Chapter 20

TWENTY

Dimitri

I wanted her with every fiber of my being. I just needed to convince her to take the leap. Her eyes were fixed on my face, searching, but I wasn't sure what it was she was expecting to see. If I knew what it was, I would make sure I would show it to her, rip my chest open, and show her my heart and soul — hand it to her on a platter.

"Just pack up and move to Arizona?" She looked around the small living room uncertainly.

"We could store some stuff for now. You only need to bring what you're attached to. I can arrange for someone to collect the rest later," I said quickly. She was almost ready to agree; I could sense it. "Maybe you'll let me put a ring on your finger someday soon?" Her breath caught. "I want everything, malysh ." Leaning closer, I kissed her, pouring my heart and soul into it.

"Was that supposed to have been a proposal?" she asked, pulling away from me, frowning.

Wait, girls wanted more than some half-hearted proposals on a couch. I hadn't even bought a ring yet. That had just popped out of my mouth, but I wanted that too. Thinking quickly, I said, "It absolutely will be when I can make a proper one with a stunning ring. Don't worry. I won't fuck it up."

"I'm just … my head is spinning a little. You don't think this is a little fast? Moving to another state? We did just meet. Don't you think your friends will wonder if you're crazy just to pick up some woman and her little girl and bring them with you?" she said .

"The only thing we need to worry about is what feels right to us. This feels right to me. You're right for me. You and Olive. That's what I care about—our family. My friends will approve just fine."

Hollis looked at me, her eyes softening but still holding a trace of doubt. "You mean that, don't you?"

"With all my heart," I replied. "I've seen enough of the world to know when something is worth fighting for. And you, Hollis, you're worth everything."

She sighed, leaning against my chest and closing her eyes momentarily. "It's just... a lot to take in. But I can't deny that I feel the same way. I want to build something with you, too."

I felt a rush of relief and joy. "Then let's do it—one step at a time. We can visit Arizona first and see how you and Olive like it. We don't have to decide everything right now. "

Hollis nodded slowly, a small smile forming on her lips. "Okay. One step at a time. But promise me you'll be patient."

I took her hand, bringing it to my lips. "I promise. Whatever it takes."

The sound of Olive stirring in her room broke the moment, and Hollis slid off my lap. "She's going to be excited. We aren't exactly well traveled." If I had anything to say about that, we would change that.

Olive was waking up, rubbing her eyes and looking adorably disoriented. "Mommy?" she mumbled from the hallway, her voice thick with sleep. "Dimitri didn't leave, did he?"

"No, I'm here, moya milaya ."

"Hey, sweetie," Hollis said, sitting on the edge of the bed and brushing a strand of hair from Olive's face .

"What does that mean?" Olive asked, peering at Dimitri with curiosity. "What language is that?"

"That's Russian, a language I grew up knowing. It means my darling."

"I like it," Olive nodded and scooted onto the couch with us, settling against Hollis, her golden hair around her like a halo. She looked like a sleepy angel.

"Dimitri and I want to talk to you about something."

Olive's eyes brightened at the mention of my name. "What is it?"

Hollis glanced at me, and I nodded, encouraging her to continue. "How would you feel about going on a little trip? To Arizona?"

Olive's face lit up. "A trip? Really? Can we see cowboys? "

I chuckled, the sound filling the small room. "Maybe. And you'll see where I live and meet my friends."

Olive looked curiously from me to her mother. Her nose scrunched up. The little girl wasn't stupid. "Would we come back here?"

"How would you feel if we didn't come back here? If we went with Dimitri and made a new home?" She took Olive's hand in hers, and it was at this moment that I realized that I hadn't played all my cards correctly. Olive could say ‘no' right now, and I think Hollis would stay here. My heart stilled in my chest. If that happened, I'd stay here with them. There was no way I could leave without them.

"You'll have your own bedroom," I pitched in desperately. "My house has a yard, too," I added, looking at her face for clues.

