Page 488 of Rage

I shouldn’t have done it, I knew, but the wave of warmth the feeling of his hand had sent to me had been too strong.

I wasn’t used to this kind of tenderness, and it surprised me to have him, of all men, showing it to me. Ivan barely knew the notion of foreplay, let alone anything else. I closed my eyes, and for a moment, all the chaotic thoughts and emotions stopped.

“Katya, I have a question. I want you to be honest.”

I opened my eyes and looked at him. Dimitry’s voice still held that note of gentleness, stirring something deep inside me. He straightened and pushed the tray aside. I didn’t move as he shifted closer.

“Do you know your father is sick? After Sergei told me about it, I asked Tatyana, and she confirmed that he has chronic kidney disease.”

The words hit me like a punch. No, I didn’t know. The last time I saw him, he seemed tired, but I’d chalked it up to age and stress. Tears pricked my eyes, blurring my vision. This couldn’t be happening. Not him.

Papa…

“Katya, kitten,” Dimitry whispered.

The softness in his voice broke me. Dimitry tensed as I threw myself into his arms, sobbing. He stayed motionless for a few seconds before hugging me tightly and pressing me to him.

“Tatyana told me he’s under treatment and that he’ll be getting a new transplant soon. The Romanov Bratva has money problems, but he’ll be fine.”

“Anewtransplant!?” I whimpered.

God, how many things had my dad hidden from me? Since when was he fighting with this problem? He should have told me! At least I wouldn’t have bothered him with my fucked-upmarriage. I would have supported him. I could have made sure he had enough money so he wouldn’t have to stress about it. If necessary, I would have throttled Ivan until he gave him any sum of money he needed.

“Tatyana said he already had one, but something went wrong. She didn’t know exactly what happened, but the doctor said he needed a new transplant. Your dad is looking for a new donor.”

Oh, God…

I fisted his shirt, nestling myself against his chest as I let my tears out. He should have told me! I was his daughter, for fuck’s sake. I would have been there for him, no matter what!

And fuck, Dimitry had told me Dad had offered him money in exchange for my freedom. If our bratva was already in a bad place financially … God, did he still have enough for the treatment?

Dimitry caressed me, making soothing, slow circles on my back with his palm. I hid my face in his neck, still sobbing. And then I realized who he was. In whose arms I actually was right now.

He’s going to use this moment of weakness against me. Against Papa. Against anyone he could.

“I’m sorry,” I said, leaning back. “I shouldn’t…”

Dimitry hugged me again and pressed me into him. Despite knowing better, I let him do it. It was just for a moment. One single moment of weakness, nothing more. I buried my face in the crook of his neck and allowed him to caress and soothe me.

“He will be fine, Katherine,” he said in a calm voice. “I promise you, he will be fine.”

Chapter Eight

Dimitry

Idropped myself on the bed and stared at the ceiling. I could hear the water from the shower, and I knew she was still inside the bathroom. Katya had gone there one hour ago, and when I left the room, I heard her sobs.

She was broken.

It hadn’t been my intention, but I wanted to know if she knew about it. If she was once again lying to me. I didn’t expect her reaction, nor the way it had made me feel. When she had thrown herself in my arms, crying, it had killed me.

Not once in my life, have I felt such a strong need to protect someone. I’d wanted to take and hide her from everybody, to keep her safe.

To keep her as mine.

She had looked so vulnerable and helpless. Defeated.

I’d planned on breaking her, but not like this. It should have made me happy to see her in such a state of vulnerability. I knew I could make her do anything when she was like this. I should enjoy it.

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