Chapter 28

Dmitry

Dmitry stared at Dennis.

He had a feeling this was not going to be good news.

“I’m waiting; you better start talking.”

“Bepa has been missing for over two months now. Her pimp can’t find her, and he thinks that she might have escaped from Russia. She told him and others that she would make you and Danica pay for sending her away.”

Dmitry banged his fist on the table.

“That bitch should have been dead by now. I should have killed her myself when I had the chance. How the hell could she have escaped from Russia with no passport and no money?”

“We’re not sure, boss. We can only think that she might have stowed away on a ship that’s headed this way.

“I don’t think she would be stupid enough to come back here; most likely she is living in some other country far from here,” Craig said, noticing how angry his boss was becoming.

“I want you to set up extra security around my home, and I want someone to keep an eye on Danica twenty-four seven, whether I’m home or not.

“If that bitch is coming after me and my family, I’ll be ready for her, and this time I will end her life myself.”

As she lay on the bed, she could hear Dmitry yelling, but she could not understand what he was saying since he was speaking in Russian.

Whatever it was, it must have been really bad to make him this angry.

How she wished that they didn’t have to go back; she liked the man he was when they were in Scotland.

The door to the bedroom opened, and he walked in.

He looked upset, so she patted the bed beside her.

“Come, lay next to me.”

Walking over to the bed, he removed his shoes and lay down, intertwining his fingers with hers.

There wasn’t any reason to ask him what all the fighting was about because she knew by now not to ask him about his business.

Wanting to calm him down and make him feel better, she gave him a warm and loving smile.

“The baby is kicking up a storm. Do you want to feel?”

Letting go of her hand, he lay on his side and placed his hand over her belly.

He couldn’t help but smile when he felt the movement.

“He is very active. Tell me, does it not hurt you when he kicks so hard?”

She placed her hand over the top of his.

“Not really. Sometimes it is a little uncomfortable, but more so, it feels amazing.”

She reached up and stroked the side of his face.

“We haven’t even gotten home yet, and already you look stressed out. I don’t suppose you will tell me what’s wrong?”

“No.”

“I didn’t think so,” she replied, snuggling closer to him.

“I hope you will trust me enough to confide in me someday. I may not like what you do, but I’m here if you need to talk to someone about something.

“I probably won’t be able to help you, but at least you can get it out of your system by talking to me about whatever bothers you.”

“There are things you shouldn’t know about, and there is no reason to stress you out, especially since you are pregnant. I will tell you, though, that what’s bothering me right now will soon be over, and I will be able to relax.”

“I won’t bother you; I’m always here if you need someone to listen. You know, you could tell me what my surprise is.”

He knew she was trying to distract him from what was bothering him, and he thought it was so sweet of her.

“Nice try, princess, but you will just have to wait. Just trust me, you will like the surprise.”

God, this man of hers was so stubborn.

She really wanted to find out what the surprise was, so she tried something different.

“You know it’s not good for the baby if I were to get stressed out about the surprise.”

He laughed and—leaning over—kissed her on the cheek.

“I know what you’re trying to do, and shame on you. You’re using our unborn child to get what you want.

“If you keep it up, I may wait until the following day to give you your surprise. Is that what you want?”

She crossed her arms over her chest and pouted.

“No, I don’t want to wait another day.”

She started up the stairs when they finally arrived home, but he held her hand.

“Let’s go into the family room and have a drink before you go upstairs. Soon you will get your surprise.”

He walked with her into the room, and he couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when her surprise arrived.

He told his butler to bring some beverages into the room, giving the man a wink.

“I’m a little tired. Can’t we have it brought up to our room?”

“Come, sit down,” he said, not answering her question.

“Here it comes,” he said when someone entered the room, pushing a trolley with a pot of tea and some homemade desserts.

She turned her head, and when she saw who was there, her eyes lit up and she covered her mouth with her hands.

“Oh my God, Tabitha. What are you doing here?”

“Mr. Smirnov has hired me back to help out in the kitchen and, with your permission, to help you with the baby when he or she is born. I would be a part-time nanny—only if that’s okay with you.”

Danica turned to him.

“This is my surprise?”

“Yes. I know how lonely you have been and how much you like Tabitha. I thought she would make the perfect companion for you and could help out with the baby. I hope you are pleased.”

She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.

“I am very pleased, and thank you so much. This is the sweetest thing you could ever have done for me.”

He felt a little uneasy about her show of affection in front of Tabitha, so he got to his feet.

“I will leave you two women alone to talk. I’ll be in my office if you need me.”

After Tabitha had poured the tea, she sat down, and the two talked.

“I heard what that horrible Bepa did to you, pushing you down the stairs knowing you were pregnant. I’m so glad you and the baby are doing okay.”

