Page 33 of Sheltering Hollis

The plane touched down smoothly, and relief washed over me. Dimitri exchanged a reassuring glance with me as we gathered our belongings. The anticipation was palpable, but a question gnawed at me beneath it all: What would happen next? I didn’t even have any of my documents or a phone. The logistics of even getting to my apartment building were daunting.

I wasn’t sure what Dimitri’s plans were, but I couldn’t imagine they would involve me and my nine-year-old, no matter how much I wished they did.

Outside, the morning air was crisp and refreshing. Two sleek black cars waited on the tarmac at the bottom of the stairs. What did this mean, I wondered? Luka and Dimitri chatted in Russian as we walked down, Dimitri’s hand on my elbow—steadying me on the narrow steps.

“It was nice to meet you, Hollis; I believe this is where we part ways,” Luka said, gesturing towards one of the vehicles.

“Bye, Luka. Thanks for your help.” I was still confused as he placed his suitcase in his suitcase in the vehicle.

“Don’t think you won’t hear from your brother, mudak,” Luka said in parting to Dimitri, and then he was gone.

Turning to Dimitri as he loaded our bags into the other car, I asked, “Dimitri, are you staying?” I asked, my voice tentative.

He glanced at me, his eyes softening. “Yes, Hollis. I’m staying. I want to meet your daughter. Be here for you.” He leaned forward and stole a kiss.

I was floored. Really? He was staying, coming to meet Olive? Okay … that was good, right? I’d never brought a man to meet her before. How did I feel about that? I tried to think through my thoughts. Did I trust him with my daughter? That was the actual root question in the end. The answer was a definite yes. There was a part of me that felt like I knew him deep down in some faraway part of myself. I wondered if this was something connected to him playing a part in my rescue, but I didn’t think so. Sending him a smile, I said, “OK then.”

He opened the door, and I slid into the passenger seat. The familiarity of the surroundings began to soothe my anxieties. We were out of Colombia, which was definitely a step in the right direction. I was almost home. As Dimitri got in and started the car, I turned to him, unable to hold back my curiosity. “I’m glad you’re here, but why stay?”

He took a deep breath and focused on the road ahead as we merged onto the freeway. “I’ve spent much of my life in the shadows, Hollis. Being with you and seeing your strength and resilience made me realize that I want something different. I want to be a part of your life, get to know Olive, and build something real and lasting. Make a family,” he paused. “There is a lot about me that you don’t know. The Bratva... It’s not who I am or what I want to be. I’ve always left it behind.” He looked over at me thoughtfully. “I have a whole family, a chosen family in Arizona. A motorcycle club that I ride with. I have a house there near the property. It’s got a yard,” he added the last with a hopeful note. “I’d never hurt you or your daughter. I promise I’d keep any violence away from her. I’d treat her like a princess, and you like the queen you are.”

Was he talking about what I thought he was? That maybe he wanted us with him? Motorcycles? Motorcycle Club? I’d been so used to him in the suits and with Luka that it seemed like a different life.

“I want to hear all about you and everything that made you who you are.” I didn’t want him to doubt that. “I want to hear more about Arizona and this motorcycle club.” I glanced at him and added, “But let’s start with this here. I want you to meet Olive, okay? I’ve never brought anyone to meet her. That’s a big deal. I’m not worried about you around her. I trust you.”

“Sorry, malysh. I’m just a little eager.” He gave me a grin that was a little sheepish. “I’m getting ahead of myself.”

I liked his eagerness, but I had Olive to think about. We weren’t in Colombia anymore, though. This wasn’t a place where we would be killing people. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get over what happened there, but meeting Dimitri — I wouldn’t change that. But this was the world where I cut coupons and tried to pay bills, and … Groaning, I jammed my head against the seat. Fuck, my jobs that I probably lost. I’d been gone for over a week, ghosted them without notice. Starting to panic a little, I tried to breathe evenly.

Dimitri’s hand covered mine, “You’re okay. It’ll be okay. Take some breaths.” I did as he said, focusing on his voice and trying to compartmentalize.

The drive to my apartment was quiet, each of us lost in our thoughts. As we pulled into the parking lot, my heart began to race again. This was it. Inside, Olive should be just about ready to wake up for school. I hadn’t seen her in what felt like forever, and the anticipation of our reunion was almost overwhelming.

Dimitri had barely parked the car, and I already had the door open. I led the way up the stairs to the second floor. The apartment complex was small but well-kept, and the landlord was reasonable with the rent. I’d always found the individually owned places were a little more willing to work with me on rent. This place had been pretty good to us. It was a little worn down, the familiar creak of the steps bringing a wave of inescapable familiarity. I took a deep breath, steadying myself before using the key under the planter to unlock the door. I stepped inside, ignoring Dimitri’s disapproving glare at my lack of security measures.

“Mommy?” Olive’s voice rang out as she ran towards me, her face lighting up joyfully. I dropped to my knees, catching her in a tight embrace. Tears streamed down my face as I held her, feeling her warmth, her life. Her blond hair was still fuzzy from sleep.

“Hollis, oh my gosh. Thank goodness you’re home,” Mrs. Hooper stood in the little kitchen in a housecoat, her grey hair in curlers. She looked behind me, her eyes wide.

“Oh, Olive, I missed you so much,” I whispered, my voice choked with emotion.

She pulled back a bit, gazing at me with wide, curious eyes. “I missed you tons, Mommy. I missed you. I was super worried.” She gestured towards Dimitri, standing a few steps behind me, his expression soft and friendly. “Who’s that?”

I looked at him and then at Olive. “Olive, meet Dimitri. He’s a friend of mine. He’s been such a big help to Mommy, so I wanted you to meet him.”

Dimitri took a step closer, getting down to Olive’s eye level. “Hi, Olive. I’m so glad to meet you finally.”

Olive looked at him for a moment, then smiled shyly. “Hi.”

I watched Dimitri extend his hand, and Olive shook it, her tiny hand dwarfed by his. There was a warmth in that moment, a connection that felt natural and right. Dimitri looked adorably out of his league. It was nice to see him without his usual confidence.

“Mrs. Hooper, we couldn’t have managed without you,” I expressed gratefully before embracing her. Undoubtedly, she had gone above and beyond in caring for Olive while I’d disappeared. So many things could have happened. She looked utterly exhausted, if I were being honest.

“It was my pleasure, Hollis. I would have felt terrible if something had happened to her, and I could have helped. I’m just so happy that things turned out okay.” She looked hesitantly at Dimitri. “You are okay, right?” She gave Dimitri a skeptical glance.

“More than okay,” I reassured her. I could see why Dimitri might seem intimidating to someone who didn’t know him well. With his tattoos and demeanor, he could come across as a bit scary. But as I watched Olive proudly guide him to her coloring station, her tiny hand nestled in his large tattooed one, something inside me shifted. I felt at peace at that moment, realizing he was the perfect fit for me and Olive.

“Well, dear, I’m just going to let you carry on. You can take over, I’m sure. I think I’ll go back to my apartment for a bit of a nap,” she said with a slight wink. Giving me a peck on the cheek, I thanked her profusely before letting her out of the apartment.

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