by I. T. Lucas
“I am.” Ella opened the door.
He’d changed into riding clothes as well, and she had to admit that he looked good in them. For an old dude. The hat covered his thinning hair, and the tight pants showed off his muscular thighs.
He noticed her looking him over and smirked. “Come on, Ella. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
“Let’s.” For some inexplicable reason, she wanted to impress him with how quickly she’d learned to ride.
In the stables, her mare was ready for her, looking small and plain next to Dimitri’s magnificent stallion. As the groom helped her onto Mariana, Dimitri mounted his horse with ease.
“What’s his name?” she asked as the groom led her mare out of the stables.
“Grom, which means thunder.”
“Is it because he’s fast?”
“Yes.”
“Can you show me?”
Dimitri glanced back at the five bodyguards who’d followed them out on horseback. “I’d rather not. Today is about you. I want to see your progress.”
Seeing Dimitri’s perfect posture and the ease with which he was handling his horse, Ella lost confidence. She was only a beginner who’d learned the basic commands and could ride a mare that didn't need to be told what to do.
“Have you been riding long?” She trotted alongside him.
“Since I was a little boy.”
“It shows. You look so natural up there.” His horse was much taller than hers.
“You look good too. Not bad after only two lessons.”
His praise made her feel a little better. “It’s easy with a horse like Mariana.” She patted the mare’s back. “She just knows what to do.”
“That too.”
For the next hour or so, they trotted at a leisurely pace, circling the mansion and then going down to the lake and following the shoreline. When it started getting dark, Dimitri signaled his bodyguards to head back to the stables.
“I hope you had a nice day.” He helped her down, hugging her to him briefly before letting her boots touch the ground.
“Yes, thank you.”
He took her hand. “How is your appetite? Are you ready for dinner?”
“Oh, no. I’m still stuffed. Can we eat later?”
He glanced at his watch. “There are some phone calls I need to make, and I thought of doing it after dinner, but I can do it before.”
“That would be great. While you make your calls, I can take a shower. I feel sticky.”
Dimitri still held her hand as they climbed the stairs to the second floor.
“Can you be done in an hour?” he asked at the door to the master bedroom.
“I think so.”
He kissed her cheek. “I enjoyed spending time with you, Ella.”
“Me too. I mean spending time with you. And I’m looking forward to doing so in Dubai. By the way, when are we leaving tomorrow?”
“Around three in the afternoon. Why?”
She shrugged. “I just want to know how to plan my day. Do I need to pack anything? Or is it going to be done for me? Because, frankly, I don’t need to take the entire wardrobe with me wherever we go. Some of it could stay here.”
He kissed her cheek again. “Everything will be taken care of. The only thing you need to do is choose the outfit you want to wear for the flight.”
The first thing Ella did when she entered the bathroom was to turn the water on in the tub. The second was to open a channel to her mother.
Mom, are you awake?
Since five o'clock in the morning. How are you doing?
I’m doing great. Dimitri took me out on the lake, and he even rowed the boat. After that, we went horseback riding. He’s really making an effort for this to work between us. Not that he’s going to change my mind about wanting out, but I appreciate the effort. How about you? What are you doing awake so early in the morning?
I’m cleaning. Magnus is moving us to a new location, and I want to leave the place as spotless as I found it.
Ella chuckled. Are you nervous about moving?
How did you know?
You always go into a cleaning frenzy when you’re stressed. But why the sudden move?
It’s not healthy for Parker in here. We want him to breathe fresh air and be in the sun.
Ella didn’t miss the we instead of I, or how excited her mother sounded.
What’s going on, Mom? You sound both stressed and happy.
I have some great news. But it will have to wait for after you are rescued. I can’t tell you now.
Why not?
I just can’t. I wish I could, but I can’t. Magnus insists on secrecy.
What could it be? Her mother had already admitted to having a relationship with Magnus. Could she be pregnant?
Are you pregnant, Mom?
What? No! Of course not. What gave you that idea?
Oh, nothing. It's just the first thing that popped into my head.
Regrettably, her mother knew her too well. Is there something you need to tell me, Ella?
Yes. We are leaving for Dubai tomorrow at three in the afternoon. I don’t know if it’s important for the rescue team to know the exact time or not, but I figured the more information I could give them, the better.
I’ll let Turner know. Anything else?
No, that’s it. I have to go, Mom. Dimitri is expecting me in the dining room in half an hour, and I still need to shower and change. I smell of horses.
Okay, sweetheart. Talk to me soon.
I will.
33
Turner
In the hotel’s executive lounge, Turner opened his yellow pad and wrote down his impressions from the first completed mission on the East Coast.
The operation had gone smoothly, but there had been some differences in execution due to the density of housing in Brooklyn.
First of all, they couldn’t torch the place once they were done, which meant that someone else would take over soon and business would continue as usual.
