Modern counters matched with wooden pallets which make up the bar, and old metal stools. It gives you a Texan charm sort of vibe. Nothing in here is fancy per se, but more of a homey feel. Something you’d find at a thrift store, or a garage sale. The walls are made up of faux flowers, really giving the garden like look.
“Cool enough for you?” I ask her, taking a seat at the small table the hostess led us to a few moments ago.
Daniella nods her head eagerly. “It’s so cool. Thanks for bringing me here, Dad.”
God. She’s the spitting image of her mother, with my dark chocolate eyes. It’s crazy how my petite and flowerlike little girl is growing up to be such a beautiful woman.
“What can I get for you both?” A waitress comes up to ask us. She has a 50s hairstyle with cherry red lips, and it even looks like she’s chewing bubble gum. Reminds you of the type of woman who worked at those old drive-ins back in the day.
“Oh, I’d love to try the cherry hibiscus tea I’ve been hearing about.” Daniella spits out her answer, then they both look to me.
“I’ll take a water,”
“A water? No. Get him the same thing, with a bit of honey. Iced please.” Daniella nixes what I’ve asked for, causing me to smile brightly. There’s no doubt about it. She’s her mother’s daughter.
“Alright, I’ll be back in a bit.” The waitress tells us, walking away from view.
“You okay, Dad? You seem . . . a bit upset lately.”
“Upset? Me?” I laugh it off, determined to kill any worries she might have.
“Yeah. You’ve been acting weird the last couple weeks. More quiet, less sassy. That sort of thing.”
“Sassy? No. I’m a smartass, sweetheart. I’m not sassy. You’re the sassy one.”
Daniella blinks, leaning back in her chair. “You have no idea how sexist that sounded, and I think it was rude.”
Taking in a deep breath, I run my hand across my head. She’s only twelve and already she’s giving me this much attitude. I’m in for it really bad while she keeps aging. “I’m sorry. It wasn’t my intention.”
Daniella draws her brows together, frowning slightly. “Something is wrong. You’d never apologize so quickly. Usually you make me work for it,” She grabs my hand from across the table and holds it. “What’s wrong, Dad?”
“Nothing you need to worry about, baby. I’ve got it handled.”
Her facial expression doesn’t falter and I now realize I need to be more careful about my demeanor and faking it. Daniella doesn’t need to be so worried about things, or me for that matter. I’m like a damn cockroach. I’ll survive anything, even if it is a broken heart.
Chapter Seventeen
Mircea
Private jets have become one of my favorite creations. You never have to deal with screaming children, sneezing men and women, or the ones who don’t know when to shut their mouths. Living in the lap of luxury will never go out of style.
I sit back on the cream colored leather chair, looking out through the window. Being up here in the clouds has never been more relaxing, knowing all the chaos is down below us and just for a while we won’t have to deal with it.
We’ll be landing in a little less than an hour. The flight has been completely uneventful, which is great for me. Turbulence can be the biggest bitch anyone has ever met. “Did everything go okay for you last night?” Bianca questions from beside me.
The truth is I didn’t spend any time with her. I was too busy trying to get some more information on this Kronid fellow from a man I know well. He’s notorious for finding anything he can about people, but also tracking any sort of footprint they’ve left. Whether it’s a physical one, or an electronic imprint. Within minutes of me being there he found out he goes by an alias and uses that when he communicates with people. Going by the name Kro on the dark web.
Caleb, my friend, was able to confirm Kronid was making some statements on the dark web about being behind a shooting that took place in Germany. It’s not solid proof he was behind what happened to Carla and Philippe, but it really looks like he’s the best bet.
I mean, it would make sense. A son seeking vengeance for his father.
“Yes,” I confirm, not wanting to give her too much information.
“You’ve found out who’s behind it all, haven’t you?”
Inhaling through my nose, I’m not sure what to do. I could tell her now, or I could tell her with her parents. I suppose it doesn’t really matter either way. “Yeah. I was going to tell you when we were with your parents, but now’s as good a time as any. Jonas had a son named Kronid, a boy who was there when you and your mother were captive. It looks like this is some sick sort of revenge.”
“Holy fuck.” Bianca closes her eyes, sitting for a moment before she rises and rushes over to the bathroom.
Sorin glances back from where he sits on the couch a few feet away, eyeing me. “She okay?”
“I think so. She was nauseous on the way in too. How was she last night?” I question, now growing a bit worried.
He shrugs, rubbing his temple. “Mmm, she wasn’t drinking at all. Had a lot of ginger ale and saltines.”
I got in to Sorin’s late last night, around two in the morning, and by that time he was already asleep. As was she. I’m not a genius when it comes to the female body, but given the way she’s
