Page 98 of Beautiful Deception

Now is not a good time to tell him but when will there ever be a good time?

I nudge him awake.

“Inessa?” Even that one word is slurred.

“Hi, Dad. You’ve been drinking. I thought you were going to quit and buy real food.”

“This is real food. Beer is sustenance.”

“All right.” I’m not going to fight him on the matter. “Dad, there’s something I want to tell you.”

He sits up straighter. Maybe he’s not so drunk after all. “What is it?”

“I… got married.” I show him my ring. His eyes practically bulge out of his face.

“You got married? When? Why? How? Why wasn’t I there?”

The last question hits me the hardest and I begin to cry before I can stop myself.

“Inessa, talk to me.”

“You weren’t there because… because look at you, Dad. Look at what you’ve become since Mom died. You’re a mess. I didn’t want you at my wedding in case…”

“In case what?” The hurt in his eyes is killing me. None of it is fair.

“In case you ruined it,” I admit.

He huffs. “I can’t believe this. My own daughter didn’t invite me to her wedding. Who’s the guy? I didn’t even know you were dating anyone.”

“His name is… is Josh Williams.” It’s a safe unassuming name. And I’m hoping that there are a ton of Josh Williams in the area in case my dad goes looking.

“You were supposed to marry a Bratva man one day.”

“Well, you kept me from Bratva men,” I say, wrapping my arms around myself. “You said they were too dangerous.”

“They are.” He takes a large gulp of his beer. “But that doesn’t mean you go and marry some random guy. I could have used you to move up in the world by marrying you to a successful Bratva man.”

“Too late, I guess. Maybe if you hadn’t gambled away all of our money, none of this would have happened. Maybe I could have made a good match with a successful Bratva man.”

“You’re blaming this on me?”

“Who else would I blame it on? Dad, look at you. You’re a mess! I love you so much but…”

“But what?”

“But you disappoint me! You embarrass me.”

“So, I’m never going to get to meet your new husband? All because I embarrass you?”

I turn away from him. I can’t bear seeing the hurt on his face. “I just wanted you to know that I’m married. But yes, you’re not going to meet him. Now, I paid for the motel for the next two weeks. I’ll leave you to it.”

“Inessa, wait.” He lunges at me but I quickly leave the room and get into my car. The guard in the passenger seat looks at me with curiosity but I ignore him. I drive away before my dad can leave the room and the guard sees him. Viktor can never find out who my dad is.

It would kill him.

And it would kill me too.

As I drive back home, I realize that I need a friend to talk to. I miss Elena so much.

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