Page 49 of Beautiful Deception

“Yes. I just wanted to make that clear.”

“Perfectly.” I can’t stop the blush on my cheeks from coming through. I know Viktor notices.

With a nod, Viktor walks away.

God, he’s a confusing man. I’ve caught him watching me sometimes. And after what happened in his office and how he helped me with my leg, I can’t help but wonder how much I’m on his mind.

Because I know he’s on my mind all the time.

I’m in the middle of taking the laundry out of the washer and putting it in the dryer when Natasha appears in the doorway.

“Did you need something?”

She quickly corners me against the washing machine. “I want you to leave Viktor alone.”

“I’m his maid. I work here. I live here. I don’t know what you want me to do. I’m not quitting.”

“You really should.” She brings her hand up and it’s then I notice the small steak knife in her palm.

I squeak when she brings it to my neck. “I’m sorry.”

“I could so easily get you out of my life. I belong to a world with so much death and destruction. You don’t even know what I’m talking about.”

“I know Viktor works for the Russian Mafia.”

Her eyes widen before a smirk crosses her features. “So, you do know then. But do you know that I’m a high ranking woman? That I have a lot of power?”

I want to snap and tell her that the highest ranking woman is Anya Koslov, Erik Koslov’s wife. But I’m not supposed to know that.

Besides, I had never heard of Natasha before but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have power. Not everyone in the Bratva knows each other.

“What are you saying?” I whisper.

“I’m saying I have the power to hurt you. I can hire anyone to kill you. You leave this house, you’re dead. Even if you don’t, I can hire any of Viktor’s guards to hurt you. It would be so easy for me to do. I have the money to sway anyone. You understand?”

“Are you going to kill me?”

“No.” She steps back, lowering the knife. “Because Viktor would never marry me then. For some reason, he has a soft spot for you. But I want you to know that I have the power to hurt you. So if you try anything with Viktor, you’re dead. Understood?”

I nod because that’s the reaction she expects and I’m not going to argue with her when she has a knife in her hands and the only thing I have is a bedsheet.

“Good. I’m glad we understand each other.” With a wink, she leaves the laundry room.

My legs buckle out from under me. Natasha is truly unhinged. I know the Bratva can make people ruthless. Viktor tried to kill my dad after he tried to kill him. That’s the life I live.

But now it’s coming after me and I have to be careful.

Natasha stays for dinner that night. Mrs. Green makes the majority of the meal since I’m still shaken after Natasha threatened me. I haven’t told anyone. I’m too distracted to help much. Mrs. Green only scolds me more, saying how hard she works and I barely do anything. I don’t bother correcting her that I do more work than she does. Arguing gets you nowhere.

“At least serve the wine,” she mutters, pulling the roast out of the oven.

I hold the red wine tight in my hand as I walk into the dining room. Viktor’s eyes find mine right away but I avert my gaze. Natasha is watching my every move.

I pour Viktor’s glass first, then move on to Natasha.

She lifts her glass up and I pour the wine and then she tips her hand back…

Spilling the wine all down my white shirt.

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