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Just then, Alexei comes into the living room with two plates of food. He must’ve heard my threat because he chuckles. “Say the word, and it’s done.”
“You’re taking her side?” Demitri mutters. “The sooner I’m back on my feet, the sooner these goddamn wounds will heal.”
“Not if your stitches rip loose,” I snap at him as I take the two plates of food from Alexei.
“Need me to hold him down while you feed him?” Alexei asks me.
I scowl at Demitri. “Do I?”
“Just give me the damn plate,” he grumbles. “Fucking ridiculous.”
Alexei chuckles again, then looks at me. “I have a meeting to attend, then I’ll take over watching him while you get some rest.”
“What?” Demitri growls, setting the plate of food aside and pushing himself back to his feet. “You’re not going anywhere without me.”
Luckily Damien comes into the living room, saying, “Carson and I are going with Alexei. Sit your ass down.”
Demitri hesitates, then sinks down on the couch again, sweat beading on his forehead from all the unnecessary strain he’s placing on his body.
Alexei pats Demitri’s shoulder. “Eat your food. I’ll be back in an hour.”
Clearly unhappy, Demitri watches as Alexei leaves the room with Damien.
Picking up his plate of food, I sit down next to him and scoop some mash and gravy onto the fork. When I lift the utensil to his mouth, he gives me a dark look. “I can feed myself.”
Stubborn jerk.
I hand him his food then watch as he takes a bite.
“Are you always this grumpy when you’re sick?” I ask as I grab my own plate of food.
“I’ve never been sick.”
I stare at Demitri, realizing he’s probably never had anyone take care of him. He’s the one taking care of everyone, and now he doesn’t know what to do with himself.
“Baby,” I say, and when he turns his head to me, I lift my hand and place it on his jaw, “You’ve done so much for me. Please, let me do this one thing for you. It makes me feel needed.”
He takes hold of my forearm and presses a kiss to the inside of my wrist, and then he nods.
“So no more biting my head off and giving me glares.”
He nods again as he scoops more food onto his fork.
I reach for the remote and turn on the TV. It’s all in Russian, though, and I hand Demitri the remote. “Find us something to watch, and then you can translate it for me.”
Demitri scrolls through the programs, and then he stops on a show as it starts.
We finish eating, and I set our plates on the coffee table, and then I take hold of Demitri’s hand and listen as he translates. Soon I’m clutching his hand because it turns out we’re watching a zombie movie, but they’re not the real threat. Instead, the army is killing people left, right, and center. I’m loving the suspense.
Hoping to make Demitri feel better, I shriek and bury my face against his shoulder every time a gruesome part comes on, even though The Walking Dead is one of my all-time favorite shows.
During one scene, I actually get a chuckle from him, and I feel pleased that I’ve succeeded in my mission.
“How are you scared of this, but you watch that vampire show?”
I grin up at Demitri. “The vampires are hot.”
I get another chuckle from him before he continues to translate what the actors are saying.
Before the show is over, Alexei comes back, and I feel Demitri relax next to me.
“Did everything go okay?” he asks Alexei, who takes a seat on the other couch.
I switch off the TV as Alexei answers, “Yes. Semion and Lev will take over Andrei’s business, so they’re happy. I told them you’ll be taking Sergei’s business on behalf of Ariana.”
“So it’s official?” Demitri asks. “You’re head of the Bratva?”
“I am.”
The two men stare at each other and feeling like I’m intruding on a private moment between them, I pick up the plates and take them to the kitchen.
The moment I’m alone, my thoughts turn to my problems. When we get back to the States, I’ll have to leave Demitri, and just thinking about it breaks my heart.
Right now, I can still hide from it, but too soon, I’ll have to face the horrible truth that my being with him places him at risk.
I won’t survive it if Demitri dies because of me.
I’d rather leave him and know he’s alive.
I’ll love him from a safe distance.
DEMITRI
The trip back to LA was exhausting, and having someone else fly the plane only increased my frustration.
I’m used to doing everything myself, and letting other people take care of me is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life.
As we walk into my and Alexei’s house, Ariana glances around at the luxurious furnishings and expensive art.
