Dimitri by Roxie Rivera Page B

push her behind him at the first sign
of trouble.
    "I think we may have gotten off on the wrong
foot, Benita." The man smiled but Dimitri wasn't fooled. His
weasel-like face and shifty demeanor put Dimitri's radar on high
alert. "My name is Carl and I work for UpStreet Properties. I truly
didn't mean to frighten you this morning. We were simply wondering
why we hadn't heard back from you about our offer for the
building."
    "So pick up the phone and call me," Benny
snapped back, her voice laced with irritation.
    Dimitri's lips twitched with amusement as shock
registered on the man's face. Clearly he'd come here expecting to
strong arm her but this little spitfire wasn't about to be pushed
around by anyone.
    Changing tactics, Carl apologized with a sickly
sweet smile. "You're right, Benita. It's just that the offer is
time sensitive. We'd hoped to have an answer in the next few
days."
    "Why?" She squared her shoulders and lifted her
chin. "Because you need this lot in your back pocket so you can
secure approval from the city and a financing deal from that bank
for the retail plaza you plan to put here?"
    Carl's lips settled into a tight line. "That
isn't—"
    Benny lifted her hand. "You think you're the
only one with friends in city offices? My customers talk to me and
I listen." With a shake of her head, she said, "Look, I told you
people last week that I wasn't interested in selling."
    "And your brother? Is he interested in selling
his share of the business?"
    Dimitri's eyes narrowed at the man's subtle
threat. He didn't doubt for a minute that this guy would stoop so
low as to turn a brother against his sister for the promise of a
little money.
    "Carl, you really don't want to start down this
road with me." Benny's anger darkened her voice.
    Not so easily swayed, Carl reached into his
jacket. Dimitri tensed but the man pulled out a business card. He
placed it on the stainless steel surface of the work table. "Call
me when you change your mind. The generous offer Mr. Krause made
expires on Monday."
    Putting a hand on Benny's shoulder, Dimitri
silently instructed her to stay put. He shadowed Carl to the door
and deliberately knocked into him as he started down the steps. The
man stumbled forward and only narrowly escaped a meeting with the
pavement.
    Spinning around, Carl glared but Dimitri put a
finger to his own lips, warning the man to keep his mouth shut.
Like Nikolai, Dimitri had mastered the art of striking fear into a
person with one cold look. Carl wasn't as stupid as he looked and
kept his trap shut.
    "Don't show your face around here again."
Dimitri raised a warning finger and pointed it at him. "If your
boss has business with Benny, you tell him to pick up the phone to
schedule an appointment with her. Understood?"
    Carl gave a stiff nod and stormed to the black
car waiting in the alley. Dimitri made sure to memorize the license
plate. He had a feeling this wouldn't be the last he'd see of
Carl.
    Shutting the side door behind him, Dimitri
returned to the kitchen. Benny had swept up the mess and stood at
the sink washing her hands. Their gazes clashed across the kitchen.
He read the anxiety all over her face. Hating to see her so upset,
he opened his arms. "Come here."
    She rushed into his arms and pressed her cheek
to his chest. He kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back.
"God, he scared me!"
    "He won't be coming back." Dimitri intended to
make that promise a reality. He'd see how Carl liked having someone
show up unexpected and unannounced on his turf.
    "Do you think they'll really try to turn Johnny
against me?"
    She already knew the answer but she wanted to
hear it from him. Though it killed him to confirm her fears, he
answered honestly. "Yes—and I think Johnny will take their
offer."
    "Oh God." Benny tried to pull away from him but
he held tight. "Dimitri, what the hell am I going to
do?"
    He placed his hand along her cheek. The glimmer
of tears in her pretty eyes made his gut twist. He made