"Do you have a dog?" she asked, canting her head to one side, her blond curls flopping over. It hit me like an arrow in the heart that she'd be my daughter, and I'd have to be responsible for keeping boys away for ten years or so. Fuck if I'd let some dick head date my daughter.

Hollis seemed to be trying to signal me, but I plunged ahead. "Well, I don't now , but that doesn't mean we can't have one. Puppies are a lot of work, but there is room for one." Hollis elbowed me hard. "You'll have to get your mom's permission." I smiled wide and nodded at Hollis. There, I'd said the right thing, right? Hollis glared at me. Maybe not.

"What about a kitten?" Olive threw out; her eyes narrowed—another elbow from Hollis. I was playing for keeps, so if it took a kitten, I was going all in.

"Sure, I don't see why not, moya milaya. Ouch!" The elbow again. Olive clapped her hands.

"Okay, when can we go? I want an orange one and books." Her little eyes sparked at me.

Hollis groaned, "Okay. That's enough, Olive. Get the brush so I can do something about your hair. Off you go." She bundled her daughter off the couch, but Olive was quick to eagle-eye me before she left. I gave her a wink to let her know I was on her side. The last thing I wanted was for Olive to back out.

"Okay, no more agreeing to stuff before we talk about it," Hollis scolded as soon as Olive left the room."

"Sure, malysh. Sorry." But I wasn't; kissing her hard, I knew I won. Kittens, puppies, whatever the price, I'd pay it.

After more discussion about our plans, we decided to leave until next week. There was a storage unit to arrange and Olive's school to call. Hollis had notice to give with her apartment, and it seemed like a full list.

I had a moment of panic when I came around the corner and interrupted a mother-daughter conversation. Hollis had been checking in with Olive without me to make sure that she really was okay with the move, leaving her school and the place where she was comfortable. Olive hadn't pulled any punches and had told her mother that she'd like a fresh start with a place with new memories. I wasn't sure that Hollis was taking into account the thought that perhaps Olive wasn't quite as okay as she thought she was. It was a lot for a little girl to be left alone like she was. It wasn't Hollis' fault and wasn't in her control, but there were moments when I caught Olive staring off, looking haunted. I'd resolved, though, that the subject would be broached of a therapist in Arizona. Maybe it'd be a healing place for both of them.

In the meantime, I had plenty to do for the Brotherhood remotely or otherwise. I also called Maddox and told him we would be coming shortly.

I was on the brink of a new beginning with Olive and Hollis, and I knew that as long as I kept my new little family together, I could handle anything.

My phone buzzed incessantly on the kitchen counter, the screen lighting up with Maxim's name. I glanced at Hollis, who was methodically packing boxes in the living room. The sunlight filtered through the apartment's windows, casting a warm glow on her as she folded clothes and carefully arranged Olive's belongings. Her movements were deliberate, but I could see the tension in her shoulders and the way her brow furrowed with each item. This was hard for her, packing up the life she'd created for them here.

I sighed and picked up the phone. "What's up?" I greeted, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Dimitri, what are you doing?" Maxim's voice was sharp, frustration clear in every word. "You were supposed to be back by now. There's business that needs handling, and you're off playing house?"

"I'm not playing house, Maxim," I replied, my eyes still on Hollis. "I'm taking care of something important."

"What the fuck" Maxim scoffed. "More important than the Bratva? I thought you were going to rejoin the family. Finally, come home. "

"No," I said firmly. "That isn't going to happen, Maxim. I'm sorry if I gave you any impression that I'd return. That was never my intention. I was always going to return to Arizona. Also, I'm going to marry this girl."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, the silence heavy with disbelief. Maxim's voice lowered, turning cold. "You know it doesn't work that way. We need you here. You can't just walk away."

"This isn't up for debate," I said, trying to keep my voice level. "I've made my decision. I'll be returning to Arizona. I'm not walking away from you," I countered. "I'm prioritizing. There's a difference."

"That doesn't sound any better." He sounded frustrated. "Dimitri, you're a part of this. You can't just come and go when it suits you." I was sure he was grinding his teeth right now if I knew my brother. He hadn't changed at all. Maxim was a control freak. I had always been the one piece in his life that he couldn't quite figure out how to control — no matter how hard he tried. "Are you sure you should marry this girl?"

