Page 19 of Beautiful Revenge

“Wasn’t Dante pressuring Viktor to divorce the woman he loves to marry Aria instead? You really think Viktor wants peace with Dante and Erik? You really think he’s forgiven them? He’s still pissed, Matteo.”

“But to kidnap Aria? And have you do it? I’m not sure I believe Viktor is capable of that.”

“You don’t know him like I do. How ruthless he is. Trust me. Viktor is behind this. He told me to do this. Now, run along to Dante and Elio and share the news. Even if you don’t believe me, you’ll still tell them.”

“Why do you want me to tell them? To create more chaos?”

“No. So you all know what you’re dealing with,” I say. “Who you’re dealing with. You can’t trust Viktor. Trust me.”

With a sigh, Matteo nods. “I’ll relay the information. But you do know that I’m honor bound to stop you from leaving so we can find out where Aria is.”

“I know, Matteo. Which is why I’m going to do this.” I quickly pull out my gun and fire. The bullet lands in his shoulder, knocking him back. “That’s my message for Dante,” I say as he groans on the floor.

I leave with a whistle. Part one of my plan done.

Dante

When Matteo shows up on my doorstep with a bullet hole in his shoulder, telling me that Finn told him that Viktor is behind Aria’s kidnapping, I hate to say that I believe him.

Viktor has not been happy about the new alliance we just formed. I’ve seen the anger simmering underneath him. Of course he’d do something like this.

Elio is with me when Matteo tells us this. He now knows who to turn his anger onto.

“I will kill him for giving the order,” Elio says.

“We should ask Viktor first,” Matteo says. “Before we rush in. Make sure Finn is telling the truth. Remember, this is Finn. He’s not exactly Mr. Trustworthy.”

“I don’t fucking care,” Elio snaps. “If Viktor is behind this, I am going to make him tell me where my daughter is.” Elio storms out of the house before I can stop him.

But I know Elio is going to make a huge mistake so I follow him to one of Viktor’s clubs. Matteo is with me, despite his bloody shoulder. I have to stop another war from forming.

And if Viktor is behind this, then I’m going to make him pay for hurting Aria.

There are two guards stationed out front of Viktor’s back office.

“I need to talk to Viktor,” Elio spits out.

“You know me,” I say, stepping forward. “You can let us in.”

One of the guards speaks into a walkie-talkie, asking if we have permission to enter, and after a moment, the guard lets us on through.

Viktor stands up behind his desk, looking powerful in his grey suit. “What do I owe the pleasure of three Mafia men showing up at my club?”

Elio whips out his gun.

“Elio,” I hiss.

“What the fuck is going on?” Viktor demands.

“You stole my daughter!” Elio’s hand is shaking around his gun.

“I have no idea what the fuck you’re talking about.”

“Finn told me that you told him to kidnap Aria,” Matteo explains, holding his bloody shoulder.

“So give me my daughter back!” Elio pulls the trigger. The bullet lands high on the wall. But it does its damage.

Viktor’s guards come running inside but Viktor holds up a hand, stopping them.

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