Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Mackenzie
I walk through the glass door of Lily’s Café and spot Isabelle sitting in the furthest booth. She notices me and waves me over with her excitement brightening her face.
It’s Sunday. Eight days since I was with Dmitri and over two weeks since I last saw Isabelle.
She got back from wherever Kade whisked her off to earlier today.
She messaged me during my English lecture to let me know. She wanted to meet up at the bakery we love on campus, but I suggested we meet here. It’s safer to talk in private and far away from campus—away from Dmitri’s father’s watchful eyes.
I make my way toward, walking into the aroma of roasted coffee beans and the faint hum of chatter mixed with the hiss of the espresso machine.
When I reach her, Isabelle lifts a large mug of caramel latte—my favorite. “Peace offering. I also got triple chocolate chip cookies. Ta-daa.”
I sit opposite her, and she waves her hands over the plate in the center of the table with a stack of delicious-looking cookies.
“Wow, I feel like I’m in heaven.” Usually, I’m on some diet, but not this week. And she doesn’t need to lure me in with peace offerings. I’m glad she’s living it up with Kade.
“Does that mean I’m off the hook for leaving you in the lurch?” Her bright eyes hold mine with anticipation.
I laugh. “Oh, Isabelle, you seriously think I could be mad at you?”
“Yes. I feel terrible. Kade and I just kind of disappeared. You weren’t able to reach me on the phone. All I could manage was a few messages here and there because the signal and Wi-Fi were so bad.”
“Where the hell did you guys go?”
She garbles something—purposely incoherent—then winces. It sounded like she said either Bermuda or Barbados.
I laugh again. It feels good. I spent the week pining again, just like I did last week, wondering when Dmitri and I could be together again. It was weird on Monday when I saw him at football practice and we were strangers again, but I noticed he kept stealing glances at me. I hoped to see him Friday, but that didn’t happen. Now I’m just waiting, but at least I have hope.
“Isabelle, you know I don’t know what on earth you said, right? So, try again. Where did you go?”
“The Bahamas.”
My mouth falls open. “Oh my God, what?”
“I know. It was crazy. We were just having breakfast and talking about traveling. I said I’d love to go to the Bahamas, that it was my dream vacation. The next thing I knew, we were heading to the airport on our way to the Bahamas. Of course, we got in trouble once we got back, but it was so worth it.”
I smile at her, loving this streak of wildness. She’s the Goodie Two-Shoes everyone knows will do everything by the book, so she deserves the chance to live life. In high school, she was the principal’s daughter, so being the Goodie Two-Shoes was almost expected. But then she got to college, hooked up with Kade after wanting to be with him for God knew how long, and he pulled her out of her shell.
“I’m so glad you went.” I reach across the table and tap her knuckles.
“Me too, but Kade and I need to…be more responsible.” She laughs. It sounds light and hearty, happy. True happiness is shining from deep within. I can’t think of anyone who deserves happiness more than her. “I can’t believe he missed football practice for me.”
“Of course, he did. He always puts you first. You’re going to be his wife. I think that’s a good sign of things to come.”
“Me too. Anyway, enough about me. I really am sorry I left you hanging.” She brings her hands together in a clasp.
“Please don’t worry about it. Honestly, you never have to apologize to me.” She doesn’t. Ever . The amount of crazy shit I’ve gotten her into over the years is the stuff you never quite live down. It’s amazing she’s still friends with me.
“Okay, if you say so. I’ll take the pass.” She giggles, and I smile, too, grabbing a cookie and nibbling on it. “So, what’s going on with you and Dmitri? I assumed you wanted to talk away from campus. That’s why we came here.”
I take in the excitement and hope brimming in her eyes and feel at ease for what I’m going to say. There isn’t anyone else I can talk to about this.
I take a deep breath, my heart racing as I think of the words to say. “I’m seeing Dmitri. In secret.”
Her face breaks into a wide smile, her eyes sparkling with delight. “Oh my God, really?”
“Yes. I guess I took your advice.” Not that Dmitri gave me a choice.
“Oh my God, Mackenzie. This is so, so good.” She grabs my free hand and squeals like I just gave her the best news ever.
I can’t help but smile. “It is, but…it’s just…risky. His dad, my dad—if they find out…”
“Stop.” She holds up a hand. “Stop right there. You’re happy, right?”
I nod, my cheeks heating. “Yeah. Really happy. I wish things were different and I could just be with him all the time, but I’m happy with what we have.”
“Then screw the risk,” she says with a shrug. “You deserve to be with someone… you love.”
“I do. I guess it’s just that there’s a lot on the line.”
“I know.” She waves her hand dismissively. “But you only live once. Is being with him everything you dreamed?”
“Better.” My chest tightens at the thought of Dmitri—the way he looks at me like I’m the only person in the world, the way his voice drops when he says my name, the way I feel when I’m with him: alive and untouchable. “We’re walking on thin ice with a sketchy plan, but it’s like I can’t breathe without him. When I’m with him, everything else just… disappears.
Isabelle beams, propping her chin in her hand. “I’m so happy for you. You truly deserve this.”