There was no way to eliminate the trade, but they were doing their best to make it more difficult for it to continue in the territories they were cleaning up. Finding a new place was time-consuming and costly, which slowed things down, and often prompted the operators to move elsewhere.
He had to come up with a different strategy for making the vacated locations inoperable.
The other variation was the rescued girls.
Because Turner wasn’t usually taking part in the missions, only planning them, he didn’t have to deal with the victims, a task he was ill equipped for. This time had been no different in that regard, but after the rescue the victims had been brought to the hotel, which meant he’d had to be there and receive them.
Thankfully, Yamanu had stepped in and done a great job calming the frightened girls.
What an asset the guy was.
Turner had no problem with Yamanu’s reluctance to actively participate in the more mundane rescue missions. His talents were needed elsewhere and should not be squandered on activities that could be handled by other Guardians.
“I spoke with Vanessa,” Julian said. “The new girls arrived safely and are already settled.”
“Glad to hear that.”
That was another difference. They’d had to load the rescued girls onto the clan’s jet and send them to California. Going through the airport with a bunch of traumatized young women would’ve been impossible without Yamanu and his incredible shrouding ability. Again, his help had been invaluable.
“Vanesa says she’s running out of space.”
Turner lifted his head. “That’s an issue she should raise with Kian. I can’t help her with that.”
“She had an idea. Many of the girls stay on for a long time, much longer than she originally anticipated, and that’s why there is no room. She doesn't want to pressure anyone to leave, but she says that those who are doing well could be moved to another location that is more self-sufficient. It should be somewhere in the city where they
’ll have easier access to jobs, and maybe even venture out to start socializing a little.”
“Again. That’s something she needs to discuss with Kian.”
“I’m just thinking out loud. We can open another location in Los Angeles, but we will need to staff it. I’m trying to come up with a way to motivate more clan members to volunteer their time there. You know that money is tight.”
Turner considered himself a smart man, but he was aware of his empathic deficiency. It had taken Julian’s persistence to finally make him realize what this was all about.
Julian was not seeking his advice as the team’s leader, or even the head of operations. He was seeking his advice as someone close to him, the same way he would’ve consulted his mother.
Turner had a good relationship with Julian, but it was more cordial than familiar. They weren’t close. Up until this mission, they hadn’t spent much time together.
Turner took the blame for that. His emotional intelligence was subpar, probably because his brain synapses specialized in analytical thinking. There was very little room left for anything else.
Nevertheless, his emotional deficiency didn’t mean he couldn't offer Julian help. On the contrary. His analytical skills would be much more valuable in this case.
“The solution to this is simple. Kian needs to incentivize volunteering.”
“How?”
Turner put the pad down and leaned back in his chair. “Right now every clan member receives a share in the clan’s profits regardless of their contribution. They can sit on their asses, do nothing, and still live comfortably if not lavishly.”
“He can’t take it away. That’s the way it always has been since the Clan Mother pooled everyone’s resources and started acquiring income-producing assets.”
Turner smiled. “I’m not talking about taking it away. I’m talking about conditioning it on a predetermined amount of volunteering.”
“What about those who work for the clan or outside of it?”
“Same thing. Those who work for the clan or independently receive compensation for their work, which is usually greater than their passive share in the profits. If they want to keep receiving their share, they will need to volunteer.”
“What about those that are earning low wages? Volunteering their time could impact them financially.”
Turner waved a hand. “Exceptions can be dealt with on an individual basis.”
“Guardians give up their vacation days when needed,” Arwel said. “I don’t see why other clan members can’t do this as well.”
Julian turned around to look at the Guardian. “So you think this might work?”
Arwel shrugged. “Not everyone is going to be happy about it, that’s for sure. But after a while, they’ll get used to it. And who knows? Maybe volunteering will make them feel good.”
“I think it’s a good idea,” Yamanu said. “I wouldn’t mind volunteering in a half-way house. But I’m not sure what I can do for the girls.”
“You can organize a karaoke night,” Arwel suggested. “You have a great singing voice.”
“He’ll put them all to sleep,” one of the other Guardians said.
There was something to that. Yamanu’s voice had a hypnotic quality to it. Whenever he spoke, it was like a blanket of calm descending on whoever was listening, and it wasn’t limited to humans. The effect wasn’t as strong on immortals, but even Turner could feel it.
“Sleep is good,” Yamanu said. “And I can induce pleasant dreams.”
“I didn’t know you could do that,” Julian said.
“I’m a man of many talents.”
Arwel pushed to his feet and stretched. “I’ll be in accounting if anyone needs me.”
Ever since they’d gotten back to the hotel, Arwel’s drinking had been limited to a shot or two in the evening. Apparently, whoever he was seeing in accounting had a better effect on him than booze.
“Tell us the truth, Arwel,” Julian said. “Did you find a lady friend in Ragnar’s accounting department?”
Looking uncomfortable, Arwel ignored the question and headed for the door.
“Oh, come on, Arwel,” Julian called after him. “You can tell us.”
