Page 111 of Beautiful Deception

The memory hits me hard.

I do remember a stringy, scared looking man who came into my club and tried to shoot me. I remember chasing after him and I remember the fucker getting away.

And soon after that, Inessa came into my office, looking for a job.

I never bothered hunting the man down. It just didn’t concern me enough. He didn’t manage to actually steal anything and I wasn’t hurt.

But if that man is Inessa’s father and she never told me…

“Maybe Inessa doesn’t even know,” I say.

“That her father tried to kill you?”

“She might not know. You’re coming into my house, throwing accusations around. It’s clear you’ve had it out for Inessa for weeks but I’m not going to humiliate my wife until I know for sure your claims are accurate.”

“Then look into it. By all means. Go to the motel where Inessa pays for her father to live. You’ve never met him. Once you see him, you’ll know that she kept secrets from you.”

“She might not know,” I say again through tight lips. “Just because her father tried to attack me, doesn’t mean Inessa is trying to do the same thing. She had months to try and do something to me and she hasn’t. She could be innocent in this.”

“Fine. But there’s something else you should know. I saw Inessa leaving Aiden’s apartment building.”

I go still. “So?”

“So… why would she visit the building of a known hitman and his Bratva wife? Unless she knew them.”

“Unless she was visiting someone else.” But the words sound hollow even to my own ears.

“Could be. But are you willing to take a chance on a coincidence? There are too many coincidences stacked up against Inessa.”

“I will talk to my wife and get answers.”

Finn shrugs. “Fine. But what if she denies all of this? Then you’ll know she’s been lying to you.”

I stare at Finn with hard eyes. I know it’s a look that has scared many people before but Finn looks completely unfazed. “What do you think Inessa is up to? You clearly have your mind made up.”

“I think she got close to you. Acted all innocent so you’d marry her and then when you’ve dropped your guard, she would swoop in. Have you killed. Take all your money. That’s what I would do if I were her.”

“But you’re not her. Inessa doesn’t want me dead.” At least… I don’t think so. She’s seemed too honest with her feelings for me. I mean, she gave me her virginity for fuck’s sake.

But she was desperate for money. I could sense her desperation early on.

And people are willing to do crazy things for money.

Even if Inessa doesn’t want me dead, did she only marry me for my money? If she did, that would hurt. I’m not going to pretend otherwise.

I was deceived by Erik for so long. I was betrayed by Nadia and Elena when they fell in love with different men.

And now, if Inessa is truly lying to me… I will have been made a fool again. That is something I do not take kindly to.

“I will talk to my wife first. Do not do anything. Stay here.”

“Fine. I think she’s a liar, Viktor. I think she’s trying to fuck you over somehow. Be on your guard with her.”

“Natasha almost killed Inessa because she worked for me. I can’t believe Inessa would risk getting killed just to fuck me over.”

“I don’t trust people. And I especially don’t trust women.”

“That’s because you’re a sexist asshole, Finn. Now stay here.”

---