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“I’m disappointing you, aren’t I?”
“No. I’m getting used to it, too. I don’t really know how to act.” I rub my hand over the back of my neck, feeling embarrassed. I was always taught to be a strong man and not show weakness. If Franco heard me talking like this to my wife, he’d smack me upside the head. If my father heard me talking like this, he’d give me sage advice, then pull me into a bear hug. My dad was great at giving bear hugs, which was something my uncle sorely lacked after he moved in.
“You’re doing just fine,” she tells me in her soft, pretty voice. Staring at her lips desperately makes me want to kiss her again, but we haven’t been intimate since our wedding night. Nina hasn’t initiated anything, and I don’t want to push her into having sex too soon again. Maybe her body is still healing after our first time. Things are so new and strange between us, and I don’t want to do anything to mess anything up. So, I push down my desires and focus on Nina and her wants. And it seems she wants to be alone.
“Did I do anything wrong?” I ask.
She frowns. “Why do you ask that?”
“Just … you’ve been … withdrawn. I just want to make sure it wasn’t something I did.”
She pauses, biting her lip, which makes me want to kiss her again, before she responds. “It’s not your fault at all, Antonio. I really am just getting used to married life. That’s all. Give me time.”
“All right.” I pat the table and stand up, my chair screaking as it gets pushed back. “I’ll give you all the time you need. But I have to head out. Killian and I have a meeting with your dad.”
She jerks. “My father?” Her voice comes out strained.
“Yeah. Typical stuff. Ways to take down my uncle.”
“You know … you never told me your uncle’s name. I’m just curious.”
“Franco Moretti. My dad’s brother. He isn’t a great man like my dad was. Now, I need to head.” I kiss her on the head before leaving. Nina doesn’t object to me going, even though a small part of me wants her to drag me to our bed and tell me she’s ok.
I meet Killian and Petrov at an upscale restaurant that Petrov clearly picked. Killian looks out of place in his jeans and leather jacket. Petrov just looks annoyed to be seen with Killian. Even though these two men clearly don’t like each other, I appreciate that they’re working together for me.
“All right, let’s talk business,” I say, sitting down. Petrov gives me a gruff smile while Killian pats my back. “So, Franco has a drug shipment coming in later this week. I think it’s the perfect one to attack. Blow it up. Hurt him.”
“I agree,” Killian says. He motions for the waiter and orders a beer. Petrov looks appalled that Killian is ordering a beer in such a nice place.
“Surely a glass of wine,” Petrov says.
Killian shrugs. “I’m more of a beer guy.”
“I’ll have one, too,” I tell the waiter.
After the waiter is gone, Petrov shakes his head. “Young men these days.”
“We’ll get wine next time,” I tell Petrov, trying to reassure him. I can’t upset the man who’s helping to fund my operation to take back my family business. “Now, let’s talk details.”
Petrov nods. “Let’s.”
After discussing exactly how we’re going to target Franco’s next shipment, I turn the conversation to another matter. Nina. She hasn’t been the same since she visited her family a few days ago, so I might as well get info from the other source. “Petrov, is everything with Nina all right?”
Petrov tenses as he takes a sip of wine. “Why wouldn’t things be all right?”
“I just wanted to make sure things are going well with you and your family.”
“All well, dear boy. No need to worry.”
“Nina’s just been … withdrawn lately.”
Petrov holds up a hand. “Let me stop you right there, Antonio. Things between you and your wife are between you and your wife. I’m not getting involved. Understood?”
“Understood,” I say, even though I’m desperate to ask more. I think Petrov might know more than he’s letting on, but I’m not sure. Call it a gut feeling. Whatever it is, though, he’s right. Whatever Nina is going through is between her and I. Not her father.
Killian and I walk out together, leaving Petrov behind in his upscale restaurant. “That man is a prick,” Killian mutters.
“Hey. He’s a prick with money, show some respect.”
