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I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Okay. Why?”
A low sigh came from him. He shook his head in disappointment. “I see you still hate me. It’s been years, and I regret my decisions now.”
I blinked. “Was that supposed to be an apology?”
“No,” he breathed. “But this is. I’m truly sorry for everything I put you through. I’m a changed man now.”
My father sounded anything but apologetic. He was aware that I wasn’t buying his bullshit, though he refrained from speaking on it. Instead, he frowned at the sight of my expression. Mainly, I wanted this to be over with before Tiana arrived. They didn’t need to meet.
“I don’t forgive you.”
He was taken aback. “But I apologized.”
I raised an amused eyebrow. “So? When you’re apologizing, at least try to fake being truly sorry for what you’ve done.”
A wide grin overtook his face. “There’s the daughter I know and loathe.”
“Aw, showering me with compliments already?”
The smile dropped from his face in an instant. “Before the month ends, I’m dragging you back to that little room you love so much.”
Something inside my stomach twisted, agony spreading through my body. Fear like I’d never known had taken over me, freezing me in place. I was never going to go down without a fight, and I hated how little time I had to get everything ready.
“I’d like to see you try,” I muttered, my throat dry.
Bogdan tilted his head to the side. “I’m giving you a choice here.” His voice rose. “You can either come with me, or your brother dies.”
I laughed at his pathetic attempt at blackmail, and his brows creased. He’d thought I’d be more surprised, yet from the moment I’d learned there was a hit on Aleksei’s head, I’d known it was him.
“You tried once when he was weak—it didn’t work out. What makes you think it’ll work out this time? It’s a very delusional and groundless thought, Father.”
“What was it that I used to tell you?” He pretended to think. “Ah, right. Even the most secure buildings have an exit—you just need to know how to get past it.”
I snorted. “Not if you can’t even enter the building. Do you think I wasn’t aware of this? You’re constantly calling me stupid, but are you smart enough to realize I’m not?”
Truthfully, I was pulling any strings I possibly could to piss him off. I didn’t care how relevant to the conversation it might’ve been—if it angered him, it was good enough. And it was working. Aleksei had definitely inherited his bad temper from Bogdan.
“I’d watch my mouth if I were you,” he advised, which earned an eye roll from me. “You’re still inexperienced, and I can tell that you’ve yet to learn how to be indifferent. Do not worry, my dear—your father will fix you.”
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry I’ve kept you—” Tiana shut up as soon as she saw the three terrifying men at my table. “Waiting,” she finished.
“Ah, a friend of Ekaterina’s?” Bogdan offered his hand for her to shake.
Reluctantly, Tiana accepted and glanced between us, her voice small. “Yes, sir.”
“Well then,” he announced and got off the chair, picking up his cane in the process. “I’ll see you soon, Ekaterina. Don’t forget about the offer, my dear. The clock is ticking.”
I watched them as they left. Tiana took her sweet time sitting down, eyes glued to my father and his goons until they were out the door. Slowly, her eyes found mine; confusion was written all over her face.
“Is that your father?”
I nodded.
“What a scary man,” she murmured.
“He is.” I decided to change the subject, but Tiana beat me to it.
“What the hell is going on with you lately?” she demanded.
