Page 12 of Beautiful Deception

I try not to cry myself. It’s not fair that he gets to be proud of me and all I’m allowed to feel is disappointed for him.

Viktor

“I’m not sure how you’re going to get any work done,” Finn says after my new maid leaves the office. “Having a hot little thing like that running around your home.”

“Stop,” I warn.

“Touchy. You already care for the girl?”

“She’s my new maid. I don’t take advantage of my staff. I’ve always respected them and if we’re going to continue working together, you’ll respect them too. Including Inessa.”

“Inessa. A pretty name.”

Something tightens within me at the sound of Finn saying Inessa’s name. I don’t like it. But that’s ridiculous. I don’t care for the girl. She’s just my new maid.

Maybe I already have a soft spot for her since she’s the same age as Julia. Inessa seemed like a woman down on her luck who was in need of help. I will not take advantage of that, no matter how pretty she is.

And sheisstrikingly pretty. Distractingly pretty. Light blonde hair, blue eyes, fair skin. She looks more like a nymph than an actual woman.

“Let’s change the subject,” I tell Finn, pushing Inessa from my mind. “I need another one of Dante’s drug shipments stolen. I’ve gotten word of when it’s coming into the city. I need you to be ready.”

“On it.” Finn’s grin is savage. We’ve been working together for the past year to take down Erik and Dante after they fucked us both over.

I was fucked over by Erik and Dante when I had two fiancées stolen from me and Finn was betrayed by his brother, Aiden, when Aiden chose to marry Elena than work with him.

We want to bring all three men down but it’s a slow and steady race. We started by tearing down their supplies – like guns and drugs – and slowly, that will weaken them until we can overtake them.

The only problem is: they have the power to retaliate. I’ve lost men and supplies over the past year too. It’s a precarious balance.

A knock on the door makes me look up. A middle aged woman stands in the doorway, looking uncertain,

“Yes?” I ask in a harsher tone than I mean to.

“I’m Greta. I’m here to discuss the maid position.”

“Sorry. Already filled it.”

Her face crumbles. “Oh. Well, thank you for your time.”

Something doesn’t add up. I knew I was seeing only one woman today about the maid position. I assumed it was Inessa but…

“Greta?” I ask before she can leave. “Did you call and make this appointment?” I had one of my men handle the details so I never knew the specifics.

“Yes.”

“Well… I am sorry. The position has already been filled. But I know someone who needs a maid. I can send you in their direction. Here.” I write down an address of a friend of mine and she takes it with trembling hands.

“Thank you so much.” She bows like I’m some fucking king before she leaves.

“What was that about?” Finn asks.

“Hold on.” I call Stuart, my man who handled the specifics of finding me a new maid. “Stuart, what was the name of the woman you were sending me today for the maid position?”

“Uh… let me check.” The sound of rustling paper seeps through the phone. “Got it. Greta Williams. Why?”

“You didn’t send an Inessa Roberts for an interview?”

“No. Why?”

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