Page 74 of Taken By Him

Chapter Twenty-Five

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.

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