Page 41 of Taken By Him

Chapter Fifteen

Kasia

“You have a phone call, dear.” Margaret brings me the handheld while I sit beneath the willow with my kindle. It’s quickly become my favorite spot. Dominik had a new set of cushioned reclining lawn chairs with a table delivered and set up beneath the tree for me.

“Is it Dominik?” I ask as I take the receiver from her. I haven’t seen my husband since last night. When I woke this morning, it was to a chilled spot beside me in his bed.

“No, it’s Tammy,” Margaret says with confidence, like she knows her. Why would Tammy be calling on the house phone, how would she have even gotten the number? We haven’t spoken since we roomed together sophomore year.

“Oh.” I try not to sound surprised, but it’s not like Tammy and I were close friends.

I wait until Margaret’s back in the house before I put the phone to my ear.

“Tammy?”

“Hey, Kasia. One sec.” The phone shuffles.

“Kasia.”

My heart drops.

“Dad?”

“Your father. yes. You remember me, don’t you?” There’s a sharp bite to his tone. “I have to resort to tricking that housekeeper in order to get you on the phone? My own daughter? What has that asshole done?” There’s no concern, only irritation.

“I’m fine. He said you were going out of town.” If he’s with Tammy, he must still be in the city.

“Change of plans,” he says. “What have you found out?”

Does he know of the marriage?

“Dad, last night—”

“I heard. You married him. What have you found out?”

I’m not sure what I expected, or hoped he would say, but to brush it off as so inconsequential stings. I know who he is, I’ve felt his disapproval, but this stings still. No matter what, he’s my father. My only true family.

“Nothing,” I say quietly. Another disappointment. “He found me snooping.”

There’s a long silence.

“You found nothing?” His voice is like a boulder dropping from the mountain tops.

Doesn’t he want to know what Dominik did when he caught me?

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