Free Dimitri by Roxie Rivera Page B

stop a block down drew in workers who relied on public
transportation. They stopped in for an affordable hot breakfast or
a quick lunch. Many of them worked long hours on their feet and
seemed to enjoy a quiet rest while reading the paper and enjoying
their meal.
    Everything Lena said about preserving history
and the integrity of the neighborhood really hit home with me. My
heart ached at the idea of losing all this. I just didn't know if
the business could be saved. This location, this neighborhood, was
in its death throes. Even if I managed to hold off Jonah Krause for
a few months, he'd find a way to push me out of the building. He'd
used his contacts at city hall to bury other businesses. I would be
one in a long line to fall to that ruthless, money-grubbing
man.
    Dimitri's offer to buy Johnny's share had been
a nice gesture but it wouldn't stop the inevitable. Shooting down
his offer probably wasn't the kindest thing but the idea of putting
money between us made me nervous.
    His mention of us being partners still
intrigued me. I just hoped he didn't mean only in the business
sense.
     
    * * *
     
    There weren't many waiting rooms Dimitri
enjoyed but the one outside Yuri's downtown Houston office was one
of them. His old friend had recently moved his headquarters to
Texas and now owned the city's most beautiful skyscraper. His
international holdings only occupied the top ten floors. The rest
he rented out as office space to law firms, accounting firms and
the like.
    As he waited for his old friend, Dimitri
chatted briefly with Jake, one of the bodyguards he'd trained for
Yuri. The former Marine had been a bouncer on his roster when he'd
plucked him out of that line of work and groomed him to protect
Yuri. Jake seemed to like the work, especially the traveling, and
the money was damn good.
    Alone with his thoughts after Jake stepped
away, Dimitri glanced around the waiting room. Like everything Yuri
touched, he'd made sure to have the place redone with such
opulence. Everything was sleek and modern with walls of glass and
water features. Most of the art hanging on the grey walls confused
Dimitri but the two pieces he recognized as Vivian's work drew his
gaze. He stood in front of them as he waited for Yuri, just looking
at the bold strokes of color and the faint human shapes in
them.
    "Thought provoking, yes?" Yuri strode over to
join him. He tilted his head and stared at the canvases. "I'm still
not sure what they are but I can't stop looking at them. Has she
asked you to sit for that new project of hers?"
    Dimitri nodded. "I went to her studio three
weeks ago. Are you going to let her take a look at your
tattoos?"
    "Sure." He shrugged. "It's a fascinating
concept. I'm interested to see the final collection. Everything she
creates is so hauntingly beautiful."
    "She's talented." Slipping into his mother
tongue felt so easy and nice. It lent an air of privacy to their
conversation.
    Yuri hummed with agreement. "And completely
oblivious to how much Nikolai cares for her."
    Dimitri shot him a warning look. "You and I
both know there's a reason he wants it that way."
    Yuri shrugged. "It was a long time ago,
Dimitri. I think it's time he forgave himself for that little
accident."
    "I don’t think it's his forgiveness that's the
issue." Dimitri grew uncomfortable talking about their friend's
private business and changed the subject. "Do you have time to
speak with me?"
    Yuri whacked his back and grinned. "Always.
Come."
    He followed Yuri into his spacious office. One
of Yuri's many assistants tailed them into the room. Ever
solicitous, she offered him a drink that he turned down. Yuri asked
for water and she hurried to bring it to him, tottering on her
heels and barely able to move in the skintight pencil
skirt.
    There was a time Yuri would have watched her
every move, his hungry gaze glued to her wiggling backside or the
soft jiggle of her breasts. Today, he seemed to be completely
unaware of her. Dimitri studied his friend for