Read Atavus for Free Online Page A

don’t want to be an angry wife holding shit over your head, but I swear if you sleep with that hussy again I am leaving.”
    “That’s also what I figured you’d say.”
    “Then why ask?”
    “Because you’re my conscience and I love you to death.”
    “I love you too, no if-and-or-but about it.”
    “That’s contradictory. You just gave me an ultimatum when you said ‘if’ I do XY and Z.”
    “Who’s the lawyer, you or me?”
    Nico laughed. “I’m simply pointing out a flaw in your statement counselor.”
    “Oh hush. I admit you might’ve made a formidable attorney, however that career option is closed. You fully understand though, I’m not co-signing on the open relationship anymore. We’re husband and wife, living in the same home with our children. We’re no longer the couple with double lives, perpetrating deception to throw off the law. This is real, our love is real and I expect you to adhere to our marital vows.”
    “Sweetheart, I meant every word I said. There’s nothing I want more than you and our children.”
    “Okay, then that’s the end of that. What’s done is done and we’re moving forward, understand?”
    “Understood.”
    The darkness set in as he drove through the rocky terrain, wondering had he fully paid his dues to make up for Ari’s pain. He struggled to change. Abuse as a boy and rejection from his biological mother really had messed up his head. He supposed these lapses with women were the manifestations of anger, not love. Except…he silenced his mind. The self-destructive Nico had to die. 
    “How was the party last night?” he asked.
    “Touching. My parents gave a sweet toast to each other. It was beautiful and I nearly cried. They kissed for a long time like horny teenagers. Nico,” she chuckled, “I swear I blushed.”
    Nico smiled. His eyes twinkled as he checked every corner of the roadway. “Like us, huh?”
    “Nobody kisses like us.”
    “I wonder if they’re still screwing.”
    Ari laughed. “Hey, that’s their business.”
    “Just curious if you have your mama’s horny gene, because you are a freak, but I’m sure you do. Anyway, give my princess a kiss and tell the boys they better behave.”
    “Semira is kissed. The boys….well it might be too late for that. They have your troublesome gene I’m afraid.”
    “Hurry home so I can show you exactly how troublesome.”
    Ari had a husky laugh, sexy as all get out. “I’ll be home soon. Stay away from troublesome women.”
    “Including you?”
    “Bye Mr. Anaconda.”
    “Ciao mi amore.”
    After the conversation, he frowned. He had a decision to make, didn’t he? Allow Bianca and her future hubby to rear his son or stand his ground.
    Nico increased the music. One of the boys used the car and a rock song blared over the speakers. He scoffed and considered changing it, but that opening verse spoke to his heart. He did an air guitar, and then drummed his palms on the steering wheel, rocking out like a boy as he sang along in tenor, mimicking Luciano Pavarotti. His son’s middle name took on a different meaning as he belted out the words. “ I’m afraid...there might’ve been a time I would give myself away, I didn’t give a damn, but now here we are…just don’t give up, I’m working it out –please don’t give in –I won’t let you down, it’ll mess me up…need a second to breathe…it’s plain to see –baby you’re beautiful and there’s nothing wrong with you…it’s me…I’m a freak…thanks for loving me… you’re doing it perfectly…there might’ve been a time when I would let you slip away and I wouldn’t even try but I think you that you could save my –life…I won’t let you down!”
    Nico relaxed in the seat with a forlorn sigh. He watched the empty road, passing trees, seeing Ari in the scenery and his children. They were saving his life unknowingly.
    He experienced a strong urge to call Ari back to tell her that he’d never let her down again, just hold