13. Chapter 13
thirteen
“I’m so sorry,” Jackie apologized for about the hundredth time as she and Dimitri emerged from the elevator. “I should have been paying more attention to the days. I’ve been so distracted and just… lost these last few weeks.”
“It’s okay, Jackie,” he insisted, endeared by her guilt. He couldn’t wait to see her face when they got into the condo.
The damage to her place hadn’t been nearly as extensive as the Bratva’s first attack, but there had still been some minor work that needed to be done.
The door had to be replaced again, and some paint needed to be redone.
Someone had destroyed every framed photo and print on her display wall, and Jackie was slowly trying to replace everything for a third time.
They had mostly stayed at Dimitri’s house since the attack.
Jackie said she felt heavy going back to her condo after seeing Talia taken from there, and Dimitri couldn’t disagree.
But he had plans for them that evening. So he’d left the office early, knowing Jackie wouldn’t notice and went to her place to set up.
He’d bought candles and a bouquet so big he’d had to make an extra trip just to bring it up.
He’d ordered food and kept it warm in the oven until they got there.
He’d replaced all the prints Jackie hadn’t yet—easily since he still had all the order receipts from the last time he’d replaced them all—and filled her wall back up.
“It’s not, though,” she insisted as she accessed the deadbolt. “This is our first Valentine's Day, and I ruined it. God, everything is just so shitty since Talia was taken.”
Dimitri grabbed her arm, turning her to face him before she could unlock and open the door.
He kissed her deeply, his fingers twining through her hair.
When he pulled away, Jackie had the dazed, breathless look that he loved.
“You did not ruin anything. We are going to make the best of our first Valentine’s Day. ”
Jackie nodded despite the tears in her eyes.
She opened the door and stepped through, pausing just inside to take in everything before her.
Dimitri had left the lights on but dimmed them.
Unlit candles were set on the island with a bottle of her favourite wine waiting between them.
On the other end sat a massive bouquet that rivalled the one he had left for her after their trip to Florida.
She turned back to Dimitri, her eyes glancing at the box in his hands before settling on his face. He opened the white cardboard, revealing her favourite chocolate cake from the café down the street.
Her breathing caught in her throat as tears welled in her eyes again. Dimitri rushed to set the cake on the island and go comfort her. She collapsed to her knees before he could, sobbing into her hands.
“Baby,” he soothed, stroking her hair.
“I’m awful. I feel awful,” she sobbed. Dimitri tried to soothe her more, but the sobs rocked through her.
“You’ve worked so hard trying to take care of me when Talia is going through god knows what.
You make sure I eat and drag me to bed every night.
You check in on me, and now you’ve done this; trying to make Valentine’s Day special for us.
” She stuttered, inhaling hard. Dimitri shooshed her gently, his hand stroking down her hair.
“We’re celebrating Valentine’s Day and Talia… ”
“Jackie… Baby… Breathe, please. We’re not getting Talia back tonight.
We’re not getting her back tomorrow, and as much as I hate to admit it, we’re probably not getting her back this week, either.
I hate thinking about what she’s probably going through right now.
” He paused to collect himself after his voice broke.
“But Jackie, we need a break. You’re exhausted and burning yourself out.
You need a break. You deserve a break. Just for one night.
” Jackie sniffled, wiping her eyes with the back of her hands.
“Tonight, you’re going to eat some actual food.
Not just a protein bar or shake, but real food.
And enjoy a slice of chocolate cake. And have some wine.
Then you’re going to go put on the most expensive scrap of fabric you own, and I’m going to fuck you so good that it factory resets your brain.
And then you’re going to go to bed. You’re going to go to sleep well fed, and well fucked, and you’re finally going to get some goddamn rest.”
Jackie sputtered, half sobbing, half laughing. She nodded, accepting Dimitri’s terms. He brushed some stray hair from her face. “It’s just for tonight. We’re going to have a good, quiet night together. Reset. And go into work tomorrow with fresh minds to find Talia and bring her home.”