“Well, shit.”
She pointed at him.
“Language, little man. Your dad doesn’t talk like that in front of the ladies. You know better, right?” she said, pointing at Petra.
“Okay.”
She slid him a bowl of cereal.
“Anything else?”
“Bourbon is good.”
She actually laughed out loud at the absurdity of that coming from him.
“Would you like a cigar, too, my lord?” she teased in a fake British accent.
“Well, since you asked…”
“Kiddo, I have some bad news for you. You are NOT getting me to liquor you up. You have to be this tall to get on that ride,” she said, holding her hand about a foot over her head.
He grinned.
“I like you. You’re a smart ass.”
“I like you, too, now eat your cereal.”
Sam did as she asked.
From the hallway, he listened.
Dimitri had felt her get out of bed. He’d slept shittily, but that was only because each time she moved, her glorious ass brushed his awakening dick.
What was a guy to do?
So they made love.
It astounded him. He was able to have sex three times and she let him keep touching her. That was a new thing for him. Babe on demand.
Christ!
He’d sounded like Sam.
When Petra came into the room, he was about to handle the situation, but she went to Poppy’s side of the bed. He’d been curious as to what she’d do.
Would she ignore her?
Pretend to be asleep?
Wake him?
Instead, she got up, and that caught him off guard. So, he waited for her to leave before he got dressed. Then Sam had been up, and he had to wait again.
Now he found them in the kitchen, and she was feeding them breakfast.
Without being prompted.
It was motherly in a way. Petra was actually eating, and she was handling Sam. He was the hard one. He was vocal, stubborn, and he said what he was thinking.
He was fascinated.
“Are you moving in?” Sam asked. “You know, bunking here with our dad?”
Poppy made some coffee.
“I wasn’t planning on it. I have my own place. We just got back late last night, and I stayed.”
“Did you have sex with my dad?”
She stopped and turned around.
“Okay, kiddo, here’s the deal. We both know I did. You’re smart, and you see I’m wearing his shirt, so why don’t we get past the question and answer game where you ask, I allude, and get to it.”
“Do you like him?”
“Yep. A lot.”
“Why? Cuz he’s loaded?”
She laughed.
“Uh, that actually horrifies me. In fact, I wish he wasn’t loaded. I wish he was a broke ass guy like myself.”
Sam looked at her.
“Why? I’ve been broke. This is better.”
“Well, because when a woman hooks up with a sexy man like your father, and he’s wealthy, they think the woman wants his money.”
“And you don’t?”
“No, I want him. So, if you have any pull, ask him if he can give it away.”
Sam laughed. “You’re a weirdo.”
“You don’t say?” she asked, pouring some coffee. “Petra, are you done?” she asked.
She didn’t reply.
“Okay, let’s try this. More?” she held out the box of cereal.
The girl shook her head and looked disinterested.
Well, that answered that.
She looked at Sam, and he was watching her like she was going to lift the family silverware. It was funny as hell.
“Are you both allowed to watch TV before school?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Oh, Sam, you just lied to me. I can tell.”
He stared at her.
“How?”
She smiled at him as she leaned on her elbows on the counter.
“Hello, little man. I’m a cop. Remember me? Do we need to keep doing this introduction?”
He laughed.
“You’re still a smoking hot babe. My dad got lucky when he found you.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment, Sam.”
He winked at her.
“Go brush your teeth, take your sister, and both of you get ready. You have school, I’m sure.”
“Tutors.”
“Even better. School in your PJ’s. You’re spoiled. Enjoy it. I had to walk uphill both ways in the snow to get to school. When I got there, we didn’t have computers. We used abacuses.”
“What’s that?”
“Google it.”
He actually did.
It made Poppy laugh.
“Holy shit! You’re old, babe. You really used an abacus?” he asked, not sure what to believe.
“Yes, and I have a bridge for you, too, Mr. Mini-Gideon.”
Sam laughed and ate the rest of his cereal in about three bites, and then got ready to go do what she asked.
When he jumped down, she stopped him.
“Whoa, stud. Back up.”
“What?” he asked.
“One, you forgot your sister. Ladies before gentlemen. Learn it. It will help you when you’re dating, and the babes are lining up.”
He grinned.
“I am a sexy beast.”
She didn’t smile.
“Candy bar.”
“What?”
“When I came in here, there were three candy bars on this counter. There are now two. Now, I didn’t have tutors, slick, but I’m going to postulate that you have one of those absconded candy bars on your person.”
“No, I don’t.”
She came around the corner.
“Hands on the counter. Spread the legs, and be ready for the pat down.”
He pulled it out of his pocket.
“Cops. They suck. They suck worse when they’re hot. You forget they’re mean.”
She took the candy bar.
“There was enough sugar in that cereal to power a turbine for a week. Teeth matter. I have horror stories about vagrants with no teeth.”
That piqued his interest.
“Will you tell me?”
