He stroked my cheek, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. He’d done that so many times since he came back into my life. He said so much without saying a single word.
Just a touch of his hand on my body, a gentle kiss on my lips before he slipped his tongue inside, told me I was his.
We entered Desolation and I was still shocked to see how the name fit the city so absolutely. Even being here many times when I’d come to see Amara over the years couldn’t lessen my distaste for the underbelly that this city was.
Dirty sidewalks, graffiti-covered buildings. Sketchy men loitered in darkened alleyways, and homeless individuals were spread out along the sidewalks.
A lot of the businesses were closed, run-down, or boarded up. But as if I blinked and it was nothing but a bad dream, we were leaving the city that stank of death and despair and entering the more luxurious one.
Once out of Desolation, the city turned into wealth. It was now reminiscent of the swanky streets of Rodeo Drive in California or Fifth Avenue in New York.
With one more stroke of his thumb along my cheek, Dmitry dropped his hand and went back to doing work on his phone.
I hadn’t asked where we were going. I just assumed since we were in Desolation, we’d be seeing Nikolai and Amara.
And I couldn’t lie and say I wasn’t happy about a reunion. It had been far too long since I’d spent time with my sister.
“I shouldn’t avoid Gio,” I said to myself, but I felt Dmitry’s heavy hand land on my thigh, a weight that was comforting in its silent solidarity.
“It’s understandable. But you won’t be avoiding him for long,” he whispered, tucking his phone back into his coat pocket and saying something in Russian to Ivan. The driver gave a gruff, “Da,” and then the vehicle dropped into silence once more.
I hadn’t actually brought up the whole arranged marriage situation again, even though that was the logical thing to do.
“What exactly are we doing in Desolation?” Ridiculous for just now asking, but my mind had been preoccupied with other things.
I glanced over at him. Dmitry’s focus was already on me. “We have important things to do here, detka.”
I wanted to ask what exactly that meant, but gauging his reaction, I knew I wasn’t going to get any answers. He had a sly expression on his face, this secretive gleam in his eyes. It made me feel tingly and on edge.
Another five minutes passed, and then we stopped in front of a courthouse. A nasty-looking stone gargoyle sat atop an outcropping over the front entrance.
Ominous.
Even more confused, I glanced at Dmitry. “What are we doing here?” He was silent for several seconds, then slipped his hand behind my neck, pulled me in, and kissed me deeply.
He stroked the seam of my lips before plunging his tongue inside. I couldn’t help but melt against him.
My hands found purchase on the expensive material of his suit, my fingers curled around the lapels. I opened my mouth wider, and he sucked my tongue into his mouth, stroked the roof, and groaned harshly.
I didn’t even care that Ivan was an arm length away. It seemed whenever Dimitri was in the vicinity, all common sense in the world itself faded into oblivion.
He broke away, both of us breathing heavily, and gave me one more soft kiss before he dragged his thumb along my mouth, his focus trained on the act. “We’re getting married, detka.”
Holy shit. What?
Before I could have him repeat that or ask if I’d heard him correctly, Dmitry was out of the vehicle and striding around to the passenger-side door to open it for me.
With my hand in his, we entered the building. The waiting area was packed with frazzled looking people, crying babies, screaming kids, and enough frustration filling the air that it was uncomfortable.
A young man scurried out from behind the front desk and said something low to Dmitry that I hadn’t picked up on.
We were shown to the back right, and I was pretty sure Dmitry didn’t have an appointment. So I could only imagine his name and reputation stretched far and wide.
“Wait,” I said and pulled him to a stop. Dmitry turned to face me, his big body blocking out everything behind him.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of, kotenok.”
I shook my head and licked my lips. “I’m not afraid, it’s just…” I glanced around his body to see a few people eyeing us warily. Or should I say, eyeing Dmitry with clear trepidation on their faces.
“I don’t think I heard you correctly.” I closed my eyes and shook my head. “Did you say we’re here to get married?” I stared up at him. “Like, you mean, you and I getting married? Here? Now?”