Chapter 9 - Dahlia

Stopping in my tracks as I was heading down, I listened. Konstantin and Mila were having a heated conversation at the bottom of the stairs. I found myself smiling with an odd satisfaction, hearing them fight.

Shaking my head, I berated myself. This situation was impossible and surely not funny. If Konstantin was right about those men being Bratva, I now had no options. I would have to stay until they had forgotten about me or moved on to someone else.

Deciding this would be the safest place for me and my baby, I would stay. Turning, I headed back to the room before anyone saw me. I was standing by the window when Konstantin returned. He calmly walked to me and handed me my tea.

"Thank you," I said, taking the cup. "Can I call my cousin to let him know I'm okay?" I added as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

Konstantin studied me for a moment before he replied. "Sure, when you're done, I can show you around. I will also send someone to collect your things at home if you want."

I nodded and looked out the window. In the distance, I could see the city. Once we were done, we headed down together. After breakfast, Konstantin showed me around. We started inside the mansion. It was a magnificent place. It boasted many rooms, libraries, practice rooms, and more.

We strolled through the vast garden, passed the pool area, and explored some of the surrounding woods. There was a sauna room and an outside jacuzzi. Plus, there was a magical-looking gazebo surrounded by the widest selection of flowers I had ever seen.

After lunch, Konstantin went out. Sitting on the couch in the room with the sun heating me as the rays fell on me, I called my cousin. "Aleksandr," I said as he answered.

As he spoke, I could hear the worry in his voice. "Dahlia, I've been worried. Where are you? Are you okay? I couldn't get hold of you."

"I'm fine. You worry too much. I'm calling to let you know I got a job and won't be able to assist at the company anymore."

There was a strange silence before he replied. "Oh, okay, what's the company's name?"

This was an awkward question and one I couldn't answer as I never caught the name. "Oh, I only went for the interview yesterday. I'll let you know once I've received my contract. It should be later today." I hoped Aleksandr wouldn't hear the deception in my tone. I didn't want to involve him in the mess I found myself in. I was sure he had nothing to do with it. I didn't want him to worry about me.

"Are you sure, Dahlia?" he inquired. I could hear some concern still present in his tone.

"Yes," I replied, trying to sound excited and upbeat. "I'll be fine. I have to go, but I will call you again. Have a great day, Aleksandr." I waited for him to say goodbye and ended the call before he could come up with other questions.

I pulled my feet onto the couch and relaxed as the sun baked me. At some point, I must have fallen asleep. I heard Konstantin's voice, yet it sounded far away. Feeling a hand on my shoulder, I jumped as I woke.

Looking around, I saw Konstantin smiling at me. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Were you dreaming?"

I wasn't sure; it felt like it, but I couldn't remember. I shook my head, clearing the fog. "I'm good, thanks," I said, rising from the couch.

"You ready to meet the family?" Konstantin asked, sounding excited. "Oh, and I placed your things in the bathroom that my men brought."

"Thank you, Konstantin. Can I take a quick shower or bath before we go down?" I asked, heading to the bathroom.

"Sure thing, sugar," I heard him saying as I closed the door.

I decided to wear a tracksuit as I wasn't sure what their dinner wear would be. I always felt comfortable in my tracksuits and longed for comfort. My life had turned upside down in less than a week. I needed some normality.

Konstantin was seated on the edge of the bed as I returned to the room. "Alright," he said, standing. "You look nice. Ready?"

He held out his hand to me. I nodded and placed mine in his. Heading down, I felt nervous. I didn't know what to expect, but I was sure things wouldn't work out if the rest of his family was like Mila.

As we entered the room, the family rose. "This is Piotr," Konstantin said as the man held out his hand. He had long hair tied in a ponytail and intense grey eyes. I noticed the tattoo running up his arm as we shook.

"Welcome," Piotr said.

The petite, curvy, dark-haired woman stepped to his side. "This is Alyssa, Piotr's wife," Konstantin added as the woman smiled and hugged me.

"Good to meet you," Alyssa said, pulling back.

They seemed very different from Mila. I wondered about the family dynamics. Mila was seated on the other side of the table. "You've met Mila," Konstantin added as he pulled out a chair for me.

"Thank you," I said as I sat down. Piotr sat at the head of the table with Mila on one side and Alyssa on the other. "Glad to meet you," I added, smiling at Piotr and Alyssa. Konstantin sat down next to me, grinning.

The three had no similar traits, and once again, my mind wandered. Halfway through the meal, I cleared my throat and spoke up. "May I ask how you are related? It's just…"

Before I could finish, Konstantin interrupted. "We don't look alike, right?"

Smiling at him, I nodded.

"We're not," Piotr added. "We grew up together in an orphanage. As we aged out, we took care of each other."

"Yes, then we decided to start our own family and changed our last names,, taking on one for us all." Konstantin chipped in.

