Page 28 of Beautiful Deception

“Where is it?” He shakes my purse. “Where’s the rest of the money?”

I snatch my purse back. “I told you. I didn’t bring any. You’re just going to steal it from me. You have a problem. If you want to have money to gamble it away, maybe you should get a job.”

“I have a job. I work for the Bratva.”

“Oh yeah? When’s the last time you’ve been paid? When’s the last time you’ve done any actual work for anyone?”

His face crumbles. “It’s not that easy, Inessa. After your mother died…”

I suck in a breath and turn away from him. The sight of my father crying is a pathetic one. “Don’t use Mom’s death against me. You did this to us. You made us lose our house. You made me go work for the enemy.”

The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them.

“The enemy?”

“Never mind,” I mutter. “I need to get back to work.”

“You told me you’re working as a maid. For who?”

“Does it matter? I’m earning us money. That should make you happy enough.”

“No,” he growls, grabbing my arms. “It’s not enough. You’re making money foryou. Not us.”

“You’re right. I am.” I wrench away from him. “That’s something you should have been doing. Protecting me. But I’m doing it for myself because you’re incapable of it. Now, I’m off to work. I’ll come back in a few days to pay for the motel room.”

“Inessa-,”

I’m out the door before he can say more.

Crap. I almost slipped up and told my dad I’m working for Viktor. My father is the last person who can find out. There’s a good chance my dad might go to Viktor and…

I’m not sure what. But knowing Gleb Petrov, he’ll only make matters worse.

It’s better to keep these secrets. They’re the only thing that is going to save me.

The day of the party, Mrs. Green announces that she’s sick.

“But I need your help,” I say as she lays in bed, a cold compress to her forehead.

“I’m sorry, Inessa. But I woke up this morning feeling terrible. You’re going to have to make the meal without me. The cake too.”

My chest constricts. It’s one thing to make dinner for Viktor. He’s ok with something if it isn’t one hundred percent perfect. But he’s inviting guests over tonight. Around twenty, he told me. Twenty people I have to impress with dinner and dessert.

And I won’t have Mrs. Green to help me.

“It’s all written down on recipes, since I know you need them.”

I ignore the jab. “Well… just rest. You can’t help being sick. I’ve got this.”

She gives me an uncertain look. Even Mrs. Greem doesn’t think I have this.

I hurry to Viktor, who’s in his office. “Mrs. Green is sick. I’ll have to make everything myself tonight.”

He barely glances up from his computer. “You can handle it.”

“Would it be possible to hire someone to come in and help?”

That gets him to look up. “Something this last minute? I don’t think so. No. You’re going to have to make the meal yourself. Inessa, you can do it. You know how to cook. Just follow the instructions.”

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