Page 141 of Deadly Knight
“Serafina.”
“The girl who hangs out with Lev?” Not that I’ve seen much of her, but no one mentioned her having a fiancé.
I’ve met her a few times, but more in passing as I’ve been in and out so much lately, over at my new job at a downtowntherapy clinic. Working there is a start until I get settled and can build up a reputation in Moscow, and while my credentials finish transferring, before starting my own practice. Coupled with the fact that Serafina is almost never around either, attending university; and when she is here, she’s in the basement with Lev, so our paths don’t often cross.
“Yeah. She’s Zeno’s sister. And Vanessa’s sister. Half to both… It’s weird.” He chuckles, swiping a hand through his hair. “I hardly know the girl, but given what Vanessa told me, it might get messy. It’ll be mainly Cosa Nostra people there, and we’re far from being the target. Once Zeno announced his relationship with Vanessa, no one will go against him.”
“It’d look bad if you’re not there. Considering by all accounts, she’s also your cousin. A half-cousin.”
He pauses, his expression dawning like he’s never put all that together before. “Huh, you’re right. Damn. Well, it’s probably smart to be there because Vanessa and Anastasia might need help reigning in Lev.”
“Lev? Not Zeno?”
Dimitri grimaces. “According to Ana, Lev’s about to be in a world of pain. Speaking of, before we head out, I need to go see him. Be back in a few.”
I wave him away, returning my attention back to the bags around me. “I’m nearly done, so go on.”
He disappears, and is almost immediately replaced by Vanessa, who fills the doorway. “Moving day?” She scans the near-empty room, only the furniture remaining, and her expression turns wistful. “The company has the truck loaded and wants to know if they’re good to start driving.”
“Yeah, they can go ahead. We’ll load the remaining bags into Dimitri’s car.” She nods but stays, hovering. “Sorry Dimitri’s moving out,” I add.
“Don’t be. He deserves to be happy and you’re his happiness. Besides, don’t think you two are going far. You’ll be around here more than you’ll probably want to be, and if not, then I’ll be hanging at your place.”
“I’d like that.” Pausing, I recount what Dimitri just said about needing a dress. He gave me no answers, but she might. “Dimitri mentioned Serafina’s wedding… Who to?”
Her expression darkens. “Let’s not talk about that. I can only handle so much male rage in one day, and would prefer to forget it for now.”
Eventually someone will tell me what the hell is going on.
Later,when we’re moved in, partially unpacked, and Dimitri heads out for a meeting he couldn’t get out of, I video call my parents to take them on a walk-through of the house and even show them my ring.
“Katya, it’s so beautiful!” Mama gushes. “I hope you feel ready, and no one’s rushing you.”
“The engagement will last a few years, believe me. It feels much too soon after everything, but also too late to not be wearing a ring.”
Downstairs, the door opens and shuts, and Mama takes my wandering eyes as a hint to hang-up.
“Dimitri must be home, so we’ll let you go. Send pictures as you finish setting up the house. I can’t wait to see you make it your own. Tell him hello for us.”
After a final wave, I drop my cell onto the charger beside the bed and regard the room in the thirty-seconds before Dimitri joins me. Even now, it’s insane to consider how he bought my house, kept strangers from moving into it, and saved it for us.
For the future he guessed we’d eventually have.
Dimitri enters the room, shedding his coat as he goes. He stops abruptly, staring at me seated on the edge of the bed—the only aspect of this room ready to be used, considering everything else is in boxes.
“What?”
“Nothin’.” He shakes his head, but goes on anyway, adding more details to the single word. “For so long, I’ve been a soldier, working only for the Bratva. For my uncle and father, and then Vanessa. I’ve been keeping her safe, and watching you from afar. I’ve been hunting the bastards down and planning my papa’s demise. During all that, everything felt transitionary, not permanent. The thought of any sort of future would only be possible with you, buthavingthat future also seemed impossible. But as I walk in, seeing you here, with me…in this house we get to call ours. Katya, I think I just felt true and honest peace.”
There are no words to match his. Nothing I say that’ll come anywhere near a good enough reply, so I simply stretch my hand for him to take.
He finishes shedding his jacket and top before accepting my hand and letting me pull him on top of me, reclining beneath his weight.
“You deserve it, Dimitri. Peace is all I ever want for you from now on. How’d the meeting go?”
He props his hands beside my head. “Nothing special. Zeno and Vanessa were going over some plans for the wedding.”
“Right. Serafina’s. You never mentioned how your talk with Lev went earlier.”
