“Why?” I demanded.
He sighed and peered at me. “Do you really not know?”
Tension bunched in my muscles, telling me to run, or at least cover my ears. A terrifying foreboding filled me, and suddenly I didn’t want to hear what he was about to say.
“I know this is a lot to take and it’s out of the blue,” he started, then stopped when a small voice spoke.
“Kat?” A little body wriggled forward, and I could finally make her out.
Tatiana.
I took a step forward, ready to try and grab her out of the car or die trying.
“Easy, Katarina, relax. I’m here to explain everything to you, and don’t worry about Tatiana.” He turned to the girl beside him. “She’s my daughter.”
Shock froze me to the spot. His daughter. Everything I’d ever heard about Tatiana’s strange treatment in Hallow Hall fell into place. The fact that she was the only kid her age suddenly made sense.
Then, Sergei stared at me.
“And so are you.”
I reeled back, slipping on a patch of ice and falling on my side. Sergei got out of the car and came to my side faster than I’d have thought possible for a man his age.
He helped me to my feet and cupped my face, ignoring my flinch and immediate attempt to wrench away.
“She’s your half-sister. I know it’s all a lot to take in, but I didn’t want to lie to you anymore. I’m your father, and I want both my girls safe under my roof.”
I looked between him and Tatiana, my mind reeling. I had no evidence that what he was saying was true. He might just be making it all up, but I didn’t think so. Something inside my heart knew he was telling the truth.
“Come home with us. I’ll explain everything,” Sergei said, leading me to the car.
“Kat! Sit beside me,” Tatiana begged from inside.
No matter whether he was lying or if he had an ulterior motive, it didn’t matter.
I wouldn’t let him take Tatiana anywhere alone.
I got into the car.
36
MASSIMO
Iburst through the doors of the townhouse downtown and startled Paolo into dropping his watering can.
He cursed and crossed himself as I ran up the sweeping staircase.
“Mass! Wait!” he called after me.
I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. I tore up another flight, and another, and finally reached the top. As soon as I stepped onto the landing, I knew.
She’d already gone.
I couldn’t feel her there at all. There was just the echoing emptiness I had lived with my entire life, until I’d walked into Hallow Hall and met her.
I stalked along the corridor, clenching and unclenching my fists. It had taken a fucking age at the police station, and once my lawyer had shown up, it had been clear they had nothing on me. It had simply wasted my time and forced me to be absent when Katarina had found out the worst news she’d ever gotten. Her mother was dead, and I’d kept it from her. Oh, and I’d marriedher without her knowledge... couldn’t forget that particular fuck-up.
I checked around the room. She wasn’t here, but the air still smelled like her. I closed my eyes for a second and breathed her in.