Page 69 of Den of Thieves

-PABLO NERUDA

“Thank you so much, doctor!”

Dimitri growled at the beaming surgeon that came to check on the progress of his famous patient. He didn’t miss the appreciative glances the doctor sent her way as he walked in, arms laden with the latest of Aksana’s ridiculous requests.

He would be a fool—a lying fool—if he said he didn’t miss Aksana’s laugh or the way her jade green eyes would light up the room whenever she walked n.

Dimitri didn’t want to miss her sharp wit or her loyalty to those she loved; often to the point of jealousy. He knew Aksana was possessive, almost to a fault, but that was only because she loved so fiercely and was afraid of being hurt. Of losing the ones she loved.

Dimitri understood that now. He dared to make eye contact with the object of his deepest desires. The man was damn near miserable.

Aksana, on the other hand, was having a blast, making his life a living hell. She didn’t bother to hide the enjoyment she took in ordering him around like some kind of errand boy. Vladimir and Karina stopped by yesterday morning. They walked in the second she woke up from surgery and Vladimir wasted no time reminding her that no request was too asinine for his baby sister.

Did she take the high road and limit her requests to things the hospital had on standby? Fuck no. When it got too cold, her highness ordered Dimitri to buy a portable electric fireplace to warm the room to her liking.

On her first day in the hospital, Aksana declared that she just couldn’t be seen in the dreadful hospital gown so Dimitri had to pack up half her closet and the entire collection of bottles, brushes, and colorful pallets spanning her makeup vanity and bring them to her so she could feel more comfortable.

When her pillow was too lumpy, she ordered Dimitri to an upscale furniture store to spend three hundred dollars on a pillow to her liking. When he asked why he couldn’t just bring one from her room at Vladimir’s or her condo, she cried to her brother, and he received a verbal lashing from Vladimir.

He was just glad there wasn’t a pea under her mattress.

Not that Dimitri didn’t deserve Aksana’s ire. He broke her heart. Then he ignored her attempts to rekindle their relationship. And there were many, many attempts.

Finally, Aksana stopped vying for his attention. No more lingering looks. No more borderline harassing phone calls in the middle of the night. She stopped ‘running into him’ at the most random of places.

It was clear his Sana Bear moved on. Or was trying to. Dimitri didn’t know whether to be relieved or furious. He chose the latter.

How dare she give his pussy away? She was his, dammit! Aksana was his peace as well as his headache. She was both the angel and the devil on his shoulders, begging him to show mercy while simultaneously daring him to give her more.

He’d been in love with Aksana since he was eighteen. Before the world stole her innocence and tried to run off with the remainder of her joy.

Then why did I let her go? Why did I push her away?

Dimitri realized his mistake almost immediately after walking out of Aksana’s condo that day. He wanted nothing more than to ignore their fight and resulting breakup and move on like nothing happened. But he couldn’t do that.

She had a hysterectomy. There would never be a little version of the two of them running around and leaving their mark on this planet. And that gutted him to the core.

Did that mean he didn’t love her? Fuck no. Did that mean he didn’t not want her back in his arms? Fuck yes.

Because as crazy as Aksana was, Dimitri was crazier. About her, for her. He’d had his fair share of jealous rages that may or may not have resulted in maiming or death. Aksana completed him. Without her, he was lost. Without her, there was no right or wrong. He couldn’t tell up from down. He was surprised his heart still beat properly, as shattered as it was.

Dimitri waited until the room cleared of doctors and nurses to speak.

“Aksana.”

Her steely green gaze slid his way, and he was truly amazed by her natural beauty. Thick eyelashes, the lightest shade of brown, pale cheeks with a light dusting of freckles across her nose, her auburn hair, still damp from her shower, cascaded around her shoulders in the slightest of waves.

“Did you get my leather skirt?” she snapped.

“No.”

“Why not? In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not able to wear pants for the next six weeks. Not that the sexy doctor seemed to mind.” Aksana bit her lip and Dimitri growled.

“You will not be seeing him again.”

Aksana frowned. “Why not? You made it clear I don’t belong to you.” She crossed her arms. “Get out and don’t come back without my leather skirt!”

“No.” Dimitri said, marching over to her bedside.

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