Page 124 of Beautiful Enemy

“Thank you.” I’m surprised Viktor is being so calm about it. He has a lot of things kept hidden away under the surface. I’m not sure exactly what he’s feeling right now.

“But I wanted to let you know that if I get screwed over again, and if it’s done by Dante, I will not hesitate to kill him. Is that understood?”

A shiver goes down my spine. There he is: the real Bratva man. Viktor, like many others, does not take kindly to his pride being wounded.

“I’ll make sure Dante doesn’t hurt you again.”

“I expect you to keep that promise. Have a good life, Nadia. I hope you don’t regret it.” With those final words, he leaves.

All I can think about is how I hope he’s right.

Dante

After being held under observation for a couple of weeks, Erik finally lets me go. I wasn’t allowed to see Nadia during that time and I’m missing her terribly. She’s my girl. Without her, Ifeel unmoored.

The deal will go through. Nadia and I will get married in less than a week. It will be a simple ceremony. Nothing flashy. I think Erik just wants to get it done and over with to avoid any more bloodshed from happening.

It won’t be done by my hands.

But there are a few people I’m worried about.

I find Matteo at his apartment. Already there are Finn and Aiden.

“Hey, boss,” Matteo says, giving me a quick hug. “Good to see you’re alive and well.”

“Good to see you alive too. But since you killed Sergei, it’s best to lay low for a while. Erik hated him but honor will dictate he gets revenge on Sergei’s killer. Let’s just let things blow over.”

“We hear you’re getting married,” Finn says. I notice he’s holding his gun.

“I am. Have a problem with that?”

“I just think it’s a little pathetic to not kill them all. I mean, you hate them.”

“Hated them. Well, I still hate Erik a little but I don’t hate Nadia or Anya.”

“And Ivan?” There’s a dangerous glint to Finn’s eyes I don’t like. “You never killed him for trying to kill you.”

“That’s because I’ve put that behind me and so will you. There will be no killing anyone, is that understood? There’s a lot at stake here. We have the chance for peace and I’m tired of fighting, so I’m going to take it. Don’t start another war, Finn. Is that clear?”

“You pay me so I’ll listen.”

That’s not exactly the answer I was hoping for.

“Don’t fuck this deal up for me,” I warn him. “Aiden, talk some sense into your brother.”

He nods. “I’ll try.”

Finn continues to stare me down. “I just don’t think you should make this deal.”

“Well, you don’t have a say.”

Aiden puts his hand on Finn’s arm. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t try anything at your wedding.”

“Or anytime,” I say. “Finn, I am warning you. Don’t fuck this up for me.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Even though he says it, I think otherwise. Finn is going to be a problem. I can feel it in my gut.

The right thing to do would be to kill him but I like him too much for that. We’re friends.

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