“I can show you gross photos, but only if you get ready for your tutors.”
He dragged Petra away.
She went back around the corner and sipped her coffee. Then she laughed.
How could she not?
She was in love with a man who had kids.
That was some funny shit.
He hid as the kids raced by. He followed them as they brushed their teeth.
“Wow, this is new,” he said. “Normally, I have to threaten to take away video games to get you to do this before school.”
“The babe runs a mean ship.”
Dimitri laughed.
“Does she now?”
“Marry her.”
“Pardon?”
“Don’t tell her I said this, but I like her. She’s funny. She’s also a good person. I’ve been in enough foster homes to know when a babe is lying.”
“She’s not?”
“No, but when she tells you to give your money away, please laugh and say no. That’s some crazy shit.”
“Language.”
He rolled his eyes.
Oh, he’d seen and heard it all. Dimitri was well aware that his money made her uncomfortable, and he was well aware of what poor and struggling felt like.
On this one, he agreed with Sam.
Poor did suck.
He wasn’t giving his money away.
“Get your school work started. I’ll go see what I can do about the babe part.”
He headed back down the hall. In the kitchen, he found her watching the news. When she saw him, she poured him a cup of coffee.
“Morning.”
He took the coffee but pulled her into his body instead. His mouth found hers, and s
he melted into him.
The kiss was hot.
When he finally set her free, he stared into her eyes. “I missed you in bed.”
“Petra was hungry.”
“How’d that go? She won’t eat for me. Emma is the only one, or Heath, who can get her to eat.”
“She and I shared some, and then she was good. For the record, about Sam…”
“Yes?”
“He’s got sticky fingers. Watch your silverware. That boy is slick as spit, just like…oh, look. His father.”
He laughed.
“He’s trying to be like us. Natasha was the master thief. He’s trying to fill her role in the family business. He lifts things all the time, but they magically come back. Good call on the candy though. That doesn’t come back. Ever.”
She didn’t say anything.
Yet, her face said it all.
“Does that upset you?” he asked, waiting for her to find something wrong with his family.
“Well, Kat is the one who breaks in, Natasha was the thief, and I know what you’re good at. I just pictured you seducing women to do a job, and I didn’t like it.”
He thought she was going to say killing. What Dimitri appreciated was that Poppy was having open communication with him. It bothered her, and she didn’t pretend.
Before he could say anything, she continued.
“It made me really jealous. I think I’ll avoid watching you work.”
And she hadn’t told him not to do his job. That proved that she accepted him for him.
“I don’t seduce, and we both know it.”
She laughed.
“I’m walking funny. I beg to differ. I was seduced by the master.”
He grinned.
It reminded her of the one Sam gave her.
“Is that so?” he asked, his hand sliding down her back and to her ass. It was bare beneath his polo shirt. “Tell me, babochka, who is seducing who dressed like this?”
She gave him a kiss.
“My panties got lost in the unveiling. That’s on you, Mr. Gideon. This is what happens when I can’t find my panties.”
Oh, well, in that case…
“I’m going to steal them all.”
She laughed.
“Pervy and not surprising. I do believe Sam gets it from his father.”
Oh, he did.
“Will you stay here with me tonight?” he asked. “I know you likely don’t want to.”
“Said who?”
“I know you.”
“Apparently, not well enough. Here are the subtle clues. I’m wearing your shirt. I packed my bag, and I’m standing here in your kitchen. If you’re asking, I’m here. When we catch this guy, I’ll head back to my place. You have your family here. I won’t intrude.”
“You’re not intruding.”
She rested her head against his shoulder but said nothing. When he was ready, he’d let her know.
“Will you?” he asked. “I want you to stay with me tonight. It’s just as safe here.”
“Oh, well, I don’t know about that, Mr. Gideon. You are rather dangerous.”
He grinned wickedly.
“Am I, now?” he asked as he moved even closer to her. She was pressed against his body, his leg between hers.
Poppy was trapped.
And she loved it.
“I’ll stay tonight.”
It was a start.
Dimitri didn’t doubt that it had everything to do with the fact that she told Sam that she was uncomfortable with his wealth, and he couldn’t change that.
His businesses were profitable. They helped women escape Vegas, and he only hoped that one day, she’d enjoy that he was fighting the good fight.
Until then, they’d have to find a middle ground.
“I’m going to go get dressed,” she said.
“Can I come watch?”
She laughed.
“Maybe. You can help me find my bra. I think it was also stolen. I don’t have proof.”
They both took their coffee cups.
“I have proof that it was,” he teased, pulling it out of his pocket. “Like father like son.”
She laughed and stole it back.
As they headed down the hall, they heard Petra crying and Sam trying to help her.
“I won’t hurt you, It’s okay,” he said, as she screamed bloody murder.
Dimitri showed up in the doorway.
“What happened?” he asked.
“She went to climb onto the counter and I grabbed her so she didn’t fall. I think I scared her. I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t mean it!”
