Free Deep Deception 2 by Tina Brooks McKinney Page B

asked again.
    “I think you should call the nurse and let them know that she woke up.” My heart started beating faster.
    “Good idea.” Verónica jumped off the bed and practically ran out of the room.
    “Sweetheart, I’m so happy to see that you are doing better.”
    She continued to stare at me as she tried to pull away from my touch. I refused to let go. I knew this was going to be my only chance to win her over. If I didn’t do it now, I might never get another opportunity.
    “Where’s my brother?” She stretched her words, showing anger with each syllable. Her lips were clenched as she looked straight ahead, refusing to meet my eyes.
    “Victória, I don’t think you should be getting upset.”
    She pushed my hand off her arm with an energy and strength I didn’t know she possessed. I didn’t know what to do. As much as I wanted to hug and hold her, I was sure it wouldn’t be a good idea. I frantically looked around, wishing Verónica would come back.
    “Don’t you dare tell me what I should and shouldn’t do. Who the fuck are you?” she screamed at the top of her lungs.
    Tears were flowing freely from both of our faces. I never meant to inflict such pain on my children. What bothered me more than anything was the fact that I’d probably never get them to understand what motivated their mother and me to make the decisions we did. “Victória,” I said a little more sternly.
    She turned to me with a look that could only be described as hatred. “Where’s my fucking brother, and who the fuck said you could come in my room?”
    I couldn’t take it anymore. I started backing out. The nurse burst in and immediately took control. She told me to step out into the hallway while she examined Victória. I was grateful for a reason to escape. I was shaken to the core and felt so helpless to do anything.
    “Are you okay?” Verónica asked as she placed a hand on my shoulder.
    I needed her touch. More than anything, I needed a hug. “Oh God, I’m so sorry.” I wasn’t talking to anyone in particular, but I had to say it just in case. I knew seeing her would be difficult, but never in a million years could I have imagined how bad it was going to be.
    “Do you want to sit down?”
    “Stop fussing over me. I’m fine.” I immediately regretted taking my frustration out on Verónica. Obviously hurt, she withdrew her hand.
    “Sweetheart, no, I’m sorry. That didn’t sound quite the way I intended it to. I just meant that I don’t want you making a big deal about what you saw earlier. I’m fine ... really I am; it doesn’t happen often. I am stressed and that doesn’t help the situation. You have to understand that—”
    “You can go in now. I’ve given her a shot so she can rest. Please don’t stay long,” the nurse instructed as she exited the room.
    I understood the warning in her voice. Verónica went in first and I reluctantly followed. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy coming back into their lives, but damn, I never expected this.

CHAPTER NINETEEN
     
    MOSES RAMSEY
     
    The baby and I were sitting in the living room when Verónica came home from the hospital. I could tell she’d been crying so I assumed it had something to do with her sister. I had not gotten the chance to go to the hospital to visit Victória yet. It was something I needed to do, but I wanted my visit to be kept a secret.
    “Hey.” She put her purse down on the sofa and stared at the television.
    I was surprised she didn’t make a beeline for the baby, but I didn’t think she even realized that I was holding him. “Where’s your father?”
    “Said he wanted to be by himself.” Verónica wasn’t being very talkative, which was highly unusual for her.
    “How’d it go?”
    “Bad.”
    I waited for her to elaborate, but she just stared at the television like she was watching The Real Housewives of Atlanta . I might have thought so, too, if it weren’t football. Verónica hated football.
    “Is your sister