Chapter 27
T hese violent delights have violent ends and in their triumph die, like fire and powder, which, as they kiss, consume. - William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
Dimitri
Once on the plane, I carried Emma to the bedroom. She felt so small and fragile in my arms, like a bird with a broken wing. Carefully placing her on the bed, I snatched at the bedcover, draping it over her shoulders. Wrapping her tight, I stroked her cheek.
“I’m going to start the shower. I’ll be right back.”
Her gaze looked haunted as she just nodded.
Leaving her for a moment, I started the shower and laid out a few towels before returning to her side. She hadn’t moved.
Pulling the blanket off her shoulders, I stood her up in my arms. Holding her close, I bunched the fabric of her dress in my hands.
Stepping back, I pulled it over her head.
Stripping off my own clothes, I stepped close and unhooked her bra.
As I pushed one strap off her shoulder, my jaw clenched when I saw the faint bruises on her upper arm from where Khalid had had his claws into her.
Taking off her panties, I lifted her into my arms. Carrying her into the bathroom, I stepped into the shower.
Her lips opened on a soft moan as the scorching water hit her chilled skin.
I lathered the soap in my hands, then ran my palms down her arms and hips.
With each caress, she showed more signs of life.
Her skin warmed to my touch. The deathly pallor of her cheeks faded.
She leaned her head against my chest, her arms wrapped around my waist. I ran my hands up and down her back, humming an old Russian love song to try to soothe her.
Turning her in my arms, I filled my palms with shampoo and carefully washed her beautiful thick hair.
She leaned back into my embrace, her small hands reaching behind to caress my thighs.
There was nothing I wanted more than to lift her high against the slick tiled wall and bury my cock deep inside of her.
To show her with actions what my words could never convey, but I kept my desire in check.
What she needed now was gentleness at my hands, not a brutish coupling.
Stepping out and drying us off, I wrapped her thick hair in a towel before carrying her back into the bedroom.
Pulling the covers aside, I slipped her between the cool sheets and climbed in beside her.
Placing my arm around her waist, I kept her close.
Closing my eyes, I listened to her quiet breathing as I tried to chase away the image of her terrorized face.
Finally she spoke.
“I knew you’d come,” she whispered so low I didn’t think I’d heard her correctly.
My hand flexed over her waist and I pulled her tighter to me. “What did you say?”
She turned in my arms. “I knew you’d come for me.”
I pushed her damp curls away from her face. “Emma, I never for a moment thought I was putting you in any danger. I would never…”
“Dimitri, you don’t think I blame you for what happened?”
“Don’t you? Emma… I’m not a good man. If it weren’t for me, none of this would have happened.”
She lowered her face. Her hand spanned the center of my chest. “Don’t say such a thing. It’s not true.”
I grasped her hand and squeezed. “Baby, we can’t keep pretending.”
“What are you saying?”
I swallowed. “I was wrong to pursue you. You were right before. You don’t belong in my world. You should be with someone who is good and decent and would never put you in danger.”
Her fingertip traced the outline of my dagger tattoo, lighting on each drop of blood.
She had read her little book on Russian tattoos from the library.
She knew what those drops of blood represented.
What I represented. I was a criminal who oversaw a corrupt kingdom of guns and blood money.
I had killed for my place on the throne and probably would again.
Her big brown eyes filled with tears. “Dimitri, please don’t do this. I was wrong to say that. I want to be with you.”
I cupped her jaw and swiped at her tears with my thumbs. “I want you to listen very carefully, моя крошка. I love you. I’ll always love you. I’ve never met a woman so sweet and pure and beautiful inside and out as you. Please forgive me.”
She wrapped her hands around my wrists, clinging to me. “There is nothing to forgive, Dimitri.”
“Yes, there is. It was cruel of me to bring my… darkness… into your world. You deserve better.”
“I don’t want better. I want you! I love you.”
I shook my head. “You only think you love me. I forced you into this… all of this. I never gave you a choice.”
“Are you saying I don’t know my own mind?”
“I’m saying an innocent doe in the forest doesn’t stand a chance when the hunter arrives.”
“Dimitri, don’t do this.”
Unable to retrain myself any further, I claimed her mouth.
Allowing myself one last taste of her sweetness.
Shifting, I pulled her under me, spreading her legs and slipping in between her thighs.
Leaning up on my forearms, I leaned down to kiss her cheek, the corner of her mouth, her slim neck.
Trailing my lips over her collarbone to the gentle curve of her breast, pulling one pebbled nipple into my mouth.
Her body arched as her fingernails trailed down my back.
Placing the head of my cock at her entrance, I closed my eyes and thrust deep into her wet heat. Knowing it would be the last time this devil tasted heaven.
* * *
Mary opened the door as I approached, alerted to our arrival by the guards I had posted at her door outside the apartment.
Her hands flew to her face. “Oh, my God!”
I carried Emma over the threshold and through the living room, kicking her bedroom door open. Placing her on the bed, I stood aside as Mary rushed in. Emma leaned up, and the friends hugged.
“Are you okay? I was so worried. My God, you could have been killed.”
Mary tossed a censoring glare over her shoulder at me. I deserved it and more.
“I’m fine. It sounds more dramatic than it was really,” said Emma as her eyes fluttered to mine then looked away.
She was lying. Trying to appear brave and unaffected by the events of the last twelve hours, hoping I would change my mind.
I wouldn’t.
I loved her.
Which was why I had to leave her.
“Mary, can I have a moment alone with Emma?”
Mary refused to look at me. She searched Emma’s face before answering.
Emma gave her a tremulous smile. “It’s fine.”
She patted Emma’s arm. “I’ll fix you some whiskey tea.”
Standing up, she headed to the door, throwing one more glare in my direction before turning and leaving. I pointedly closed the door, not wishing to be overheard.
Sitting next to Emma on the bed, I played with a soft curl. Running my fingers down its long silky length, I said, “Promise me you will stay in this bed for the rest of the day and let Mary pamper and fawn over you.”
Her eyes teared up. Her lower lip trembled. She only nodded.
I cleared my throat, feeling a lump form there. “I should probably confess that it is not an accounting error. I paid off your tuition.”
“Dimitri…”
“First thing Monday morning, I’m going to have papers delivered here. I’ll be setting up a bank account in your name. I don’t want you to have to work any more side jobs. Focus on getting your degree.”
“Dimitri, please.”
I kept talking, worried if I stopped to listen to her pleas I might change my mind. “When the time comes, and you decide on what job to take… whether that is in Chicago or elsewhere, I’ll arrange to buy you a nice house in a safe neighborhood. Hopefully you’ll bring Mary with you.”
“I don’t want a house or your money… I want you. I love you.”
I stroked her cheek. Leaning in, I didn’t trust myself to kiss her lips, so I placed a chaste kiss on her forehead.
“Goodbye, моя крошка. My sweet baby girl.”
She clung to my arm as I tried to rise. I pried her fingers loose and rose.
With a sob, Emma collapsed onto her pillows.
I opened the door and stepped out, encountering Mary carrying a cup of tea.
She looked past me into the bedroom where we could both hear Emma’s wrenching cries.
“Take care of her.”
Not waiting for her response, I stormed out of the apartment, my mood as dark as my life had now become.