Page 65 of Beautiful Deception

He kisses me before I can really think about it. The kiss is deep and passionate and perfect.

And then it’s over too soon.

“I’m going to talk to her and let her know that what she has done will not be allowed any longer.”

“Viktor…”

“No arguments.”

A man like Viktor is used to getting what he wants. There’s no point in telling him just how afraid of Natasha I actually am. Viktor doesn’t seem to understand how a woman could be dangerous. He just sees a woman and knows he’s stronger than her.

But as a woman, I know that Natasha has the power to hurt me.

I just hope Viktor can stay true to his promise and keep me safe.

Viktor

Natasha has taken things too far. Hurting herself to blame Inessa for it is just unhinged behavior. That is the last thing I want in a wife.

Her dead husband’s brownstone is worth at least five million dollars. She can be happy to reside in it for the rest of her life since I’m not marrying her. Her money and connections would have been great help to me in my war against Erik but I can’t go through with it. I can’t marry someone I despise.

I pound on the front door. Natasha is the one to answer.

“Viktor. Realized your mistake and come crawling back to me?”

“No. I’ve realized just how fucked up you are, Natasha.”

Her eyes widen before fury enters them. “What are you saying? You believe that little bitch over me?”

“You’re a beautiful woman. You’re young. You’re rich. You have so much at your disposal. Why be angry?”

“I don’t know. I could ask you the same thing. Why are you so fucking angry with the world when you’re handsome and rich and young yourself?”

“Because I was fucked over by Erik Koslov and that cannot stand.”

She shrugs. “And I was fucked over by your maid. You may think she’s innocent but I don’t think so. No one is that innocent.”

“You’re wrong about Inessa. She’s a good woman. And you will leave her alone from now on.”

“What did she tell you?”

“That she’s afraid you’ll hurt her.”

She barks a laugh. “That’s rich. I would never hurt her. She’s just saying that for sympathy points. She wants you to pity her so you’ll be with her.”

“I’m not a naïve man, Natasha. I can tell when someone is playing me.”

“Then you’re a fool because that girl is playing you. And she’s playing you hard and you can’t even fucking see it. You’re going to regret choosing her over me.”

I take a step closer until I’m towering over her. She has no choice but to crane her neck back. “What do you mean by that?”

“I just mean, you’re going to learn that she’s not all she’s cracked up to be. I doubt she’s even that innocent. She screams virgin but what woman is a virgin as an adult? It’s all a lie.”

“You were a virgin as an adult. It’s common amongst Bratva woman.”

“But she’s not a Bratva woman. Isn’t that strange?”

“You’re not going to make me doubt her,” I growl. “Inessa is good. She came to me in need of a job. She would not risk that. I know you’ve been fucking her over and it’s going to stop. You’re not allowed over at my house ever again.”

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