Chapter 46
Dmitri
It's long after sunset when I wake up wrapped in Eric's arms. Dark circles have formed under his eyes, and they're still swollen from last night's emotional fallout, but his face is peaceful.
We doze on the edge of sleep for a while longer, then finally drag ourselves out of bed and head downstairs.
Muffins and fruit are set out in the kitchen, and the espresso machine is powered up and ready to use. Eric sinks into a chair at the table, dropping his face into his hands.
I lean down and press a kiss into his hair with a chuckle. “I’ll make you a coffee.”
A sleepy-looking Tai sits with a steaming mug in his hands, watching the two of us closely.
“Sleep okay?” Eric asks him.
Tai’s concern twists into a teasing grin as he nods. “Eventually, yeah, but you should let someone know there’s a wild animal somewhere loose in this house.”
“Wild ani—”
“Yep,” Tai interrupts. “I’ve never heard one like it before. It was loud as hell, almost sounded like moaning.”
My face burns crimson as Eric drops his forehead to the table. “Jesus fuck,” he mutters, trying and failing to hide his amusement.
“Eric,” I hiss. “You're supposed to be on my side!”
He climbs to his feet, then wanders over to where I stand at the espresso machine. He drapes his arm around my shoulders, pressing a kiss to my jawline. “I mean, he has a valid point, though. You were really loud.”
“Shut up,” I mutter, silencing him with a kiss.
“So, things are okay between you two?” Tai asks, tone cautious.
We both nod and I flash him a quiet, thankful smile. Despite the complicated feelings I still carry toward Tai, he’s a good friend. He was there for Eric when I couldn’t be.
“Yeah, things are great,” I say, “but I’m putting my foot down.
While we’re here, I don’t want anyone scouting for reviews or posts about what happened at the show.
Eric doesn’t need the stress, and honestly, I don’t care what anyone has to say.
If you absolutely can’t help your curiosity, do it in private and keep it to yourself. ”
Eric looks up with a relieved smile on his face. “Thank you,” he whispers before kissing me again.
An uncomfortable cough sounds from the doorway where my mother stands, pointedly looking away. I shake my head with a sigh. “Mom, I’m pushing thirty. I think you can handle me kissing my boyfriend.”
Her eyes shift between me and Eric before she gives a small, resolute nod. “Good morning, boys. I hope everyone slept well last night.”
Tai’s grin returns, but he keeps it tame. He thanks her for the hospitality, and small talk ebbs and flows as we eat. Once I finish my breakfast, Mom catches my eye. “Could I steal you for a few minutes?”
Her face is a practiced blank, emotions tucked away behind years of composure as I try to read her. “Of course,” I say, pressing one more kiss to Eric’s head and promising I’ll be back.
Dread sinks its teeth into my nerves as she leads me toward Dad’s study. I brace myself as she knocks softly and opens the door.
“Son,” he says from behind his desk, then gestures at the chair across from him.
I catch Mom trying to slip out. “Wait just a second.”
She pauses. “Yes, Dmitri?”
“Come, sit.” I point to the chair beside me, and she glances at Dad for permission. My tone hardens, dropping low. “Sit. I insist.”
Her hand leaves the knob, and she sinks into the seat with that familiar, graceful poise.
I steeple my fingers and press them to my forehead, tamping down the rising temper until I can speak without shouting. When I’m calm enough, I ask, “Which one of you did it?”
“Did what?” Dad asks, and I hear the challenge in it.
“Don’t play dumb,” I snap back. “It’s beneath you.”
His eyes narrow as his voice deepens. “Watch yourself.”
Another deep breath keeps me from exploding. “Which one of you left the report out for Eric to find?”
The smirk on Dad's face is fleeting, but I catch it. “Does it matter?” he asks, leaning back and crossing his arms. “If this… thing… between the two of you was serious, he’d already know. You never told him, and that tells me everything I need to know. It’s temporary.
Have your fun, Dmitri. But don’t forget who you are. He’s not worthy of you.”
“Watch what you say,” I snarl, leaning forward and slamming my palms on the desk.
His chin lifts in surprise. “All I’m saying—”
“I know what you’re saying,” I interrupt. “And it stops now. That man out there? He’s mine. I love him.”
“He destroyed you once,” he says, calm but cutting. “A crass, ill-mannered country boy destroyed you. You’re better than that, son.”
I straighten to my full height, chin up and staring him down as the vein in his forehead throbs. “Eric has more goodness in his pinkie than you have in your entire body. I won’t let you talk about him that way.”
“You won't let me?” he demands as he rises to his feet, eyes level to mine. “You seem to be forgetting that I am the one allowing you time off for this little musical field trip. Even if you choose to disgrace your family name, I’m still your employer.”
An unfamiliar, mean smile tugs at my mouth as I bare my teeth at him, leaning in. “Then I’ll quit.”
Surprise flashes across his face before he regains control and resumes his usual bored stance.
“The ball’s in your court, Dad,” I say, still smiling.
“If we aren’t wanted here, we’ll be gone in fifteen minutes, and my resignation will be on your desk by the time we hit the gate.
But if it comes to that, and I have to drive away from here to protect him from you,”—my finger jabs into his chest—“then I won’t come back.
Disown me, write me off, do whatever you need to do.
Just know that once that door closes behind me, it’s done. We’re done.”
“Dmitri, please,” Mom whispers, but Dad holds up his hand to silence her.
I don't even blink as we stare each other down. “It's your move,” I taunt. “What’s it going to be?”
Long seconds stretch by, and I watch the gears turn in his head—plotting, scheming, searching for any leverage to keep me under his thumb.
Debating whether I’m bluffing. Whatever he sees in my face finally snaps something inside him.
He snarls, snatches the tumbler off his desk, and hurls it at the wall.
Glass explodes in an ear-splitting shatter.
I don’t even flinch.
“Fine,” he spits through clenched teeth. “But I won’t bail you out of another mess. You will never have my approval. Not in this.”
I turn my back on him, fury burning hot even in victory. “Don’t worry, Dad,” I call over my shoulder as I pull the door open. “I never had your approval before now. I won’t miss it.”
Something slams into the door behind me as I shut it with force. More glass shatters, decorating the room like bitter confetti. My heart pounds as I walk down the hall, and something strangely close to pride swells in my chest as I make my way back to the kitchen.