He nods again as he scoops more food onto his fork.

I reach for the remote and turn on the TV. It’s all in Russian, though, and I hand Demitri the remote. “Find us something to watch, and then you can translate it for me.”

Demitri scrolls through the programs, and then he stops on a show as it starts.

We finish eating, and I set our plates on the coffee table, and then I take hold of Demitri’s hand and listen as he translates. Soon I’m clutching his hand because it turns out we’re watching a zombie movie, but they’re not the real threat. Instead, the army is killing people left, right, and center. I’m loving the suspense.

Hoping to make Demitri feel better, I shriek and bury my face against his shoulder every time a gruesome part comes on, even though The Walking Dead is one of my all-time favorite shows.

During one scene, I actually get a chuckle from him, and I feel pleased that I’ve succeeded in my mission.

“How are you scared of this, but you watch that vampire show?”

I grin up at Demitri. “The vampires are hot.”

I get another chuckle from him before he continues to translate what the actors are saying.

Before the show is over, Alexei comes back, and I feel Demitri relax next to me.

“Did everything go okay?” he asks Alexei, who takes a seat on the other couch.

I switch off the TV as Alexei answers, “Yes. Semion and Lev will take over Andrei’s business, so they’re happy. I told them you’ll be taking Sergei’s business on behalf of Ariana.”

“So it’s official?” Demitri asks. “You’re head of the Bratva?”

“I am.”

The two men stare at each other and feeling like I’m intruding on a private moment between them, I pick up the plates and take them to the kitchen.

The moment I’m alone, my thoughts turn to my problems. When we get back to the States, I’ll have to leave Demitri, and just thinking about it breaks my heart.

Right now, I can still hide from it, but too soon, I’ll have to face the horrible truth that my being with him places him at risk.

I won’t survive it if Demitri dies because of me.

I’d rather leave him and know he’s alive.

I’ll love him from a safe distance.

DEMITRI

The trip back to LA was exhausting, and having someone else fly the plane only increased my frustration.

I’m used to doing everything myself, and letting other people take care of me is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life.

As we walk into my and Alexei’s house, Ariana glances around at the luxurious furnishings and expensive art.

“Wow, this is your home?”

“Yes.”

Sacha, who works alongside Nikhil as our backup security, walks toward us. After we’ve greeted each other, he heads to the security room with Alexei.