Page 115 of Sinful Betrayal

Tonight is the night I tell Anton the truth, about everything.

26

ANTON

My day has been a whirlwind.

Nina left ridiculously early for class, and I can’t help but worry that something’s wrong. She’s barely eaten, and her complexion has been almost gray. She assures me it’s just how she gets during her cycle, but that doesn’t stop me from being concerned.

I suggested perhaps she should stay home and rest today, but she shut that suggestion down immediately, saying that she can’t afford to take any time off.

I appreciate that her ballet is important to her, but I wish she didn’t have to choose between her health and her dream.

But I won’t be the asshole who tells her what to do, so I put Yakov under strict instructions to bring her straight home if she starts looking unwell. So far, I’ve heard nothing from either of them, which I’m taking as a good sign.

My mother, on the other hand, has been putting poor Jen through the ringer, and I already have had to turn the car around twice on my way into the city to go and help calm her down.

By the time I got to my meeting at the Russian Tea Rooms, the men I was meeting to discuss opening a second bar were already on their fourth drink and were more interested in the waitresses than profit margins.

It was a complete fucking waste of my time, but I try my hardest not to be annoyed. Ultimately, my mother needed me, and she always comes before work.

One day, she won’t be around, and I’ll have nothing but work to focus on. Except maybe Nina…

I finish the last of my drink and say goodbye to my colleagues after picking up the tab. As I’m waiting for the valet to bring my car around, my phone buzzes in my pocket, and I smile at the sight of Nina’s name flashing on the screen.

Nina:Are you coming home soon? I need to talk to you about something

My smile falters.

Why do I have a feeling that whatever it is she needs to talk about isn’t good…

Me:On my way, lapochka, be home in 30 x

I’ve barely madeit out of Midtown before a call comes through from Mikhail.

“You need to get your ass over to Alexei’s place,” my cousin orders before I even have a chance to say anything.

“In Queens?” I glance at the time on the screen.

“Yeah, we’re all here.”

“Can’t this wait?” I groan. “There was something I needed to do.”

“No, it can’t. This is urgent, Anton.”

“It always is,” I mutter.

I hang up on Mikhail and dial Nina to let her know I’ll be home later than planned, but my call goes to voicemail. I try not to worry.

It’s likely she’s in the shower, so I leave her a message and vow to get back home as soon as I can.

The drive over to Queen’s is long. I hit rush hour traffic and every minute that passes feels like an hour. Whatever this meeting is about, it better be worth stealing my time away from being with Nina.

I park up alongside Dimitri’s BMW and what looks to be a brand-new Porsche Cayenne.

“Seriously, Danil?” I scoff as I eye the top of the range model.

He goes through cars like Dimitri used to go through women.

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