“He must like you because while he’s been nothing but polite with me, he’s a scary dude. He’s got this cold serial killer stare thing going on when he’s mad. And much like Dimitri, I’ve never heard of Alex having anything other than a casual girlfriend.”
Rya bit her lip, wondering how much she could disclose to Gia. “Do you know about the Novikov Curse?”
“No, what is it?”
She told Gia about the long, sordid history of the Novikov family and by the time she was done tears streamed down Gia’s cheeks.
“Rya, that’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.” Before Rya knew it, Gia had come over to her oversized chair and grabbed her into a hug, making Rya wince. Gia released her and crouched before Rya’s chair while patting her leg. “So that’s why Dimitri was pretending you didn’t exist. I mean I thought it was so crazy that he never said anything about you, then the next thing we know he’s flown halfway around the world to rescue the woman he loves.”
“He said he loves me?”
“Well, he didn’t say it, but come on. Guys don’t do this for girls they don’t love. Why do you think you’re going back to Russia with him if you think he doesn’t love you?”
“Because someone found out about me and now I’m in danger. That’s why I’m going back to Russia with him.” She gestured to her neck. “A guy that was some kind of freelance killer for the Russian mafia tried to kidnap me.”
“No shit. What happened?”
Rya’s stomach clenched. “He…I killed him.”
“Oh honey.” Gia grabbed her hands and gave them a hard squeeze. “Good.”
“What?”
“I’m glad you killed him. My mother was murdered, but I wish she’d had a gun so she could have killed the motherfucking drug addict before he took her life.”
Gia’s voice trembled on the last words and Rya scooted over, then pulled Gia over onto the oversized chair with her before giving the other woman a gentle hug. “I’m so sorry for your loss. My dad was killed by a drunk driver before I was born. But I have a great step-dad who’s been just about the best dad I could ever want.”
Returning her hug, Gia stroked her hair. “My dad died when I was a kid and my mom never remarried.”
Leaning back enough so she could see Gia in the lights coming through the windows she smiled and brushed back a tear. “Damn, we’re a hot mess, aren’t we?”
Gia smiled back and wiped the tears from Rya’s cheeks. “I’m glad you’re coming to Russia. It will be really nice having someone there that I can talk to.”
“You have no idea how relieved I am that you’re not some über bitch. I’m terrified of going there, not knowing anyone. Knowing you really helps.”
“Well, you haven’t seen me when I’m PMSing,” Gia said in a teasing voice, but Rya could tell Gia was happy about the compliment. “And don’t be scared. Dimitri will take care of you, believe me. While our guys may be domineering, overbearing, über macho, controlling assholes, they’re also amazingly sweet and protective. Just don’t let him get away with too much, or next thing you know, he’ll be deciding what kind of underwear you’re allowed to wear and what you can eat for dinner.”
Both women jumped as Ivan’s deep voice came from behind them. “Controlling asshole?”
Gia swallowed hard then said, “I’m putting a damn bell on you so you can’t sneak up on us.”
Giggling, Rya turned in the chair so her back was to Gia’s front and smiled. Dimitri was standing behind a very stern Ivan with a definite smirk. She fluttered her lashes at her man and gave him a beaming smile. “Hi, Masters.”
Ivan snorted at Rya then looked over his shoulder at Dimitri. “You’re in trouble.”
“Best kind of trouble,” Dimitri said and gave Rya a smile filled with such warmth that she sighed.
Gia whispered in her ear, “Oh yeah, he’s got it bad for you.”
“The feeling is entirely mutual,” Rya whispered back and they laughed softly while the men watched them with dual suspicious looks.
Dimitri and Ivan said something in Russia before Ivan turned back to them with a wicked grin that made Rya’s stomach clench while Gia whispered, “Oh fuck. We’re in trouble.”
“We?” Rya whispered back without taking her eyes off of the two Doms now watching them like a hungry bear and a wolf watching two tasty rabbits.
Ivan strode over to them and the aura of power and control rolling off of him made Rya’s heart beat a little faster. He reached down and wrapped Gia’s hair around his fist before looking at Rya. “Would you like to help me punish my mouthy little girl, Rya?”