Dimitri looked at me for a moment. "Why would she want to see me? I'm just going to remind her of what my father did to her. I truly do appreciate you keeping your word to me and the good nights rest I got, but I think that I should get heading out. If it wouldn't be too much to ask of his family, could Christoph stay here at least until I am able to find a suitable and safe place for us?"
"Dimitri, go get Christoph and please come see Mia, I think maybe you'll want to rethink that after you do." I stepped as he stood up slowly and without a word he started for the doorway.
He turned slightly looking back at me. "Thanks again Lombardi, and I'm grateful that we both got what we wanted back. She's a hell of a woman that one. Maybe I'll deserve one like her someday."
"Dimitri what did you hear them talking about?" I asked.
He chuckled slightly. "It wasn't anyone in your immediate group. But you'd really be shocked what people say when they think that they're alone."
I walked to where he stood. "Who said what?"
"It doesn't matter what they said about me, I know I'm a monster. I deserve to be cast out."
"Just humor me then." I said firmly. "I'd like to know if there are people here I need to put a closer watch on. I don't want this to ever have a chance to happen again."
"I highly doubt anyone here would dare it again with what they witnessed, plus everyone loves her." He said. "You're a lucky man, don't ever forget that. Women like her tend to run from danger, she jumps into it willingly. When you find someone who is willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with you in the good times as well as the bad, well that's when you know for sure your life is complete."
"Still not the answer to the question I asked Dimitri."
He looked at me for a moment clearly debating whether I was being serious or not and with the doubt that I truly cared.
He couldn't even have begun to understand what he had done for Mia had meant to me personally. Yes, I had hated him for Irena being taken away and married to him, I had sent people several times to bring her home to us again, and Mia had indeed attempted to take him down when she led the last attack to take Irena again. I had never seen anything but his father when I looked at him back then, because I knew his fate was to end up the same cruel and twisted man his father was.
That was then, this is now, and things have changed drastically in the past couple days. The Dimitri Vazclav that stood in front of me today was a changed man, he didn't have the same fate anymore. I looked at him again and realized that he indeed did look nothing like his father, but his presence was nothing to scoff at either.
"It was nothing, a few people in the kitchen as I was going to make Christoph a bottle. They don't want me here. I don't want to cause anymore issues than I have, and I certainly do not want Mia to feel unsafe in her own home. It's fine, I didn't expect to stay long anyways." He sighed, as he looked at me. "I can't blame them for not wanting me here either, I wouldn't want a monster in my home either.
That's what this is Lombardi, whether you fully realize that or not. It's not just a place that these people live, she made it a home for them. You can feel it everywhere you go. I've never felt the type of warmth that radiates from these walls before.
I've traveled a lot by my father's side over the years, which has given me the chance whether good or bad to be in the houses of many other families like ours. Never had any of their homes felt the way this one does, though they may look similar; large and imposing, built out on the outskirts of a thriving city, built with no expenses spared, housing sometimes of men, women and children, and many of them with quarters for their staff so that they never had the chance to step out of line. They all felt the same though upon entering them, they were all cold, no matter what the temperature was, all serious, no feeling of compassion or the feeling of family. Almost as though they only thought of the place as somewhere that they had to be, not as though it was somewhere that they wanted to be, somewhere that they were proud to house themselves, their families and all the others that found themselves living there. Everything was stale and nothing seemed to be able to bring any warmth or light to the place. After seeing so many places like that, as well as living in one myself, I truly thought that that was simply how every house with people in our line of work felt.
This house though, even from the outside I could see and feel the difference. The smiles of your staff's faces as they did their work with pride. The way that they didn't cower in fear in your presence, but still could easily see the respect that they hold for you, your family, your men and above all else the respect that they all hold for her.
Believe me, the despair that everyone felt upon seeing her when you arrived and guided her in was something that I have never felt and something that I hope that I never feel again. It was as though everyone was mourning someone that they loved and lost. I know that not every person that was here to greet her actually lives here with you, for fuck's sake Lombardi, even I could tell that the wives and girlfriends that had come with some of those men were here by their choice, not because they had been forced to be. The concern that was written on all of their faces is something that I'll never forget.
I couldn't say if this place has always felt the way that it does now or not, but what I can say from my point of view, this place, these walls and everyone that lives and works here all radiate the same warmth, compassion and acceptance that Mia does. Her heart, her soul, literally her essence oozes from every inch of this place. This is her home, she deserves and should feel safe here, she shouldn't have to be looking over her shoulder because the reminder of her worst nightmare could walk up behind her at any moment."
