Page 98 of The Chaos She Brings

I scratch the back of my neck awkwardly. “Uh, thanks?”Could I be any more of a div?

We stand in a strange silence, like we’re in some kind of Mexican standoff.

Thankfully, Enzo chooses that moment to join us. “This is a great family reunion,” he says dryly.

Tess laughs and the tension seems to ease. “I was about to serve dinner, do you guys want some?”

“What did you make?” her father asks, his tone casual.

Tess beams. “Lasagne.”

“Let’s see how good your Italian roots are then,” he taunts, raising an eyebrow in challenge.

Tess jumps into action, serving up four plates of food. We each grab one, taking them to Enzo’s dining table.

It’s quiet as we eat, and Tess bounces nervously as she always does when someone is trying her food. I don’t know why she worries, she is phenomenal. By the sounds of appreciation coming from her father and brother, I’d guess they agree.

“This is really good, Tess. How did you learn how to cook like this?” Enzo asks, reaching over to serve himself another helping.

Tess flushes. “I taught myself. I always loved cooking. I almost tried being a chef once, but… then I did psychology instead and forgot about it.”

“Why?” her dad asks, joining in. I can see he’s trying, but clearly unused to making small talk.

“I don’t know… I just never really considered it.”

Her father makes a disapproving hum in the back of his throat before his face becomes serious. “I’m not just here for a meet and greet. Though, I am happy to meet you Tess, even if I don’t do a good job at showing it.”

She swallows before smiling shyly. “I guessed you might have ulterior motives.”

“Anastasia Volkova…” he starts, hesitating on his next words. Enzo leans forwards, clearly unaware of what he’s going to say too. “She’s your mother.”

32

I Want My Daughter

Tess to Carina: Too much is going on. I miss you. [delivered]

Tess

"Excuseme?"Mymouthopens and closes like a damn cartoon character, my bewilderment so absurd it practically begs for exaggeration.

Enzo’s chair scrapes violently against the floor as he pushes to his feet, his face a storm of shock and rage. "How is that possible? And also… What. The. Fuck."

My father—dad? Massimo? Max?—exhales sharply, shoving away from the table. "It was years ago, obviously. I didn’t know who she was at the time. I was young. She seduced me, then disappeared. I thought that was that. And then… Tess shows up. The adoption records you uncovered list me as the father, but the mother? A woman I’ve never met."

"Are you sure you didn’t just forget fucking her?"Enzo sneers.

Max's eyes flash. "Watch your mouth." His voice is a low growl. "I know exactly who I fucked, and it wasn’t the woman named in those records. It was only when you sent me that photo of Anastasia that I realised the truth."

"Then why the hell would someone else be listed as my mother?" My voice is strained. I barely notice Kai’s fingers tracing slow, grounding circles over my hand.

My father and brother—still getting used to that—exchange a look before turning back to me.

"Because she—Anastasia—didn’t want anyone to know about her," Max says grimly. "She must have known you might eventually uncover the closed adoption. So, she covered her tracks."

"But why?" My pulse thunders in my ears. "Why give me away? Why come after me now? Why did the Russians try to kill me? Was she behind that?" My voice pitches higher with each question, my mind racing in circles.

Kai squeezes my hand, yanking me toward him. I land between his thighs, and he cups my face, forcing me to meet his steady blue-green gaze.