Chapter Thirteen - Ava

A few days have passed, and Dimitri and I are becoming closer. Every night I’m spending in his bed, and it’s almost amusing that I have to go back to my room and collect my things. The yacht party ended with a petty fight, and if there’s one thing that frightens me about Dimitri, it’s his open possessiveness, but I was proud of myself for not backing down to him.

It was on principle, because whilst Frank might have been trying to flirt with me, I’d sent him away, letting him know I was on the boat with Dimitri.

“See, you made all that fuss about nothing. The reason he went away isn’t because you came over. It was because I sent him away,” I’d told him.

I’d gladly watched the color flush to his cheeks in embarrassment. “Sorry. I wanted to be sure.” That was his weak response.

“What happened to mutual trust?” I’d asked him, but my fingers had been trembling around the wine stem I was holding, afraid of what he would do.

“Yes. I’ll give you that, but I do mean what I said.”

“That’s clear.” But that very night, we’d shared such a tender night of lovemaking it was almost as if his outburst didn’t happen.

Taking a breath, I look at myself in the full-length mirror, satisfied that what I’m wearing will be just the right amount of effort to impress his family. I step into my wedge heels, enhancing my five-foot four stature, enough to stand at a normal height. There. Good. Respectful. Cute. And not too much cleavage, but that’s a hard thing to cover with my ample bosom.

The maid enters to collect the sheets and towels in the room.

“You look so beautiful, Ava,” she praises.

“Thank you. Do you think the ruffles are too much?”

“No. I think they’re the perfect touch. Very feminine. Are you going today to meet Dimitri’s family?”

“Yes, I am,” I reply, anxiety getting the better of me.

The maid’s eyes sparkle as she dumps the linens into her trolley basket. “Ooo, this could be good news for you. I’ve been working here for over a decade, and I’ve never seen Dimitri take a woman home to meet his family. You’re very lucky.”

Unfortunately, this has the adverse effect of applying more pressure. What if his family hates me? I’m not stupid. I know this is a high-powered family I’m entering.

“Don’t worry, you’ll do fine. You can tell me all about it tomorrow.” The maid clasps my wrist in encouragement, her comfort endearing. I’ve become fast friends with all the housekeeping and hospitality staff taking a liking to them, and them to me. Despite Dimitri’s intimidating and hostile demeanor at times, the staff appear content enough to work for him.

As she leaves, I do enough to calm myself down, holding my stomach and staring at it. I’ve missed my period, and I never miss. Frowning, I stare at my belly. Am I pregnant?

It’s doubtful, Ava, but I touch my bloated stomach again. If I am, how do I tell Dimitri? What would he want with a baby? We don’t even have a title yet. Shit. This is too much. I blow out an exasperated breath. This train is moving too fast.

Dimitri’s presence makes himself known, breaking me out of my spiral of thoughts. His bulk and powerful cologne cloaking the space, but it’s as he’s a different man. His face is softer, and he looks more casual in a tan jacket and sky-blue shirt with jeans.

“You look great. Are you ready to go?”

“Yeah I am.” I smile, hiding my hesitation, and mostly keeping quiet on the ride over with him. We arrive at a sprawling family home on the outskirts of Chicago, where rose bushes line a garden path to the door. I take note of the guesthouse on the property and how immaculate everything is.

It’s nothing like Dimitri’s house, this feels like a place where you would want a family to grow up. The air is fresh, and there’s many other cars parked in a separate section of the white pebbled driveway to the left.

“Is that a valet?” I ask in shock, but I shouldn’t be. It’s the Utkins and they’re loaded.

Dimitri places a hand on my knee, stroking it. “Yes. Stop worrying. We’re going to have a good time. I want my family to meet you.” I open my mouth to confess my fears, but shut it, not wanting to jinx things.

“I just want them to like me, that’s all.”

“They will.” Today Dimitri’s blue eyes sparkle, and he’s the most relaxed I’ve ever seen him. It melts my heart a little that he wants to show this vulnerable side of himself to me. Maybe we really are getting closer to having a label for our relationship.

As we approach the wraparound porch, I can hear the low hum of chatter from the inside. Dimitri holds my hand, his poise giving me strength. As the door opens, I’m taken into a new world. The elite world of the Utkins. From the outside the house might have resembled a sprawling country estate, but from the inside the shiny pearled marble tiles and antiques indicate otherwise.

This is more like a small palace. The interiors are majestic with large stone vases strategically placed in each corner filled with oversized ornamental flowers. The living room is open and lined with large plush rugs, and there’s a huge table in the center of the room filled with food and drink. The high beam ceilings filter in streams of light, and I can smell the wealth in the room. It’s palpable. Suddenly, I feel as if I’m underdressed, and Dimitri hasn’t taken his eyes off me since we’ve stepped out of the car, and I wish he would.

“Okay?” he asks, and it’s the first time I’ve seen him be uncertain about anything.

“I’m ah… fine, it’s just a lot here. Is this your family home? You grew up in this place?” Finding it unbelievable, I try to act normally, but it’s going to be hard surrounded by all this wealth.

