Page 86 of Darling Dmitri

“You want the honors?” I nodded down at it.

She bit her bottom lip and nodded, holding out her hand.

Before she could, the door flew open, and two officers were passing through with guns drawn.

“Thank god, you’re here. They broke into my office,” the pathetic bastard wheezed.

I stubbed out the cigar. “He attacked us. We were defending ourselves.” Anyone with a brain could see that was a lie. But if this fucker thought he was untouchable, he would learn quickly I was the fucking kingpin at Hillside.

Case in point, the guns weren’t pointed at Sorina nor me, they were leveled on Alexandru. “I’m sorry, sir, but you’re going to have to come with us for questioning.”

“What? Me? Why?”

“Assaulting a student on campus.”

“I did no such thing.Look at me. I’m the one who was assaulted.” He ducked his chin at the burn mark on his pants. “Look what they did to me!”

“He’s a sexual predator,” I said. “He deserved it. The campus won’t be safe until he’s locked away.”

The heftier, balding officer moved in toward the desk with the gun still leveled at him. “Sir, you’re going to have to come with us. There were witnesses to the attack. You’re also being charged with sexual assault.” The other officer stepped around the desk and hauled him out of the chair, cuffing him.

I took Sorina’s hand and led her to the door, nodding my head at baldie to follow me out of the room. I heard Alexandru cursing and calling out for his attorney.

As soon as we were standing out in the hallway, I slapped a wad of cash in the officer’s hand. “Thanks, Bob, I owe you one.”

“No problem. Now, I can buy those premium seats when I see you in Miami, playing in the national championship game in January.”

“That’s right. Thanks again, and see you at the game this weekend.” Was this shady? Maybe a little. However, when I wanted something, I got it. The perks of being the star on campus. And I would do anything to make Sorina happy. Bob was one of the campus police officers and a huge Falcons fan. I’d already hooked him up for season tickets to all the home games, and he had my back. Besides, no one condoned sexual assault.

It was only a matter of time before Alexandru was going to lose everything. Three women, including Sorina, gave their statements earlier, and someone who had coached under him did, as well. Even that fucker, Nicu, was on board and would speak in Sorina’s and Rebecca’s defense. I’m certain more people would come out as the dominoes began to fall because assholes like Alexandru could control certain situations only so much before all the ugliness caught up to them.

I walked her out to my car. “Damn, you have a right hook on you.” I brought her hand up to my lips. “Remind me to never get on your bad side again.”

She laughed, and I followed her around to the passenger side. Her shoulders started to shake, and I heard a sniffle, realizing she was crying.

“Hey.” I pulled her to me, and she covered her face with her hands. “It’s all right.”

Her forehead tapped my chest. “I don’t know why I’ve been such a crying mess lately.”

“You’ve dealt with a lot.” I tilted her chin up to me. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you sooner.”

“I should have told you.” She bit her lip, and something flashed in her eyes. Worry. “I was just too ashamed.”

“You have nothing to be ashamed of,zaychik. You hear me? You’re the strongest person I know.” I nuzzled her cheek. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve told you about Arty, but I swear on my life, I didn’t know what he did. I would never withhold information like that from you. I will never lie to you again. Please forgive me.” Jesus, I wish she’d give me another chance. What I’d give to have one night with her. What I’d give if she’d let me. Maybe, I’d just kidnap her, and we’d run off somewhere far away. I knew she wanted it, too, but was being stubborn.

She nodded and cried harder, ducking her head at her hands, smoothing out her stomach.

“What is it?” I pulled her into my arms, hating to see her cry like this. In fact, I’d never seen her openly cry before in my life.

She trembled against me as her tears dampened my shirt. “I—I’m just tired. Can you take me home?”

I laid my chin on her head, frustrated she was holding back again, but she’d been through enough tonight. “Yeah. I’ll take you home.”

Dmitri

Whack!

I teed off on the golf ball and watched it sail over the rocky cliff and land in the small pond thirty feet below before lining up another ball. I missed her. I’d basically seen her every day for the past two weeks, and I still missed her. After taking Sorina back to her apartment last night, she thanked me politely and went inside. She felt I’d betrayed her trust, and honestly, I didn’t completely blame her. I should’ve told her.

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