Page 90 of Beautiful Deception

“What?” Viktor snaps again.

“Just… déjá vu. Your wife looked familiar to me. Just for a moment.”

I can feel Viktor’s back tense. “Why would you think that?”

“Like I’ve seen her before. But I don’t recognize your wife, Viktor. Don’t worry. I’m not here to hurt her.”

Dante sighs and drops his head back dramatically. “Can we just get this show on the road?”

“Leave,” Viktor growls. “I will not have you two ruining my wedding day. I will not allow it. Now go. I will not make a deal with you.”

“Not even to save your sister’s life?” Dante asks. “Or your wife’s?”

“Just go. Give me one day of peace.”

Dante scoffs. “Funny. You haven’t been giving us any moment’s of peace since you’ve been going after all of our shipments.”

“Let’s go,” Erik says.

Dante does a double take at Erik. “What?”

“I’m not in the mood to get into a shootout today. We said our peace to Viktor. I’ll give you a few days to think on it. See this as an act of goodwill. We won’t hurt you today. And I don’t think you want to hurt me and Dante. Not on your wedding day, anyway. Now, Dante and I will be leaving. Think about our offer, Viktor. We don’t have to be at war. If Dante and I can be allies, then we can all be allies again.”

“Just go,” Viktor growls.

With a nod, Erik leaves, practically dragging Dante with him.

Then there is just the four of us and the priest.

Viktor lets out a deep breath. “I apologize, Inessa. You didn’t deserve for that to happen on your wedding day.”

“It’s your wedding day too.”

He takes my hands in his and smiles down at me. “It is. But I can’t believe those two showed up. They’re trying to ruin this day for me. It’s a form of punishment for what I’ve done to them.”

“I don’t want to worry about them. They’re gone now. Let’s just get married and get out of here.”

“Of course.” But his face doesn’t look that certain any longer.

“What’s wrong?” My heart constricts at the idea of Viktor backing out now.

“Just something Erik said. He thought you looked familiar.”

“I’ve never seen him before,” I lie. It’s becoming too easy to lie.

“I just think that’s strange. First Finn and now Erik.”

“Maybe I look like someone to them. Viktor, I love you. I’m here with you. Don’t let Erik get in your head. I want to marry you.” That is the truth. My heart feels like it won’t be able to beat without Viktor in my life.

“Listen to her,” Julia says. “Those men are trouble. Don’t let them ruin this day for you.”

“I agree,” Mrs. Green says from the pew.

“Everyone is right.” Viktor squeezes my hands. “I love you too, Inessa. Let us get married.” He nods at the priest. “You may start.”

The ceremony isn’t as joyous as it would have been if Erik and Dante had never shown up. It’s upsetting that they tried to ruin this day but I’m not going to worry about it. My focus is on Viktor and our relationship.

“Do you, Viktor Smirnov, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

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