Page 69 of Bratva Knight

“Hey!” I ran forward and wedged myself between them when the first opportunity presented itself. I shoved at their chests, pushing them apart. “Enough!”

My dad was at my back and I was facing Nikolai head on. His eyes snapped to me, full of rage. I had no idea what was going on, what my dad said to him. But I knew it had to be bad. Nikolai didn’t snap like this out of the blue. He had unbelievable control over himself and his actions. It would take something drastic for him to all of a sudden start punching on with someone. Especially my dad.

“That’s enough,” I repeated, my voice stern.

His jaw clenched, like he wanted to say something, to fight me on this. But I held my ground, staring him down. He growled and stormed off, disappearing down the stairs. I’d find out his side of the story later.

I turned and locked eyes with my dad. There wasn’t a single ounce of regret on his face. Not that I was surprised. He’d been dying to get his hands on Nikolai since that day in the hospital. Since he found out what happened. The only thing holding him back was me. That was clearly out the window now.

Aleksandr and Mikhail hovered in the doorway, an awkwardness buzzing in the air. They had to walk through us to get past, and they seemed hesitant.

I arched an eyebrow. “If you’re done enjoying the show, I need a moment alone to talk to my dad.”

Aleksandr cleared his throat. He nodded once and brushed past, Mikhail in tow.

Once we were alone, I turned my angry glare on my dad.

“I’m not going to apologise,” he said instantly, standing taller.

I had no intention of asking him to apologise. I knew there wouldn’t be any point. My dad was just as stubborn as I was.

“What happened?”

Dad huffed, running a hand over his jaw. He winced slightly, the red mark on his skin an indication that Nikolai managed to get a good shot in. “What should have happened years ago. It was long overdue, and you know it.”

“Dad—”

“No, Tatiana. I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to hear you defend him. I don’t want to hear the lecture.I’myour father.I’mthe parent.Ilectureyou, not the other way around.”

I exhaled, crossing my arms over my chest. “Go on then.”

“How can you forgive him after what he did to you? How can you eventalkto him? Stand the sight of him? Be in the same room as him? How—” he abruptly cut himself off, shaking his head in anger.

I tried not to balk at his harsh, abrasive tone. It was rare for him to talk to me this way.

“Where is this coming from?” I asked, confused.

“People talk, Tatiana. Especially in our world. I know he chased you to New York. I know you’ve been working together on this problem the Cosa Nostra are having with The Outfit. I just don’t want you to get hurt again. I’m trying to protect you.”

“How? By fighting with him?”

“By telling him to stay away from you.”

Ha! It would take more than an overprotective parent to scare Nikolai away. In fact, I don’t think anything could scare that man away.

“You had no right to do that.”

“You’re my daughter. Myonlydaughter. It’s my job to take care of you. To watch out for you, no matter what. No matter how stubborn you’re being.”

“I’m not being stubborn, Dad,” I blew out, a sudden wave of exhaustion hitting me. “This thing with Nikolai…it’s complicated.”

“What’s complicated about it, Tatiana? Heabandonedyou—”

“Like Mum did? Yet you have no problem forgetting about that.”

He reared back as if I’d slapped him. Guilt bloomed in my chest. It wasn’t fair, I knew that. Yet I’d said it anyway. I couldn’t help it. It just slipped out.

“What happened between your mother and I was completely different.”

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