Page 89 of Beautiful Deception

“But it did,” Viktor growls.

“It did. And all I can be is sorry. But I am asking you to make a change. I am asking you to be allies again.”

For just a moment, I see Viktor waver, like he’s actually contemplating what Erik has to say.

But then Viktor’s hard exterior takes over. “You come here, on my wedding day, and threaten me back into an alliance? You had to know it would only piss me off more. I just wanted a nice day with my soon-to-be-wife and you two have just ruined it. I hope that makes you happy.”

“We came here to be guests,” Erik says.

“So you could keep an eye on me. See who my wife is. You don’t like not knowing what is happening in your territory. Well, I can tell you this, Erik. Dante. My fiancé was once my maid. Now we’re getting married. That’s all there is to it.”

Dante crosses his arms. “Why the maid?” His eyes flick to me. “She is pretty but I never expected you to fall for a maid. Not the uptight Viktor Smirnov who’s all about tradition.”

“Sometimes you have to break tradition. Now go. I have my guards waiting outside. They will kill you. So unless you want to die today, I suggest you go.”

“Funny,” Dante comments. “I didn’t see any guards outside? Did you, Erik?”

“None.”

I know Viktor didn’t bring many guards with him today. We both thought we would be safe and we didn’t want the distraction of a lot of guards.

But Viktor still brought two guards with us just in case.

“Did you kill my men?” Viktor asks in a dark tone.

“We didn’t kill them,” Erik says. “Just knocked them unconscious so we could come inside. We’re not here for more bloodshed. We’re here to offer you peace, Viktor.”

“On my wedding day?”

“We thought it would be the best place to get your attention,” Erik admits. “And I am sorry for that. We didn’t come here to ruin your day. We’ll just be guests.”

“No.”

I grab Viktor’s arm. “Maybe we should let them. The sooner we get married, the sooner we can leave.”

“That’s not how this works,” he says quietly to me even though the room is so echo-y given that there’s barely anyone inside. “They’ll want me to make a deal with them.”

“So make a deal with them. If it would save me and Julia, isn’t that worth it to you?” I pause. “Or does your pride mean more to you than your family does?”

Viktor gives me a sharp, surprised look. Even Julia looks taken aback by my question.

“I can’t make a deal with them, Inessa.”

“Inessa?” Erik says.

My blood instantly turns cold. I angle myself behind Viktor so Erik can’t get a good look at me.

“Why do you say my wife’s name?” Viktor snaps.

“It’s just… that’s a Russian name.”

“A lot of people have Russian names. What’s your point?”

“Nothing. It just sounded familiar. That’s all. But like you said, a lot of people have Russian names. Let me see your wife.”

“No.”

Erik leans to the side and his eyes catch mine. They furrow for a moment before he shakes his head.

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