“Let’s do it,” I say, rubbing my hand over her leg. “I’ll plan it carefully, and we can make sure we have a solid exit plan in case we need it.”
“Ok,” she smiles nervously. “Let’s do it.”
Chapter20 - Selene
Simon spent two solid days scouting out the best possible location for my family dinner. Alek wasn’t in the least bit concerned to switch venue. He didn’t mind at all that we wanted it to be at a restaurant rather than at his home. I honestly don’t know if that is good or bad or if it means anything at all. At this point, I am just constantly telling myself to breathe. Breathe in. Breathe out. Everything is going to be okay.
Before we met my father for the first time, I was convinced it would be easy for me. Ok, maybe noteasy, but I was convinced that I had a clear picture of who he is, and who I am, and what I will never allow him to do to me ever again.
Then, as soon as I was in front of him, I crumbled.
At the time, I didn’t even realize it was happening. My old, fearful ways snapped back into place, and I started doubting myself, questioning my thoughts, and wondering if I had misunderstood everything that had happened and maybe overreacted.
Simon and I spoke about it for a long time, and he helped me find my way back to myself.
OfcourseI don’t trust my father. Ofcourse,he was wrong to keep my babies and me locked up in his home for five years. That’s before we even begin to talk about the emotional and physical abuse.
I can’t believe I doubted myself for even a second.
The dinner we have arranged now is with everyone. My four brothers and my father will all be there, and I am more focused on my brothers than on my father. I hope that Yaroslavor Yakov will slip me information somehow. All I want is to end this. I want this horrible situation to be over.
“Are you ready?” Simon asks, looking at me with a gentleness that makes me angry. I tilt my chin up in defiance, and I clench my fists at my sides.
“I won’t make the same mistake I did last time. He won’t make me doubt myself again,” I snap at him.
Then I bite my bottom lip and soften my shoulders. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound rude.”
Simon chuckles and wraps his arms around me. “It’s okay, princess. Bring out your fierce side. Let her run free. I know tonight isn’t going to be easy for you. But don’t forget that I am right there with you. And you know the exit plan, right?”
I nod. “I know it because you made me run through it a hundred times,” I grin.
“The twins are safe here with Raya. We have guards with them and guards with us. We’ve prepared for this. He won’t be able to harm you,” Simon says.
I nod, reassuring myself that we have planned and planned and planned again to be as safe as possible when we meet Alek this time. “I’m ready.”
Simon gently kisses my lips, then steps away from me.
“Then let’s do this,” he says.
The restaurant is near the harbor. A thin layer of fog has settled over the water, and you can hear the fog horns like an early call in the dark.
I swallow away my fear and let Simon take my hand as we walk into the restaurant. The patron leads us to a back room, a private dining area with glass walls. We have the privacy ofsoundproofing, while, again, the security team can still keep an eye on us.
My whole family is already there and seated. Only my father stands up when we enter the room.
“Hello, welcome, hello,” he says with his arms spread as though he expects a hug from me. I consider turning him down, but then decide to play his game. There is no point starting this meeting on a sour note anyway. Not if we hope to gain information from him.
Yaroslav and Yakov hug me as well, but Bogdan and Vasya don’t even bother to stand up. Their eyes are steel blades as they watch Simon, and I walk in and get settled.
“Volkov scum,” Bogdan mutters under his breath.
Simon ignores it.
Alek picks up a fork and flings it at Bogdan. “I told you to mind your manners, boy,” he snarls. Then, in a flash, his face returns to the pleasant smile it was a second before.
Bogdan sneers, and Vasya continues to glare at Simon.
“If I’m so pretty to look at, why don’t you take a photo? It’ll last longer,” he taunts Vasya.
