Page 74 of Beautiful Deception

“You’re being irrational.”

“And you’re being controlling.”

His hand loosens on mine. “I’m just trying to make sure that what happened tonight doesn’t happen again.”

“I know,” I sigh. “And I’m grateful that you want to keep me safe. I just don’t want to feel smothered.”

“I… understand. How about this: I will go with you to the motel when you need to see your dad but I’ll stay in the car. I won’t interfere. How does that sound?”

“You won’t come inside to meet him?”

“Do you not want me to meet him?”

My mouth opens and closes for an answer. “It’s not that I don’t want you to meet him. It’s more that… he doesn’t even know where I work. I was worried he would try to ruin it for me somehow. Try to steal my money.”

“That doesn’t sound like a good father.”

“He’s just desperate. He doesn’t know that… you’re the Russian Mafia.”

“I would hope not. I told you not to tell anyone.”

“And I haven’t,” I say. “But if he meets you, then he might suspect something. I’m not sure what. But I think it’s better you don’t meet him. Can you understand that?”

Viktor nods once. “I can understand that. But I don’t like not knowing anything about you. About your home life, I mean.”

“Well, my home is with you now. I live at your house. It’s just me and my dad since my mom passed away a few years ago. A car crash. She didn’t make it. My father spiraled after that. Turned to gambling. It’s partly why I needed this job so much. To make sure I could survive.”

“It’s complicated, is what you’re saying. I get it. I have a complicated family history too. My parents had my sister when I was already sixteen. Then they died when I was in my early twenties and I had to become a father to my sister, Julia.”

“I would love to meet her one day.”

“She’ll come back from France eventually. I just want to make sure she stays safe until this war with Erik and Dante is over.”

“But, Viktor, why does it matter if we know each other’s families? You’re just my boss and I’m just your maid.”

“I know. But when you were hurt in my arms, all I could think about was how I can’t lose you. I can’t lose you, Inessa.”

I turn my face away. “You shouldn’t say that to me. We don’t have a future, Viktor.”

“We could.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying… you could marry me.”

I gasp and look back at him. His face is completely earnest and serious. “You mean that?”

“I do. I know it’s sudden and we’ve only known each other for a month. But you could marry me, Inessa. I could keep you safe that way. You’d have my protection as my wife.”

“But… you’re a Bratva man. I can’t marry you.” What if we have a wedding and people come and recognize me? Then everything I’ve worked so hard for would be over.

“Why not?”

“I thought you wanted to marry Natasha for her money and connections? I don’t have either.”

“I thought I wanted to marry a woman for those reasons. I was engaged twice before for connection sake. There was never any love between me and my fiancées. You see, arranged marriages are common in the Bratva. But they fell for other men. My pride was hurt. My heart wasn’t. I vowed to marry a woman without emotion because I believed it would be easier. And then I met you.”

His smile is soft as he gazes down at me.

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