Elsie had a pout on her lip as she worked her fingers through her curls. She sat in the passenger seat of Dima's car while he sped off to the resturaunt they were headed to.

She only knew where they were going because she asked her mother so she knew how to dress. Luckily she'd been there before so she knew the atmosphere they were going into.

She tried to ask Dima but all he did was rush her to go faster. As if that ever helped her move quicker.

In fact, while she was just getting ready to do hair and makeup after agonizing over what to wear- Dima had began grabbing all of her things.

Elsie gaped as he manhandled her stuff into his car before pointing at the seat wordlessly.

Now she was stuck using her pocket mirror and the car mirror.

Pitiful.

"I can't believe you made me walk out like this."

Dima's lip lifted in a sense, side glancing over at her loose curls that tickled at her chin and her bare face. He didn't see the fucking big deal. He can't think of anything she could add to how she looked to make her look even more attractive.

"I can't believe you took thirty five minutes to even pick an outfit."

"Well I can't believe you stormed in like that. I could've been naked."

Rolling his eyes, Dima huffed. "My bad for assuming you'd be dressed in the completely reasonable amount of time given."

Elsie scowled, not once stopping from lining her lips in the mirror. Dima was trying to ignore how his eyes strayed from the road in front of them as she glossed them.

The woman shifted in her seat, looking at her hair. Her curls as is will have to do after she put the proper products in them today.

Working her fingers through them, she carefully set each hair in place so they were perfectly framing her face. Seemingly bouncing around effortlessly.

But nothing was effortless.

"Who are we meeting again?" Any irritation had melted from her voice as she slumped over the console between them. Her chin rested on top of her palm lazily.

Dima didn't even glance over at her, silently debating if he wanted to answer her question.

But honestly, he still wasn't over the fact that he'd been manipulated into bringing her to meeting with the Bryne boys.

With batting lashes, Elsie watched him reach for the volume and turn it up.

She could feel her entire body slump, the air whooshing out from her lungs as she slowly pressed her back into the passenger seat. Effectively leaving his space that she'd invaded.

Bringing her hands to her lap after cleaning up any of her makeup or products and tossing them to the bag he'd snatched, Elsie turned her head towards the window.

Dima looked sideways at her, seeing she'd quieted down before finally relaxing into his seat.

After a few more minutes of silence, Dima looked over again. His brow furrowed when the silence became loud, even though it was what he wanted.

Maybe it was just odd to be in Elsie's presence without her chattering about whatever it is she talks about. If he's learned anything in his short time with her.

The rest of the car ride was near silent besides the tune of the radio that wasn't even on a station he remotely enjoyed. Honestly, Dima would rather have Elsie's voice filling the car right now.

But her soft voice hadn't made a peep this entire ride as twenty minutes passed. As he got closer to the resturaunt they were going to, she was shocked when he was the one to speak up.

"I don't understand why you even like going to these things," Dima grunted as he adjusted his grip on the steering wheel.

When he asked the question, he finally- finally- felt her doe brown eyes on him.

Elsie was surprised to even be asked a question. " Um- Well I don't hate them. It's something to do I guess, meet new people."

Dima squinted as he glanced over at her, just as he did so he pulled into a parking spot. Their eyes met as the car stopped, he looked as if he was waiting for her to continue.

"Even if it's for the business of things or whatever... I get to meet people. Be useful, I guess."

"Meet people that just want to use you," Dima scoffed.

Elsie's face finally screwed up with some mild irritation, it was his first time seeing anything like it.

"Isn't that the case with everybody? At least in my world," she tilted her head at him for a moment before opening her door and letting herself out.

Dima scowled at the wheel of his car, an unfamiliar twist at his gut hit him with a pang and he couldn't find any solution for it in the moment. Her words annoyed him, the idea that she knew everyone took advantage of her made his skin prickle with a misplaced anger.

Baring his teeth, he tightened his grip on the steering wheel before exiting himself with a slam of his door.

Elsie was waiting patiently with her back towards him, she swayed her hips and rocked from one foot to another as if she was dancing to some kind of music he couldn't hear.

He came up besides her with a grunt, notifying her he was next to her.

"Can you tell me anything about the men we're meeting? I didn't get a chance to talk to my mom about it."

"They're the Bryne brothers-"

"Oh! The Irish boys, I already know them." This would be easier than she thought then.

Dima rolled his eyes as he opened the door for her, "So I've heard."