“Yes,” he answers warmly. “They’re just people, Ava, and I promise you everything’s going to be fine. If it’s not, then you talk to me, and I will sort them out.” He winks, his fingers intertwining with mine, his sweetness easing my nerves a little more.

The house is filled with a string of people in lively discussion, occupying different rooms, but Dimitri guides me into the main living room area, where most of them are. A tall friendly guy with a messy mop of brown hair and green eyes approaches gathering Dimitri in a brotherly hug.

“Ah! You’re here. Is this the wonderful Ava you’ve been telling us about?”

Smiling, my stomach bubbles. He’s been talking about me to his family? This is news to me. Dimitri sighs with a nod. “Yes, this is Ava. Ava, meet Ryurik, my younger, less handsome brother.” Ryurik punches Dimitri in the shoulder playfully, scooping a handful of his hair back from his face, but all it does is flop back down again.

“Hey, don’t listen to shit he says, Ava. I’m the most handsome brother. And I’m nicer than him.” Maybe the day’s going to go well after all.

Dimitri mentioned his family tree briefly and doesn’t speak so much about his brother, so it’s nice to see him in person. “Hi, Ryurik.” I attempt to shake his hand as she shakes his head, giving me a quick hug instead.

“No need for formalities, Ava. You’re with my bro. Can I get you some juice, water, food?”

Dimitri grins, slapping his brother on the back. They’re nothing alike and it’s astonishing to me. “Sure. A juice would be good.”

“No problem,” he replies bouncily, his green eyes shining affably. I like him already.

“Wow. He’s nothing like you,” I blurt out to which Dimitri laughs, his eyebrow cocking with intrigue. “How so?”

“He’s down to earth. Friendly.” Dimitri puts a hand to his heart, wincing as if he’s hurt, but I grin back at him, knowing he’s not.

“That hurt my soul,” he jokes. “You might think so by appearances, but my brother is worse than me. Ryurik just hides it better.” Frowning, I contemplate what he means as Ryurik returns with sandwiches and juice. I’m ravenous and enjoy the plate of food he’s given me as we talk some more, getting to know each other. From what he shows me, I don’t see what Dimitri means, but I take his word for it, just the same.

“Come on, let me introduce you to my aunts and uncles.” Though I’m feeling a little out of place, Dimitri introduces me to his aunts and uncles who welcome me openly but bombard me with several questions about my upbringing and life. I’m drowning in a sea of overwhelm, when I’m relieved to spot Sophia. It’s hard to miss her full head of ginger hair, but she’s not alone. She’s got a little girl with her, and she’s holding a plate of food, nibbling at the chicken on it. Wow. Sophia has a child now. So grown up.

“Oh my God! Ava! What—you’re here? This is incredible.” Her mouth opens as the little girl giggles.

“Mommy. Is this your friend?”

“What… um yes. We went to school together.” Flustered by my arrival, Sophia opens her arms to hug me. I hug her back tightly, glad to see my friend looking so well. Andrei is in the background talking to Dimitri and catching up. She’s wearing a long flowing peach dress and a very shiny necklace that I bet cost her a fortune.

Our lives have changed so much. I don’t recognize this version of Sophia.

“Is that lawyer school, Mommy?” the little girl asks interrupting; she has me wondering what I would be like as a mother.

“Yes, from lawyer school. Ava, this is my nosey daughter Anya.”

Anya sticks out her hand already familiar with the societal norms. “Pleased to meet you,” she says with a toothy grin. I find her adorable as I shake her hand back.

“Good girl, now go find your cousins and play out back. Okay?”

“Alright, Momma!” The little girl takes her plate away as I shake my head.

“Wow. How are you?”

Sophia beams. “I’m fantastic. I can’t complain, but… um, hello, are you here with Dimitri? Andrei didn’t tell me that,” she gushes in a whisper, her eyes opening at the juicy gossip. My cheeks redden as I nod.

“Yes. I’m here with him. It’s early days, but so far… it’s been interesting,” I tell her, leaving things open to interpretation. She nods with a knowing smile.

“Oh, it’s going to be interesting with the Utkin family, and that’s an understatement. I want you to call me later and tell me how this all started.”

“Phew, Sophia. It’s a story, but the short of it is it involves an inheritance.”

“Fuck!” She grabs my wrist in excitement and it’s almost like being back in law school with her again, and I realize how much I’ve missed her. “Let’s get together. We can’t talk here.” She rolls her eyes, looking to the left where the more sophisticated people seem to be gathered.

“Okay. I’m so glad to see you.”

“You too. I’m practicing at Goldblum’s now as a defense attorney. Loving it!”

“Whoa! That’s sensational. You really are living the dream.”

Sophia chuckles, distracted by noises from behind her. “Yeah, I am some days. Listen, I have to go check on Anya. Call me!” she shouts as I smile at my old friend, so proud of her.

Dimitri sweeps in from behind, kissing into my hair. “Hey, one more important person I want you to meet. Come.”

