Page 71 of Beautiful Deception

It’s common in the Bratva world. People kidnap kids and wives and girlfriends and boyfriends all the time to hurt the people they want to hurt. I know Erik himself kidnapped one of Dante’s friends, a girl named Aria, years ago, back when they were enemies.

Last I heard of her, she was eighteen now. She was someone I could have kidnapped to hurt Dante for hurting me when he kidnapped Nadia but I never considered it. I don’t believe in kidnapping people for gain.

It’s tacky to me. There are other ways to scare your opponent.

I know for a fact that Inessa told me she was worried Natasha would hurt her. I never thought that would happen but I’m starting to think the opposite.

I have no other leads. I need to make sure Natasha didn’t do anything.

And if she did, then I’m going to find Inessa and fucking murder Natasha for pissing me off.

She arrives at my house, taking way too long in my opinion.

“Viktor. Welcomed me back, did you?” She waltzes right into my home.

Without waiting a beat, I shove her against the wall. “Did you do something to Inessa?”

She tenses for just a moment before she frowns. “No. What happened?”

“Don’t lie to me,” I growl, taking my gun out and placing it right under her chin. “I will kill you if you lie to me.”

“I never thought you were one to kill a woman. I have guards, you know. Men who will kill you if I’m dead.”

“I can deal with them. Where is Inessa? If anyone knew where she’d be last night, it would be you. You have a vendetta against her. Did you follow her? Kidnap her?”

“I did no such thing.”

“I don’t believe you. I can tell you’re lying to me. I will spare your life, Natasha, if you tell me where Inessa is.”

She pouts. “It’s not fair. You promised to marry me. I’m just making sure there’s no obstacles in the way of that happening.”

I shove her harder against the wall, making her wince. “So, you did take her. Where?”

“She’ll be dead soon if she isn’t already. Give her up, Viktor. Be with me.”

“Take me to her or-,”

“Or what?” She raises an eyebrow. “If you kill me, you’ll never figure out where she is. You need me. I’ll tell you where Inessa is if… if you marry me.”

I scoff. “Marry you? Why the fuck would I do that? I can’t stand the sight of you any longer, Natasha. You disgust me. Why the ever fuck would I marry you?”

“To save your precious Inessa.”

“I would rather shove a hot poker into my eye. I know you have your parents you care about. How about I visit them? Do you want that?”

All the bravado falls from her face. “Leave my parents out of this.”

“So, you don’t want me to kill them then. Understood. I won’t have to kill them if you just tell me where Inessa is.”

“Never.”

“Mr. Smirnov?” Mrs. Green’s voice interrupts us.

I glance over at her to find her looking between me and Natasha, an afraid expression on her face.

And that’s my mistake.

Natasha knees me in the balls and shoves me back as she runs for the front door.

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