Page 34 of Sinful Betrayal

NINA

DoesAntonreallybelieve the attack was nothing more than a case of wrong place, wrong time?

If he does, that seriously fucks up my plans.

If he dismisses the threat, he might send me back to the city, and I’ll lose my all-access pass to him.

While it wouldn’t be the worst thing to have some distance between us, especially considering what went down last night, it will slow things down significantly, which could anger my father.

I need to do something. Fast.

Excusing myself from the table, I head into the bathroom just off the kitchen to send my father a message.

I don’t risk calling in case there’s any hidden cameras around that could pick up my conversation. I quickly type out a text and attach my pinned location, trying to ignore the guilt weighing heavily on my chest as I click send.

Remember why you’re doing this.

I try to mask the guilt on my face as I walk back into the kitchen and sit back down at the table. I have no idea what my father might do in response to my message, but knowing him, people will get hurt.

Anton smiles. “Don’t suppose you made dessert too?”

Anton insists on doing all of the clearing up after we’ve finished, considering that I cooked, so I make my excuses about being tired and head up to bed just to avoid him.

I hate that he’s being so nice to me because it’s really making it hard to hate him.

I know it could all just be an act, but I find that hard to believe when he’s not getting anything out of it. Except maybe the sex… But I refuse to count that because he was just as kind and selfless then, considering I came twice.

This man is seriously confusing, and I can’t afford to have another lapse in judgment like I did last night.

Sex will only make things worse.

Even if it was the best I’ve ever had.

Despite my racing thoughts, after soaking in the jacuzzi bath and slipping on a fresh pair of silk pajamas, I fall asleep the moment my head hits the pillow.

But my blissful night doesn’t last long as I jolt awake at the sound of a loud bang.

“What the hell?” I groan, throwing the covers over my head.

My room is still pitch black and from the grogginess I feel, I doubt it’s much past midnight.

I’m not sure if I dreamed the loud noise.

Was it a crash? Did Anton knock something over next door? Either way, I’m not ready to get up, so I screw my eyes shut and try to fall back asleep.

Then the noise happens again, and I bolt upright in bed, my heart hammering in my chest as I realize what it was.

It was a gunshot.

Seconds later, the door to my room flies open, and Anton rushes inside, the light from the hallway casting him in shadow.

“Nina, get up.” He hurries to my side.

“W-what’s happening?”

“Get on the floor,” he hisses, half pulling me out of the bed.

I cling to his strong arms as I crawl out of the bed, and we both sink to the floor.