Tony

I wanted to spank her ass for giving me a fucking heart attack, but she was right to be pissed. I thought I fucked her into a good sleep and that I wouldn’t be gone long, but I was wrong. My wife felt forgotten and abandoned and that was on me. I messaged Dante as I laid on the sofa. There was another bedroom, but I didn’t want to be that far away from her.

Back at the hotel with her. She’s pissed at me for leaving in the middle of the night.

You didn’t tell her?!?!?! You effing, fuck. Where was she? I could see him shaking his head at me as he read my message. I wasn’t the guy who had been in a relationship for years or even ever. I had to learn as I went along. I wonder how many times Dante fucked up that I didn’t know about.

At a fucking club. I almost popped a couple fuckers who didn’t know how to watch their hands.

Why don’t you two talk it out?

Because she locked me out of the bedroom.

Your room key works for the door, too.

Night, bro.

Good luck, man.

I knew it unlocked the door, but I didn’t feel like I should go in there. I saw her anger and her pain. I screwed up and there was no one else to blame. I didn’t sleep a fucking wink. Instead, I poured myself a couple of drinks and when I was finally feeling the exhaustion, I went into the room.

She wasn’t in the bed, and I wondered if she’d fucking fell asleep in the tub. I was at the bathroom door, hitting the light when I saw her on the chaise by the window. She looked so little and so sad, even in her sleep. I scooped up my wife, who had a slight chill on her. Fuck, she was lying next to the air conditioning. Maneuvering us into the bed, I wrapped both of us in the blanket and held her in my arms.

“I love you, Alana. I’m so sorry.” I truly was. I’d kept her out of the loop in an attempt to protect her, but instead, I left her vulnerable.

******

I woke up with her in my arms and the world was right again, or so I thought. Immediately, I was hit with the fact that she woke up all the time and her world wasn’t right. I placed my hand on her belly, saying a silent good morning to my child, but Alana stiffened.

“Morning, love.”

She didn’t say anything. Instead she got out of bed. “I want an annulment, Tony. I made a mistake.”

She tried to walk out of the room, but fuck if that was about to go down. I grabbed her carefully and pinned her to the bed with my weight on her legs so she couldn’t fight me. “Before you start wrestling me, think about the baby.”

“That’s not a good reason to stay together.”

“It’s not what I meant. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Too late for that one.”

“Enough with the fucking verbal jabs. I’m a bastard for leaving you on our wedding night. I should have stayed, but I had some business that I needed to deal with and I didn’t want to wake you.”

“Business? What, looking for new club talent?”

“You need to quit with the fucking jealous shit. I haven’t had sex in six fucking years. A man in his prime missing out on quick lays because they meant nothing to me. You mean everything to me. You almost got a couple fuckers fingerless. If it wasn’t for you leaving because they were trying to get close, I would have done that or worse. I’m not ever going to apologize for my possessiveness of you. You’re mine and I’m fucking yours. There’s no way around it. Leaving last night had to do with the scum who faked his death. Homan’s criminal acts are tied to a lot of people. They could get caught up in the mix and if I act on his debts it could be catastrophic for them.”

“You promised you’d tell me,” she reminded me. I fucked up, but I just wanted to make it right again. Losing her wasn’t an option for me.

“I know, but I wanted to protect you from worry and the ugly side of my world. You’re too precious, sweet, smart, and innocent for it. I thought I was doing the right thing.”

“Tony, please let me go.”

“Never. I fucking love you and I know you love me.”

“I meant let go my wrists and get off me. I have to pee.”

“Oh shit, my bad.” I got off of her and watched as she walked to the bathroom. My heart was hurting because hers was. I didn’t know how to do this shit. Dante needed to fucking coach me or something. I wouldn’t cheat on her or hit her and I wouldn’t have her worrying about money. Everything else was a mystery.

She came out of the bathroom and I put my hand out as I sat on the edge of the bed. She didn’t come to me. She just shook her head.

“I thought I explained myself.”

“That’s not enough. You know…just forget it. I can’t do this right now. When do we go back?”

“Tomorrow. We’re supposed to see the sights with Dante and Reagan. Almost everyone else went back home already.”

“I don’t feel like it. Give them my apologies.”

How the fuck did I fix this? As always, I left the room, but I needed some help. Texting Dante, he and Reagan let me into their suite.

“She wants to leave you?” they exclaimed simultaneously.

“Yes. It’s like I fucking broke the camel’s back.”

Dante nodded in agreement with me. “Well, you did. You did the right thing where Homan is concerned, but as much of a threat as he was to you and your family, the bigger threat is her leaving.”

“That’s right, but I feel like it’s more than that.”

“You’re both hard to love and yet she and I can’t help it. I’ll go talk to her.” Reagan placed her hand on my shoulder, patting it, then sticking her hand out. “Key card, please. I’d hate to have her not let me in.”

I handed it to her, grateful for any assistance. She’s been married to Dante for six years and they were happy, so she knew how to deal with the life Dante led.

“Sit down, Tony. Let’s have a drink.”