Page 39 (1/2)

OhI open the door is e smile appears on my face, I chuckle while I open the door

As soon as it opens, my dad yells, "Where is the fuck bastard?!"

Ah, okay

Dad looks a little out of sorts His hair is a ry

My brow furrows and answer, "Which fuck bastard, Tata?"

He pushes his way into the apart sofa cushions, peering down the hall, checking under the dining table and going so far as to even check if I’ someone in the kitchen cupboards

He stands in the kitchen and turns to me, he responds, "THE fuck bastard He no here?"

The fuck bastard That could only be…

I answer softly, "Jace isn’t here, Ta I haven’t seen him in years Before Mia was born"

Dads eyes flash and he tellsfor you He ask where you live, Valentina I no tell him but he try find you"

What? No way

I shake my head and say, "Tata, you must’ve been mistaken He’s not here so…"

I haven’t even notice I’ve left the door open til I hear, "Everything okay, babe?"

I spin and see Nik standing there staring holes into my father’s head He has a pizza box in his hands and is dressed in sweats and a t-shirt

Le sigh

He looks a holes right back into Nik The funny thing is that Nik is acting protective ofa scowl but ifhe would be a Chihuahua All bark and no bite

I ask Nik quietly, "What are you doing here?"

Nik continues to glare at ht need so out so she asked me to come"

That little sneak!

Dad loosens up at this He storms over to Nik, holds out his hand and says, "Nat tell you to take care my Tina? Natalia is like my own child If she like you, I like you"

I roll my eyes and introduce them, "Nik Dad Dad Nik"

Dad shakes Nik’s hand and replies, "You have longer name?"

Nik nods and replies, "Nikolai Leokov"

Dad smiles and says, "Ahh, Ruski!" Then he looks at me and says, "Nije hrvatskom, ali on je okay" Then he leans forward as if Nik isn’t there and whispers loudly, "But Ruski are communists, Tina"

Ohme at all Luckily, I hear Nik chuckle and he asks ot here"

But it’sproble problem The man try see Tina, she no want to see him He call me today"

Nik brow furrows as he asks, "Which man?"

Oh, crap!

I start, "Tata, nemoj!"

But it’s too late, dad blurts out, "The fuck bastard, Jess!" Dad can’t say Jace properly

Nik turns to me, his eye twitches and he repeats, "Jace? As in, that Jace?"

Oh, Shit!

I don’t normally swear but this is an Oh, Shit moment! Nik looks about ready to kill someone, na like a loon

I’m just about to anshen someone walks into the doorframe and I freeze

Jace Weathers looks into the open apartment and freezes, too

I choke out, "Jace, what are you doing here?" Nik steps forward to stand next to reets, "Hi It’s been a long time, Tina"

You don’t say?!

Jace still looks good, a littlebut still tall and handso, "Marko" Then he looks at Nik and says, "I’m Jace" He holds out his hand for Nik to shake

Oh, no I don’t want Nik to get arrested for assault so I quickly take Nik’s hand and squeeze it

Nik utters, "I knoho you are I just don’t knoho you think you are to coht when Jace is pushed in the back He flies forward into the apart, "GET OUT YOU FUCKER, YOU AREN’T WELCOME HERE!"

Nat stalks in followed by Mimi, Lola, Trick, Ghost, and Max

I ask a shrill, "What is everyone doing here?!"

Nat looks at me and says, "Your dad called me I left dinner and called for backup"

Dad storms over to Nat, kisses her cheek and puts an arm around her shoulder Dad loves Nat Always has They have the similar abrupt personality and bond over it

My face falls and I ask, "You left your date for me? Honey, you shouldn’t have done that"

She smiles and pats my hand, "Don’t worry, I’ll reschedule"

Jace stands, straightening his jacket He looks at Nik and says loudly, "I’m the father of Tina’s child That’s who I know I a silence follows

Nat is the first to react She steps forward and whispers, "You dare call yourself that?"

Rage fills me I look at Jace and ask slowly, "Do you even knohen Mia’s birthday was?" Jace looks down at his shoes I continue quietly, "Or the first word she ever said?" The rage builds and I yell at him, "When did she cut her first tooth, Jace?" I closecalmly and quietly, "All you as a sperm donor Mia didn’t have a father"

I burst into tears and croak, "I needed you so badly when she died My dad had a breakdownmy mom When he needed anizing Mia’s funeral as well as my mom’s And you didn’t even come to her funeral" I nod es, Jace That’s how many I left If it weren’t for Dad and Nat, I don’t knohere I’d be But I’usted as he asks, "You didn’t go to your own daughter’s funeral? What kind of man are you?"

Ghost looks livid, he steps forward and spits, "You need to leave right fuckin’ now"

Trick growls, "You forget you ever knew Tina"

I’m suddenly surrounded by warmth and the love of my friends And it’s nice

Nik doesn’t say anything for a while then, "Money"

Jace avoids aze when Nik states, "He needs money, Tina That’s why he’s here"

My mouth drops open I don’t believe it But Jace doesn’t deny it

Nik gets right up in Jace’s face and says with frightening calut you and use your intestines to decorateto Tina Just somebody she used to know"

Lola hold Trick’s hand and boasts, "Tina has soood here She doesn’t even think about you anymore"

Mi These guys are for members I wouldn’t push ‘em"

Jace’s eyes widen and his face pales My dad actually smiles harder