Love Fades, Mine Has

Chapter 12

I watch Rose as they escort her from the room. She turns quickly startling her guards, her face pained and showing signs of something else. Jealousy? I follow her intense stare before her eyes flit to mine and the guards push her through the doorway. Lissa.

"Your Honor, what charges do you hold against Mr. Belikov that he needs to be placed in a jail cell?" Lissa's voice rings through the almost emptied court room. Christian leans in to whisper in her ear, by the look of it she doesn't like what he said. Adrian and Abe are having a discussion and are oblivious to the discussion going on around them. 

"Contempt of court! He made a mockery of my court room." The judge says showing signs of bewilderment.

"Okay. But is putting him in a jail cell really the answer?" Lissa firmly says, fixing her eyes on the judge. What is she doing? Christian's forcefully yelling at her. Stop her, please stop her.

"Fine. Princess Dragomir, since you take such an interest in Mr. Belikov, I will release him to you, under your charge. You will be held personally responsible and accountable for his actions. Should he go missing, you will be arrested and tried in his place. Do you agree to these terms?" The judge eyes her with wide knowing eyes. Lissa begins to answer but Christian cuts her off and they begin to argue again.

"Adrian!" My rough voice catches him surprise. It's loud enough for him and Abe to hear, in addition to any guards surrounding us, fortunately my outburst didn't seem to disturb anyone else. He turns to me with a creased brow line and a firm set jaw. A questioning look fleeting across his green eyes. He follows my gaze to Lissa and Christian, immediately realizing something's wrong.

"Your decision Princess Dragomir? I'm growing impatient." The Judge calls.

"What?" Adrian looks between the Judge and Lissa. Christian quickly fills him in. "NO!" He yells.

"It'll be fine." Lissa says, almost too calmly. My heart starts pounding in my chest as I watch my fate rest on the shoulders of Lissa. She means well and has her heart in the right place, but she's so innocent. I can not let her make this deal, her future will be ruined. Because I have no intention of sticking around. Standing up taller, taking a few steps toward the judge I say,

"It's really a shame I won't be going to jail after all. Sharing a cell with my Roza would be heaven in itself." I flash my most confident and alluring grin, steadying my shaking hands and hiding my nervousness. 

"ENOUGH! Take him away." She yells pounding the gavel. "And ensure he's far away from Rosemarie Hathaway." I hide my emotions as I turn back to look upon the faces of Lissa, Christian, and Adrian.

"Dimitri, no!" Lissa yells. Christian pulling her toward the exit. Adrian and I share the briefest moment in which he slightly nods.

Glancing to Abe he's studying me carefully, watching my every move. I praise myself for all the hard work I've put into mastering the ability to hide my emotions, or as Rose calls it, my guardian mask. I've never officially met this man, though I know of his reputation and I don't like him. He's very dangerous, one of the most ruthless and cutthroat men alive. But seeing how he is the father of my Roza, I trust him and who knows I may end up liking him once we finally meet...someday. The guards grab my arms and lead me out the door.

"Hey Beautiful," I quietly say as we walk into the cell holding room. Rose jumps to her feet, pressing her body against the bars, accentuating her curves. 

"Whatcha in for Comrade?" She smirks teasingly, playing with her beautiful dark brown hair.

"Oh nothing too serious. I'm sure you have a few on your record already. Something about contempt of court..." I playfully reply. We both snicker. The guards begin to lead me down the opposite side of the room, far away from Rose.