Elsie practically floated besides him, wading into his space as he lead her through the building. Her eyes slid around them, the resturaunt was practically a greenery. She hummed as she took it all in, stumbling over herself a bit as she got distracted.

Reflexively, Elsie's hand came to Dima's bicep to steady herself at the same time that he gripped her waist himself.

Her wide eyes immediately found his dark ones, she felt his fingers twitch against the dip of her hips just as her own grip twists at the fabric of his shirt.

"You're a walking accident."

Elsie felt like it was an insult but his tone of voice confused her for a moment. Not only that but the look in his eyes made her suck on her bottom lip as nerves crept into her stomach. She glanced down at how he wasn't loosening his grip.

"I'm sure I heard then," both of them heard the tell tale tone of her mothers inquisitive voice. They heard irish grumbles following and Dima didn't waste any time pressing his hand to the small of her back.

"Listen to everything I say," Dima lowered his mouth to the outer shell of her eat as he murmured lowly to her.

Elsie's lips twisted, raising a brow considering it used to be her mother telling her that before every meeting. She had it down enough that she didn't need to be told before hand anymore, but she supposes Dima is changing things.

Her eyes squinted a bit, assuming that he would want her to do the same thing that her mother expects. She could only hope that was what he wanted.

"There they are!" Clara grinned as she stood up.

Clara and Elsie made eye contact, her daughter shot her an unsure look discreetly which her mother shot right back at her momentarily.

They both turned their attention away from each other at the same moment, Elsie turning to smile widely at the twins and Clara to Dima.

The twins were familiar to her, it was Rian and Oisin. They were irish blood, through and through with an undeniable charm to them. She knows that Rian had taken a particular liking to her, Oisin was kind as well. If she had to meet with anybody today, she was glad it was them.

The twins had shaken hands with Dima and Elsie was drawn out of her thoughts when Rian's hand brushed against the small of her back where Dima's hand just was and he dragged her into a firm hug.

Her mind went blank, immediately returning the hug sweetly before thinking about whether she really wanted to. When he loosened his grip, she pulled away to give him a grin and spare Oisin a briefer hug.

"How've ya been, gorgeous?" Rian went to pull out the chair at the head of the table diaganol to him with his brother on the other side.

Dima cut in, meeting Rian's eyes directly as he guided Elsie into the seat besides her mother and sitting at the head of the smaller table himself.

"Sorry we're late," Dima cut off any answer that Elsie could have given. She was momentarily grateful, for the different seat besides her mother and also not having the chance to answer just because of the tense atmosphere, but Clara's annoyed eyes made that gratefulness dampen.

Rian grinned at Dima, undeterred by the change in subject. "All good, friend. We're always pleased to meet with the Ivanov's."

Elsie's eyes lit up as food that had obviously been ordered before they got here was placed in front of her along with a mimosa. Dima watched her from his peripheral as her lips quirked up excitedly.

He hummed in the back of his throat, listening to Oisin continue for his twin.

"We didn't know you were close with the Bernard's. They're some of our favorite ladies in the business," he shot a smirk to clara who nodded appreciatively. "We haven't seen you in a bit, love."

Elsie glanced up from the drink she'd been given, wide eyed as she rolled her lips together. There was a tension hanging in the air that was making her feel a bit awkward. It was throwing her off.

"Yeah," she cleared her throat as she straightened her posture. Exhaling through her nose, she was able to collect herself despite Dima staring between her and the twins. "I've just been winding down, helping my mom out at work when I can."

Rian snorted a bit at that, "I'm sure you've been a great help," he smiled charmingly. Although his words didn't match the gesture at all.

Elsie bit her lip, dropping her eyes down to the plate in front of her. Unconsciously, she did glance over at Dima who was already looking at her. Their gazes met for a moment before they both looked at Clara who spoke up.

"Obviously we have a few things to cover before we can really mingle," she swiftly got the topic back on track. "The Pavlova's have been in contact with you. We know you haven't entertained them but we need to know what you know so far. If there's anything you can give me to work with."

Elsie was brought her food as she listened to them drone on, Oisin felt the need to tell them the entire backstory of someone from the Pavlova's approaching them in a club. How they were propositioning them for their resources in exchange for a new business opportunity.

The way they were framing it made Elsie think that the Pavlova's were trying to hint at an opportunity to out do and out smart the Ivanov's discreetly.

In the past couple days she's learned just how important the Ivanov's were and they were in fact her moms bosses.

Which means Dima is her moms boss.

But it felt funny to think of him like that, he was just Dima. Maybe because when she met him he was the guy who was stuck in the rain that day.

