Page 92 of Icebound Hearts

He pats my butt, and I roll my eyes before rushing across the hall.

I push open the door to my room and find Alina curled up in my bed, knees to her chest, her shoulders shaking.

My heart aches.

I slip under the covers, wrapping my arms around her. Alina turns into me immediately, burying her face against my chest, sobbing quietly. No matter what—no matter where—she is my best friend. A moment later, the door opens again, and Maddie and Alexei step inside. I motion for them to join us, and without hesitation, they do.

We lay there together, wrapping Alina up in our warmth,

whispering soft reassurances into her ear until she finally drifts off to sleep. I sigh, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Thank god I have a California king bed—because soon after, we all fall asleep too.

And honestly?

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Chapter thirty - nine

KATERINA

After talking to Alina and Aiden, I decided to meet with my father and talk. My nerves are killing me as I wait for him.

The coffee in my hands is lukewarm now, untouched since the moment the barista set it down in front of me. My fingers wrap around the cup, desperate for warmth, but my whole body feels cold. I shouldn’t be this nervous. It’s just a conversation. Just words.

Just… my father.

I take a slow breath, staring at the rain tapping against the café window, trying to ignore the way my heart is pounding. I hadn’t planned to answer his call last night. I hadn’t planned to hear his voice at all. But when I did—when I finally picked up—I heard something I wasn’t expecting.

Regret.

It cracked through the line like thunder. And now, here I am, sitting in a quiet café, waiting for a man I barely know to walk through the door.

He is doing so much for me that i thought a talk couldn’t hurt. A talk with a man I once convinced myself never wanted me. The door chimes, and my pulse stutters.

I don’t need to turn around to know it’s him.

I just know it. The way the air shifts. The way the weight in my chest grows heavier.

I finally force myself to look.

He’s standing just a few feet away, scanning the room, his movements hesitant, unsure. The same dark hair as mine, streaked with a bit of gray, lines on his face and the same eyes as mine.

His gaze lands on me, and for a second, he just… stares, then gives me a weak smile.

Slowly, he walks toward me. “Kat,” he says, almost breathless, like he’s been waiting forever to say my name.

I nod, swallowing thickly. “Jake.” He flinches. Just barely. But I catch it.

I don’t call him Dad. I’m not ready for that. Not yet.

He clears his throat and hesitates before pulling out the chair

across from me. “May I?”

I nod again, and he sits, his hands clasped together tightly, like he’s trying to keep himself steady.

For a few moments, neither of us speaks. Until he does. “Ever since i went to Russia to see you, you have ignored me.

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