Page 111 of Beautiful Sinner

Viktor sits up straighter in his seat. “Why would he do that?”

“Because he knew about me and Matteo and he kept threatening to tell you about me and Matteo if I didn’t comply with what he wanted. I was so afraid you’d kill Matteo. I still am, honestly. I was willing to marry Connor if it meant saving Matteo’s life.”

“Until he showed up at your wedding.”

I nod. “It’s because I told Matteo about it. That is true but I never told him to attack the wedding. I never told him to tell Dante. I told him about the wedding because I was afraid. He wanted to kill Connor before the wedding. He wanted to free me from him and yes, weaken you in the process. But I know he tried to reason with Dante. He never wanted to tell Dante but Dante is his boss. The information came out. Matteo tried to get Dante not to kill you but Dante wasn’t listening. If you want to be mad at anyone for that, then be mad at Dante. Be madat Connor. But don’t be mad at Matteo. He wants peace. He’s treated me like a queen. But you’ve been too stubborn to see any of it and I was too afraid of what you’d do to even tell you.”

“You’re afraid of me?”

“Afraid you’ll kill Matteo, yes. Afraid of you? No. Never. I know you want what’s best for me but you said it yourself, you never wanted me to marry a man who would hurt me. Well, I’m telling you: Matteo has never hurt me.”

“He married you without my approval.”

“I’m twenty-one now, Viktor. I don’t technically need your approval. I know you play by Bratva rules. But I’m going to live my life for myself and you can’t stop me. You want me to be happy. I know it. So just let me be happy. Let me be with Matteo. Use it to make peace with Dante and Erik. Save both me and Inessa from harm.”

He sits back in his seat with a heavy sigh. “You just told me a lot. I have to think on this.”

“I understand.”

“You’re not going to leave until I’ve had time to think. I need to talk to Connor. I need to tell him that we’re done.”

“Just like that?”

“You told me he hurt you on multiple occasions. I cant ignore that. That’s too many times he’s hurt you, which means it wasn’t all an accident. He’s been fucking playing me too and I won’t stand for it. Just stay here.”

“Don’t lock her up though,” Inessa says. “Trust Julia to stay.”

“But-,” I start to say but Inessa gives me a hard look.

“Show Viktor that he can trust you by not leaving. And Viktor, show Julia you can trust her by not locking her up. It’s a start. You have to agree it’s a good one.”

Slowly, I nod. “I’ll stay but don’t take too long to think about it. Please. And please let me call Matteo. Let me tell him I’m all right so he doesn’t do something reckless. Please.”

“I just need to think. You will not be calling Matteo. Not right now. But I wont lock you up. I promise you that.”

It’s the best that’s going to happen for right now.

Viktor

I decide to meet up with Connor at one of my restaurants. It will be crowded enough that hopefully he won’t make a scene when I break off our alliance.

He saunters over to my table, his face covered in bruises. I noticed that he favors his right side more than his left.

“Are you ok?” I ask.

“Had a little run in with Matteo yesterday. He stabbed me but I got away. I can’t wait to kill that fucker. Please tell me you have some good news.”

“I have bad news. For you. Our alliance is over.” No point in sugarcoating it.

Connor blinks before shock crosses his features. “Why?”

“I have Julia back. She told me everything. How you hurt her on multiple occasions. I cannot work with a man who wants to hurt my sister. We’re done.”

“So what are you going to do now? Work with Mateo? The fucker who kidnapped her in the first place?”

“I’m not sure what I’m going to do. I just know it won’t be with you any longer. Leave my sister alone. You won’t get her. I won’t give her to you.”

The shock on his face is replaced with anger. Slow, simmering anger. “Just like that? You get to decide that I don’t have a shot at her? I don’t get to be partners with you any longer?”