"You'll still meet Leon, our other brother," Piotr added. "He is also married. They decided to get their own place and moved out. I'm sure Konstantin and Mila would most likely also do that someday," he finished smiling at the other two.

"Say, why don't you come to the office with Konstantin tomorrow then you can meet Leon and Cindy?" Alyssa added.

"Great idea," Konstantin replied, squeezing my hand.

The calm atmosphere was broken as Mila rose abruptly. She started clearing the table but didn't say anything. Alyssa rose and started helping, so I followed. Once the table was cleared and the dishes rinsed and packed, we all headed to the veranda. We had a last cup before heading to bed.

Konstantin slept on the couch as he had done the previous evening. I found this very noble and intriguing. It was nice to meet a man that respected a woman.

We rose early the next morning. Konstantin was in a rush as he had a meeting. So, we skipped breakfast with the family. We stopped for coffee and muffins on our way to the office. He introduced me to the receptionist and some of the other staff before leaving me in his office.

After finishing my breakfast, I decided to explore a little. It's been more than an hour since Konstantin left for his meeting. I noticed the conference room was empty and wondered where he went. Strolling through the hallways, I read the names on the doors.

There was an office for Piotr and one for Leon. I passed a breakroom, kitchen, and men's and ladies' restrooms. I found a door leading to a stairway at the end of the second hallway. Just inside the door were two signboards.

One pointed up and read, ‘Roof Access.' The sign pointing down read ‘Practice Rooms.' I found this intriguing and decided to head down. Curious, I had to see what they meant.

I felt my heart racing as I descended. I hoped I wasn't intruding and didn't want any trouble. But no one expressed any areas that were off limits. When I finally reached the bottom, I looked up. There were a lot of stairs, and I felt sure I was on the bottom floor.

My first time here, I saw that the first and second floors held offices for other businesses. However, seeing that the stairs went down the side of the building, I was positive that this section was still part of their business.

There were only two small lights, and the hallway was darker than any of the others. It appeared there was a light shining from the wall further down. I could make out three or four doors to the sides of the hallway. As I moved forward, I kept looking back, expecting someone to jump out at me at any moment. But no one did.

Glancing through the window, the first room was dark and appeared empty. I now knew the light I saw shining through the wall had to be a window to one of the other rooms, and it was the only one on. Thus, it had to be the only room currently being used.

I moved slowly and quietly towards the light. Peeking around the side of the window, I saw Konstantin. He was standing at a long table with his back to me. Before him on the table appeared to be a variety of weapons. As my eyes traveled across the table, I noticed that one side held a variety of guns, and on the other end were knives.

He had changed his clothing at some point. He was wearing black tracksuit pants and no shirt. Konstantin suddenly turned sideways, throwing a small knife at a board to the side of the room. His powerful chest glistened in the light. I noticed his muscles tense and release with every throw.

I couldn't pull myself away. I felt entranced by his masculinity. His form was perfect. As I watched him, I felt a stir in my stomach and smiled at my reflection in the window. He moved so effortlessly, switching to what looked like a sword. He rolled forward and stabbed at the board with one fluent movement as he came up.

As he turned, I moved back from the window. My heart was beating strongly as desire filled my veins. I had to get out before he saw me. Creeping, I started back towards the stairs. It felt like I was suddenly boiling as my body heated up.

Shaking my head, I reprimanded myself for feeling so turned on by him. I had barely taken ten steps when the door behind me swung open. It collided with the wall. I stopped in my tracks as the loud ‘bang' echoed through the hallway.

Turning slowly, I saw Konstantin standing in the light of the open door. "Hi, there," he said, grinning. "What to come in?"

I knew I was blushing from being caught and was glad I was standing in the dark. "Hi," I replied, swallowing the lump threatening to block my throat.

"Come in, and I'll show you a couple of things. I could teach you how to use some weapons if you want?"

I considered it and decided it could be a good thing. It could come in handy should I ever get in a situation like before. Nodding, I followed him into the room.

The floor was covered in thin foam-like mats. To the right, the side I couldn't see peeking around the window were what looked like life-size dolls. To the back, the long table with weapons, and to the left, different sized boards.

Following Konstantin to the table, I couldn't stop my mind from wandering. The lines on his back forming his muscles were inviting. It was like his body was screaming at me to touch it.

He stopped at the table, turned, and studied me for a moment. Turning back, he picked up a knife. He held it out to me with the handle towards me and the tip pointing to him. Stepping forward, I took the knife from him. It was heavier than I thought.

He stepped in behind me as my hand lowered from the unexpected feel of holding a weapon. I knew it was only a knife. But in my mind, it was more. I had never even squished a bug, let alone hurt another person.

Konstantin lifted my arm and wrapped his hand around mine. I felt his breath tenderly touching my ear, sending shivers through me. His chest was firm and hot against my back.

I fought the urge to turn in his arms and kiss him. For a second, my mind was all over the place. Taking a slow, deep breath, I calmed my twisting insides and tried to concentrate.