Page 42 of Beautiful Beast

“Understood. But whatever those reasons are, can you honestly say you’re content doing what you’ve been doing? Don’t you want a sense of adventure? Imagine the power we could have if we worked together. Sergei Belov and I are already a team. I’m sure you heard of my marriage to his daughter.”

“I did.”

Fuck. I’ve never had to work this hard to convince someone to be on my side. With Ivan, it was a cake walk. He agreed to work with us within a matter of minutes. Viktor will be a harder nut to crack.

“Well, you should know Sergei has another daughter. One you could marry. It would help cement an alliance between us all. It would promise you more power. Any pesky enemies you have, we would get rid of them. Like that.” I snap my fingers to emphasize my point.

“You make it sound easy. I’ll give you that.” He sets his eyes back onto the menu.

“Just think about it. I’m not offering an alliance to fuck you over. What would be the point? If you want to work together, we would be partners. I’m a man of my word in that regard.”

“Funny because I’ve heard about you, Erik. I’ve heard what people call you. The boogeyman.” He sets his menu down again. “What exactly makes you the boogeyman? Because from where I’m sitting, you don’t seem scary at all. You seem sort of … desperate.”

Fuck him. I keep that thought to myself, though. No need to piss Viktor off when I want him on my side.

“I have a knack for torturing people. That’s what won me my name.”

“And you would torture my enemies for me? If we were to work together?”

I give him my most savage grin. “I would love to.”

He makes a small sound and shakes his head. “I’ll give you this, Erik. I’ve never met a man quite like you before.”

“So, do we have a deal?”

“We don’t.”

“Shame.”

“But I’ll consider it and get back to you.”

I incline my head. “That’s all I can ask for. Have a good day, Viktor.” I know when to leave and when to stay. If I push Viktor too much, he won’t want anything to do with me.

He doesn’t say a word in response.

ANYA

I can’t get Erik’s words out of my head. He’s going to try and marry Nadia off for more political gain. And I can’t stop it.

When Erik returns home, I don’t say a word to him. I don’t beg him. Begging won’t get me anywhere with a monster like him.

But an idea forms in my mind. Maybe if Erik liked me, he would leave my sister alone. Yet the only way to get Erik to like me is to actually engage with him.

To try with him.

Forcing myself to walk over to him as he takes his jacket off in the foyer, I say, “How was your day?”

He stares at me for a beat. “It was good. Thank you for asking.” He sticks his hands in his pockets and smirks down at me. “How was your day?”

“A little boring,” I admit. “There’s not much to do around the house. I’m not allowed to go anywhere else.”

“That’s for your own good, Anya. I’m building a team of men to help protect us from any enemies. Once I’ve dealt with Dante, you’re free to leave the house.”

“Once you’ve dealt with … Erik, I have a feeling a man like you has multiple enemies. Will things truly get better after you deal with Dante Moretti?”

He steps closer to me, our chests practically touching. “You’re too smart for your own good. I might have to spank that out of you.”

I gulp. I still remember his hands on my ass. The way it hurt, and then the way it felt sort of … good. For a moment, I had considered letting him touch me between my legs. It would’ve felt good; I know it deep down.

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