Speaking of trusting someone, “Do Ivan and Gia know about us? About what happened to me or do I need to pretend I was in a car accident or something?”
“Ivan knows and Gia…well, she is learning more about Ivan and his family. It is hard for her to understand. Unlike you who grew up with people that live outside the law, Gia was raised by—what did Rock call it—by civilians.”
“Wow, she must have been pretty surprised when Ivan threw that bomb at her.”
“Bomb? I do not understand.”
“Sorry, American slang. It means he gave her a big surprise.”
“Yes, big surprise, but Gia is strong woman. She adapted.”
They pulled up to a massive, four story beachfront mansion done in a style that reminded Rya of a Spanish villa. The courtyard out front had a beautiful brick mosaic and a set of broad stairs led to the second level entrance of the home. A red Porsche was parked out front along with a black Range Rover. The home screamed money, big money, and a bolt of apprehension went through her. Normally she wasn’t intimidated by anything or anyone, but this place looked like it belonged to the top one percent of the top one percent.
Dimitri got out of the sedan and helped her out while a pair of men in black pants and navy blue polo shirts came out of the lower level of the house. They were both built, intimidating men with short dark hair and purposeful strides. The one on the right had visible tattoos all over his hands and arms and fear tightened Rya’s stomach. Though they weren’t the same as the guy who’d assaulted her, an irrational anxiety still made her stiffen up. Maks and Dimitri both seemed to notice and she quickly found herself pulled to Dimitri’s side while Maks stood in front of her.
The two men froze, then Dimitri spoke in Russian and they nodded. The man with the tattoos looked over at her and his face tightened in anger. He said something to Dimitri and whatever Dimitri said back made him relax. Maks gestured to the luggage and the men took it, bringing it into the house. The front door to the second level opened and a big, really big, man with a buzz cut in a black t-shirt and khaki shorts that exposed his well-muscled legs stepped out. He didn’t seem bothered by the temperature which had to be in the sixties and he turned, offering his hand to a beautifully exotic woman.
With her long honey blonde hair in a ponytail and wearing a jade green silk dress that showed off her lean figure, the woman who had to be Gia smiled at them in welcome. Together the odd couple made their way down the stairs holding hands and Rya relaxed as she took in their obvious love for each other. A small, jealous part of her wondered what Gia had done with Dimitri, the blushing glance Gia gave him hinted at something, but the way Gia looked at her fiancé let Rya know Gia’s heart belonged to the scary man gently holding her hand.
When they came closer, Rya was surprised to see a definitely interested look come into Gia’s eyes as she examined Rya. She had to admit the other woman was beautiful and when Gia gave her a shy smile with bit of heat to it Rya felt an answering rush of desire. Unused to such a strong reaction to a stranger, and in such a messed up situation, she glanced up at Dimitri to find him watching her with amusement, then over to Ivan. The other man had the most amazing teal blue eyes, totally at odds with his strong, scarred face. When he stared at her she felt horribly exposed.
Ivan held his hand out to Dimitri, “Welcome to our home.”
While the men shook hands Gia gave Rya a kiss on either cheek, her small hands lightly resting on Rya’s shoulders. “It’s so nice to meet you, Rya.”
“Thank you for letting Dimitri and I stay with you.”
Gia gave Dimitri a narrow-eyed look, then returned her attention to Rya. “I just about shit my pants when I heard about you.”
A giggle escaped her at the elegant, classy woman swearing. “Why’s that?”
“Because he’s such a manwhore…er…” Gia flushed while Ivan gave her a stern look. “Sorry, that was uncalled for.”
“Is all right,” Dimitri said in a mellow tone. “Before Rya, I did not understand what it meant to love.”
Rya’s heart did a hard thud as she smiled up at him. The sincerity of his words made her want to throw him down on the ground and kiss him.
Ivan laughed and shook his head. “Come. You have had a long trip. We will let you freshen up then have dinner.”
With a smile Gia looped her arm through Rya’s. “So, Ivan tells me you’re a nurse. What kind? I have an aunt who was a labor and delivery nurse for thirty years before she retired.”
“I’m a hospice nurse.”
They made their way into the large home while Gia chatted with Rya, putting her at ease in the opulent surroundings. Their room was on the third level and Gia and Ivan left them at the door after letting them know dinner would be ready in a couple hours and to take their time getting settled in. Placing his hand on her lower back, Dimitri led her into their bedroom and she let out a soft gasp of pleasure.