Arwel paused with his hand on the door handle and looked over his shoulder. “There is this girl with a very tranquil mind. But there is nothing romantic going on between us. I just sit there and help her stuff envelopes.”
“Why don’t you ask her on a date?” Yamanu asked.
“Because we have missions scheduled every night.”
“I can take your place on one,” Yamanu offered. “Ask her out.”
As everyone turned to look at Yamanu, Turner shook his head. “Your looks are too distinctive to blend in.”
“I can braid my hair and put sunglasses on like I did for the Russian restaurant. People will think I’m a rapper or a basketball player.”
Turner had to admit that it was a good cover. “What about your thralling? You said you needed to conserve your energy for the big mission.”
“I’m not going to use it. In fact, I’m in the mood for some good old-fashioned ass whupping.”
34
Ella
Dimitri had been very affectionate toward her all day long, but he was outdoing himself at dinner. So much so that Ella was starting to get suspicious.
“You look beautiful tonight,” he said for the third time in an hour. “Thank you for putting effort into looking good for me.”
“I’m glad you like my dress.” All she’d done was wear a dress she hadn’t worn before and high heels, which she’d done every evening for dinner. Did the little mascara she’d applied to her lashes make so much difference?
Ella doubted it.
“I like everything about you.” Dimitri lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it.
She’d lost count of how many times he’d done that too throughout the day.
“Starting with your beauty and continuing with your intelligence and your kindness. I’m a very lucky man.” Dimitri smiled.
He was doing that a lot too, which frankly was freaking her out. Gorchenco was a serious man, a mafia boss, and all those sugary smiles were making her nervous.
He’d already told her that he intended to get her pregnant. What else could he be softening her up for?
“Would you like more wine?” He lifted the bottle.
“Sure.” She pushed the glass closer to him. “It’s very good.”
It always made him happy when she complimented his wines.
“From the ones you’ve tried, which one is your favorite?”
Busted. Since it wasn’t important to her, she hadn’t taken notes. “They are all so good that it’s hard to pick one. I like them all.”
He nodded. “In time, you’ll learn to note the slight differences.”
“I hope so. I feel bad about drinking such expensive wines and not being able to say anything intelligent about them. Is there literature on the subject?”
“There is. But that’s not the way to learn.” He lifted the glass and sniffed. “Take this wine for instance. It has a tobacco undertone. Can you smell it?”
She lifted the glass to her nose. Now that he mentioned it, there was a slight tobacco scent to it. “Yeah, you’re right. I can smell it.”
Dimitri smiled and then dove into a long lecture about the body of the wine, its crispiness, its intensity, and so on.
Stifling a yawn, Ella tried to appear interested. His long tirade was achieving at least one thing. It was calming her. He only stopped when the last course was done, and the staff served coffee and dessert.
Ella waited for the girl to fill her cup, thanked her, and took a long sip, savoring the taste. It was so much better than Dimitri’s expensive wines.
Leaning back in his chair, he took his porcelain cup with him. “I can see that you’re tired.”
“It was a long day. Lovely, but tiring.”
“The day is not over yet.” Dimitri reached in
to his suit pocket and pulled out a little box.
No way. Is he going to propose?
“While I was away, I’ve given it a lot of thought and decided that I want to marry you before you get pregnant. My mother, who was a devout woman, would not have approved of my child being conceived out of wedlock.”
Flipping the lid open, he revealed the biggest freaking diamond Ella had ever seen. “Would you be my wife, Ella?”
God Almighty in heaven. What was she supposed to say?
She couldn’t say no, but she couldn’t say yes either. Instead, she gaped at the ring.
Dimitri chuckled. “I see that I’ve finally managed to impress you with something other than my medical degree. Makes it worth the small fortune I paid for this.” He reached for her hand. “I’ll take your stunned silence as a yes.” He put the ring on her finger. “It looks good on you.”
She wasn’t going to keep it, but there was no harm in taking a better look. Lifting her hand, she examined the colossal diamond, letting the light from the chandelier hit it from this and that angle.
“Now I’m doubly glad for Misha’s protection. This thing could finance a revolution.”
Dimitri laughed. “I’m glad you’ve recovered your voice as well as your sense of humor.”
She hadn’t meant it as a joke.
“I’ve already arranged with the priest to stop by tomorrow morning. We will wed before departing for Dubai.”
Ella felt her eyes bugging out. “Tomorrow?” she croaked. He’d given her a bomb as a present with the fuse already lit.
Reaching for her hand, Dimitri kissed it again. “I want to put a baby inside you as soon as possible, and I don’t want to worry about us not being married yet.”
“I don’t have a dress.” She blurted out the first thing that came to her mind. “I can’t be a bride without a white dress.”
Dimitri laughed, a deep belly laugh that shook his body and reverberated through her hand, which he was still holding. “Haven’t you learned yet? Do you think I would forget an important detail like that? Your dress will be delivered early tomorrow morning.”
“What if it needs alterations?”