"Make her feel unsafe? Dimitri she asked about you and Christoph not even ten minutes ago. Mia, was just waking up when I walked back to our room after the encounter with Erin this morning. No one had talked to her, so whatever they were saying isn't true, and you have certainly caused no issues in this house, in fact you helped solve an issue that we had been trying to figure out since all this happened." I closed the space between us, putting a hand firmly on his shoulder. Now stop pouting like a teenager, go get that boy of yours and let Mia hold her first nephew before she gets out of bed to go looking for him herself. Which you know from the little experience you've had with her, she'd have no problem at all doing. Though since I would prefer that she stays where she is for awhile longer and rests, I would appreciate you doing me this small favor.
You are right though, it was Mia who made this a home for people, but we had to weed out a lot more people than you would have thought, honestly more people than I would have thought as well. Most of those who were weeded out thought that there was no way that Mia would ever adjust to this life, that she was and would always be nothing more than a liability to myself and my family. It didn't matter what she did, how kind she was or the way that she spoke to them, they were set in their ways and their thoughts and nothing that was going to change it, not even me.
You know, you are not the only person in this world that people have labeled a monster for the way that we live. The way that we were raised, the things that we've seen since we were young, the things we've done ourselves, the way that those on the outside view us, the things that they say whether true or not are not what make us monsters in their eyes. It's because people in general do not handle the unknown well.
The night that I met Mia for the first time, man, let me tell you, that is a not that I'll never forget as long as I live and breathe. I thought that she was just another girl who had wandered into the club that Alex hired, I couldn't have been more wrong. I followed her to where she was living that night believe it or not, from the moment that I laid eyes on her, I was lost in her and I knew from that moment that there was no one else in this world that could possibly make me feel the way that I feel about Mia.
That night she told me something that I had never been told before. She looked me in the eyes and told me that she was not afraid of me, because I was not the monster that people said I was, that she could tell by my eyes.
I want you to remember his Dimitri, monsters don't keep their word, they don't feel guilt or take the time to keep someone else's wife alive as long as you did. Let Mia decide whether or not she thinks of you as a reminder of anything bad. Somehow I'm pretty sure you're going to find that the only thing she sees in you is hope. She wouldn't have let you touch her at all even to help her off the plane if she had any doubt at all in you.
I think maybe you need to take a page out of her book. She trusted you with her life without a second thought. Maybe you just need to trust that she's made the right people see, she was right in doing so."
He nodded and we headed towards the stairs. I stopped at our door as he continued next door to the nursery. Chuckling to myself I walked into our room, which was filled with a group of people happily chatting away with Mia.
"How far along are you even?" Mia questioned looking in Cassie's direction.
"About 8 weeks as of today."
Mia's POV
I couldn't have been more excited for Alex and Cassie. They were going to be amazing parents. I saw Deacon standing there looking around at everyone. I waved at him, "I managed to save you a seat here beside me, but you better hurry I've had to fight off a few invaders." I laughed.
Although I was excited to see everyone who had come in to see me, I was still slightly sad. I had hoped that Dimitri would have brought Christoph into see me first so that I could hold him. I hope he hadn't left without telling anyone. Looking around the room, even with everyone here, it didn't seem complete, it felt as though there was an empty space that needed to be filled.
Deacon's POV
I smiled and went over, taking the seat beside her. As I watched her interact with these people it was amazing. Some of these men look like they have lived ruthless, hate-filled lives. Then with her in the room with them, they turn into teenage boys again.
We must have both heard the door latch close at the same time as we looked up, Dimitri stood there silently with Christoph on his hip. It was like he was waiting to be ran out of the room.
I watched a smile worth all the stars in the sky cross her lips as she realized who it was. "Bring that adorable little chunk of baby over here." She chirped with her arms stretched out already.
Dimitri made his way through straight to where we sat. As he was handing him over to Mia I could tell he was happy that she was excited to see Christoph. As soon as he was in her arms he stepped away, making it very apparent to Mia that he felt unwelcome in the midst of everyone. Which I could tell upset Mia as she looked at me visibly disturbed by the thought that Dimitri had not been treated kindly by someone in our home.
I took this opportunity to re-start the conversation that Mia and I had started earlier in private. "I made mention to something to Mia before I came and told everyone that she was awake and even though we haven't gotten to fully talk it through yet, I see no point in delaying an upcoming event."
Out of the corner of my eye I saw the nervousness, and the swaying of Dimitri as he looked at Christoph from a distance.
"I hadn't given it thought until these recent events unfolded. But, I believe this is the best time to make the changes to the Omertà that I have neglected to do for sometime, because even though I may have been in charge I didn't truly feel as though I was ready or capable of being the leader that I knew that everyone needed me to be and the one that everyone deserved. I'm still not completely sure that I am either of those things, but I can also no longer push aside such an important matter of business."