“Thanks,” I whisper, my heart full and aching all at once.
“Have you guys talked about the past at all?” she asks the question carefully.
“No. Not really. Not the important parts. I guess we’re taking things one step at a time. Which may be okay for now.” I thought about the past a lot over the last few days. “Things may eventually blow up in our faces when we clash about something. Like his feelings toward my father.”
She presses her lips together. “It’s a tough situation, but it doesn’t seem like he’s thinking about your father. Maybe he’s just thinking about you.”
“I think so. There will come a day when that won’t be enough.”
“Perhaps, but I don’t think you should worry about that now.”
“It’s hard not to. And I’m having that reoccurring nightmare about the past again.” I haven’t had it again since that night last week, but that’s how it works. I get a little break before it comes back.
Instantly, Isabelle looks worried. “How many times has it happened?”
“All through last week. But the last one was different. I saw a face. It was blurry, but it was a face nonetheless.”
Her skin goes pale. “Mackenzie, maybe you should speak to someone about this.”
“I want to, but I don’t know if I saw enough to warrant me speaking to a therapist.” I say that word— therapist —with caution. I always got jittery while I was having therapy, which seemed counterproductive. “Honestly, I don’t know if I want to put myself through all that therapy again for a blurry face.”
“I see your point. What do you want to do?”
“I don’t know.”
“What about Eilish? It’s just an idea. She may be someone to speak to in the interim. She’s not an actual therapist, but she’s our counsellor, and she’s a good friend.” Isabelle nibbles on the inside of her lip, contemplating the idea. “You may not even need to tell her the details of the past.”
I consider it. She’s right, but the only reason I may not have to tell Eilish about the past is that most people have enough of an inkling to know what happened.
They didn’t need to know the full story to put together that the Valnekos stopped being friends with the Domachenkovs because they blamed them for Tommy’s death.
“I’ll see how I feel.” I nod. “Or wait until I have the nightmare and see the face again. It could just be my imagination, but I felt it was important.”
“Then maybe it was. I went through the same thing after my mom died.”
My breath catches when I think of what happened to her mother. Isabelle watched her die. There were two killers, but she only saw one and heard the other.
All she had was a voice to go on, and for years, she believed it belonged to Parker, her mother’s former employer and our previous Lord Chancellor. Isabelle was right. That was the scandal that ripped through Raventhorn just before the summer semester.
“These things are tough,” she adds. “But if it’s important to you, then it’s important.”
“Thanks. It would be great to get my memory back.”
“Perhaps being with Dmitri is jogging something.”
“Maybe.”
“I don’t know much, but I’ve heard that repressed memories stay hidden to protect your mind from something. When you’re happy and in a safe environment where you can relax, they often return.”
“When did you get all Psych 101?” I joke, but I’m listening. I think she’s right.
“Not sure. But did it help?”
“Yes. It helped.”
“Good. In the meantime… try to be happy.” She grins, bringing back the lightheartedness by raising her latte in a mock toast. “Here’s to you and Dmitri and ignoring all the rules.”
I let out a breathy laugh then clink my mug against hers. I’m nervous as hell, but I feel like things just might be okay—at least for now. “Hear, hear.”
We both take a sip of our drinks and smile wider, appreciating the taste.
“This is really good,” I giggle.
“I got them to add an extra dose of caramel syrup.” Isabelle nods mischievously. “I felt we needed the sugar.”
“You were right.”
“I know.”
We both laugh, then she takes my hand again. “Be strong, Mackenzie. No matter what happens, at least you have this time with Dmitri.”
I smile back at her, appreciating her words. “Thank you.”
We fall into our usual chatter while we enjoy our drinks and cookies. She tells me about her vacation with Kade, and I talk about ballet. Then it’s time to go.
We walk outside, still talking heartily, when the roar of a motorcycle catches our attention.
We stop on the sidewalk and look down the road behind us.
Not one but two motorcycles pull up right next to us. My heart seizes when I realize it’s Kade and Dmitri.
Suddenly, I’m transported back to high school, to moments when Isabelle and I would be watching them parade around some party like the badass gods of the world they are.
She’d be gawking at Kade. I’d be staring at Dmitri. Neither of us would say anything to each other. All we did was watch and wish and wonder.
Now those guys are here for us.
They take off their helmets. All Kade has to do is flash Isabelle a mischievous grin, and she’s all his. She flies toward him and gives him a kiss. Then she takes his helmet, hops on the back of his motorcycle, and secures herself to him like glue.
Watching her surprises and fascinates me in equal parts. The Isabelle of yesteryear would never be caught dead near a motorcycle, let alone on the back of one.
“Hey, Spider, don’t I get a kiss, too?” Dmitri teases, his eyes locked on me.
This is the first time we’ve been together in front of anyone. But I guess Kade and Isabelle aren’t just anyone . They’re the people we trust most.
The same way I told Isabelle my secrets, I’m sure Dmitri would have spoken to Kade. Or he wouldn’t be here. And Dmitri wouldn’t be asking for a kiss in front of them.