“Yes, she was so evil, and I’m not sorry she’s been sent back to Russia. Dmitry thinks she might be dead. Her pimp has been looking for her after she stole a lot of money from him. I believe if she were still here, she would have harmed my baby at some point.”

“I was so shocked when Dennis told me she was a prostitute back in Russia. To think that she called you a whore, and here she was the whore.”

“So, how did Dmitry talk you into coming back here to work?”

“Actually, he had Dennis talk to me, and when I learned that she was gone, I agreed to come back. I want you to know that I love babies and would really like to help you with the little one—

You know, if you need a break or you and Mr. Smirnov want to go out for the evening.”

She smiled.

Though Tabitha was almost ten years older, there was a friendly bond between them.

“I realize that Dmitry is right. It would be nice to have someone help me. I like you and trust you, so thank you for returning.”

“So you had a good vacation?”

“Oh yes, it was wonderful. He was so loving and showed me around. He was a different man there. I hated having to come back.”

“Maybe he’ll take you back there someday.”

“I hope so. I hope you don’t mind, but I’m feeling very tired, so I think I’ll go upstairs and lie down.”

“Would you like me to go up with you?”

“Thanks, Tabitha, but I can manage on my own.”

“All right, but how about I bring you some juice and strawberries? I’ve heard you have quite a craving for them.”

“That would be nice, thank you,” she said and went upstairs to the bedroom.

She slipped into a nightgown and got into bed.

It had been a long trip, and after having talked to Tabitha, she was worn out.

Dmitry came from his office when the maid went upstairs with the strawberries and juice.

“I gather this is for Miss Burke?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’m on my way up there now, so let me take them.”

When he reached the bedroom and went in, he found her asleep, so he set everything on her nightstand.

There was a strand of hair across her cheek, so he moved it away.

She felt his presence; she could always tell when he was nearby.

Opening her eyes, she smiled at him.

“Hi.”

“Hi,” he replied.

“Did you have a nice visit with Tabitha?”

“Yes, it’s nice having another woman to talk with. I think you are so wonderful for getting her to come back. Sometimes, you can be a real softie.”

“Don’t let on to the others,” he said, touching her stomach.

“I know how lonely it must be for you. I wish you could go out and meet new people, but since it is known you are my woman, it is too dangerous. I cannot let anything happen to you or our child.”

“Because you love me,” she said, smirking.

He shook his head in denial.

“I told you I do not believe in love.”

She sat up and reached for her strawberries.

“You keep telling yourself that, but mark my words, one day you will say those three little words and mean it.”

He rolled his eyes at her.

“Just eat the fruit. I’m going to shower before bed—it’s been a long day and we both need to sleep.”

The next day, she made her way downstairs for breakfast.

She was starving and knew Dmitry had to go out, so she would eat alone.

After eating, she talked with Tabitha for a while before going to her art room to try drawing.

Her classes had ended, and she wasn’t going to start the next stage until later in the year.

A little later, Tabitha came in with some milk and cookies for her.

She stayed to talk and was about to leave when there was a knock at the door, and Dennis entered.

“Mr. Smirnov asked me to tell you he will be taking you out to dinner tonight and will be back around seven to pick you up. He would have called you, but he was busy dealing with some banking business.”

“Thank you, Dennis.”

When he walked out, she saw the look he and Tabitha exchanged and wondered if something was happening between them.

“Tabitha, is there something going on between you and Dennis?”

“I don’t know what you mean, Miss Burke.”

“I’m not blind. I saw the way you both were looking at each other. If something is going on, I think it’s wonderful. Dennis is a very nice man—powerful and good-looking.”

Tabitha lowered her head.

“We have gotten close while you were away in Scotland. We haven’t gone out on a date or anything; we’ve just been talking a lot. I do like him and think he likes me, too.”

“Oh, there is no doubt that he likes you. If he hasn’t asked you out, then you ask him.”

Her face turned red.

“I could never do that. I’m way too shy. What if he says no?”

“Tabitha, with how he looked at you, there’s no way he’ll turn you down. He’s single and you’re single—I say go for it.”

“I’m not sure if Mr. Smirnov would allow his staff members to get involved with each other.”

“It’s none of his business who his employees date, and if he has a problem with it, I will deal with him. Now, Mr. Smirnov and I are going out to dinner tonight, so Dennis will be here, and it will be your chance to make a move on him.”

Tabitha’s face lit up, and a smile crossed her face.

“I’ll do it. I will ask him out.”

Danica smiled.

“I’m glad to hear that, and you’ll have to let me know how it goes. Now I think I’d better go lie down and take a nap before I go out tonight.”

Going upstairs, she picked out the outfit that she would be wearing, took the jewelry from the safe, and placed it on her dresser.

She then went to lie down.

After a short nap, she showered and was dressed and ready when he came for her.