Sam had tears in his eyes, and he looked like he was expecting to be beaten.
One battle at a time.
Dimitri went into the little girl’s bedroom, and as soon as he did, she backed herself into a corner and tried to get away from him.
He crooned to her in as much Romanian as he knew.
It wasn’t working.
Sam looked freaked out. He moved toward Poppy and she let him lean on her.
“I didn’t mean to hurt her. I just didn’t want her to fall. I’m sorry!”
Poppy imagined the poor kid was just as freaked out. Sam was tough on the outside, but she’d been a foster kid too. She knew the horrors.
“Go get her puppy,” she said.
Sam ran off.
When he came back, she was still screaming bloody murder, and she wouldn’t let Dimitri get close.
Poppy figured she might be less threatening than two males. She got it.
“Let me try,” she said. “I’ve been there. Foster homes are scary.”
He backed up with Sam.
Dimitri didn’t know how to deal with this. So, he gave her a chance to try. What could it hurt?
Poppy sat on the floor about six feet away holding the puppy. She held it out to the girl.
“How old is she?” Poppy asked.
“They said around twelve, but we think she’s much younger,” he said, watching Poppy. “The only reason I think they thought that age was the family that bought her wanted a teen to sell for sex, so they lied.”
Okay, that grossed her right out as a human being and a cop.
She continued to hold out the puppy.
Petra grabbed it.
“She’s going to be more Sam’s age. Maybe a little younger. I can see into her mouth. She doesn’t have her molars in the back. That’s around six or seven. She’s still little.”
Dimitri didn’t even know to look for that.
He watched Poppy.
Thank God for her. Petra was calming down.
“Hey, sweetness, it’s okay. I know you can’t understand me, and I’m sure that’s scary as hell, but you’re safe.”
Petra watched her warily.
Poppy had an idea. She pulled off a necklace she was wearing. It was a pretty butterfly with some pretty stones in it. She’d bought it on a whim when she’d gotten her first paycheck as a cop. It wasn’t super valuable, but it was the first thing she owned of her own.
“Petra. Pretty?”
She held it up.
The little girl stared at it.
She stopped the meltdown.
“Wear?” she asked, putting it around her neck and then removing it.
She held it up.
“Petra, wear?”
The little girl nodded.
Dimitri held his breath.
She moved closer to Poppy and held out her hand. Poppy placed it in her hand.
Petra stared at it.
“Wear?” Poppy asked again.
Petra let her move closer.
Poppy gently helped her put it on. When she wore it, she smiled at the little girl.
“Pretty.”
Petra touched it.
“Pretty.”
Poppy nodded.
Petra touched her watch.
“Pretty.”
“Wear?”
Petra nodded.
Poppy took it off and handed it to he
r. She held it and watched the hands move.
“Petra.”
She looked up.
She pointed to her ear.
“Listen.”
The girl let Poppy move it to her ear.
“Tick Tock. Tick Tock.”
Petra laughed.
Poppy made a face and Petra climbed into her lap. She cuddled her.
Dimitri held his breath.
“Dress?” she asked.
Petra looked confused. She touched her pajamas. “Dress?”
She didn’t stop Poppy from walking her past the men, and to the clothing that were in her closet. She touched them.
“Dress?”
Petra pointed at them.
Poppy began pulling each one out, one by one, as Dimitri watched from where he and Sam stood. She got to one that had butterflies on it, and Petra pointed excitedly.
That connection was made.
Petra had bonded with Poppy over the one thing that brought them together.
“Butterflies?” she asked, pointing at the ones on the dress, and her necklace.
“Butterflies?” Petra repeated.
Poppy clapped.
“YAY!”
Then she tried something else.
Poppy pointed at the butterflies on the dress and said it in Russian. “Babochka.”
Petra watched her.
“Butterflies and babochka are the same.”
Petra repeated it.
Dimitri was astounded. Poppy was helping the little girl, and Petra was more than okay with it. It was beautiful to watch. It was a gift. When you owned almost everything, it was the little things that mattered so much.
This love and kindness that Poppy was showing his child. It was precious. It was priceless.
Poppy continued to help Petra get dressed. She let her brush her hair and put it in two little girl pigtails.
Dimitri in that moment knew a few things.
Poppy was special.
And Petra definitely wasn’t his sister.
If she was only six or seven, she couldn’t possibly been sired by his father. He’d been long dead. The eyes meant she was related.
Just not his sister.
He was willing to bet there was someone else still in Russia. He was willing to bet the woman who birthed Petra was a sister.
She was still out there. That meant he would have to keep looking, and he would need the Blackhawk’s help. There was another lost Marchenko, and it was his duty to find her.
“Better?” Poppy asked Petra.
She nodded.
Then, Petra went racing past Dimitri and grabbed Sam’s hand. Whatever had scared her was done. She pulled him toward the living room.
Mob Justice Page 39