Tears of Betrayal

“You can’t tell anyone who I am.”

I tilt my head back to look up at him. “I don’t know anyone I can tell.”

“Really?” A sad expression makes him look like a fallen angel. “No one?”

I shrug. “I could tell my mom, but it wouldn’t mean a thing to her.”

Demitri takes hold of my jaw and presses a kiss to my mouth. “So you’re all mine?”

“Yep.”

A smile spread over his face. “Say it.”

“I’m all yours.”

Chapter 35

DEMITRI

Ariana and I spent a week on the island, getting to know each other more in-depth before stopping in Seattle to get her clothes.

I told her I’d get Nikhil to pack up the rest of her things and bring her belongings to LA.

When we get back to LA, and I’m driving us to the place I share with Alexei, Ariana asks, “Did you pay the money to my mom’s nursing home?”

I nod. “I told you I’d take care of it.”

“Thank you.” She places her hand on my thigh. “I’ll pay you back as soon as I have access to my inheritance.”

I shake my head. “No, you won’t. We’ll invest your money.”

“And what? Let you pay for everything?”

I nod. “Yes.”

“It’s over a hundred million. Paying you back won’t make a dent in it. We can live off the rest, and there will still be enough to look after our grandchildren.”

Taking hold of her hand, I bring it to my mouth and press a kiss to her skin. “Malyshka, I’m paying for everything. Use your inheritance to start a makeup business.”

She stares at me as I pull up the driveway, and when I turn the engine off, she says, “Let me pay for everything, please. Think of it as payment for keeping my butt safe for the rest of my life.”

I let out a chuckle and press a kiss to her mouth. “It’s so cute that you think you can afford me.”

Shock flashes over her face. “What do you mean? Even with a hundred million, I still can’t afford you?” Her eyes widen. “How much does Alexei pay you?”

“Your inheritance will be able to buy my protection for a year.” I give her a smile. “You get a lifetime of protection for free because I love you.”

“Holy shit. That’s insane.”

I cup her cheek. “Leave the finances to me. Use your inheritance to do something you love.” Worry flashes over her face, and it has me asking, “What?”

“I have no idea what I love. I just did what I had to so I could pay my expenses.”

Pulling her into a hug, I press a kiss to her temple. “Don’t worry about it. You have all the time in the world to figure out what you’d like to do.” I move back and lock eyes with her. “Okay? There’s no rush.”

“Okay.”

We climb out of the car, and when we walk into the house, it’s to find Alexei waiting in the foyer with his arms crossed over his chest.

He gives Ariana a dark look, then slowly walks closer to her. “Do you have any idea how worried I was?”

“Ah… sorry,” she pulls a cute face.

Alexei opens his arm. “Come here.”

I watch as they hug, then Alexei says, “It’s good to have you back. Don’t ever give me a heart attack like that again.”

“I won’t.” Ariana pulls back and grins up at him, and patting his chest, teases him, “Who knew I could make the head of the Bratva sweat?”

Taking hold of Ariana’s hand, I pull her away from Alexei and to my side, which only makes Alexei grin at me.

“She’s moving in,” I tell him. “With me.”

“Like you even had to add the last part,” Alexei taunts me.

“How many people live in this house?” Ariana asks.

“Four. Alexei, me, Sacha, and Nikhil. And now you.”

“I’m not cooking,” she blurts out, making Alexei laugh.

“I do the cooking,” I tell her. “That way, I know no one’s going to be poisoned.” Not wanting her to worry, I place my hand on the back of her neck and say, “The left wing is ours, so you’ll have all the privacy you need while being safe.”

She gives me a happy smile which makes me feel better.

Nudging her forward, I say, “Come on, let’s get you settled, and then I’ll show you the rest of the mansion.” To Alexei, I say, “Can you get Sacha to bring in Ariana’s luggage?”

“Sure.” He watches us with a smile, then calls out to Ariana, “It’s good having you here, little one.”

I take Ariana to our suite, and heading to the walk-in closet, I begin to move my things over to the right side.

Ariana begins to help me then asks, “Do you wear any other color but white and black?”

“No, you’re all the color I need.”

“Aww…” She drops the shirt she was holding and lunges at me, slamming a hot kiss to my mouth.