5. Dimitri

5

DIMITRI

I can’t believe I’m actually getting married. Granted, it’s a fake marriage, but still. I never thought it would actually happen for me. I’ve not exactly got a stellar track record when it comes to women, and for good reason.

I prefer to keep my distance. It’s better for everyone involved.

Alexei will be pissed when he learns of our engagement, but I don’t care. If he wants to spring a betrothal on me and expect me to roll over and accept it, then he doesn’t know me at all.

He’s giving me no choice. There is no way in hell I’m going to marry Lucia Conti. I don’t care if it’s in the best interest of our family, I just won’t do it.

It might make me a selfish prick for dragging Zara into this mess in order to give me an out, but she will be using me just as much as I’ll be using her.

Granted, linking her to the Koslovs brings a new sort of threat, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. If Alexei and Bianca can make it work, then so can Zara and I .

If it means not having to marry Lucia Conti, then it’s worth it.

The next step is announcing our engagement to our families.

I meet Zara after work on Monday for a drink at the Russian Tea Rooms to discuss a plan.

Alexei has been blowing my phone up all day, demanding to talk through this arrangement with Massimo Conti, but I’ve silenced all of his calls.

His name flashing on my phone is a reminder that I’m running out of time. I only hope that Zara hasn’t changed her mind in the two days since we made our deal.

If she backs out, I don’t have a plan B.

I order us both a drink, and I’m almost finished with my vodka by the time Zara arrives. I’ve chosen a private booth toward the back of the restaurant, away from any prying ears.

“Have you been waiting long?”

She looks stunning in a dark green dress to match her eyes, her long, blonde hair in loose waves around her shoulders. Her cheeks are flushed, and she’s breathing heavily as if she’s run here.

I clear my throat and offer her an easy smile.

“Not long at all.”

She slides into the booth opposite, setting her purse down on the table.

I slide the vodka martini toward her.

“Figured you might need one.”

“You have no idea…” She lifts the frosted glass to her lips, taking a long sip.

“How bad was it today?”

Zara shrugs before taking another sip. She’s downplaying this situation with Giovanni. It’s written all over her face.

“Let’s not talk about work.”

I ball my hands into fists beneath the table to stop myself reaching for her.

Zara places her hands on the table in front of her. “We need to discuss how we’re going to announce this.”

“We could just go down to city hall and get it over with.”

Zara’s eyes widen, and I realize that might be a little too quick for her liking.

“Or not.”

“I don’t think your brothers would be too pleased to learn you got married without even telling them.”

“Alexei, yes. Danil and Mikhail? They’d be more annoyed that they didn’t get a chance to throw me a bachelor party.”

“Do you want a bachelor party?”

“My life is one big bachelor party,” I joke.

“You’re a pig.” She scoffs.

“Just being honest, pcholka .”

“What is that you keep calling me?” She frowns.

“ Pcholka ? It means ‘little bee’ because all you do is sting me. And it hurts.” I wink at her.

“Whatever.” She rolls her eyes. Her cheeks flush a beautiful shade of pink. “Well, your bachelor days are about to be behind you. If we’re going to make this convincing, we’re going to need to start acting like a proper couple.”

“If that’s your way of asking for sex…” A smirk tugs at my lips.

“Oh, my god…” She groans, running her hands through her hair, but amusement flickers in her eyes.

There’s the Zara I know.

“I’ m sorry, you walked right into that one.” I chuckle.

“Be serious for a moment, Dimitri.”

I let out a breath and move to rest my hands on the table. “Why don’t you invite your family over to our penthouse, and we can throw a little engagement party.”

“I told you, I want to keep this a secret from my family.”

“They’ll find out eventually, Zara. Might as well rip off the band-aid.” I take a sip of my vodka. “Plus, it’ll make this seem more believable if your family is there.”

“My father can be a difficult man, and he’s ridiculously overprotective. If he finds out about our marriage…” Zara shudders, and I almost laugh at her lack of faith in me.

I’ve taken down Mario Gilanto for fuck’s sake, I think I can manage an overbearing father.

She shakes her head. “The less my parents know about all of this, the better.”

“If that’s what you want.” I shrug. “I just hate the idea of you having to lie to your family because of this.”

“I could always tell my sister… She’s pretty good at keeping secrets from our parents. That way I’m not lying to everyone .”

“I think that sounds like a great idea.”

Zara bites her lip, a crease forming between her eyebrows.

I frown. “What is it?”

She glances up at me under her lashes, her green eyes filled with sorrow.

“You’ll have to lie to your family too.”

“It’s a small price to pay, Zara.”

“Maybe we should just come clean and tell your brothers the truth. Maybe if we explain the situation, Alexei would understand.”

I huff a laugh.

