Page 133 of Beautiful Deception

She nods.

“Grab her,” I tell Dante. “Bring her over here.”

Natasha screams as Dante grabs her around the waist and hauls her towards me. “What do you want to do with her?”

“She’s the reason my wife is lying broken on the ground. Inessa, say what you have to say. Then you need to rest until the paramedics get here.”

“You,” she rasps out. Natasha’s eyes widen. “You can… die… knowing he… doesn’t love you.”

Natasha’s face contorts into pure anger. “You bitch!” She tries attacking but Dante holds her back.

“She can die?” I ask Inessa.

She gives me one small nod.

“Bring her over there.” I nod to a corner of the basement. It’s as far as we can get from Inessa. I don’t want her to be more hurt seeing this.

Natasha tries fighting the whole time but she’s no match for Dante. He pushes her into the wall and I press my gun to her temple.

“Any last words?” I ask her. It’s the one thing I’m allowing Natasha because she’s a woman. Usually, I just shoot.

“I could have made a great wife to you. You will regret choosing her.”

“I don’t regret anything,” I growl.

Then I pull the trigger. Her blood splatters onto me and Dante. Neither one of us flinches. We’re used to blood and violence.

Natasha’s body goes limp and when Dante lets her go, she slumps right to the ground.

“The paramedics are on their way,” Erik explains. “I also called a friend of mine at the police station to help us with this mess.” He nods to the three dead bodies. “He’ll make sure none of this comes back on any of us.”

“Thank you. Both of you.”

Dante nods. “This doesn’t change anything though.”

“Dante,” Erik warns. “Not right now.”

Even Dante’s eyes soften when they take in Inessa on the floor.

I kneel beside her. “You have to make it through this, sweetheart. Can you do that for me?”

“You… came… for me.”

“Save your strength.”

Tears spill down her bloody face. Even though she’s covered in blood and bruises and her face is already swelling, she’s just as beautiful as the first time I saw her.

“I fucked up,” I whisper to her. “I’m so sorry. I fucked up.” In this moment, I know I’ve forgiven her. I could never be angry with Inessa again for her lie. I know Julia was right: Inessa was just doing what she had to survive.

“Viktor…”

“Don’t talk. Save your strength. Inessa, baby, I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry. I left you alone. And this happened. This is my fault. I promised to protect you. I took a vow to protect you and I failed. I fucking failed.”

I don’t even care if Erik and Dante are watching me. Tears hit me and I let them fall. I haven’t cried in a long time.

“I’m… sorry,” she gasps out.

“I’m sorry too. I’m so fucking sorry. Just stay strong. For me. Make it through this. Can you do that?”

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