Page 97 of Beautiful Deception

“I just don’t want you to put your pride above your happiness.”

He gazes down at me for a long moment before giving me a simple kiss. “I’ll try not to. But I’m a Bratva man, Inessa. We don’t forgive and forget that easily.”

I shudder. That’s what I’m worried about if Viktor finds out the truth of who my dad really is.

He rubs my arm. “Cold?”

“Just tired. It’s been a long day.”

“Let’s get some rest. I want to take you again and I’m not sure I can wait until tomorrow.”

I force a smile on my face. I love Viktor but I’m in a constant state of worry over losing him. I’m not sure my heart could take it.

I might not even live long enough to worry about my heart breaking.

I know I can’t ignore my dad forever. It’s been a few days since I last paid for his motel room. He doesn’t even know I got married.

He needs to know the truth.

“You really have to go see him?” Viktor asks once we’re back home. We didn’t end up having sex when we woke up in the morning, since my body is too sore.

“He should at least know I got married. It’s only fair. I didn’t invite him to the wedding because I didn’t want him ruining it. But he has the right to know.”

“All right. Let me come with you.”

“No. You’re taking Julia back to the airport today. I’ve got this.”

“I’m just not comfortable with you going back to that motel,” he says.

“I know. But it’s the middle of the day and I’ll bring a guard with me. Now, I’m going to say goodbye to Julia before I go.” I give Viktor a little kiss. That appeases him enough.

He’s just protective and while I appreciate that, I know it’s going to be a problem when it comes to my dad.

I find Julia in her bedroom, packing up her suitcase. “I figured you wouldn’t have unpacked at all.”

“I just needed to get my things out of my suitcase. I have a thing for clean clothes, you know.” She offers me a sweet smile. “So, I guess this is it. I’m heading back to France.”

“You could stay, you know.”

“Tell that to my brother. He wants me kept safe and being away from New York is the safest thing right now, especially after what happened yesterday. I can’t believe Erik and Dante. They were so rude to ruin your wedding.”

“Well, I got married.” I look down at the beautiful ring on my finger. “I guess it all worked out in the end.”

“I guess it did. It was so nice to meet you. It’s a little weird to have just met the woman who is now my sister-in-law but it was nice all the same.”

“When you’re able to return again, we can spend more time together.”

“I would like that.” She gives me a quick hug. “Good luck with my brother. You’re going to need it.”

“That doesn’t sound good.”

Her laugh lifts my spirit just for a moment. “My brother is a good man. He’ll make you happy. I just hope his stubbornness won’t be his downfall.”

I can only hope so too.

I leave Julia to go see my dad. The motel is the same but I’m not and I know my dad will not be the same after I tell him I got married.

I make the guard stay in my car before I let myself into the room using my own key card and find my dad on the bed, passed out, a beer bottle in his hand.

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