Page 19 of Demetri
"Though I do have a place in the city, my family estate is located in the countryside. We should be flying over it at any moment. It is equally as beautiful."
"Holy shit." Glory continues to stare out the window. "Look at this place." I step behind her, and peer through the window and take in my home.
"Welcome to my family home." I kiss the side of her neck.
Her head whips around, shock on her face. "That castle down there is yours? You grew up in that?"
I nod. "I did. Everything — all the land you can see until it reaches the small river belongs to my family," I confirm.
"Do you have horses?" Glory's face lights up, and I smile.
"You like to ride,Krasivaya?"
"I haven't in a long time." She settles back against the sofa.
"Then, while we are here, I will show you the property on horseback." The pilot announces we are making our descent to land, so Glory and I secure ourselves where we are sitting and wait to land.
A car is waiting for us at my private landing field when we exit the plane then we drive ten miles to my family estate. With her hand resting on my thigh, I watch as Glory takes in her surroundings as we ride. "In many ways, it looks like Montana." I nod, agreeing with her, but she doesn't notice. She is too busy taking it all in as we travel down the long road leading to my estate.
When the car rolls to a stop, I open the door, climb out, and wait for my woman to join me. Without speaking, I take her by the hand and lead her inside. The moment we enter the foyer, one of my men, Luca appears in the doorway leading to my office.
"Sir, there is a situation."
By the tone in his voice and look on his face, this is something I shouldn't ignore. I turn, facing Glory. "I need to take care of a little business before dinner. Victor will show you to my suite. You'll find everything you need to freshen up. In the closet, you will also find a selection of evening gowns." I brush the hair from her face. "I'm taking you to the city," I inform her.
"Are you trying to show me off?" She presses her body against mine.
"Take your time getting ready." I rub her arm as I lean in to kiss her lips. Standing to the side, Victor waits for Glory to join him. I wait until she is up the stairs and no longer in sight before stepping into my office. "What is it that requires my attention."
"We have one of the men we believe was involved with the disappearance of the merchandise the other day."
"And where is he now?" Opening the humidor sitting on top of my desk, I retrieve a cigar.
"Holding cell down at the shipyard," Luca informs me as I snip the tip of the cigar off, then strike a lighter as I bring it to my lips and taking a toke.
"As you can see, I have company. Let the men know I want to speak with this trash myself. He's not to be touched until then." Walking over to the window, I stare at the river in the distance as the sun starts to disappear. "Keep me informed."
"Yes, sir," Luca declares before walking out of the room.
"May I speak freely?" I turn when I hear Victor speak. He may work for me, but Victor is a friend and a loyal man. His speaking freely, with honesty is something I've come to allow within reason.
"What's on your mind, Victor?"
"Do you think it was smart bringing her here?" he asks.
"Glory needs to know who I am my friend. She needs to see it."
"You have many enemies in Russia."
I take another toke from the cigar. The white smoke billows around my head as I exhale. He's right. Many men wish me dead, but none of them dare try to harm my family, and Glory is my family. "We need to be vigilant, Victor." I snub my cigar out in the ashtray. "I want all the men on alert and extra security detail on my woman at all times. She doesn't step one foot outside alone. Understood?"
"Yes, sir." Victor's demeanor shifts from a friend to a professional.
"Have a drink with me, Victor, before I freshen up for dinner." I clasp his shoulder on my way to the liquor bar behind him. Pouring us a drink, I carry my glass across the room where I sit in silence. Lifting the glass to my lips, I take a sip and think about the situation at hand. Someone has stolen from me and killed one of my men.Does this theft have any connections to my ex-associate Gulin, and his side dealings with the Petrovs'.I stare at the amber fluid in my glass before pushing my thoughts to the side. My thoughts shift to Glory. Keeping her safe while we are here in my homeland is my main concern. I won't let any harm come to her; anyone who tries will meet an early death.
A short while later, I'm dressed in a black tailored suit, with a blood-red rose in my hand. I wait at the bottom of the winding staircase for my woman to join me. I stop breathing the moment Glory ascends the stairs, her curves hugged in all the right places by a crimson red gown with a plunging neckline. Once again, I can't take my eyes off her.
"I take it by the lack of words you like what you see?" Glory twirls.
