Page 77 of Sinful Betrayal

I’m grateful that Reid forced me to hand over my keys and drove me home himself last night. I was easily double the limit, if not more, and the alcohol mixed with my rage is not a good combination to have behind the wheel of a car.

I barely remember getting to bed, and the way I woke up at nine, still fully dressed in my shirt and slacks, tells me that I was out cold.

Nina was long gone by the time I ventured downstairs after taking a shower, but I’m glad that she didn’t see me looking so rough. It would have only brought up questions that I was in no mood to answer.

After several cups of coffee and a long workout in the gym to sweat out the last of the alcohol, I’m almost back to normal,though the anger is still simmering just below the surface at the knowledge that Nikolai is currently in New York.

I lock myself away in my office and busy myself with mindless tasks to pass the time. I turn my phone off, not that I expect a call from Nikolai, but I don’t want the temptation of leaving him another voicemail. I said all I needed to say. Now it’s up to him to decide if he has the balls to reply or not.

The sound of the front door opening a few hours later, and Nina’s soft voice echoing around the foyer as she thanks Yakov has my chest swelling.

I’ve been counting down the hours until she would be home, eager to see her, toholdher.

Leaving an email half-written, I quickly head downstairs to greet her. “How was your day?”

Nina blinks up at me with tired eyes.

I know she had a long rehearsal this afternoon, but from the dark purple shadows beneath her eyes, it looks as if she didn’t sleep well last night.

I guess that makes two of us.

“Fine,” she sighs, not meeting my eyes.

I frown at the lack of sparkle in her blue eyes.

Even after a long day of dancing, she normally looks tired, but there is still that spark in her eyes from the excitement at getting to spend every day doing what she loves.

But there’s no trace of that excitement today.

“Has something happened?” I reach out to stroke her cheek.

She flinches at my touch, and I pull back.

“Nina?”

“Sorry. I’m just exhausted.” She wraps her arms around her small frame.

“It’s okay,lapochka.”

She offers me a small smile, but it’s forced.

I can tell from the way her eyes don’t light up or crinkle at the edges.

As much as I want to press her for answers, I know she’ll talk to me if she wants to.

“Why don’t you invite Emma over again at the weekend? And maybe the other girls too? It will be good for you to socialize outside of class and have some fun.” I feel guilty for keeping her in the house.

I know seeing Emma last Sunday really cheered her up, and I want to make sure that she makes time to see her friends, even if it’s just at the house.

“Anton, I’m fine.”

“I know, but still. Staying here all the time can’t be easy for you. After all, you came to New York to experience a new life, and I’m aware that you’re missing out on a lot of experiences by being shut away in this house.”

Nina’s gaze lowers to the floor, and her shoulders hunch over slightly.

I ache to reach for her, to pull her against my chest and hold her as she works through whatever is spinning around in her head right now.

But I also want to respect her boundaries, so I shove my hands into my pockets and wait for her to speak.

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