I glanced at Hollis again. She caught my eye and gave me a small, reassuring smile. "Yes, I'm sure about marrying her. I have never been more sure of anything in my life. As to me coming and going. Maxim, I know my obligations. I'll handle what needs to be handled, but it won't be on your terms."

Maxim's silence spoke volumes. I knew he was fuming, but he also knew me well enough to understand that I wouldn't be swayed. I hadn't changed either over the years that I'd been gone. Even at fifteen, I was a stubborn fucker. "Fine," he said finally, his tone icy. "But don't think this won't have consequences."

"Understood," I said, hanging up the phone before he could say more. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the tension the call had brought. Hollis watched me, her eyes filled with concern .

"Everything okay?" she asked, pausing her packing.

"Just Maxim," I replied, forcing a smile. "He's not thrilled that I'm coming home." Over the week, we'd spent hours talking about our lives and what they'd been like.

She walked over to me, placing a hand on my arm. "Are you sure about this, Dimitri? About staying with us? I don't want to cause problems for you."

I covered her hand with mine, squeezing gently. "I have never been more sure about anything." Brushing the edge of her cheek, I reveled a moment in the softness of her skin. She was so beautiful. "I had planned to return to Arizona anyway. You and Olive are a bonus."

She leaned into me, her forehead resting against my chest. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You won't have to find out." Pulling her against me, I nibbled at her neck. I would never get tired of this, the smell and the feel of her.

My phone buzzed again. It was Maxim. Looking at the lock screen, I debated not answering. I didn't want to hear any more about the legacy of the Volkov Bratva or my responsibilities to something I couldn't care less about.

"Answer it," she encouraged. "He's still your brother."

I sighed and answered, preparing for round two. She wasn't wrong. He was still my brother, even if he was a controlling dick. Maxim had been there for me as a child. I would never forget that.

"What now, Maxim?"

"Dimitri, listen," Maxim's voice had softened slightly. "I just wanted to say," he cleared his throat. "I should have said that I was happy for you." I was shocked. Maxim and I had been estranged for years; our relationship strained after I'd taken off when I was a kid. "If this is what you want, what makes you happy, then I'll support you." That was perhaps incredibly hard for him to say. Still, I could meet him more than halfway.

"It means a lot to me. Thank you, Maxim. Hollis and Olive are important to me. I think life in Arizona with them will be good, but brother, if you need me for something specific," I cleared my throat. "You can call." I'd never laid the offer out like that before. It had been years since we'd worked together.

"Thank you, Dima. I'll try not to take advantage. Perhaps we can arrange something mutually beneficial with your Brotherhood?"

"Perhaps." This was an idea. I'd have to think about it. The MC did a lot of business with weapons and drug dealing, primarily in Arizona and parts of New Mexico, but that didn't mean we couldn't expand with the Bratva's help. That could bring more attention than we were ready for. Our MC was a one-percenter club; we weren't too law-abiding, but tangling with the Bratva was leveling up. I wasn't sure that Maddox would be willing to bring that kind of heat into our little town of Haverboro, especially now that he was starting a family.

"Will you come up for the holidays? Bring your wife and daughter?" he asked.

"Hollis and I will talk about it, but that could be on the table," I looked over at her, thinking about her and Olive at the mansion surrounded by the Bratva. I liked the idea of them having the holidays at the Open Road better. The holidays were casual and full of laughs, presents, and traditions like our Toys for Tots fun run and Amber's hot ham and cheese sandwiches for Christmas lunch with cranberry jelly. "You could always come to Arizona," I offered.

"That sounds nice, actually," Maxim said, to my surprise.

