Page 75 of Beautiful Deception

“And you’re all I can think about,” he continues. “I dream of you. I’m distracted by you. Fuck, Inessa, I want to touch you so bad. And when your body is healed, I’m going to do exactly that.”

I inhale sharply. “You really mean all of this.”

“I do. You mean a lot to me. I didn’t plan for it. I didn’t ask for it but it happened. And I’m tired of denying my feelings.”

“But what about money or…”

“I have enough money. I can make connections and allies through different means. It doesn’t have to be through marriage. Marriage is just a more convenient way to make all of that happen but it’s not necessary.”

“You want to marry me?” I ask, feeling breathless. I’m not sure if it’s because of Viktor’s words or because I’m physically hurt. Could be both.

“I want to marry you. I see no point in waiting any longer. I care for you. I care for you more than I have any other woman. We already live together. Nothing would have to change.”

“Would I still be your maid?”

“No. You would be in charge of the household. In charge of Mrs. Green in fact.”

“She won’t like that,” I mutter.

“No, I don’t think she would. But she can either accept it or quit. You mean more to me than anything.”

This scary, intimidating Bratva man is pouring his heart out to me. I never saw this coming.

“You sound so vulnerable right now,” I say.

His lips twitch. “I’m rarely like this. But seeing you get hurt changed something in me. It awoke something in me. And I know I can’t lose you. Marrying you will protect you.”

“Is that the only reason?” I ask, feeling my heart deflate a little. “You just want to marry me to protect me?”

“No. I also care for you. You’re all I think about. Because every time you enter a room, I follow you with my eyes. Every time I’m around you, I want to consume you. Make you mine.”

“Wow.”

“I know it’s a lot. Don’t give me an answer right now. The nurse told me you should stay here for the night. Just to make sure nothing happens. We can talk more about this when you get back home. When you’re healed.”

“Ok,” I whisper. I’m grateful for that because I have no idea what to say. I have no idea even what to feel.

Warmth for Viktor for wanting to keep me safe. Love for him that he cares so much about me.

But also fear. If we marry and he finds out I deceived him this entire time about who I really am and who my father really is, I’ll be killed for sure. Viktor felt betrayed by Nadia and Elena when they fell in love with Dante and Aiden.

What I’m doing is a lot worse.

Because I haven’t fallen in love with a different man. I know I’m falling in love with Viktor. I might already be.

And yet, I’m still deceiving him. If we marry and he finds out, I’ll be breaking his heart and betraying him in the worst way possible. I’m not sure he could ever come back from that.

I’m not sure I could either.

Viktor takes me home and gets me set up in my bedroom. Neither of us speak about the topic of marriage. I’m too hurt to even consider it right now.

Mrs. Green rushes into my room. “What happened? Oh my god. You poor thing.”

“She was kidnapped by two men Natasha sent after her. They hurt her. But she spent the night at the hospital and will heal.”

“Thank god.” Mrs. Green’s hands flutter around me until they settle down at her sides. “Can I speak to Inessa alone?”

“Of course.”

---