Free Dmitry's Closet by Latrivia S. Nelson Page A

there." He lifted her chin to see her face.
         Royal rested her case, realizing that Dmitry had come to his final decision. She nodded to him in agreement and gathered her things.
         "Well, thanks again for everything," she said, understanding that something else was bothering Dmitry. "I'll see you later."
         "Dah, you will," he said, making eye contact with her. Royal didn't respond. Dmitry stood up as she stood and escorted her quietly to the door.
         She stopped at the threshold of the restaurant with her jacket in her hands and her purse under her arm waiting for the to limo pull up to the front of the restaurant. It was amazing to her how in a couple of months, she had completely gotten used to having a driver, a limo and a staff of people.
         Renée and Cory stood behind them intrigued by the oddly-matched couple.
         "I'm very proud of you, Royal," he reiterated with conviction. His large hands rested on her bare shoulders. He gazed at her for moment then motioned for Anatoly, who waited just outside of the door with the car. "You'd better get out of the night air."
         "Is he my bodyguard now? I don't need a slave, you know." She rolled her eyes.
         "Think of him as your unofficial assistant." He ran his index finger down the side of her neck. "I will see you later to make up for having to depart from you so abruptly."
         Royal still did not respond. She just touched the softness of his face and walked away.
         Watching her and her staff into the car, Dmitry closed the doors of the restaurant behind him as they drove off.
    ∞♥∞
         Renée and Cory watched on as Royal sat beside Anatoly in dead silence. She was broken hearted and completely incapable of hiding it. Ignoring them all, she sat in her v-neck, satin black Bagley Mischa dress, spoiled by the night's events. She had worked so hard to get dressed, to make him see her tonight. It was all in vain.
         Her diamonds earrings sparkled in the darkness, weighing down her small lobes. Beautiful canary yellow diamonds laid close to her neck dangling from the gold necklace and created a spectrum of beautiful light every time a reflection hit them just right.
         Her newest diamond gift had come only days before and had been the largest so far in celebration of her recent accomplishments. In his normal fashion, Dmitry had kissed her only on the forehead and in return was allowed to place the necklace on her himself.
         She wore only the jewelry he had given her tonight. She wanted him to know how much she appreciated him. But how could she show him when he was barely there?
         Her smoky eyes were adverted to the window staring past tinted glass into the clear, dark night. Her glossy, pouty lips were pierced together, clinched by perfect white teeth. She was a picture of true beauty and true agony.
         While Royal sank into the leather drowning in her thoughts, Anatoly looked at her staff with a sort of disdain, never uttering a word, but making them very uncomfortable.
         Unsure if he was provoked by direct eye contact, Cory shifted in his seat and tried to keep from staring the husky brut in his pupils. They were always worried that perhaps Royal had forgotten to hook him to his chain.
         However, Royal had learned over the past couple of months to simply ignore Anatoly.
         He was like a permanent prop in her life. She was only inches from him, but they were miles away only connected only through Dmitry. His close proximity to her body did not bother her at all. She leaned against him as she pouted, absorbing his body heat and sulking profusely. He was like the personal assistant that she had grown accustomed to having around. It was a good thing too, especially now that he would be living in her hidden basement.
         Cory looked over at Renée with unspoken suspicion of Royal's relationship with the rich and powerful Dmitry Medlov.