Alex and Axel both looked like they had seen a ghost, while the rest of them just stared at me. "As some as of you know only the highest and most trusted members of our organization have ever signed it. When I was given the crown from my father, I was also given a blank copy of the Omertà for my own people to sign as I felt confident about their abilities and their loyalty to my family. I may not have felt ready before and I still feel as though there are things that I need to learn myself in this role. But I would like to think that the true reason that I haven't pushed forward with this before is because not everyone that needed to be here was here yet and not because I was blinded by fears of my past and unable to see the people that surrounded me, and those people that have been brought here, whether just recently or within the last few years were the people that were supposed to be here the entire time. But then again, it could be a mix of the two.
Sitting here with with all of you present right now, this feels right, it feels complete, more than anything else for the first time I can truly say that I can see what the future looks like for our family and for the first time in a long time, I can say with confidence and pride that I see there is nothing that we cannot accomplish as long as we all are together.
The people are right, and I feel that the time is finally right to take this step." I looked over at Mia who wasn't even hearing what I was saying she was too busy with Christoph to pay attention. "But most importantly, even though I may have been unprepared in the past and still in many ways am unprepared to take on the full weight onto my shoulders that as long as I have Mia to stand by my side and that every one of you stand willingly behind us, that we can figure this out together, because it's going to take every single one of us taking large steps into roles that we have held but never embraced in order to make those around us truly see that things are changing for the better."
I waited for any response as I looked around the room, as everyone's eyes were still locked on me. Though none of them made any motion or gave any indication that there was anything that they needed or wanted to add to what I had just said to them.
"You know, maybe if you explained to them their positions and what they would be responsible for in those positions you would get more a the response that you're looking for." Mia giggled from the bed, while her attention was still focused on Christoph who was just smiling and cooing at her.
Damn she never fails to amaze me, that entire time I thought that she was hearing nothing that I was saying and it turns out that she had heard every single word I said. Somehow there was nothing more dangerous than someone who seemed as though they were just abiding in life, that could also hear, remember and react to the words, subtle movements and the actions around them the way that Mia could. God, I'm glad she's on my side.
"Now would be the time to ask any questions you may have." I smiled.
No questions came, just silence. As I looked around as this group of I realized why no one had any questions.
With the exception of one individual present in the room all of them already knew that they belonged here as well as where they were needed and what they were expected to do in that position and how to accomplish it without turning those that worked closest with them not only against them personally, but against us as a group. This was just a formality and one that I am more than happy to finally get out of the way, since now, while looking around the people and faces that were surrounding myself and Mia, they somehow made me feel as though even though I may still not be ready for everything that his was going to bring forward into our paths, that with their faith, strength, confidence and acceptance that they all saw something in myself and in Mia that maybe I couldn't see myself or something that I had refused to see because I thought that in order to fully step into this role that there were things that I would be unable to do and people that I would be unable to have at my side, or that they would use it as the reason that they left, leaving me alone in this world again.
But even with the thought still fresh in my mind, there was something telling me that no matter how difficult or tough the road got ahead of us, that Mia was there to navigate by my side and that there was nothing that would make her leave.
"You don't have to ask me twice. Where do I sign?" Nicco asked sarcastically.
"That is something that I will make sure you all know shortly, but it should be no longer than a week before I have the details ready for you. With that being said there is one more idea, actually it's more of a possible shot in the dark than anything else and I'm stepping out into very uncomfortable territory, because this is something that hasn't been discussed and I'm not sure if the person to which I'm offering this position will feel comfortable enough to take it.
There has always one position that I have sworn to myself that I would fill, that even my father had not. He had never been able to find someone he trusted enough with his family to ever have an advisor, someone that he trusted enough to heed their advice over this own thoughts. He always told me that a leader who can find that kind of man in a business like this will rule the world." I kept walking slowly making my way around the group for the second time, when I looked over to Mia who was now watching me. When locked eyes for that brief moment, she smiled and nodded in agreement. Mouthing the word perfect to me.
Stopping in front if Dimitri, he looked up at me in what could be nothing less than fear. He hadn't been listening at all. "Dimitri, you saved my wife and brought her home alive. You gave us a nephew we didn't know existed at all. You knew before I did about the lies and disloyalty of a certain nameless doctor. You proved yourself to be more than able to handle any situation thrown at you." I offered my hand to him, "You Dimitri have given honor back to your name and have proved that beyond a shadow of a doubt that you can be trusted not only to make wise choices, but that I can trust you with the people who mean more to me than all the money in the world. So, if you have nothing better to do for the next several years how about you stay here, make a new life for yourself and advise me on how much of a jackass I am."
He stood there for a moment staring at me in disbelief, his eyes left mine as his looked towards where Mia was sitting, looking at what was going on. I watched as she smiled, nodding her head telling him I was indeed being sincere. "On one condition."
"That being what?"
"You ever see me starting to fall back into old ways you knock it out of me. Other than that I'd be happy with advising a jackass like you." He quipped, shaking my hand to seal the deal.
"I'll make the preparations needed and give you all a time that we will meet to do this."