“I would rather stay and find out who the killer is and why he is killing?”
Dimitri frowned. “Let’s go.”
“I’ll go with you, if you answer my questions.”
“You’ll go with me regardless.”
Jonathan came over to us. “Ivanov, you’re not going anywhere. I’m not done talking to you.”
Dimitri kept his gaze on me. “How could you give your time to someone so short and annoying?”
I parted my lips, but didn’t answer.
“What?” Jonathan pointed at Dimitri. “Do not talk to her.”
“Good evening, mayor.” Dimitri took my hand. Stunned, I let him. And then he led me away. I walked with him and glanced over my shoulder. Dimitri’s men blocked Jonathan’s way. He began yelling at them.
Dimitri tenderly squeezed my hand. “Do you see how simple that was?”
I moved my hand from his, but remained walking on his side and warm in his jacket. “There’s a real problem going on in the Diamond Syndicate. You must be just as worried as Jonathan.”
“Is that a question or statement?”
“Question.”
“You didn’t answer my question about why you choose to date short, annoying men.”
One of Dimitri’s people rushed forward. “Her car is this way, boss.”
What the hell?
Dimitri checked his watch. “You’re going to stay in your condo for the rest of this week with my men guarding outside the door—”
“Excuse me?” I crossed my arms, letting his jacket cover me more. “Are you talking to me?”
“I am.”
“Why do you think I would stay in my condo this week?”
“Because like I’ve said there is a killer in Paradise.”
I sighed. “Dimitri, I would like as much information on this as possible.”
“Here we go, boss.” The guy gestured to my black car.
We stopped right next to it.
Dimitri went to the driver’s side and held his hand out. “Keys.”
I frowned. “Why?”
“Because I want to open the door for you.”
“Thank you, but I can do it.” I took my keys out of my purse. “However—”
“You went on a date with a man that made you drive here?” He shook his head. “Why, Rose?”
I gripped my keys. “I don’t let the guy drive me until the third date. I always like a way to leave if I don’t like him.”
“How many dates have you given him so far?”
“Did you hear that I want information?”
“I did.” He gave me a wicked smile. “I love how you tried to word it politely. Are you trying to stroke my ego to get what you want?”
“Is that possible?”
“It is. My ego is more than willing to be stroked by you.”
I frowned.
“My men will be watching you.”
“You think I’m in danger?”
“I think the city is in danger and I have a small amount of people here that I don’t want to die. You’re on that list. . .at least for now.”
“Thank you. . .at least for now.”
“Why were you here with Parks?”
“I know him from college.”
“You dated him then too?”
“That’s none of your business.”
He stepped closer to me. “Do you like him?”
I inched away, leaning my back against the car. “That’s also none of your business.”
He placed his hand on the other side of me, touching the roof of the car with his fingertips. “Let me word this in a better way. Would you mind if Parks were found dead one morning?”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Not you.”
“Him?”
“Unfortunately, I’m not good at threats. I’m better at promises.”
“There is no reason to harm him.”
He tapped his fingers against the roof. “I could think of a few reasons.”
“If you ever did something to him, I would investigate and make it public to the world.”
“And I would throw you a party to celebrate your efforts.” He placed his other hand on the car, trapping me between him. “Tell me more about your college years with Johnathan.”
“We became friends during our freshman year.”
“What college?”
“Emerson?”
“Ivy League. I went to Windermere.”
I blinked. “Really?”
“Tell me this. How do you think Johnathan paid for such an expensive college?”
“I believe it was a scholarship.”
He snorted. “I guess that’s one way to look at it.”
“What are you trying to say?”
Dimitri inhaled me, making no attempt to hide it. “You always smell so good to me. Are you doing it on purpose?”
That caught me by surprise.
He gave me a sad smile. “I wish I had the energy to do these verbal spins and pirouettes with you this evening. But, I don’t.”
For the first time, I really looked at Dimitri, studying the weariness around the corners of his eyes. Pain moved in his gaze.
“Fuck. I’m sorry.” I sighed at my realization. “You grew up with Romeo and Chanel Jones. This must be devasting for you.”
He remained silent.
“I’m so sorry. . .How are you?”
His weariness shifted to a curious expression.
“I’m serious, Dimitri.”
He moved in closer and then whispered in my ear, “I’m in pain. I need help.”
I widened my eyes. “How can I help you?”
He leaned away. “Come home with me.”
“Dimitri.”
“I’m in desperate need of release.” No humor covered his face. There was only pain. He moved his gaze over my body. “There’s some anger and tension that I want to take out on your pussy.”