"Well, let's plan on that then. It's nice to talk to you, brat ." Hanging up, I reflected on the conversation for a moment. Maxim had been alone as pakhan for years now. He couldn't have forced me to stay, but he could have killed me. The Bratva lifestyle wasn't conducive to a pakhan being seen as weak, so I wasn't sure what excuse he gave for me being gone, and I'd never cared what the consequences were. The Volkov name wasn't one I'd ever cared for — Maxim had cared. Maybe I'd been naive to think we could have both left, but Maxim wouldn't have wanted to. At the time, it'd been his dream to be pakhan, but it had never been mine.

Shaking my head, I returned to Hollis; she was packing, taping over another box. I'd rented a storage unit for her so that she could have the security of knowing that none of her things would be gone, and she could pick through the items at her leisure. Right now, she was packing the essentials. I had movers coming tomorrow. She looked delectable, though, bent over the box, her ass in the air. It was time to pick up where we had left off. Hollis was wearing these tiny shorts that had been driving me crazy. She'd already tried to fend me off once, unsuccessfully, and I'd pressed her up against the wall pinning her against the cheap drywall as I fucked her until she moaned and begged for me to let her come.

Moving up behind her, I ran a hand down her spine. " Malysh , stay still. Tilt that ass up a little." She'd frozen, her hand on the tape gun. "You make me crazy bent over these boxes with that ass of yours, those tits. Hold the box." We'd been busy today. Boxes were stacked three deep and four high against the wall, so they were pretty sturdy.

My cock felt like a poker in my jeans as she bent a little further over the box; tilting her ass a little, I pulled her shorts and panties down. She made little whimpering noises as my fingers deliberately brushed against the lips of her pussy. "You're drenched," I moaned. "I can't wait." Pulling my cock out, I lined up and drove into her without preamble. "Fucking hellfire." Stroking in and out was pure heaven; I could die now and be happy. Reaching down to her hardened nub, I rubbed hard the way she liked and drove in, hoping that I could hold on.

"Don't stop." Tilting her to a new angle so I could hit even deeper, I hit another gear, making sure not to quit my pace on her clit. "Oh my god, Dima." She clenched around me, her juices soaking my cock as she came. That was all I needed to let loose and coat her pretty pussy.

"I will never get tired of that." Kissing her neck, I swept her hair aside, giving her a little lick. I was almost ready to go again. I wanted to fuck her forever. Keep my cock in her warm heat. My phone was buzzing with a text on the counter. If it was Maxim again, he could go to hell. I was going to stay right here.

Laughing, Hollis turned to look at me, making no sign of moving. "I hope not. I do need to clean up and finish this before Olive gets home, though."

Running my hands over her curves, the dip of her waist, and her hips, I pulled out with a sigh when my phone buzzed again. Tucking myself back into my jeans, I gave her ass a little slap enjoying the sight of her pussy and the come dripping out of it. Next time, I'd make sure to have a little more time. Pressing my lips to hers, I sucked her tongue into my mouth, nibbling at it.

"Fuck, I love you Hollis. Go clean up before I fuck you again." She stared at me wide-eyed, surprised. She hurried away without a word, but I didn't mind. I didn't need her to say it back. Her actions spoke louder than anything .

Turning my phone over, I expected to see another message from Maxim, but to my surprise, it was from Maddox.

Maddox: I need you back here ASAP. The shit is hitting the fan over in Morinrock. The police are all over the Cobras. When can you get back?

Well, fuck me. Looking over at the boxes, I scrubbed a hand over my skull. My hands flew over the keyboard.

Me: I could be there tomorrow if it's an emergency. I'll have Hollis and Olive with me.

Maddox: I'm sorry, man, but if you can be here tomorrow, I'll make it up to you. I need you here.

Helena: Maddox says you're bringing Hollis and Olive? Do you need me to set up your guest room for Olive? How old is she? This is exciting. I'm excited. When do you get here? I can't wait to meet them.

Me: That'd be great, H. She loves yellow. Get her some yellow shit. And sunflowers - she loves sunflowers. She's nine.

Looking forward to being home. Hope that man of yours hasn't been too much of a dick, but that's probably too much to ask for.

Maddox: Stop texting my girl. You have your own.

Me: Fuck off.