Page 127 of Beautiful Revenge

“Actually it is your fault and you know it. Dante and Erik would never give me the true respect I deserve. I realized that when they immediately bought your lie and assumed I told youto kidnap Aria. You really think that they’re going to respect you?”

“I’m married now, Vik. I have a wife. I need to think about her. Why don’t you do the same?”

He grabs the front of my hospital gown and yanks me towards him. “Don’t talk about my wife. You tried to have her killed if I remember correctly. Inessa has no part in this war. You never utter her name on your lips again. I am doing this for my wife and sister. They deserve to live in a world where their husband and brother will not be undermined. Don’t act like you’re better than me, Finn. You know that Dante and Erik will never fully trust you.” He lets me go with a shove.

“I know they won’t. But I have to go with my wife, Vik. You can understand that. And yes, it was my fault that Elio went after you, thinking you gave the order to kidnap Aria. But Elio is dead now. And you chose to go back to war when you didn’t have to. I’ve learned that there’s more to life than just anger. Can you say the same for your pride?”

He scoffs. “You’re still angry, Finn. Don’t pretend you’re not. You will always crave chaos. But I see that you won’t be joining my side. I could easily kill you right now, you know.”

“Oh, I know. But are you the type of man to kill an unarmed man in a hospital bed?”

“You’re lucky that I’m not. Guess I’ll see you on the battlefield.” He leaves without another look in my direction. I slump back onto the bed, breathing heavy. That was a fucking close one. Viktor is going to be a problem again in the future.

And this time, I’m not on his side.

But if it means being with Aria, I’ll do whatever it fucking takes.

Aria

Finn and I move into a new house together, one that we can call our own and isn’t tied to dark memories. I couldn’t stay in my dad’s house any longer.

I hire an old nurse to help take care of Finn because there’s no fucking way I’m helping him shower or use the bathroom. I may love him but I know my limits. And I think Finn’s pride wouldn’t stand for me doing those things for him.

Over the next few weeks, we spend a lot of time together as he heals. Aiden and Fiona and Elena come by for dinners. Elena is still shy around Finn but she’s starting to warm up to him. I know she’s upset that Viktor is at war with us since she can’t see her best friend, Inessa.

I hope things will get better but so far the war between Viktor and my men doesn’t seem to be ending any time soon.

Finn hates that he can’t go out and fight himself but I keep reminding him that he needs to heal. It’s the only way he can help in the long run.

We fall into a simple routine. It’s a happy one where Finn and I flirt and tease each other. I know we’re both antsy to make love again but we can’t – not until Finn is fully healed.

I still occasionally dream about Sal hurting me. He’s the reason I no longer have my dad in my life. But he’s already started to fade as more and more days go by. I hope one day, he’ll be a distant memory and I can put the torture I endured behind me.

As for my dad, I’ll never forget him. It pains me that I never fully told him how much he means to me. It’s my one regret in life.

I’m in the kitchen, mincing a shallot for the meal I’m making when Finn comes up behind me. It’s been six weeks since he got shot and I haven’t gotten tired of feeling his arms around me once.

“Smells good,” he says, kissing along my neck.

“It will taste good too.”

“You know what else tastes good? You.”

I flush. “I’m cooking, Finn.”

“Well, turn the stove off. It’s been weeks since I’ve had you. My body is healed enough.”

“Are you sure?”

“Unless you’re not in the mood…”

I quickly turn the stove off and turn around to face him. “Am I in the mood? Well, you’re just going to have to get me there.”

I laugh as Finn lifts me into his arms and carries me into our bedroom. There’s a frantic energy to him as he takes my clothes off. My own hands scrabble at his shirt, desperate to touch him skin to skin. We thought it would be better to limit any naked touch over the past weeks he was healing to reduce temptation.

But now, we don’t have to abide by that rule.

I run my nails down Finn’s bare chest, making him hiss. With a dark grin, he grabs me around the waist and pins me to the bed. My naked body arches up to meet him. I need this. God, I need this.

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