Chapter 12
TORI
I watch as Poppy runs her hand along the bookcase in complete awe. She warms my heart, and I realise just how much I’ve missed her since I’ve been here in London.
“It’s like a library,” she gushes. “How do you choose?”
I laugh, making my way over to where she stands. “It’s definitely a tough decision, but all this choice is a great problem to have.” I wink, and her smile lights up her entire face.
“Look at you,” my mother spits, her tone laced in venom. “Pretending to be something you’re not.” Her confidence has clearly grown now my father is out of earshot.
“Do we have to do this now?” I ask. I can’t hide the annoyance in my voice. First, they turn up unannounced, ruining what was a perfectly good fucking morning, and now, she’s criticising me like she knows me. She doesn’t. I’m not sure she ever really did.
Annie enters the room with the tray of tea and places it on the coffee table. “Annie, could you show my sister the garden?” Poppy grins wide. Our garden growing up was more like a few slabs where my father usually passed out on his way home from the bar, but Poppy always loved flowers, and we’d try to grow them on our bedroom windowsill in old yoghurt pots.
“Of course, Victoria.” Poppy follows her from the room.
I turn to face my mother. She looks like she’s aged a decade since I last saw her. Her face is pale, with dark circles around her eyes, and there are more lines on her forehead. She looks haggard and exhausted, and if I didn’t know her circumstances, I’d probably feel sorry for her, but I can’t forgive her for not getting out. It’s not like she didn’t have the opportunities. Friends would offer us a place to stay, and even her own parents begged her to leave, but she always chose him, and I realise now that she always will.
I straighten my shoulders and smile. “You say I’m pretending to be something I’m not?” I laugh as I take a few steps towards her. “Maybe, just maybe, the person I was growing up was who I was pretending to be. What choice did I have but to try to fit into your messed-up life? The woman you see in front of you is exactly who I’ve been all along. I am no longer suffocated by your inconsiderate decisions.”
“How fucking dare you?” she hisses. My father enters the lounge, and suddenly, my strength slips away and I shrink back as he strides over to my mother, keeping his dark, angry eyes fixed on me. Dmitry slides his arm around my waist, immediately offering me comfort, and I exhale slowly, releasing my nerves.
My father sneers in my direction before grabbing my mother’s arm and dragging her towards the door. “Where are we going, Roger?” she asks, looking panicked.
“Let’s not outstay Mr. Volkov’s hospitality,” he hisses. I glance at Dmitry in confusion, but his expression gives nothing away.
“But what about Poppy?”
“She’s spending some time with her sister,” he spits as he drags her towards the front door. Marshall already has it open, following them outside.
“What the fuck was all that about?” I ask. Dmitry just smiles, unnerving me. “Please don’t tell me Marshall is going to wipe out my parents.” Although part of me is wondering if that would be a bad thing.
Dmitry throws his head back with a laugh. “Do you think I’m a monster?” I stay silent. Monster isn’t the right word . . . unpredictable maybe. Overprotective even. “I gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse. You’ll never have to worry about them again.”
“What does that mean?” I ask, “My father isn’t exactly reliable when it comes to sticking to his word.”
“Do you trust me, my krasota ?” he whispers as he places a stray hair behind my ear.
I nod, which earns me a smile, showing off those cute dimples. There’s my fun-loving man from the last couple days.
“I’m buying their house,” he begins.
I gasp, my eyes widening. “What the fuck, Dmitry?”
He places his hand up in a placating manner. “They can live there rent-free as long as they stay away from you.”
“And Poppy?” I demand, because I can’t even begin to get my head around his plan.
“Poppy is intelligent. Away from your parents, she will thrive. So, we will be taking her to a nearby boarding school. It’s far enough away that your father won’t bother her and close enough for you to visit her and spend time together. In the meantime, she’s going to stay here with us.”
I feel myself welling up, that this man would go to such lengths to make me happy. Nobody has ever gone out their way to help me or to make me feel like I’m worth anything, let alone help my sister.
He cups my face and places a gentle kiss on my nose. “Are you happy, my krasota ?”
“She’s staying here with us?” I ask, my voice breaking with emotion.
He gives a slight nod. “Holidays too,” he confirms. “Anything for my queen.”
He kisses my forehead as Annie enters with Poppy close behind.
Her smile fades as she looks around the room. “Where are Mum and Dad?”
Dmitry holds out his hand for her to shake. She takes it tentatively. “I’m Dmitry, and you must be Poppy?”
“I am,” she confirms, her suspicious eyes still searching the room as if our parents might pop out.
“Would you like to stay here with us for a few days?” he asks.
Her frown transforms back to a wide smile. “Oh my god . . . really? I can stay here?”
“Do you want to?” I ask with a laugh.
She rolls her eyes like it’s a stupid question. “Of course, I would. This place is amazing. I’d be mad not to.”
Dmitry exhales in relief. “That’s all settled then. Annie will set up your room. I’ll let you two catch up.” I mouth the words ‘thank you’ as he leaves.
