Page 56 of Unbridled Fire
Leo and Michael kept me updated on the deal they’d made with Sergey. He had accepted it, but they’d also agreed to roll it out slowly. They needed to ensure that Marco agreed to leave the area, and that Oskar could accept Michael as his boss.
And sadly, we still had no leads on Dmitry. Sergey wanted him as his soldier who worked with Alexis to install the new financial infrastructure, and until Leo and Michael located him, the plan was stalled.
Leo returned to work, but his focus was scattered, and he would report to me at night that Daniel was noticing. Worried for him, I wondered if he was going to get fired. Being an FBI agent was such a part of his identity, and I didn’t want him to lose that because of me and his involvement in Michael’s world.
One evening, three weeks after my rescue, Leo returned home, his expression tired and weary. I drew him into my arms, holding him tight as I longed to take care of him for a while.
“Want to go on a walk?” he asked, drawing back and smoothing his hand over my hair. “I could use the fresh air.”
“Sure. Let me just put on my sneakers.”
We headed outside into the dusk, which was my favorite time of day. I loved the scent in the air as the sun set and signaled it was time for rest and renewal. Placing my hand in Leo’s, I clutched tightly as we circled the block.
My gaze landed on an old Honda Civic and I gasped. “That’s it,” I whispered excitedly. “That’s Dmitry’s car!”
Leo’s eyes narrowed as he studied it. “Let’s approach slowly. We don’t want to startle him.”
We walked toward the car, and Dmitry rolled down the window. His eyes darted between us before they landed on mine.
“Privet, Katia.”
“Hello, Dima. You’re not safe out here. Will you drive into Leo’s driveway? The fence will hide your car and you can come into the house and talk to us.”
He swallowed thickly and lowered his gaze.
“Please, Dima. We want to talk to you.”
Nodding, he started the engine and drove to Leo’s gate. Leo entered the code, opening it and ushering Dmitry in. Once we were safe, we led him inside.
“Are you hungry?” I asked, gesturing to the kitchen table. “Sit and let me cook you some pasta.”
“I could eat,” he mumbled.
He sat at the table, across from Leo as the silence grew thick. Thankfully, we had some leftover pasta from last night and I quickly heated it in the microwave. Dmitry took the warm bowl and devoured it while finishing the glass of water I’d given him. I walked to the sink and refilled it before sitting down.
“That was good,” he said, wiping his mouth with the paper napkin I’d given him. “Thanks.”
“How long has it been since you’ve had a hot meal?” Leo asked.
“Don’t know,” he said with a shrug. “I’ve been living in my car. I found it in a junkyard and figured out how to hotwire it.”
My heart broke for him as I reached over and encircled his wrist. “Are you living in your car because you helped me?”
Nodding, he gazed at the table. “Oskar was really pissed, and I realized I couldn’t stay at my apartment anymore.”
I looked at Leo as tears welled in my eyes.
“We’re grateful that you helped Katia, Dima,” he said, his voice solemn. “We’re happy to help you in any way we can.”
“Oskar snuck me into America, and I don’t have a green card. I don’t want to go back to Russia. I hate it there and my parents are dead.”
“Would you want to live here, with us?” I asked, glancing at Leo and noticing his eyes grow wide with surprise. “There’s an extra bedroom, but I’m not staying in it because I prefer sleeping with Leo.” Leaning forward, I grinned. “I kind of like him. A lot.”
Dmitry’s lips twitched. “He’s okay, I guess.”
Leo scoffed.
“I mean, I guess I could stay here, but Oskar is looking for me. It’s going to put you in danger again.”