“If my brother learns the truth, I have no doubt that he would chop off my dick and send it first class to Massimo himself as an apology.”

I don’t miss the way her cheeks heat at the mention of my cock. I shift in my seat as I try not to think about Zara getting turned on.

I need to focus.

“Alexei’s not giving me much time. The sooner we announce our engagement, the better.”

“How soon?”

“This weekend.”

Zara lets out a long breath, her eyes looking anywhere but at me.

“If you’re having second thoughts…” I try to not think about the alternative, but I can’t force Zara into this. At the end of the day, it’s her decision.

“N-no, this weekend is fine. It’s just… I hate the idea of having to lie to Bianca. She’s my best friend. And that’s if she even buys the lie. I mean, I’ve not even mentioned that we’ve been dating, and now I expect her to believe we’re getting married?” She shakes her head, a nervous laugh falling from her lips.

“We just need to make sure to put on one hell of a show, and you’ll soon forget that we’re lying and that I’m not actually your fiancé.” I flash her a wink.

“What if we go through all of this, and it still doesn’t work? What if Giovanni…” Her voice cracks, and she looks down.

“Look at me, Zara.” I reach across the table and take her hand.

Her eyes flick to mine, and she takes her lower lip between her teeth.

I squeeze her hand once. “Trust me. This is going to work.”

“Ok.”

I breathe a sigh of relief as I let go of her hand. “So, that’s it? Come Saturday, we’re going to be engaged?”

“Fake engaged.” She narrows her eyes, her lips twitching. “Don’t go getting any ideas. Unless you want to buy me a ridiculously expensive diamond ring?”

“I’ll buy you whatever you want, pcholka .”

When my family get over to our penthouse on the Upper East Side on Saturday afternoon, they think we’re having an impromptu get together as it’s been a while since all my brothers have been in the same room for anything other than business.

Ever since Leo was born, Alexei’s spent most of his time in Forest Hills while he and Bianca adjust to being new parents.

As happy as I am for Alexei, I do miss the days where it was just the four of us.

Zara is arriving separately with her sister, Emily.

I thought it would be better if she had someone from her family here to support her, and according to Zara, Emily is all for not telling her parents stuff, so it was a good compromise.

I’m a ball of nervous energy as I wait for her to arrive.

Bianca has gone down to collect her and Emily from the lobby and bring them both up to the penthouse.

I’m doing my best to seem at ease as I avoid getting dragged away for a private word by Alexei. Thankfully, Leo is being fussy and taking up most of his attention, leaving me to catch up with my two younger brothers.

The moment the elevator doors open, I turn around and watch as Zara steps out into the lounge.

She’s wearing a baby blue sundress, her long hair pulled back into a loose braid. She’s effortlessly stunning, and when she locks eyes with me, and a small smile tugs at her lips, I can’t help but grin back.

“I’ll be right back,” I say to Mikhail and Danil.

I head across the lounge toward Zara, tucking my hands into my pockets to stop myself from reaching for her.

She looks incredible, and I want nothing more than to pull her against me and bury my face in her hair.

Even though we’re going to be married, and we need to act the part of the perfect loved up couple, I need to keep some boundaries between us.

I don’t want to do anything that could cause any lasting damage.

She’s Bianca’s best friend, and Bianca would have my balls if I ever did anything to hurt Zara.

So, as much as I want to make the most of being a fake couple, I decide to keep my hands to myself for the time being.

“Hey.” Zara smiles as I approach.

“You came.”

“Of course, I did.” Her smile broadens.

“She’s here to see me, Dimitri.” Bianca narrows her eyes at me.

“I think Alexei might need some help with the baby.” I offer my sister-in-law a wicked smile, and she rolls her eyes.

“You’re probably right.” Bianca chuckles. “Behave.” She points her finger between Zara and me.

I sneak a glance at Zara, and she’s nibbling on her lower lip again—a tell-tale sign that she’s worried.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me?” My eyes flick to the blonde-haired girl beside her whose eyes look as if they’re about to pop out of her head as she takes in the vast living space.

She’s the spitting image of Zara, with the same blonde hair and green eyes, though she’s a few inches taller.

“Dimitri, this is my little sister Emily.” Zara wraps her arm around her sister’s shoulders.

“Pleasure to meet you.” I hold out my hand.

Emily blushes as she takes my hand, and I flash her a grin.

I gesture inside. “Why don’t we get you both a drink?”

Once the drinks are flowing and everyone has fallen into easy conversation with one another, I approach Zara at the drinks cart.

“We should do it now.” I reach for the bottle of vodka to refresh Zara’s drink. “Before everyone gets too drunk to remember.”

“I feel like I’m going to be sick.” She shakes her head. “This was such a stupid plan.”

