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Katerina blinks, taking me in while keeping her arms wrapped around Dimitri’s neck.
“Hello.” I wave at her, and she ducks, suddenly shy, hiding her face in his shoulder. The sight is so cute, and unexpected, that my heart squeezes. I smile at the both of them.
Dimitri whispers something to Katerina. She glances up at him, then nods. He sets her on her feet. She waves at us as she runs out the door to play with the rest of the children. The look on Dimitri’s face is that of a doting father.
Is he her father? After that interaction I witnessed between them, I can’t see Dimitri leaving his child in an orphanage. Not for any reason. Even so…
“Is she yours?” I ask, hesitant.
His gaze snaps to mine. “No. Of course not. She was abandoned on our doorstep when she was three days old.”
“Oh.” I release the breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding and step forward. “What did you say to her?”
“I promised her a piggyback ride later if she’d run off and play with the others for now.” He shoots me a dazzling smile, like he’s looking forward to it as much as she is. Then he gives his attention to the woman who runs this place, I’m assuming, and his demeanor shifts to all business.
“Mila, this is Arianna, my wife. Give me this month’s update.”
We shake hands, before she escorts us into her office, where we all take our seats. She gets straight to the point. Obviously familiar with Dimitri enough to not keep him waiting long.
“We’ve placed the twins in a good home—together. The couple adopted both of them just as we hoped,” she says. “The babies are always easier to find homes for though. To think that at least three of our eldest will be turning eighteen in the next few months. I haven’t told them yet, but I have their life start packages all ready for them.”
“That’s good.” Dimitri bobs his head in approval.
“What is that?” I ask him. “A life start package?”
He glances at me, then clears his throat in that way that indicates he’s nervous. “Money mostly. At least for those who don’t have a college scholarship, or some other opportunity to help them start their adult lives.”
“Oh.” I take a second to digest that information.
He goes back to discussing details with Mila, while I try, and fail, not to stare at his profile. This ruthless mafia man has a hand in running an orphanage and gives his money to children in need? I’m quite confused right now. No one can be this full of surprises, can they?
“You should know that we have an inquiry,” Mila says hesitantly. “It’s for Katerina.”
Dimitri’s brow furrows. He’s not happy with that news, but he’s trying to hide his emotions. “That’s good. Do me a favor and vet them thoroughly. Twice. Make that three times.”
“I understand, sir.” Mila sighs. “Well, that’s all the news I have for you this month. We are at your disposal today for anything else you need.”
“I’m going to give my wife the tour. Then we’ll spend some time with the children.”
Mila softly smiles. “Thank you, sir.”
As soon as we exit her office, I pull Dimitri to a stop. “What is going on here? You’re obviously an investor or something. Why?”
He takes my hand in his and we start walking. “I bought this place ten years ago, knowing I wanted to open an orphanage—a good one, a safe and comfortable place for children to grow up—since I came to America to live with my uncle. Having experienced how rough the streets are, and the type of hands the young and innocent can fall into, I wanted to spare others from the same fate. No orphan should grow up like I did before my uncle saved me.”
“So you opened an orphanage,” I muse, squeezing his hand to show my approval. “You’re a sweet man.”
He shoots me a dubious glance. Maybe sweet is the wrong word to describe him.
We round a corner, ending up in a quiet, empty hallway. Dimitri pulls me into him, then steps forward until my back hits the wall.
“I am not sweet, kisa. Don’t be delusional.” His body presses flush against mine and my nipples pebble. “My need for this place was brought about by trauma and pain. I’m no saint. I’m not doing this out of the goodness of my heart. This place gives me a sense of control in an otherwise chaotic world. Don’t you ever paint me as the good guy. That way of thinking will only lead to disappointment.”
I cup his face, my thumb brushes over his bottom lip. What he won’t say out loud is that this place helps heal his broken soul. That it’s his way of giving back for the life his uncle gave him. But I don’t need him to tell me that to understand.
“I’ll never expect you to be anything other than what you are, Dimitri.” Every day I’m still finding out who that person is, and the glimpse I’ve gotten today is one I like very much.
Dimitri ducks his head, capturing my lips in a toe-curling kiss. By the time he pulls away, I’m breathless.
