Page 99 of Beautiful Deception

“I have some errands to run,” I tell the guard.

“Ok.”

“No, I mean… I want to do it on my own.”

“But Mr. Smirnov hired me to make sure you’re safe.”

“Please. I just need some time alone.”

“I’ll wait in the car.”

I know there’s no getting out of this so I decide to drive to Elena’s apartment building. I just hope that neither the guard nor Viktor know this is where Elena lives.

“I have a friend I want to go see,” I tell him. “Wait here.”

“I should meet them.”

“No. It’s just one of my girlfriends from high school. Girl talk, you know? Stay in the car.” I hurry inside before he can try and stop me.

Aiden answers the door of his and Elena’s luxury penthouse. “Inessa?”

“Is Elena home?”

“Yeah. Come on in.”

“Aiden, do you ever talk to your brother?”

“I haven’t spoken to Finn in a year.”

I relax slightly. That’s good. If Aiden were to talk to Finn, there’s a good chance Finn could figure out who I am.

Elena comes into the foyer. “Inessa.” She gives me a fierce hug. “I haven’t seen you in months. How have you been? You haven’t called. I was getting worried.”

“I need to talk to you in private.”

She looks at Aiden curiously and he nods and leaves the room, silently understanding to give us space. “What’s up?” she asks as we settle on the couch.

“I got married.” I show her the ring.

“Oh my god. The last time we spoke, you were going to talk to Viktor Smirnov about sparing your dad’s life and now you’re married. Who’s the lucky guy?”

“Viktor Smirnov.”

Elena goes completely still in a way I’ve never seen from her before. Then she speaks. “Viktor… Smirnov… is your husband?”

“Yes. And you can’t tell anyone. Not even Aiden. I could die. Viktor doesn’t know who my dad is. Who I really am.”

“Then why did you marry him?Howdid you marry him?”

“I got a job as his maid and we… fell for each other. Simple as that. But he does not who my dad really is. He can never know. I know it’s unfair of me to ask you to keep this a secret but I just needed my best friend to talk to. Toreallytalk to. I don’t have anyone else.”

Elena contemplates everything I just told her, then she nods. “I think we’re going to need a bottle of wine.”

Chapter Fifteen

Viktor

WhatErikandDantedid on my wedding day cannot stand.

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