Poppy drops on the sofa and smiles as she runs her hands over the plush material. “He’s a keeper,” she says, wiggling her brows, and I grin. She never was one to mince her words.
I sit beside her, grabbing hold of her hand. “It’s so nice to see you again. I’ve missed you.” She sits up straighter. “How’s things been?” Her smile fades.
“You know what he’s like,” she mutters, waving her hand around, dismissing my question.
I nod in understanding. That distant look in her eyes confirms my suspicions. “How would you feel if you didn’t have to go back there?”
“Yeah, right,” she scoffs.
“I’m serious, Poppy.” She looks at me, frowning. “What if I told you that you never had to go back?”
“I’d ask you what the catch is?” She kicks off her shoes and tucks her feet under her backside.
“No catch,” I tell her with a laugh. She’s as mistrusting as me. “Dmitry thinks you’d love to go to a boarding school close to here. It means a fresh start, and we can spend more time together.”
Her eyes widen. “Seriously?”
“Yes, if you don’t mind starting again, making new friends.”
“A fresh start is exactly what I need. I have no friends back home anyway. I keep to myself because I’m ashamed of our family.” She stares down as her fingers twist together, something she’s gotten from me when she feels uncomfortable. I lift her chin with my finger and bring her gaze up to mine. I see the same pain in her eyes that has been in mine for so long.
“Well, you don’t have to be ashamed anymore. With a fresh start, you can be whoever you want to be. This is a new life for you, so make it count.”
She rolls her eyes at me. “I’m not fucking stupid, Tori.”
I arch a brow. “That has to stop. Clean language from now on. Show everyone you can make this work.”
“You can’t talk, you have a potty mouth too,” she points out.
“But you’re better than me. You’re going to do amazing things with your life.”
She reaches over and wraps me in an embrace, holding on to me tightly. “Thank you,” she whispers.
“It was Dmitry’s idea. He’s amazing when he wants to be, but don’t tell him I said that. He’s already got an ego the size of London.”
She moves back to her space on the sofa. “So, you finally found your knight in shining armour?” she asks, and I nod, thinking over the things Dmitry has done for me. He really is my knight. “You used to spend hours reading those soppy romance books,” she adds. “You said you’d find someone to rescue you.”
“He’s rescuing you too now,” I point out, my heart swelling with love. “And one day, you’ll meet your knight too, only not just yet because you have school to concentrate on. Mixing with boys is not a good idea. They’re nothing but trouble.”
“Yeah, it looks like it,” she says with amusement as she looks around the room.
“I think we should go and get you an entire new wardrobe. I can’t imagine the clothes you have back home are good, and we can’t have you going to this amazing school in rags.”
She claps in delight, and I hate it’s taken this long for me to treat her, but in truth, if I’d have done this sooner, my father would have sold whatever I got her for his own gains.
DMITRY
I’m sitting at the kitchen counter with my laptop open when I hear the most perfect sound, a sound I never thought I would hear again. Laughter. It fills the hallway as Victoria arrives home from shopping with Poppy.
She enters the kitchen, and relief floods her face the second her eyes land on me. She heads over, coming up behind me to wrap her arms around my neck and leaning her head on my shoulder. I place my hand over her arms, enjoying the feel of her so close.
“Are you okay, my krasota ?” She nods into the crook of my neck.
Marshall follows shortly after, carrying the haul of shopping bags. It’s the most I think I’ve ever seen. Poppy skips in behind him, plopping herself down opposite us before reaching over and taking my glass of water, draining it dry.
“She’s definitely your sister,” I mutter, smirking while shaking my head. But secretly, I’m glad she feels at home.
Victoria unwraps herself from around my neck and takes the stool beside me. Reaching over, I place my hand on top of her thigh.
“If it’s okay with you both, we can take a look at Poppy’s new school tomorrow. The headteacher is free to show us around.”
“I can’t wait,” she replies with enthusiasm. “I’ll go take these bags upstairs.”
I was a little worried she wouldn’t want to start over again. A young teenager making such a huge transition will be hard, but after meeting her parents, I can’t help but feel this will be a breeze for her. Besides, I couldn’t allow history to repeat itself.
“Marshall, could you help?” He nods before gathering her haul and making his way upstairs with Poppy hot on his tail.
“Dmitry?” I turn to look at Victoria, and see her eyes are full of emotion. “Thank you for everything.”
“You don’t need to thank me,” I reply as I reach for her hand and bring it to my lips. I place a small, tender kiss on the back of it. “You’re going to be my wife. I’ll do anything for you. You . . . and Poppy are part of my family.”
A small tear trails down her cheek, and I catch it with my thumb. “I love you, Dmitry,” she whispers, and I’m sure my heart almost stops. I’ve been waiting for those words for what seems like an eternity, and I never thought I would hear them fall from her lips again after everything.
I swallow my emotions down and kiss her. “I love you, Mrs. Volkov,” I whisper against her lips before moving my hand to rest delicately over the small swell of her stomach. “I love you too, moye ditya .” I pull back slightly before adding, “We need to set a date, my krasota .” She looks puzzled. “For the wedding,” I confirm, and she grins.