“We can do this.” I hand her a drink.

“You’re doing the talking.”

I chuckle under my breath and glance sideways at her. “Ready?”

She lets out a breath before tilting her head back and downing her drink in one. She shudders as she sets the empty glass down on the cart. “Ready.”

I hold out my hand, and Zara slips her fingers through mine before we turn to face the room.

Mikhail and Danil are lounging on the couch on either side of Emily, and Bianca and Alexei have just reappeared after putting Leo down for a nap.

“Everyone!” I call out. “Can I have your attention for a minute?”

All eyes turn to us, and Zara tenses at my side.

I look over to Bianca and Alexei and Bianca’s eyes have narrowed as she takes in our joined hands.

It’s now or never.

“Zara and I have some news.” I lock eyes with Alexei.

He looks pissed as hell, as if he’s already guessed what is about to come out of my mouth.

“We’re getting married.”

The room is deathly silent for a heartbeat before Danil jumps to his feet and fist bumps the air. “Fucking knew it! Mikhail, you owe me a thousand bucks.”

Bianca’s face is a picture of shock, and Alexei looks as if he wants to smash a bottle of vodka over my head.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen my brother so furious.

“What did you just say?” Bianca whispers.

“W-we’re getting married.” Zara seems to fighting herself on whether to run and hide or just drop dead on the spot.

“This is so exciting!” Emily gets to her feet, hurrying over to throw her arms around Zara’s neck.

I let go of Zara and turn my attention to my youngest brothers.

“Cough up, Mikhail!” Danil laughs, rubbing his hands together.

I frown. “What the fuck are you both on about?”

“We took bets on why you called us here.” Mikhail reaches into his pocket, pulling out a wad of twenties. “There was no way we were buying the whole ‘quality time with the family’ bullshit. ”

“You guys are assholes.”

Bianca crosses her arms over her chest. “I didn’t even realize you two were dating…”

I glance over at Zara, and tears are pooling in her eyes.

I shrug. “We didn’t want to say anything until we knew it was serious.”

Alexei folds his arms across his chest. “Well, it doesn’t get much more serious than this.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” Zara says to Bianca. “I didn’t want to upset you.”

“Zara…” Bianca sighs. “You wouldn’t have upset me. I want you to be happy, and if Dimitri makes you happy for some reason…” She looks at me, and a smile tugs at her lips.

“He does make me happy.” Zara glances up at me.

“Then I couldn’t be more thrilled for you both.” Bianca throws her arms around Zara’s neck.

“Really?” My chin is about to hit the floor. “I thought I wasn’t good enough for your bestie?”

“You’re not.” Bianca shoots me a glare. “But at least now we get to officially be sisters!”

“I literally can’t win.” I chuckle.

“Come on, let’s crack open some champagne and celebrate!” Bianca exclaims before ushering Zara and Emily toward the kitchen.

I turn around and pour myself a large vodka, knowing I’m going to need it as Alexei appears beside me.

“Are you sure this isn’t a ploy to get out of marrying Lucia?” Alexei hisses under his breath.

“You really think I would fake a marriage with Zara just to get out of this deal? That’s low even for you, brat .” I lift my drink to my lips and down it in one.

“I didn’t realize you two were even seeing each other. I thought Bianca made it clear that you were to stay away from her best friend.”

“She did, but I chose to ignore her.”

Alexei tenses, and I roll my eyes.

He’s become even more of an overprotective bastard.

“After almost losing her last year, it put things into perspective.” The lie falls easily off my tongue.

“Am I meant to believe that this has been going on all this time?”

“When you see the woman you love lying in a hospital bed…” I let out a breath as images of Zara lying hooked up to machines flood my mind. “Like I said, perspective.”

“I don’t fucking believe you.”

I turn around to face Alexei. “You don’t have to.”

“Announcing an engagement to Zara barely a week after I asked you to marry Lucia… It all seems a little too convenient.”

“You can think whatever you want, brat, but you asking me to marry Lucia was the final push I needed to make things official with Zara. I knew from the moment I met her that I wanted her to be my wife. I was just waiting for the right time to pop the question.”

“How did you pop the question?”

I whirl around to see Bianca strolling toward us holding a bottle of champagne.

Emily follows with the glasses. “Ooh! I want to hear this too!”

I look at Zara who’s standing in the doorway to the kitchen, her face pale as she glances anxiously around at all of us.

“I haven’t technically asked her yet.”

“What do you mean?” Bianca frowns. “You just said you were getting married. ”

“If you must know, I was waiting to officially ask her in front of our family.” I reach into my pocket, pulling out a blue velvet ring box.

“Oh, my god,” Zara whispers, her eyes going wide as I walk over to her and slowly lower myself to one knee.

“Zara Mullens, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”