Page 119 of Dmitri

He knows I’m here. The relief of having one less thing to hide is miniscule compared to the raging need I feel to protect Dmitri. The rest of me is squirming like a kid in big trouble.

See you soon.

That wasn’t a goodbye. It was a warning.

I’m more grateful than ever that Addie is far, far away from all this right now.

My stomach cramps hard. The sex D and I had last night is catching up with me.

Bet you’re having fun at the Monarch Club.

Kicking the blanket off me, I head into the bathroom to freshen up. Holding my belly, I double over and check Addie’s location.

Location not found.

Worry slithers up my spine, but I tamp it down. She probably let her phone die.She’s fine. She’s safe. She’s far away from here. I drop her a text anyway and start the shower. When I get out, Dmitri’s in the bedroom, sitting on the cot with body language that screams Do Not Touch.

“I was wondering where you went.” Holding the towel tightly around me, I slip past him and dig out a set of clothes for the day. “Thanks for giving me my cell. It’s in the bathroom if you want it back.”

D silently stands and retrieves it, sliding my cell into his back pocket.

My stomach won’t stop cramping, and it’s shooting pain down my thighs. I like it though. The pain grounds me, makes me feel alive when I’m usually so numb. I want to thank him for yesterday, but… he still hasn’t looked at me. I’m scared I’ve done something wrong.

“Have you heard from Addie?” he suddenly asks in a deep tone.

Why is he asking about her? My protective instincts flare because I don’t want her brought up any more than necessary. I want her away from all this badness. But… Dmitri isn’t the bad guy here. Is he?

Fuck. I’m so confused.

“No.” Guess it’s a good thing she didn’t text because I don’t want to lie to Dmitri if I don’t have to.

“You worried?”

“Yes, but I’m always worried about her. Comes with being a guardian, I guess. I’m sure she’s fine.”

His Adam’s apple bobs, and he still won’t look at me. “How did you become her guardian?”

The question catches me off guard. “Why?”

“It’s not common for a young woman to take on a foster kid in her teens. I’m just curious.” He looks over at me then and the sincerity in his eyes makes me pause. “You said you’re like sisters.”

I nod. “I love her with my whole heart.” Sitting on the cot, I fold my hands in my lap. “I already told you she was in the system with me.”

He leans against the wall on the other side of the room, his arms crossed, eyes boring into me. “Mmm hmm.”

“The foster home she was staying in was the same one I’d been in until I turned eighteen. The Brenner’s. They weren’t the best, but definitely not the worst. She bawled her eyes out when I left. I’d go to all her soccer games, meet her after school for ice cream or whatever, and have always kept my promise.”

“What promise was that?”

“That I wouldn’t leave her.” My heart feels heavy. “Then the Brenner’s house burned down, and they lost everything. They gave Addie up afterwards and I did everything I had to so she could be with me. I think that was the biggest miracle of all. She shouldn’t have been able to stay with me, but I met the requirements and, let’s face it, the system’s overloaded and they just needed a temporary solution, which was me. I made sure temporary became permanent.”

“What about her parents?”

Why is he being so fucking nosy? “What about them?”

“Just curious if you knew anything about her past.”

I know everything about her past, but I’m not about to share it with Dmitri. It’s not my story to tell. “They’re dead.”

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