“Okay.” He takes my hand, leading me over to the group that seem to be in their own little bubble. He promptly introduces me to a stylish older woman with freshly blow-dried, whitish-blonde hair, her makeup flawless. Around her neck is a delicate gold necklace. She’s dressed in all white and very chic, barely any wrinkles in sight. She’s above average height and holding a wine glass in her French-manicured fingers.

“Hi, Mother. I’d like you to meet Ava Knight.” Dimitri bends to kiss his mother on her upturned cheek, the same icy blue eyes sparkling back at me. “Ava, this is my mother Ekaterina.”

There’s a great deal of pride held in Dimitri’s voice, and I’m guessing his mother means a lot to him.

“Good afternoon, Ava. Thank you for coming to our little family gathering here. It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard good things,” she remarks politely, but there’s a frigidness in her tone that sends shivers down my spine.

“I’m glad it’s good things. You have such a lovely home, and I adore your paintings. I see why Dimitri likes art so much and has such good taste,” I return, cringing as her curved eyebrow stretches upwards. I’m aware that I’m probably trying too hard.

“That’s probably because Mom gave me a few of them,” Dimitri chuckles, her mother showering him with a charming smile, tapping the side of his face.

“No, Dimitri. You do have good taste.” She looks at me directly, her eyes shiny with contempt. “Usually.”

Bitch! Uncomfortably, I place a hand over my throat as Dimitri wraps a protective hand around my waist.

“No. Always,” he insists.

Shit. Get me out here now. Or at least get me a drink. I’m saved from drowning as one is given to me by Dimitri. Almost as if he knows the scorpion pit he’s hurled me into.

“Hey, Dimitri! Get over here,” I hear some man call out from behind him as he parts from us, embracing what I’m assuming is another family member. For my trouble, I’m left, faced with the conservative, cold glare of his overbearing mother.

“You know you don’t belong with him.” Her honest words slice up an insecurity I already harbor, and I’m jarred by her words.

“What?”

Her eyes cut into me as she looks down her nose at me. “I believe you heard what I said. You don’t belong with him. You’re not cut out for this life. You don’t have the social status or reputation to improve Dimitri’s life.”

Flabbergasted by her claims, I frown as I watch Dimitri talking to his cousin and another woman next to him. “I think it’s up to Dimitri to decide who he chooses to be with.” I can’t let the woman bowl me over, but her words have sunk into my brain decaying my positive thoughts about our budding relationship.

She fingers the gold necklace around her slender neck with a tight smile. “That’s very cute in that fanciful delusion you’re living in, but my son is the head of a very powerful Bratva organization, and you should consider distancing yourself from my son,” she warns, her bouquet of perfume burning my nostrils as she leans closer towards me. “Or I will do it myself.”

Floored by her words, I shake my head. “Your son approached me, not the other way around,” I correct, finding my center and remembering my law degree and how I like to win.

Ekaterina scoffs. “Yes. Darling. You have what he wants, but you don’t hold as much value as her.” Ekaterina holds up her wine glass gesturing it in the direction of the delicate blonde beauty next to Dimitri. Her bag is designer, and her snow-white hair is pinned back in a slicked ponytail, her pale glass skin perfect in every way. She’s skinny and could pass as a runway model.

“What?”

“You see Dimitri could get Raven’s Peak via other means. I hope you know that. He’s indulging you, Ava. Surely you can’t think….” She cackles as my ashen face drops, my stomach twisting into knots. This woman is pure evil.

“Think what?” I ask, willing her to spit it out.

“Well, you can’t think you and Dimitri will ever be anything. That woman is Cara Antonov, and her father is a billionaire and has deep-rooted connections across the globe. Now, she can help my son flourish.”

Fuck. Two blondes. Both tall, high-powered families. They do look good together. Like they belong. Maybe she’s got a point.

“I’m going to go now. I think I need some air,” I tell her, wanting to leave.

“Or maybe you want the exit?” Ekaterina smirks as I shoulder through the throng of people heading to the bathroom to gather myself. I think about telling Dimitri I want to leave, but by then I spend the next fifteen minutes being entertained by lovely family members.

Eventually Dimitri finds me, pulling me to the study and kissing me passionately. “Hi. I’ve been wanting to do that all day, but you’ve been such a hit with my family, I haven’t had a chance to.” He cups my face kissing me tenderly, as I cling on to him. I don’t want to ruin the moment, but there’s an ache inside me that I might not be good enough for him or his family clouding my mind.

“You’ve found me,” I whisper as Dimitri drags me into the antique chair and onto his lap.

“Good. And before I let you go; I have something for you.”

“What? You didn’t have to get me anything.”

“Yes, I did.” Dimitri brings out a long velvet black box opening it to the most beautiful gold necklace with a red heart encased inside it.

“It’s a garnet, and this is real gold. I want you to have it. Wear it for me.”

“Oh my God. I love it.” But even if I do, I wonder if we’re skipping all the steps to a real relationship. After all, we don’t know each other. We’re in this weird place between business and something else.

Is it real?