Page 106 of Beautiful Deception

“You don’t need to be scared any longer. You have me.” He gives me a tender kiss before slipping out of me. I remain naked. His eyes rake me over. “You are mine. God, you’re fucking perfect.”

I shiver at his words. “You make me feel desired when I’ve never felt this way before.”

“You should feel desired every day. God knows I already want you again.” He takes the rest of his clothes off and gets into the bed with me. “Do you want me to deal with Natasha? If she’s making you afraid…”

“But then you’d have to kill her and I… I can’t stand the idea of her death being on my hands.”

“I sometimes forget that you’re not a Bratva woman. You weren’t raised with the violence that a lot of women in my world were raised with. I’m sure you’re scared.”

“It will take some getting used to but I have you to protect me. Maybe just talk to Natasha? Tell her to back off?”

“I can try but a woman like her doesn’t listen well. If she tries to hurt you again, Inessa, I won’t hesitate to end her life. I know you don’t love the idea but I will do what I must to keep you safe.”

I look into Viktor’s eyes and take in his strong, steadfast gaze. “I love you. I really do.”

“I should hope so since we’re married.” He cups my face and gives me a tender kiss. “I love you too.”

I have to tell Viktor soon – about who I really am. I just have no idea how to get the words out.

And once he knows, he’ll never love me again and there’s a good chance he’ll kill my father. I’m not ready for any of that.

Finn

After Viktor and I leave Dante’s house, I follow Aiden back to his apartment. I don’t go in. Aiden and I haven’t spoken once in the past year. Today was the first day seeing him in a long time.

I don’t miss him. Not when he betrayed our brotherhood for some girl. I sometimes come to his apartment to get a sight of him and Elena – that bitch. I do it in part to torture myself.

I also do it just to keep tabs on my brother. Make sure he’s doing ok.

He could have died today. I could have died today.

But like always, we managed to survive.

I watch him go into his apartment and wait for a long time. Waiting for what? I have no idea.

And then something happens.

Inessa leaves the apartment building. I sit up straighter in my seat. Why the hell would Inessa be in the building that my brother lives in? She’s never met him – that I know of.

She’s not a Bratva woman.

That she’s claimed.

I, however, have always thought she was keeping a secret, and now it’s clear to me that she is. This is the proof I’ve been waiting for.

Inessa is not who she says she is. There are too many coincidences for it just to be that. Unless she just happens to know someone else who lives in that building…

No. I think she was there – either to see my brother or… Elena.

Elena’s birthday party a year ago. I know I saw Inessa there. That must mean one thing: Inessa knows Elena.

And for her to know Elena, then Inessa isn’t just some innocent little maid.

Inessa has been lying.

Chapter Sixteen

Finn

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