Page 33 of Beautiful Deception

“You’re pretty.” He brushes his fingers down my cheek. I resist the urge to shudder. This is the man who killed Elena’s father almost a year ago. He is disgusting.

Of course, I cannot tell him any of this. If Finn knew who I was, he would tell Viktor straight away.

“Why are you here?” I whisper.

“Business plans with Viktor. I’m curious. Do you know what he really does?”

I swallow hard. “He’s a business man.”

“A business man.” Finn smirks. If he wasn’t so scary, he’d be handsome. “You could say that. He is technically a business man. He also works for the Russian Mafia. Well, heisthe Russian Mafia.”

Act surprised, I tell myself. “The… Mafia?”

“Yes. Your boss is a bit of a bad boy, I’m afraid. A naughty boy. Are you a naughty girl?”

“If he’s the mafia… what does that make you?”

“A bad man,” he growls, grabbing my waist.

I scream. It comes out of me before I can stop it. Footsteps come running in my direction and Viktor rounds the corner. His guests follow behind, including Natasha, who glares at me.

“What’s going on?” He turns to Finn. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to discuss business. I was just informing your pretty maid about what it is that you do exactly.”

Viktor frowns. “My office, Finn. Now.”

“In a moment.” He turns back to me, looking me over with his intimidatingly inquisitive eyes. “You know… you look familiar. We haven’t met before?”

My stomach is going to empty all of its contents. “We haven’t met.”

“You met her at my club,” Viktor snaps.

“Right. That must be it.” But the way Finn says it tells me he doesn’t think that’s it.

I know exactly where he would have seen me: Elena’s birthday party a year ago. I was leaving when Finn and Aiden arrived to kidnap her. I remember seeing them go into the room but my father was ushering me away from the party. I didn’t know I was looking into the faces of the men who would kidnap her as I left.

But I know Finn saw me. We locked eyes for just a second. I didn’t think anything of it – until I found out Elena was kidnapped by him. Then she fell in love with Aiden and I forgot all about Finn.

Until now.

“Still,” Finn says, shaking his head. “I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere else.”

“No.”

“You’re sure?”

“She’s sure,” Viktor says, grabbing Finn’s shoulder and nudging him towards the hallway. “My office. Move.” Once Finn is gone, Viktor turns to his guest. “I apologize for the interruption. But it’s time for this party to be over.”

Samuel shakes Viktor’s hand. “Thank you for the party. I look forward to doing more business in the future.”

“As do I.”

Everyone leaves except for Natasha. “Is there any way I can help you?”

Viktor runs his hand along the back of his neck. It’s strange seeing such a strong man look tired. “I have to deal with Finn. And the cake issue.” His eyes flick over to mine. I quickly avert my gaze. “We’ll talk more another day.”

“I could wait in your bedroom,” she offers. I blush. Her conversation with Viktor should not be for my ears.

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