The Bratva King's Kidnapped Bride - Page 69

“Don’t patronize me,” Nataliye sneered. “Of all the people in the world to be so low, I never believed it would be you. And you just sat there, letting me pour my heart out.”

“I’m still your friend,” Katie said.

“Like hell you are.” A new stream of vile names poured out of her mouth, and I finally slammed my hand against the door frame.

“Stop it,” I bellowed, cutting her off in the middle of a word. “I’m sorry I happened to fall in love with someone you know, but that’s how it is.”

“I’m so sorry,” Katie said. “I didn’t think things would get so far, but I really do care for your dad.”

“Oh, please. It’s more like you care for this cushy life you finally got back. I know you hated struggling, but did being poor really suck so much that you had to stoop to this? You couldn’t find some rich guy who wasn’t my father?”

“That’s enough,” I said, my compassion waning. “Katie never asked me for anything for herself. And whatever I give her doesn’t take away from what I give you. You have to know my love for you isn’t affected. So, does it all come down to the bottom line? Is that why you’re so upset?”

Katie sucked in a breath, and Nataliye’s angry face crumpled into tears.

“How could you say something like that?” Nataliye cried.

I waved my hand. “Am I the only one saying hurtful things? Help me understand.”

“You’ll never get it.” With a long, pained look at Katie, she shoved past me. “I hate you both and hope I never see either of you again. Go ahead and cut me off. I don’t care.”

A moment later, the front doors slammed again. She was gone. Katie took a big, shuddering breath and reached for a tissue to blow her nose. I could only stare at where my daughter stood, trying to remember the last time she said she’d never speak to me again. It was nice to have a precedent, so I could cling to the fact that she wasn’t serious this time, either.

This time I’d done something far worse than tell her she couldn’t go to a party, though. It might not be forever before she spoke to me, but it would certainly be a good long time.

“She’ll come around,” I said, breaking the long silence in the room.

Katie looked at me like I was insane, but to my utter surprise, she burst out laughing. It was borderline hysterical, and she stood up, scraping her fingers through her hair. Was she going to run out of the door now, too?

Instead of running past me, she walked straight into my arms, her laughter vibrating against my chest as she wrapped her arms around me. Pretty soon, there was nothing left to do but join in.

After a few minutes, she looked up at me, her eyes still sparkling with tears. “Just tell me things won’t get worse.”

“I’m not sure I can promise that,” I said, holding her tighter. “But I’m so grateful you’re here in my arms.”

She rose on her toes, her chin tipped back. “I guess I’ll stay.”

“Damn right you will,” I said, kissing her. “God, I missed you so much.”

She melted against me, then pulled away. “Come on,” she said, taking my hand and tugging me out of the room. “I’m hungry.”

“Let me order something for us,” I said. “Or I can heat up whatever Olga left.”

She shook her head, pushing me toward a kitchen chair. “I’m going to make us dinner, and you better not argue with me about it.”

I smiled as she pulled down her favorite apron and wrapped it around her waist. She was in her element, looking over the ingredients in the refrigerator as she decided what to cook.

“I wouldn’t dare argue with you,” I said.

Her eyebrows rose as she took celery and tomatoes out of the fridge. “Oh really? That’s new. I can get on board with that.” She put the veggies on the counter and rested against it a bit too casually. “Then I guess I better inform you of some other things, too, while you’re in such an agreeable mood.”

“Go for it,” I said, delighted by her. I could still see the echo of pain in her eyes about Nataliye, but I had enough optimism about my daughter coming around for the both of us. Before she could speak, I jumped up and hurried to her, pulling her to me. “But first, I have to inform you of something.”

She looked up expectantly, and I kissed her gently, brushing her hair behind her ears.

“Tell me,” she whispered against my mouth.

“I think you know.”