Page 101 of Beautiful Sinner

I overhear Viktor’s conversation with Connor and I know I have to do something. I didn’t listen to Viktor when he told me to hide in our room. Julia could be hurt in the process. So could Matteoand I know how much he means to her. I know what it’s like to fight for love. It’s something I think Viktor struggles with. His baby sister growing up.

I need to help her but to do that, I need to talk to Julia. I need to warn her that Connor is alive and will still come looking for her. It’s clear from Viktor’s conversation that he was there at the hospital last night. I saw the shooting on the morning news. Viktor wants to keep me in the dark but the darkness is not where I can be. Not when I’m married to a Bratva man and my sister-in-law is now married to a Mafia man.

I hate to say it but I don’t trust Viktor when it comes to Julia. He’s in too much pain to think clearly so I have to think for the both of us.

I know Julia doesn’t have her phone with her but I know that Elena has Matteo’s number and I have Elena’s number.

“I need you to give me Matteo’s number,” I whisper as I hide out in the bedroom. This is something Elena and I always agreed we would never do: cross enemy lines. Whenever we’d meet up, we’d agree to do it in secret and never discuss politics. But things are well past that. “I need it, Elena. I won’t tell you anything more and it’s better you don’t ask.”

After a long moment, she sighs. “I gave it to Julia a few weeks ago so I might as well give it to you. Just promise me that you’ll be smart about this.”

“I promise.” I’m not sure if it’s a lie or not. The moment I end the call with Elena, I call Matteo. My hands shake. I’m going against my husband to do this. The husband whom I promised I would never lie to again. But I have to save Julia and I’m not sure Viktor is in the right headspace to do that right now.

Matteo answers after two rings. “Hello?”

“It’s Inessa.”

He’s quiet on the other end for a long time that I pull the phone away from my ear to make sure the call is still on. “Inessa?”

“Yes.”

“Why are you calling me?”

“Connor is still alive. I wasn’t sure if you were aware. He was just over here.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I was there at your wedding. I saw the love you and Julia have for each other. I know it’s real and no one should tear that apart. So I am telling you this so you can keep an eye out for him. Be careful. He’s angry. Viktor isn’t sure about working with him any longer and so he just might go even more off the rails. I need to see Julia. Please tell me where you are.”

“No,” he says it without hesitating. “I’m sorry, Inessa. I’m sure you want to help but I cannot risk telling you where we are. You could be working with Viktor on this. He is your husband after all.”

“I understand that.” I bite my lip. This isn’t going how I wanted it to go. “Well, just tell Julia that I’m worried for her. And that she needs to try to talk some sense into Viktor at some point. She’s the only one who can truly get him to see her for who she really is. I will try to help. Just know that I am on your guys’ side.”

“Thank you for that. But I have to hang up now.” He does it before I can say another word.

I lower the phone to my lap. There it is. I just betrayed my husband. Again. And it’s soul crushing.

Chapter Seventeen

Matteo

My heart is racing after the call from Inessa. Why did she do it? Why does Viktor’s wife care?

I want to believe that Inessa is sincere. Like she said, she was at my wedding. I know she wants to support Julia but I can’t fully trust her. She’s still tied to Viktor and I’m not sure if Viktor still wants me dead or not.

One thing Inessa gave me though is that Connor is still alive. I need to find him and kill him before he kills me.

“Who was it?” Julia asks, coming into the kitchen. She pats down her wet hair. She was in the shower when Inessa called and I consider telling her about it for a moment but… it’sbetter she doesn’t know Inessa wants to meet. Julia might do something reckless and I need to protect her at all costs.

The irony of lying to her to protect her is not lost on me.

“Just Dante.” I put my phone away. “How are you feeling?” I nod at her arm.

“Still sore but it all could have been so much worse. I could have lost movement in my entire hand so I’m grateful none of that happened.” She places her hands on my chest, leaning into me because she trusts me. And I just lied to her. “Because you got me there in time. You saved my life. I love you.”

“I love you.” I mean it with my whole fucking chest. Never have I felt this strongly for any woman before. The women I dated in the past were for fun but it was never serious. With Julia, everything is serious.

“Breakfast was delicious. You’re a good cook.”

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