Page 89 of Beautiful Beast

“You didn’t tell me you were inviting them,” I murmur to Erik.

“Is that a problem?”

“No. I’m just curious why.”

“Well, there’s a surprise coming for you. You just have to be patient.”

Just a few weeks ago, I would’ve hated Erik for saying something like that, but now, I’m actually sort of excited for what he has planned.

“Erik,” Ivan says. “Anya. This is my wife and daughter.”

“Nice to meet you.” The first thing I notice is that Elena looks so tiny, even for fourteen. Brown hair covers her eyes. Her chin is tucked in her chest. She reminds me a lot of Nadia. Small and young, in need of tending to.

“Elena,” her mother says in a cold voice. “Say hello back.”

“Hello,” Elena mumbles.

“She’s shy,” Ivan explains, fixing his tie.

“My sister is shy, too,” I tell her. “So, you don’t need to worry.”

Her eyes finally lift off the ground to look up at me. “Really?”

“Really. Why don’t we sit down and chat? We can leave the grownups to discuss business.”

Elena looks at her dad for permission, and he nods, giving me a grateful look. When I glance at Erik, I notice he’s watching me with an open expression. Part surprise, part … proud.

I don’t know why he would be. I’m nothing if not protective of young girls in need.

“So, I heard you’re fourteen,” I say as we take our seats. “I remember being fourteen. My favorite thing to do was rebel against my father.”

Her lips quirk up just slightly. “I wish I could do that to my mother, but she’ll only lock me in my room if I act out.”

“Your mother’s tough, huh? So is my dad. I get it. Do you have any friends to help you?”

“I have one. Her names Inessa. But I only see her at school. My mom doesn’t like me leaving the house much. She only let me come here because my dad insisted.”

“Well, I’m happy you’re here. I don’t like being alone at these things, so it’s nice to have a friend.”

Elena eases back onto the couch, getting more comfortable. Her eyes slide past me toward the front door, and she shudders. “I don’t like that man.”

I turn around to see who she’s talking about and freeze. It’s my father. “It’s ok. I don’t like him either.”

He steps into the house and behind him is …

“Nadia?” I gasp, standing up. “Elena, give me one second, ok? I’ll be right back.” I hurry over to Nadia’s side, completely ignoring my father. “Nadia, what are you doing here?”

“Why do you sound so surprised?” Father asks. “Am I not allowed to bring my other daughter around?”

“You just never do.”

“It was my idea,” Erik says, coming over to us. “I wanted us all to get together. Show we’re a united front.”

“It was your idea to have Nadia come?” I ask him.

Without a word, he inclines his head, resting his hand on my low back. I find myself leaning into his touch.

“Thank you,” I murmur.

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