Page 59 of Beautiful Deception

“Aren’t you going to call for some drinks?”

“Right.” Feeling like a robot, I go into the kitchen to ask Mrs. Green to make us some gin and tonics. But instead, I find Inessa in there, scrubbing away at the counter.

“It’s your day off,” I tell her.

She immediately stops. “Sorry. Mrs. Green told me to do this.”

“Well, Mrs. Green was wrong to do that. It’s your day off. Go enjoy it.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Wait. Can you tell me where Mrs. Green is?”

“Uh… in her room, I believe.”

I nod. “Thank you. And go enjoy your day, Inessa.”

She hurries out of the room like I’m going to bite her.

In some way, I just might.

I find Mrs. Green kneeling by her bed, praying. “I didn’t know you were religious.”

She shoots to her feet. “I apologize, Mr. Smirnov. I just needed a moment.”

“Why? I’ve never known you to need a moment before.”

“Well… because I found you and Inessa in your office. Lookingcompromised,” she whispers the last word.

“You didn’t see anything.” My voice is hard. I need Mrs. Green to understand that I’m a man you do not question.

“Of course, sir. I must have… misunderstood what I saw.”

“Yes, you did. Now, Natasha wants a drink. Go make her one.” My tone is a lot harsher than I mean for it to be but Mrs. Green is butting into my business when she shouldn’t be. She’s my housekeeper, not my mother.

I head back to Natasha and force a smile to my face. “Drinks are on their way.”

“Delightful.” Her red lips make her smile seem menacing.

Mrs. Green brings the drinks on a tray. Her hands clatter as she sets it down.

“Mrs. Green?” I ask.

Her eyes are wide when she looks between me and Natasha before she nods and hurries away.

“What was that about?” Natasha takes a sip of her drink. “I’ve never seen her look so worried before.”

“I’m not sure,” I lie.

Natasha pats the spot beside her. “Come sit by me. You’re so far away.”

“I’m good over here.”

“Viktor, you’re not pulling away from me… are you?”

“Why would you ask that?”

“Because you’re standing there, stiff and tense. The Viktor I know used to smile and flirt with me. He used to sit closer to me.”

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