Page 41 of Deceptive Union
CHAPTER11
Antonio
Nina’s eyes widen when they see me. “Antonio? What are you doing here?” She glances at her family’s condo door.
“Killian told me you left in a hurry after my fight. He said you needed to talk to your father. I wanted to make sure everything was all right.” I place my hands on her hips. She tenses for a moment before relaxing.
“I’m … I’m fine.” She’s blinking rapidly like she’s holding back tears.
“Are you really fine, or are you just saying that?”
“I’m fine, Antonio,” she snaps, brushing past me. I follow her.
“If you’re fine, then why are you acting like this?” We reach the front door of the building, and Nina pushes it open in a gust of anger.
She doesn’t look at me as she answers. “Am I not allowed to act like this? Am I supposed to be the perfect wife all the time?”
Her attitude shocks me. “Nina, where is this coming from? Nina? Stop.” I grab her arm, stopping her.
She whirls around, shoving me back. The little bit of fight training I’ve given her is already kicking in. If I wasn’t so confused, I’d be proud. “Why do I have to listen to what men tell me all the time? Why do I have to be the perfect daughter? The perfect wife? Why?”
I approach her again, this time with my hands raised. Nina steps back like she’s the prey and I’m the predator. There’s a fear in her eyes I don’t understand. “Nina, talk to me. I never said you had to be perfect.”
People walk around us on the busy New York street. Even at night, there’s still crowds of people out and about.
“What’s going on?” I ask her.
“Why do you care?” she practically sobs. “It would all be so much easier if you just didn’t care.”
“What would be easier? Nina.”
She opens and closes her mouth before shaking her head. “No. I can’t do this. I can’t do this, Antonio.” She starts walking away.
I don’t let her get far. My wife is in distress, and I need answers. “Nina, just tell me what’s bothering you. I care for you.” I step in front of her, making her stop. She gives me an annoyed look but doesn’t fight me this time. “You know I care for you.”
“Why can’t you just let me walk away?”
“Because you’re my wife. I’m worried. I can’t let you walk away because I don’t want you to get hurt. You’re clearly upset over something. Did … did your father say something to you? Is it your family?”
She sucks in a deep breath. “Do you even know what’s going on with my family?” She shakes her head sadly. “No. Why would you? I haven’t told you. My mother is an addict. She’s constantly out of it. She’s not there when I need her.” Tears begin to slip down Nina’s face. “She prefers pills to her own daughters. And Anna … Well, she’s too caught up in being a teenager to see I’m trying to help her. And my father—” She shuts her mouth instantly.
“What about your father?” I have to step to the side as a woman pushing a baby stroller lumbers down the sidewalk.
“Nothing,” she says tiredly. “It’s nothing. I just want to go home.”
“Then let me take you home.” I hold out my hand to her, praying she’ll take it. After a beat, she does.
I take her to my car, making sure she gets in safely. Nina is silent on the drive back to my apartment. The only sound coming from her is her crying. Soft, little sobs.
“Nina, I’m here for you, ok? Was it my fight? Was that too much for you?” I know Big John got the better of me tonight and almost won. I got distracted by how beautiful Nina looked in the audience.
She shakes her head but doesn’t talk to me.
When I pull into the parking garage for our apartment, I stop the car and turn to her. “If there’s something wrong, you can talk to me about it. I want you to know that, Nina. I’m here for you. I care about you.” More than care, I’m starting to realize. Nina has me fucking smitten.
She faces me, tears streaming down her cheeks. For a moment, I think she’ll tell me everything bothering her, but instead, she leans in and kisses me.
I pull back. “Nina, maybe we shouldn’t be doing this while you’re upset.” Another thing my sisters taught me. Always respect a woman, especially when she’s in a vulnerable state.