Page 54 of Beautiful Deception

We keep walking.

“It doesn’t bother me,” I say.

Viktor looks at me sharply. “I would imagine that would bother most people. Scare them too.”

“I guess I’m not like most people.” More like I was raised in the Bratva so I understand.

“That could get you in danger.”

“You said you’d protect me, didn’t you?”

His lips twitch. “I did say that. And I meant it.” He grabs my arm gently and tugs me to a quieter corner of the room. “Inessa, I need you to know what kind of life I live. It’s dangerous. It’s not something to be made lightly of.”

“Was I making light of it?”

“No. But you don’t seem to understand the dangers I’m in. I’m at war with another Bratva man. It could get more ugly than it already has.”

“Then why hire a maid at all?”

“You weren’t the maid I was supposed to hire.”

I tense. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, you tricked me. I told you that another woman applied for the job.”

“I know.”

“And I know that you seized an opportunity and I don’t blame you for that. But you were not the one I was supposed to hire. I wasn’t supposed to care for you at all.”

I suck in a breath. “You care for me?”

“I shouldn’t say things like that.”

“But you did.” My fingers itch to touch his chest but I hold them back.

“I know I did.” His grip on my arm tightens. “Fuck, if you knew the things you were doing to me…”

“What things?”

“You’re so innocent. It’s not my place to ruin you.”

“You’re my boss.” I tell him this more for myself. I need to remember what kind of danger I’m in. Viktor will kill me if he knows the truth. The only reason he’s been so kind with me is because he thinks I’m a young innocent, destitute woman in need of help.

While all of those things are true, the reality is I’m not innocent. The lies I’m keeping make me not innocent.

“I know,” he says. “I know I’m your boss. I never should have invited you to come here with me.”

“So why did you?”

“I invited Natasha here and she didn’t want to go in. I thought it would be nice to come here with someone who appreciates things like this and you seemed like a woman who would appreciate it.”

“I do appreciate it.”

“I can tell.” His eyes flick down to my lips and back up to my eyes.

“Are you going to marry her?” The question is out before I can stop it.

“Inessa.”

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