5

DIMITROV's POV

I leaned against the door as I slammed it shut, letting out a breath I didn't realize that I was holding. The sight of her tears, the sound of her voice calling for our children. It tore at my heart. She was a good mother I must admit. And it was wrong to take the children away from her but she wouldn't know or understand half of what I went through because of her actions. So she must endure this. I walked away from the door quickly before I gave in to the temptation to open the door and go back to her.

I joined Aleks and a few of my men on the balcony. They were men that I trusted in my life. Men who were in my inner circle who had done everything to make sure the business kept running while I was away. But we still had a lot of work to do. It had been a long time and I needed to get straight back into business. I needed to get across to them, my enemies My money was lying around and I needed to get it back.

"Boss," Juan called, he was walking fast towards me like there was an emergency.

"Boss" he whispered

"What is it?"

"Your mother and sister are on the line"

Not again. Vivian and mother knew better than to call me today. They were supposed to wait for my call.

I stared at the phone for a long time before I collected the phone from Juan.

"I told them you were busy but Vivan insisted" Juan explained in a low tone.

I brought the phone close to my ear.

"You know damn well I am busy"

"Dimitrov Romanov" my mother screamed on the other end of the line and I pulled it away to prevent ear blockage.

“You fucking got out and you didn’t think to tell me? I thought you were back in there but clearly, you had other plans and it didn’t include calling me”

"No mama. I have just been busy. I’m putting a lot of things in order but I promise to make time to come see you, mama, and if that doesn’t work then I’ll call you "

"I don’t know what plans you have but be very careful. I don’t want you going back in there"

“That’s not happening again”

“Did you take the girl?” I hesitated. Mother wasn’t fond of my way of handling things.

“Yes”

“Damn you Dimitrov” There was a scuffle in the background for a few seconds.

"Brother!" Vivian's voice came through sharp and familiar.

"I’m just learning that you escaped only to go after that girl. The same one who had you thrown in jail. Do you men think with anything other than your dicks”

"Stay out of my damn business"

“She’s going to be the end of you Dimi. She did it once and she’ll do it again. Kill her before that happens” she said but I ended the call. I didn’t mind if Adeline was my end. In fact, I’d welcome it. She got to me like no other person could. And to kill her, I’d rather send a bullet through my eyes before I ever did that. But no one needs to know that she was my weakness. It’ll get both of us killed faster.

“Who is looking after the children?” I asked Aleks.

“Maria. They seemed to have settled in. They keep asking for their mother”

“Keep them occupied. And have guards close by at all times”

“Are you going to see them?”

“No” I answered. Not yet anyway. It’ll be terrifying to introduce myself to them as their father while their mother was absent. I wanted a smooth relationship with them and that won’t happen if they think of me as a monster.

“Juan. You’re in charge of the children’s security”

“Yes boss”

"Is there any update on the cop?"

"Garret??"

"Who else but that fucking cop? I need updates as soon as possible. Anything you can find on him. I want to know all the dirt you can find on him. Even the littlest detail. I want his file on my table by morning”

"He has been quiet for a while. None of our men have spotted him since he left the station”

"I want two men on him. At all times of the day. Aleks you're in charge of this, get someone to spy on him or you freaking do it yourself. Get me something. I want to know everything he is doing, where he goes, his friends, of possibly how his spirit works but do not let him out of your sight." That bastard fully participated in getting me into prison. While Adeline could get away with it. He was going to pay with his life.

Aleks nodded and left. I dismissed the rest of the men and nursed a drink but my mind kept drifting to Adeline.

Was she okay? Was she still crying? I threw the glass at the wall in frustration.

“Is there anything you need boss” one of the men standing outside came in.

“Yes. I need the traitors and debtors who can’t pay in the cell by midnight” I could work off some of my anger on them.

In the meantime, I was going to check in with Adeline and see how she was doing. I just couldn’t resist the temptation to see her.

When I opened the door, the sight of her caught me off guard. She was fast asleep, curled up on the bed like a child. She was innocent in this way. No anger, just docile like how she was when I first met her.

I walked closer to take a better look at her and admire her beauty. It had been long since I saw her this vulnerable. Her skin was so lush, that I could never forget how they felt in my hands. I pulled the blanket to cover her properly but I saw her exposed shoulders. Faint marks covering them.

A gush of anger rose in me, intense and unending. Someone had hurt her.

Adeline moved slightly, muttering something unclear in her nap. I froze.