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When she turns back around, I spot blood on the back of her shirt. “What happened?”
She doesn’t look at me as she finally answers. “My father finally showed me his belt. I hope it makes you a little happy that I faced the consequences of my actions.”
I open my mouth to tell her she’s wrong. That I’m not happy about any of this. But I don’t say anything as she walks out of the apartment.
“Thank god, she’s gone,” Joanna says. “Are we going to fuck or not?”
“Get out,” I say quietly.
“What?”
“Get out!”
Joanna jumps and hurries out of the apartment.
With a sigh, I slump onto the couch, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. Petrov beat Nina. I should have expected something like that would happen, but instead of protecting her, I let her walk away, right back into the lion’s den. What kind of man am I? Would my sisters and mom be proud of me at this moment?
I don’t think they would.
The sound of my phone ringing makes me jump. When I check the caller, I freeze.
It’s my mom.
She hasn’t called me in five years. She knows the dangers of reaching out like this.
“Mom?” I ask after I answer.
“Antonio, I know I told you I couldn’t help you with Franco.” She sounds breathless. “But I overheard him talking about his plans to kill you once and for all. He sounded serious about it. He’s coming after you, Antonio. I needed you to know that.”
“I know, Mom. But thanks.”
“And … that’s not all.” Her words make me sit up straighter. “I’ve decided … I can’t be afraid of him any longer. Your wife was right. I’m in a position where I could help you take down Franco. He would never think I’m capable of it. I can help you sneak inside our house and get close to him.”
“So, what are you telling me?”
She lets out a rough exhale. “I’m going to help you kill Franco.”
CHAPTER17
Nina
The sight of Antonio with another woman breaks my heart into a million pieces. When I left, they were still in the apartment together. He’s breaking the sacred vow of marriage just like my father did.
The sad part is, I can’t even blame him.
I broke our marriage by keeping my father’s secret. Antonio made it clear we’re done. If he wants to be with another woman, then that’s his right.
It still shatters my heart, though.
I stumble home, my back on fire with every step. After Antonio came by my house and beat my father up, I knew I had to see him again, even if it meant hurting myself more in the process. And it did. He’s with another woman, and I’m returning to my father’s home, feeling even more dejected than before.
When I arrive back to my family’s house, all is quiet. Father must be holed up in his office. Antonio really did a number on him. I was both afraid and pleased at the sight. What does that say about me?
I take slow steps to my parents’ bedroom, where Mom is asleep. She managed to rouse herself up to save me from my father, but judging by the empty pill bottle by her head, she’s succumbed to her addiction again.
I lay in bed beside her, holding her close just to make sure she’s still alive. Her pulse is strong, which is a good sign.
Before I know it, I’m crying into my mother’s back. All I want is for her to hold me. All I want is to feel safe.
