her infamous epithet; Mavka. A tempting spirit that lured young men to their deaths. And here I was caught firmly in her grasp due to my own unchecked flaw that allowed me to be the perfect prey for her. At this point our conflict wasn't based around who would take the life of who first, but who would be the first to break under the pressure of temptation and fall to the mercy of the other.

For the first time in a long time, this was one fight I wasn't confident I'd be able to win.

Soooo...that was a lot of ups and downs lol. After the dark memory on Abe's end it only felt right to balance it out with a more "lighthearted" one. I hope you guys don't hate me for making it a fantasy, sorry! Don't worry Rose and Dimitri can only fight their "cravings" for so long ;).

I do want to make it clear tho that I have no intention on skipping what really builds a healthy relationship and going from sex to dating out of the blue. I've seen a lot of stories where Rose and Dimitri get together first and then get into sex but it's easy to build into a relationship when you haven't crossed that line. What about the reverse? We'll have to find out!

I hope this doesn't disappoint anyone but I enjoy the journey of a kind of messy relationship to start with and I'm having fun writing a different Dimitri than I'm sure we're all used to. One who I hope you also enjoy as much as I do. Really starting to like a more...unhinged Dimitri XD. What do you all think? And how do you think Rose will react when the time comes? o.o

Anyway, hope you all enjoyed I can't wait to read your reactions to this one especially and I'll see you next week! 3