“You should really be more alert on the streets, kotyonok.”
Startled, I gasped sharply and whirled around, dropping the plastic bag in my hands.
Dimitri stood on the sidewalk behind me in front of the drugstore I just exited, dressed much like he had been the last time I’d seen him. Hood pulled over his head, concealing part of his face, light jacket with a noticeable bulge beneath that I knew to be his gun holster, and heavy black boots. His hands were shoved in his pockets as he scanned up and down the street, presumably guarding against any potential threats.
“Dimitri.” I was still fighting to catch my breath. “You shouldn’t be here. I told you we can’t meet like this.”
Every time I’d go out in public, I wondered if he was watching from the shadows. I had to admit, it made me uneasy, even if I knew it was only Dimitri. Exactly how closely had he been keeping track of me?
This was a far more public location than when he’d ambushed me outside of Val and Enzo’s brownstone. There were restaurants on this street, businesses, parking lots. Lots of people milling about, any of whom could take particular notice to the two of us talking.
I scrambled to shove all the items scattered over the sidewalk back into my bag before he got a good look at what exactly I’d just purchased from the drugstore.
“I had to see you for myself and make sure you’re all right,” he grated. His gaze raked over me, as if to confirm I was still in good health.
I stood back up and shoved my hair out of my face. “I’m fine. Why? Has something happened?”
He flinched. What the hell did that mean? “I’ve just…heard things recently. I had to check on you in person.”
I frowned. “What things?”
He waved me off. “You don’t need to know the details. Suffice it to say, this situation isn’t safe for you anymore. I’m getting you out of Brooklyn.”
Clutching the plastic bag to my chest, I took a step back. “What are you talking about? What have you heard?”
He scowled as his gaze continued to sweep over the street. “Your husband is in league with the Firm, Alexia. The Rossettis helped Raphael Esposito escape prison and are now looking to reinsert themselves into the organization. From what I hear, they want to replace the D’Angelo family as the fifth.”
I was shaking my head in denial long before he’d finished. “That’s a lie, Dimitri. Check your sources. The Rossettis have no interest in becoming part of the syndicate. You couldn’t be more wrong about them.”
He scoffed, looking disgusted. “You don’t think it’s at all odd that Nico Rossetti was the only other person present when Esposito escaped custody? And that the kidnappers conveniently left him alive?”
I didn’t bother asking how he knew all of that because Dimitri had a way of getting information. Usually by forceful means I would never want to know about.
“There was nothing convenient about it,” I hissed through clenched teeth, shoving hair out of my face once again. The wind was insufferable today. “Nico was shot and three other men were killed. The Rossettis aren’t murderers.”
“Aren’t they?” he snapped. “They killed Stefano Esposito—”
“Because he’d kidnapped Jasmine and was holding her hostage.”
“They beat Santi Gabbiano to within an inch of his life—”
“After he and his nephew went after Roxy first.”
Dimitri’s head reared back in shock. “You’re defending them now? I told you not to trust them, kotyonok. They are no less deceptive than the other families.”
“The secrets Nico keeps from me are no different than those you and Batya have always kept from me,” I said firmly. “Unless the syndicate business concerns me directly, I don’t care to know about it. Nico tells me only what is necessary for me to know.”
Dimitri shook his head in disbelief. “You really believe that, don’t you?”
I averted my eyes. “I trust him.”
“You have feelings for him.”
I didn’t deny it.
He spat Russian oaths, shifting impatiently on his feet. “I thought you were smarter than this, Alexia. Sergei taught you better. You shame him by offering your loyalty to this man.”
Oh, that got me heated.
My eyes darted back to my long-time friend. “You’re out of line, Dimitri. I have never and will never shame my father. I have done everything he’s asked of me—”
“Did he ask you to fuck Rossetti, too?”
I went stone cold. My fingers curled tightly around the handles of the bag. “That’s too far. You have no right to speak to me that way.”
His eyes widened as he lurched forward into my space. “No right? I’ve protected you for fifteen years. I’ve comforted you after you awoke screaming from terrifying nightmares. I have devoted myself to ensuring your safety and well-being. I have every goddamn right.”
“I think you should leave,” I told him flatly. “Go to my father’s side and stay with him. I have enough protection here. You don’t have to worry about my safety.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” He grabbed my arm in an unbreakable hold. “You’re coming with me. I’m not leaving you here on your own with them. You’re already vulnerable enough.”
When he tried hauling me away, I surprised him by jerking my arm away with enough force to send me stumbling backwards. Between his high-handedness and the bloody wind that kept blowing my hair in front of my face, I’d lost my patience.
“No, Dimitri.”
He stilled, watching me warily.
“You cannot imagine how grateful I am to you for keeping Batya safe all these years. And for being there for me when I had no one else. You are my oldest friend, and my father trusts you above all others, but you do not give me orders. I will speak to Batya directly whenever he’s ready to make contact. Until then, I’m staying here…with my husband.”
His eyes flared when I spoke the last word. “You would really choose to stay here?” he whispered. “With him?”
I pushed my shoulders back, lifting my chin. “I know what I’m doing.”
His brows slammed together, his expression one of pain. “But I…care for you, kotyonok.”
For the first time ever, Dimitri actually sounded a bit…broken. Lost.
I couldn’t help but soften as I pictured a much younger Dimitri soothing me back to sleep in my bed.
“So does he.” I think. “He won’t let any harm come to me.”
“Please don’t do this,” he begged. His face slackened, eyes dulling. “There are some decisions you can’t come back from.”
That phrasing struck me as odd.
“If you’ll remember, this all started with a decision that was taken from me.” I shrugged. “I’m simply taking it back.”
I stepped away from him, leaving him speechless and motionless on that sidewalk.
“Kotyonok…”
I smiled sadly. “Do zavtra.” Till tomorrow.
His face twisting in pain was the last image I had of him before I turned around, got in my borrowed car, and drove away.
I never let go of my plastic bag.
There was another reason why I couldn’t just abruptly leave this city with Dimitri.
At least, I suspected there was another reason.
And one particular item in that bag would have all the answers.