“I thought you meant the birth.” She laughs at herself.
“We need to get the ball rolling so I can make you mine . . . forever and always.”
I take a moment to contemplate how she may take this next bit of news. I don’t want to cause her any unnecessary pressure, but it’s tradition for the families, so I take a breath and add, “I’ll need to take you to meet the families. Their approval isn’t necessary, but it will make my life easier.” She shakes her head in a firm no. “Listen to me,” I say as I reach for her hand. “You are a part of my life, and they need to meet you. But I promise, nothing bad will happen. Not only are you to be my wife, but you’re also carrying my child.”
She takes some steady breaths. “But what about your father, Dmitry? What if he’s told them about me? Surely . . . if there is protocol, they would have had to give permission for what happened to me?” She’s looking more panicked by the second, so I take her face in my hands.
“He wasn’t following protocol, Victoria. And I shouldn’t even be telling you this, but I need you to trust me. They don’t even know that he’s gone into business with Vivian, and that’s huge. They get a cut of everything we do, that’s the deal. I want to use it to my advantage so they’ll allow me permission for what needs to be done next. I have to do this so it’s all above-board.”
She searches my eyes and then exhales heavily before nodding. She places her hands over my own. “Do not leave my side, Dmitry.”
“You are my queen, my future, my everything. I will never be responsible for your heartache again,” I reassure her.
“I need to hear you tell me that you won’t leave me alone with the wolves.”
“Marshall will be there too. You will never be left alone. There will be conversations that you will not be privy to, but that does not mean that I won’t confide in you once we’re home, okay?”
“Okay,” she whispers.
“Poppy, you ready?” Victoria shouts up the stairs as we wait patiently by the door. Waiting for her teenage sister to get ready is far worse than any woman I’ve ever spent time with.
I pull out my phone to check the time. I like to be efficient, and this is so out of character for me. Victoria turns to me and mouths ‘sorry’, and I give her a wink to reassure her I’m fine. I don’t want her to feel any more stress than she has recently, so keeping my own intolerances in check is an absolute must.
“Ugh . . . I’m coming,” Poppy shrieks as she makes her way down the stairs. I smirk as her attitude reminds me of a certain someone as she storms past us and out of the front door.
“Who does she remind you of?” I tease as I fall in step with Victoria, placing my hand in the small of her back. She hits me playfully. “I remember a certain someone throwing a tantrum when she couldn’t get her own way.”
She laughs. “Shush your noise.”
We reach the bottom of the steps just as Marshall rushes to the passenger door to open it for Poppy, but before he gets a chance, she pulls it open herself, scowling in his direction. “I’m quite capable of opening my own door.” I arch an eyebrow at Victoria, smirking.
“I said shush,” she repeats, laughing as she slides in behind her.
Marshall grins at me. “Wonder where she gets it from, boss?”
We pull up outside Repton Elite School for Girls, and I get out and open the door for them both while wondering if I will be met with scowls. But it seems Poppy’s mood has done a three-sixty in the short car ride it took to get here. She climbs out and cranes her neck to look up at the looming building.
“Tori, pinch me,” she says, her mouth hanging wide open as she takes it all in. Victoria reaches over and pinches the skin on her arm. “Ouch,” she shouts, jumping back and frowning at Victoria.
“You asked me to pinch you,” Victoria says with a shrug. Watching their fun interaction warms my heart.
I put my arm out, gesturing for her to move forward. “After you, Poppy.”
As she makes her way up the steps, I lean in close to Victoria. “Is this how all teenagers are?” I ask, keeping my voice to a whisper.
“Only those related to me,” she whispers back, laughing and grabbing my hand.
At the top of the steps, we’re greeted by an older gentleman and we shake hands. “You must be Mr. Volkov. Lovely to meet you.”
“This is my fiancée, Victoria, and her younger sister, Poppy,” I reply.
He takes Victoria’s hand and then Poppy’s. “I’m Mr. Walton, the headmaster here at Repton Elite. It’s a pleasure to have you in our company.”
He opens the large glass doors, gesturing for us to enter, and as we do, Poppy’s eyes light up in astonishment as she takes in the luxurious foyer.
“Wow, this place is stunning,” she whispers.
“It really is,” Victoria adds.
“I’ve heard you’re a very intelligent and hardworking student, Miss Harding,” Mr. Walton says. “We’ve received your files and feel you will be a perfect match to study here with us.”
Poppy straightens her shoulders, proud of everything she has achieved, and smiles. “Thank you.”
“Why don’t I get Miss Taylor to show you around while Mr. Volkov and I discuss all the boring stuff,” he suggests, gesturing to the young female standing in the doorway.
“We would love that, thank you,” Victoria answers, grabbing her sister’s hand, eager to take a look around. I manage to grab a quick peck on her cheek before they rush off excitedly.
“This way, Mr. Volkov.” He opens the door to his office, and I follow.