Page 35 of Sinful Betrayal
His face has drained of color, and he keeps looking over at the door. “I need you to crawl into the bathroom.”
“Crawl?”
“I need you to keep hidden.”
“Anton, what’s happening?” My voice cracks as I cling to him even tighter.
What has my father planned?
“Stay in the bathroom until I get back.”
He goes to move, but I grab hold of his shirt.
I don’t know how many men my father sent here or what weapons they might have. For all I know, Anton might not come back, and the thought has a strangled sob escaping my lips.
I throw my arms around his shoulders and bury my face in his neck, wanting to inhale his earthy scent perhaps for the last time.
“Anton,” I sob as the truth threatens to come tumbling out of my mouth.
“Shh, it’s okay.” He wraps his arms around my shaking body. “I will keep you safe, Nina. I promise.”
My chest tightens at his words.
At what cost?
Anton grabs my wrists and gently removes my arms from around his neck.
“I’ll be back soon.” He climbs to his feet.
I watch him leave before doing as I’m told and crawling into my bathroom, locking the door firmly behind me.
I perch on the edge of the bath, nervously chewing on the skin around my nails as I wait for Anton. I’m tempted to call my father and ask him to call off his men, but it would look too suspicious. Besides, he’d only remind me of the fact that my ballet career is on the line, so there’s nothing I can do but wait.
The sound of someone trying to open the door makes me jump out of my skin and for a moment, I wonder if it might be my father coming to get me himself and put me on a plane back to Russia.
“Nina?” Anton calls out.
I release the breath I have been holding and get to my feet. I quickly unlock the door and step back.
“Hey.” He steps inside, closing the door behind him. “How are you doing?”
“I-I…” I run my fingers through my messy hair as I fight back tears, suddenly feeling overwhelmed by what I might have done.
“Nina, it’s all okay.” Anton wraps his arms around my shoulders, pulling me against his chest. “Nobody is around.”
“But I heard gunshots,” I mumble, sinking my fingers into his soft shirt.
“I don’t want you to worry about any of it. No one is hurt and whoever it was is long gone. We’re safe.”
“Oh, god,” I sob.
“You’re safe, Nina, I’ve got you,” he whispers as he gently strokes my hair.
The sweet gesture only makes me sob harder, but I’m not crying out of fear. I’m crying out of guilt.
“Do you want me to stay with you tonight?” he murmurs.
“Yes.”