When we reach the shopping center, I go to the store first to pick up the bag I had on order, and then I leave my shopping bag with Gary and make my way to the restaurant to meet my father. I feel better knowing that these big, scary guys are just a few feet behind me.
They won’t let Papa hurt me.
When I walk inside, I turn to both of them and offer them a shaky smile.
“I shouldn’t be too long.”
“We’ll be right here, watching,” Benji says with a nod. “Take your time. Signal if you need us.”
I draw in a deep, nervous breath and walk into the dining room, spotting my father at his favorite table, and to my surprise, he stands as I get closer. Even Viktor stands, but he doesn’t smile or say anything.
He’s always leering at me, though. Always has a smarmy sneer on his face.
My father, however,smilesat me and reaches out to hug me, plants a kiss on my cheek.
“It’s good to see you, malyshka.”
“Um, hi, Papa.” I offer him a smile, but everything in me is on high alert. This isnothow my father usually treats me. Not even close. I don’t remember the last time he kissed my cheek. He certainly never smiles at me.
“Sit, sit.” He points to the chair across from him and takes his seat once more, and I fold my hands in my lap, waiting for him to start the conversation. “I haven’t seen you in weeks. How is everything going with your new husband?”
His face is calm and pleasant.Who is this man?
“It’s been going well,” I reply carefully. “He treats me well, and I don’t have any complaints.”
“Good.” He nods at me and then gestures for the server to leave us alone rather than order lunch. “Does Julian discuss business around you, malyshka?”
He wants information.
I should have known.
“No, he doesn’t do much work from home.” I keep my eyes on his and don’t so much as flinch. I may not like keeping things from my husband, but I’ll lie to this motherfucker all day long. “Is that why you brought me here?”
“How much time do you spend with the other three men?”
“None.”
All pleasantness leaves his face, and he drops his voice. “You listen to me, you worthless little brat, I put you in that luxurious life with that man, and you’re going to do your job and tell me everything you know.”
His eyes fall to my necklace, and he glares.
“I thought you loved your grandmother.”
Um, what?
“You know I did.”
“Yet, you don’t wear her necklace all the time.”
Confused, I sit back in my seat and scowl. “How would you even know that?”
He shakes his head in disgust and then, to my horror, reaches across and rips the chain from around my neck and tosses it on the table.
I grab for it and hold it tightly in my fist.
“Why did you do that?”
“You don’t deserve anything from her,” he snarls, his lip curled in disgust. “She’d be disgusted by you. You whore yourself to him?—”