I catch Isabelle mouthing the word go to me. So, I do.
I go.
I walk up to Dmitri and give him a teasing kiss on the cheek.
As expected, he raises his brows. “That’s the kind of kiss you give your grandma, Spider. Now kiss me properly.”
“You are crazy.”
“Yeah. We know.”
With a sigh and roll of my eyes, I lean in and kiss him properly. Then he hands me his helmet.
“Hop on, Spider.” He winks at me.
I glance back at Kade and Isabelle, who both nod their approval.
This is living. Everything I do with Dmitri feels like living.
And he’s here, luring me in for another adventure. This is our next time .
I put the helmet on and hop on the back of his motorcycle. When I slip my arms around his waist, he brushes over my fingers and glances back at me.
I smile back at him, loving this magical moment with him.
He puts on a pair of Oakleys then signals to Kade.
With that, Kade and Isabelle shoot down the road. We follow.
I’ve ridden on the back of a motorcycle before, but it’s never been as thrilling as this.
Dmitri’s leather jacket smells like him. Like spice and smoke and masculine power. I bury my face against it, letting myself sink into the moment. The city blurs by, neon lights and buildings streaking the night sky like brushstrokes on a canvas.
Dmitri follows Kade, who’s like a demon on speed. I realize why they called themselves Hades’ Demons. It feels even cooler now.
We approach the route that will take us to Raventhorn, and Kade and Dmitri ride side by side.
Suddenly, Dmitri dips his head at Kade, and we split off, going down the opposite road while Kade and Isabelle head on to Raventhorn.
My lungs tingle with anticipation as I wonder where he’s taking me.
He’s so spontaneous I can never keep up. I can only imagine we’re heading somewhere we can spend more time together. Somewhere safe.
The hum of the motorcycle is the only sound breaking the stillness of the night.
Wind rushes past me, tugging at my hair and stinging my cheeks, but I don’t care.
All I care about is here and now, where my arms are wrapped tightly around Dmitri’s waist and I’m pressed against his back.
Out here, it’s just him and me under the blanket of stars, with the open road stretching endlessly ahead.
Out here, nothing is off limits to us and we don’t have to worry about his father or mine. There are no rules, no expectations, no secrets—they don’t exist.
We turn off the main road, weaving through quieter streets until the river comes into view. The water glimmers beneath the moonlight, dark and endless, and alluring.
Dmitri slows down then pulls the bike to a stop outside a sleek apartment building. I have no idea where we are, but it looks amazing.
He kills the engine and gives my hands a gentle squeeze.
He climbs off the bike and helps me. My legs are shaky, so I stumble a little, but he catches me and takes off my helmet.
“What is this place?” I glance around.
“Come and see.” He grins, taking my hand.
I continue looking around as he leads me inside the building, which is just as sleek and stylish as the exterior. It’s also quiet. The only sound is the faint hum of fluorescent lights above us.
It’s late, so I wouldn’t expect anyone to be around, but I get the feeling that this is the sort of apartment complex that attracts wealthy businessmen who probably work in the city.
We get onto an elevator, and he selects the tenth floor. That’s two floors down from the top.
“Where are we going, Dmitri?”
He gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “We’re nearly there.”
“Can’t you give me a little clue?”
“Nope. This is better.” He leans in and kisses my forehead.
When the doors open, we step out and he pulls a key card from the inside of his jacket pocket.
I’m led down a long corridor, my heart pounding in my chest and anticipation curling low in my stomach.
We stop at apartment number 502, and he unlocks the door.
When we walk in, my breath is instantly stolen away.
The apartment is large and beautiful, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the river. Moonlight spills in, casting its silver light over white leather furniture in the living room and the cream carpet covering the floors.
It looks like a design from my mother’s Home Design magazines with that classy air of cosmopolitan meets the old Europe vibe.
“Dmitri…” I trail off, turning to face him. He’s watching me, his expression cautious yet excited at the same time. “Who lives here?”
“We do,” he answers simply, his voice low and meaningful.
The air heats in my lungs as shock slams into my chest. “What?”
“This is our place. We live here.
I open my mouth and close it again, then I look around the room, then back at him, my brain struggling to process what he’s done and what he’s saying to me. “You got this place for us?”
He gives me that lazy smile, tilts his head, and nods. “I did. No one knows about it. Except Kade. No one should be able to find us here.”
I can’t believe this. “Dmitri…”
“I know. It’s crazy, right?”
“Yes. But it’s exciting.”
He brushes a strand of hair from my face. “I’m glad you think so because this is where you’ll be all mine.” He cups my face, his eyes locking with mine, and all I can think is that this feels like a dream. “Here I can see you almost every day.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
My heart lifts, rising in my chest. “Thank you for doing this…”
“No, Spider. Thank you.”
He lowers his lips to mine to kiss me. It’s a tender kiss that’s different to the ones we’ve previously shared.
This one says…more.
I know I’m playing with fire every time I’m with him, but I’d rather get burned than never be with him at all.
For now, nothing else matters.
Only us.