Page 49 of Wrapped in Perfection

He briefly closes his eyes, nodding. "Ahh. I see. We never discussed who your brother wanted you to stay away from this morning, did we?"

"Chase knows you're involved with the mafia?" I cry out.

Dmitri sits back in the chair and crosses his arms. "Anna, I want nothing to do with the Rossi family. My brothers and I bought pieces of land around a lot Lorenzo Rossi got control of. The mayor told us we could buy it from the city. At the last minute, he sold it under our noses to Lorenzo. We've been negotiating with him. If we don't get it, we're going to lose millions, and we have no plan B for our property, which is worth nothing if we don't develop it."

A mix of relief and regret fills me. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have assumed anything."

Dmitri's jaw twitches. "What else do you want to ask me?"

"Nothing."

Something shifts in his expression. "Are you sure you don't want to ask me about my brothers and my role in the Russian mafia or anything like that?"

My stomach churns. "I didn't—"

"You didn't have to."

"Dmitri—"

"I've heard it all before, Anna. Save your breath," he mutters and turns toward the blackness of the night.

What have I done?

Why can't I shut my mouth? All I do is screw everything up.

He's been nothing but good to me.

I reach for his cheek, and he closes his eyes.

He covers my hand with his. "I'm sorry. You hit a nerve. It wasn't fair of me to accuse you."

My hand shakes.

Sadness fills his eyes. He tilts his head. "You are scared of me, aren't you?"

I rise and straddle him. "No."

"Then why are you trembling when you touch me?"

"I'm sorry. I'm trying not to screw up."

His eyes widen. "Anna, we're able to disagree. We can even argue at times."

My insides quiver. A tear falls down my cheek. I've done my best to be perfect for years even though it was never enough for Mitch. Everything with Dmitri feels like it could be real, but I feel like I'm going to ruin it before it even begins.

Dmitri wraps his arms around me. "I want to know what he did to you."

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Too bad. I need to know."

"Why? You heard my brother."

"Not that time. Before that."

My chest tightens, and the air thickens. I've never told anyone what happened the first time Mitch hurt me. I don't want to say it out loud. I know how it's going to sound, and I should have left then. But I didn't. He convinced me it was my fault but he would never do it again. He reminded me that everyone deserves second chances and I shouldn't throw out all the years we had together.

"This is only going to work between us if you're honest with me. And I want to know."

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