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“Don’t you dare smile,” I warn him, quickly losing my shit. “I’m serious.”
“I can see that,” Demitri murmurs, his smile growing.
And it’s the last straw that breaks the camel's back. All my anger, my fear, my pain – it hits me so hard I stagger back, and a sob bursts from me. I tighten my fists, fighting with the last of my strength to keep from crumbling to the floor.
Demitri grabs hold of my arm and yanks me to his chest, but I’m too upset with him. I shove against him, sobbing, “Don’t touch me.”
Of course, he doesn’t listen and wraps his arms tightly around me. Letting out a frustrated scream, I strain against his hold. Like a bomb detonating, the shrapnel of my life rains down on me.
Demitri holds me as I fall apart from the unbearable weight on my shoulders.
I hate every tear as they burn like acid over my cheeks.
He moves his hands to the sides of my face, and with his thumbs, he brushes the tears away. “Don’t cry, Malyshka.” His strong arms engulf me again, and he presses kisses to my temple. “Christ, my heart can’t handle this.”
It takes a while before I’m able to calm down. Fisting Demitri’s shirt, I breathe through the last sobs fluttering from my chest. My mind starts to work again, and I address the elephant between us.
I pull back, and Demitri moves his hands to my arms, rubbing his palms up and down my biceps.
I take another deep breath, and then I lift my eyes to his. “I get that the bond between the two of you is unbreakable, but I’m not going to fight Alexei for you.”
Demitri shifts a hand to the side of my neck and tilts his head. “Alexei’s not fighting you. This isn’t about who’s most important in my life.”
I lift an eyebrow at him. “Could’ve fooled me. He practically pissed a circle around you.”
“That’s not what he was doing,” he argues, then he explains, “Alexei was testing your strength, and you fucking held your own in front of him. Do you know how rare that is?”
“A test?” I mutter.
Demitri nods. “You’re taking over a powerful business, and Alexei’s preparing you for it. He doesn’t just do that for anyone. He’s grooming you, Ariana.” His features soften as he steps closer to me. “But, Alexei is the head of this family, and after the meeting, he’ll be the head of the Bratva. We all live by his rules.”
Hello, whiplash, my old friend.
“You represent the Ivanov name which means, just like all the other members, you’ll have to decide if you’re going to vote for Alexei or go against him.”
A shiver ripples down my spine, but I’m starting to understand what Demitri’s saying. Wanting clarity on what it would mean for a relationship between Demitri and me, I ask, “So if Alexei says jump, I ask how high? If he says we’re getting married, I have no choice in the matter?”
“Marry who? Alexei?” Demitri asks, his tone turning dark.
“Yes.”
“Fuck no.” Demitri takes a calming breath, then explains, “Alexei only has a say when it comes to business. Who you marry and how you live your life is your decision.”
“What happens the day Alexei and I have a fight… about…” I roll my eyes as I try to think of something, “ah… what we’re having for dinner?”
Demitri frowns at me. “What are you asking? Whose side will I choose?”
“Yes. Will you let us argue, or will you take Alexei’s side with everything?”
Understanding flashes over Demitri’s features. “Alexei will never do anything to intentionally hurt you, so I’ll never be in that position. I kept quiet because Alexei was talking business with you. If he got aggressive with you because you wanted chicken and he wanted steak, I’d step in.” He leans a little down. “You’re both important in different ways. This isn’t a competition.”
I nod, and still standing by what I said earlier, I demand, “I’m new to this world. Can you tell Alexei to tone it down a little? Having him give me the glare of death while he barks out orders doesn’t fly with me.”
Demitri frames my face again and presses a kiss to my forehead. “Malyshka, I’m not going to do that. Alexei was smiling like a proud fucking father after you told him to go to hell. He wants to make you stronger. He means well. Instead of seeing him as a threat, think of him as your teacher.”
I let out a tired sigh. “I understand now, but the training session was unexpected. A head’s up would’ve been nice.”
I’m pulled back into a hug. “Are we good, or is there anything else you want to talk about?”
I shake my head and then rest my cheek against his chest. “Nothing else.”
“So we’re good?” he asks again.
