Page 124 of Beautiful Deception

“It does matter. Why didn’t you, Viktor? Was it because you couldn’t stand the idea of Inessa seeing you as a monster?”

“She lied to me because she thought I would hurt her and her dad if I knew the truth.”

“Can you blame her for that? You’re not exactly a warm and fuzzy man. It sounds like she lied to protect herself. Is that why you didn’t kill Gleb? To spare Inessa’s feelings? So you wouldn’t become the monster she once thought you were?”

I stare at my sister for a long moment. “You’re too smart for your own good, you know that?”

“It’s from all those private schools you sent me to. Viktor, don’t marry someone else. Make it right with Inessa. Talk it out with her.”

“She lied to me. How can I know she won’t lie again?”

“You don’t. But you just have to trust that she won’t. That’s your problem. You’re terrible at trusting people. I know why. You lost both Nadia and Elena to other men. You felt betrayed by them. Natasha turned out to be insane. And now Inessa lied to you. I get that you’re hurting. I’m sorry for that. But if you marry another woman, you’ll be doing it to spite Inessa, rather than make real peace with Dante and Erik and I think you know that. If you want to make peace, you don’t need to marry some Mafia girl. Make things right with Inessa.”

“Erik and Dante will be pissed if I go back on this deal with Aria. I’ll be no better than Dante or Aiden when they stole Nadia and Elena from me. Those women went back on their deals to me. I can’t do the same to Aria.”

“Because you care about Aria? You just met her.”

When I don’t respond, she squints at me. “Or is it your pride? You’re putting your pride above your true feelings. You could never let go of what happened with Nadia and Elena. Your pride was wounded and it’s been wounded again. But don’t let it dictate your future. If you want to be with Inessa, be with her. Forgive her. Talk it out. Figure it out. But don’t make peace with Erik and Dante by marrying a stranger just for political gain. You already married for love. Nothing can compete with that.”

My baby sister. So bright and mature. “I raised you well.”

She gives me a soft smile. “You did.”

“But I can’t. I just can’t, Julia. I’m going through with this. You’ve said your peace. Now I’m done listening to it.”

“Fine,” she says stiffly. “But I’m going to see Inessa. I want to get her take on things and you can’t stop me. She’s still technically my sister.”

“You can do whatever you want with her. But leave me out of it.”

She goes to the door and turns around before she leaves. “You’re going to end up sad and alone, you know that?”

I open my mouth but nothing comes out. What is there to say to that?

Inessa

With nowhere else to go, I return to the motel. Rent is so expensive in New York and I only have nine thousand dollars. While it’s enough to give me a new start, it’s something I have to conserve. I can’t blow it all on a nice apartment.

“Maybe we should leave New York,” I suggest to my dad. I have the box clutched in my hands. I’ve been watching it like a hawk these past couple of days I’ve lived with my dad. So far, he hasn’t stolen any of my money.

But I know he’ll try. It’s just a matter of time.

He scoffs. “Leave New York? And go where?”

“Somewhere cheaper.”

“We can just use your money and earn more.”

I hold the box closer to me. “You mean gamble it away.” I know it was foolish of me to return to my dad after he choked me but I have no one else. That’s the sad part.

“No. I mean we invest it and earn more.”

“But investments take years to accrue more money, especially only nine grand. We should save it for food. In the meantime, I’ll find a new job. But we should get out of New York. I want you to come with me.”

“Or what?”

“Or I’ll leave without you.” It’s the first time I’ve ever said those words to my dad. If leaving him is what it takes to protect myself, I will. I can also ask Elena for help. Stay with her for a few days until I can find somewhere more permanent. But I don’t want to be a burden on her for long.

My dad’s eyes narrow. “You would leave me? All on my own? After your mother died?”

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