Page 36 of Beautiful Deception

“Finn,” I practically growl in annoyance. “Stop being you for a moment.”

“Impossible. I’m always me.”

“So you’re always fucking annoying?”

He shrugs. “Pretty much.”

“Just go. I’m done for the night.”

“Understood. I’ll handle the drug shipment. Dante is going to regret pissing me off.”

“Don’t you mean your brother?”

Finn’s entire demeanor changes. “What about my brother?”

“You said he was dead to you. Don’t you want to make him pay for betraying you?”

“Yes. But only I get to say it. No one else gets to talk about my own brother but me.”

I raise my hands in surrender. “Duly noted. But Finn, a word of advice. You wear your emotions on your sleeve.”

“I am the furthest thing from an emotional guy.”

“Not true. You show it all. That’s why you’re so angry all the time.”

He crosses his arms with a huff. “And you’re saying you’re not angry? You’re the angriest motherfucker I know. You just hide it behind a cold exterior. At least I put it all out there.”

“It’s your weakness. It’s going to be used against you.”

“No. I’m strong. Much stronger than you. Want to know why?”

“Why?”

“Because you have a little problem, Vik. In the form of that pretty maid of yours. I saw how you looked at her at the club. And just tonight. You like her and you’re pretending you don’t. You got fucked over in the woman department with Nadia and Elena. You can’t risk that again. It’s why you’re pursuing that bitch, Natasha.”

“Don’t speak about Natasha that way.”

“Why not? She’s a bitch. Everyone knows it. She’s someone you never have to fully care about. And if you don’t fully care about her, it won’t hurt if she betrays you. But you like your little maid. It’s why you don’t want me talking to her. And if you like her, you’re at risk of getting hurt.”

“Be careful,” I warn.

“Why? I’m just speaking the truth. Despite what people think of me, I am observant. I see it, Vik. So my advice for you is to be careful with her.”

“What would my maid do that could hurt me?”

“I’m not sure she’s exactly who she says she is.”

Finn’s words draw me up short. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know yet. But my gut says she’s keeping a secret. And my gut is never wrong.”

Chapter Six

Inessa

Mrs.Greenactscoldtowards me all day. When I try to talk to her, she walks away. When I ask for lunch, she practically throws the plate at me. When I try to clean the floors, she deliberately gets in my way, preventing me from doing my job.

“What are you doing?” I finally ask.

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