"Did they clue you in on what they're working with?" Dima cut Oisin's long story off to get the answers he was actually looking for.

Rian nodded, taking a napkin and writing down all of the numbers he remembered being listed as he described them to the table. Something about man power, weapons, ammunition... blah, blah, blah.

Well, he described them to Clara and Dima. Elsie was beginning to feel silly at the brunch, she didn't even really want to be here she had just wanted to be with her animals today.

She didn't get to do her usual schmoozing because Dima had taken the reigns of the conversation and she could feel her mothers glare from her right side because of it.

Dima rubbed his jaw as he thought about what he wanted to do next.

"We need more information about how to get to them. I want this shit over with as fast as possible so I can get the hell out of this damn city but that doesn't mean we won't be efficient. I'd need the two of you to take them up on that offer and relay back what I need to know. It would go a long way for your family if you're willing to. The Brynes and the Ivanov's have always worked well together."

Both the twins glanced at each other, communicating in a way only twins probably do without words. They didn't have to say anything to make their hesitancy known.

"That sounds dangerous," Elsie worried aloud.

Dima slid his hardened eyes to her, tightening his jaw but the young woman only looked at Rian across from her.

Leaning in closer as if they were talking about something they shouldn't, Elsie tilted her chin down and looked at him with her wide doe eyes.

"I just don't know what I'd do if something happened to you guys while you were helping my mom out," she fretted quietly as she nervously picked at the napkin besides her plate. "There isn't any way you can do it safely... since you guys are the only ones able to have contact with them?"

Rian's features softened but the way he puffed out his chest was unmistakable. He reached across the table to hold Elsie's hand reassuringly.

"It's the only way to get the job done, sweetheart," he sighed. Oisin nodded at Dima, "We'll do it. The Ivanov's have always been good to us- The Pavlova's come for them then they're comin' for us."

Clare wiped at her mouth with her napkin, hiding her smirk behind it. Feeling her mothers approval, Elsie relaxed against her chair as her hand slid away from the irishmans.

The rest of the meeting went by quicker now that she felt like she did her part, a lot of the logistics of whatever they were doing went in one ear and out the other. It really was none of her business.

When they started standing up to say goodbye, Elsie sighed in relief. From her peripheral she saw her mom pull the twins to the side, she's assuming to thank them personally.

Quickly, she turned her back to down her mimosa without the prying eyes of everyone else.

Everyone else except for Dima of course who rose a silent brow. Pursing her lips with her cheeks filled with the alcohol, she slowly wiped at the dribble slipping down her chin as she loudly swallowed.

Dima exhaled roughly, not once looking away.

"You're driving back with me." It was a declaration more than a question. The russian man watched her glance at her mother once before nodding.

"Do you do everything she wants?" He murmured lowly as he gathered his things. Elsie blinked as he lifted up her jacket for her, not even glancing at her as she slid into it.

While she did it, she thought about his question. Her perfect brows furrowed, her answer was soft. "Our situations are very different if you can't see why I might want to keep her happy."

Dima huffed under his breath. "You can't blame your situation on everyone else."

She turned her face just as he looked down at her, his hands still lingering on her thin jacket over her shoulder. Her gentle features just stared up at him, piercing through his hardened features.

Sucking on her bottom lip nervously, Elsie didn't stop what came out of her mouth like she usually would. "You're apart of a family at the top of the food chain, Dima. I doubt you're able to see how things really are for me. But thats okay, you have your job. I have mine. I don't think either of us really chose those, did we?" Her head tilted curiously with those deep dark eyes that made his stomach churn in an unfamiliar way.

Dima's breath hitched, tightening his fists around the expensive fabric in his grasp.

Both of their attentions turned quickly over to the three others coming back over. Goodbyes were exchanged quickly and after another long hug from Rian and a promise to see her after his 'important and dangerous' work has calmed down- Dima was leading her away. Clara didn't protest, having another meeting to follow up with due to her hectic schedule.

This time on the way back, the car ride was a lot quieter as the two thought about what the both of them said. And everytime one of them looked over discreetly it felt like the other was darting their eyes away.

•••••

im back 😗
i made sure this chapter was long as an apology 😗😗

share ur thoughts and feelings in the comments, i'm really excited for these two and will be writing more, more consistently im so glad u guys have enjoyed.

i lovvve their chemistry, elsie is so cute

and !! everybody tune in to Maddening that'll be up in abt four hours after posting this !!! (one pm eastern standard time) i expect to see u there 🫵🫵