Page 10 of Beautiful Sinner

That he’ll be too old if I wait. Of course, none of us says this out loud.

“Have you even asked if Julia wants to marry you?” Inessa says instead.

“Why does that matter?”

“Because she should have a say.”

“Inessa,” Viktor says gently.

She flushes and ducks her head, knowing when she’s being told to be quiet.

“I do respect my sister’s opinion,” Viktor says. “So, if she doesn’t want to go through with this marriage, I won’t make her. Understand that, Grigori.”

“Why should it matter what the girl wants? You need my money, Viktor, and this is the way to get it. You know the terms. You can either agree to them or not.”

“I’ll have to think about it,” he says tightly.

“Then I don’t see the point of making pleasant conversation. I’ll be off. To make more money.” He gives Viktor a pointed look as he stands up, leaning onto his cane.

Viktor walks him out, leaving me and Inessa alone. She rushes to my side. “I’m so sorry, Julia.”

“Why are you sorry? You didn’t bring that man here.”

“It just doesn’t seem fair that you should be burdened to a man like that.”

“You heard Viktor. If I don’t want to marry Grigori, then I don’t have to.”

Inessa sighs. “I did hear him and I’m worried he’s not saying the full truth. I’ve felt him tossing and turning all night. He’s been doing that for weeks now. This war is taking its toll on him and yet he won’t stop, no matter how many times I ask him to. I know he needs more money. He says he won’t force you to marry that man but… He could change his mind if times get even more tough for him.”

“My brother has always protected me. He won’t marry me off. He doesn’t want it and neither do I.”

“Normally I’d say yes. But this isn’t a normal time right now, Julia, and you know it. Just be prepared for anything. I would hate for you to get hurt in this. But I’ll talk to Viktor and try to get him to see sense.”

“Thank you. I appreciate having you on my side.”

She takes my hands. “You were on my side when I needed it. It’s only fair I return the favor.”

Inessa used to work as a maid for my brother until they fell in love and got married. It wasn’t until after the marriage that Viktor found out that Inessa hadn’t been entirely truthful about who she really was: the daughter of a Bratva man who tried to kill Viktor. He was upset and Inessa almost died because of it. Not at the hands of my brother but he didn’t protect her when he should have and that caused her to almost die. That made him see reason – that he loved her - and they both forgave each other for their mistakes. They’ve been in love ever since.

I know my brother still feels guilt over not protecting Inessa like he should have. He could have lost her because of it. Ever since then, he’s been overprotective of her.

That’s nothing new: he’s been overprotective of me since I was a little girl.

“We’re friends,” I tell Inessa. “And we always will be. No matter what happens.”

Viktor comes back into the room with a sigh. “I apologize for Grigori.”

“Don’t make Julia marry him,” Inessa blurts out.

“I won’t be doing anything like that,” he says. “But it’s still an option we have to consider. I hope you agree, Julia.”

What can I say? That I’ll hate Viktor forever if he marries me off to Grigori? I’m not that kind of person. I love and respect my brother, despite how stifling he can be at times.

But the thought of marrying Grigori makes my skin crawl.

“Of course,” I murmur, playing along because that’s what I always do. I’m the good sister. I’m never a rebel.

That night, I can’t sleep. Matteo keeps floating around my head, taunting me with his handsomeness. Grigori does the same but for the opposite reason.

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