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30
Dominik
A month later…
Kasia’s a bundle of nerves, pacing around the house looking for something to do. Margaret’s already kicked her out of the kitchen twice.
“Kasia. You are going to wear a hole in the living room,” I say, not looking up from my phone.
“I wish Margaret would let me do something. I hate having nothing to do but wait.”
My father and sister are coming over for dinner. They’ve been home for a few days, but Kasia has been so busy with the halfway house, I suggested we wait for the weekend.
“Aren’t they here yet?” Jakub saunters into the living room with a palm full of black olives. He pops one into his mouth then peeks out the front window.
“They will get here when they get here.” I shake my head. Not an ounce of patience between the two of them. And the most impulsive one, my sister, hasn’t even arrived yet.
“What if your sister doesn’t like me?” Kasia whispers to me, glancing over to be sure Jakub can’t hear her. All the drama in our lives has kept her and Jakub from really getting to know each other, but things are settling now. As much as life in my world can calm.
“My sister? What about my dad?”
She scrunches up her face and blows off the idea. “No. If your sister doesn’t like me, it’s a bigger problem. Trust me.”
I roll my eyes. Lena can be petty. She’s definitely spoiled and stubborn, but she won’t cause trouble for Kasia and me. She’ll be happy for us.
“Here they are.” Jakub tosses the last olive into his mouth and heads to the door.
I glance at Kasia then stuff my phone in my jeans. “Relax. They will love you. And if they don’t, they’ll keep it to themselves.” Or they’ll face me.
My comment doesn’t relax her.
I grab her hand and we go to the door together. When I pull it open, I see my father making his way up the front steps. He’s alone. His driver is already back in the car pulling away to park in the garage.
“Where’s Lena?” I ask.
My father looks to me, his eyes widen. “She’s not here?”
My stomach falls. “Why would she be here? Didn’t she come with you?”
“She went out with friends this morning, said she’d meet me here,” my father explains. He pulls out his phone and shows me her message.
I read the text.
Going to Dom’s on my own. See you there.
I hand the phone back. “Well, let’s get inside then we’ll call her,” I say. “You should meet Kasia first, though.” I take her hand and squeeze.
“Mr. Staszek,” she smiles at him.
He looks her over then grins. “My son tells me you’re nothing like your old man.” He nods. “That’s good.”
She tightens her hold on me but keeps quiet. I’ll talk to him later about being an ass.
“I’m kidding.” He pulls her into him for a big hug. No matter what an asshole the man is on the streets, when it comes to his family, he’s always been a bit of a softy. At least where the women were concerned. “I’m glad to have you in the family. Dominik says only kind things about you. And as big of an asshole he may be, he’s an honest asshole,” he says with another laugh.
While they make small talk, I call Lena. The call goes to voicemail.
“She texted you instead of talking to you at home?”
“I told you, she went out with her friends. I got her text while I was changing my shoes.” He points at his new loafers. The man loves his shoes the way some men enjoy cars.
“You didn’t text her back or call her?” I demand. He’s too permissive with her.
“She said she’ll be here. She’ll be here. It’s not like she isn’t old enough to have her own plans,” Dad argues. “I’m hungry.” He looks to Kasia. “Did you eat lunch yet?”
Kasia gives me a quick glance then steps toward the kitchen. “No, we were waiting for you.” She disappears into the kitchen with my father and brother following after her.
I look down at my phone again.
Lena was born in Chicago. All of her friends are here. Maybe she just wanted to go out for a bit before she came over, or she wanted to have her own ride so she could duck out in time to meet up with friends.
I tell myself all of this as I head to the kitchen, but there’s a sinking sensation in my stomach that nags me.
“Dominik,” my dad says from next to Kasia at the kitchen island. “Don’t worry. Your sister’s just being a pain in the ass again. She’ll be here soon. Come. Let’s eat. I’m starving. Then we can talk business.”
I watch Kasia talk with my father like she’s known him for years. He’s already at ease around her. She’s good with that. Making people feel important. Making them feel wanted.
I put my phone away. Lena will be here soon.
Maybe if I say it enough times it will come true.
Kasia smiles at me, and the worry fades away. Things can’t go wrong on a day as good as this.
“He’s nice,” Kasia whispers to me as she puts a plate in front of me. I laugh. My father is no such thing. But it’s good if she thinks so. She’s had enough darkness in her life.
I won’t allow it to ever happen again.
She will always feel loved.NôvelDrama.Org: owner of this content.
She will always be mine.
Forever. The End of book 1 continue reading for book 2.