Page 121 of Beautiful Deception

I hold up the box with my money in it. “I just needed this.”

His eyes flick down to it. “I’m not sure you deserve that.”

I almost break down right then and there. “I worked hard for this money. I am owed it. I don’t need or want anything else. Just this. Let me walk out of here with this.”

For just a moment, his eyes soften. “You have a bruise on your face.”

“Finn hit me. And… so did my dad.” My fingers skim along my neck.

“He hurt you? Your dad?”

“Why do you care?” I ask. It’s the wrong thing to say because Viktor’s soft expression hardens again.

“I don’t care. Take the money. You did work for it. I can say this for you, Inessa. You’re good at cleaning a house. Now get out of mine. I’ll be sending you divorce papers soon. I’ll be marrying someone else.”

I gasp. “What?”

“I’m making peace with Erik and Dante. To do that, I need to marry a Mafia woman. We’re done, so I don’t see why you would be upset. You never loved me.”

“Viktor, that’s not true.”

He holds up a hand. “I’m done listening to you. Get out of my house, Inessa. This is goodbye.”

With no other choice, I clutch my money box to my chest as I walk past him. Mrs. Green watches me leave the house, looking like she wants to objects. But she doesn’t say a word.

Instead, she shuts the door behind me and I know I’m locked out of Viktor’s life for good.

Chapter Eighteen

Viktor

AriaRomanoisabeautiful young woman. Blonde hair. Brown eyes. Symmetrical features.

All except for the scowl on her face.

“I am not happy to be here. You should know that,” she tells me from across the restaurant table, her arms crossed in defiance.

Her father, Elio, quietly chides her.

Dante shifts uncomfortably beside me. This peace offering is tentative at best. One thing could easily snap it.

“Aria,” Dante warns. “This is our chance for peace with Viktor. Be nice.”

“You’re not my dad, Dante.”

“No. But I’ve known you since you were a kid. I’m practically like your dad.” He flashes a smile to Elio. “So. You’ve have time to go over our offer. Peace with Viktor in exchange he’ll marry Aria.”

“I heard he was already married,” Elio says. “In fact, you were the one to tell me that, Dante.”

“He’s getting a divorce. Don’t worry about it.”

“I am worried. If he’ll marry my daughter, I want to know why his current marriage isn’t working.”

“Too fast,” Dante says. “Rushed into it. Now regrets it.”

“Actually,” I cut in. “My current wife lied to me. Deceived me. I don’t take too kindly to that.”

Elio places his arm around Aria’s shoulders. “Well, I can guarantee you that Aria is a girl who speaks her mind.”

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