Page 121 of Beautiful Sinner

Viktor drives us to Connor’s apartment. “How’s your abdomen?”

“On fire. But I’m pushing through. For Julia.”

“I like to hear that. You’re willing to fight for her.”

“I’m willing to die for her.”

“I like that too. A good husband is selfless and I… I haven’t been the best husband of late. Or the best brother. I’ve beenclouded with revenge and my pride and I’m done with it. I’m seeing things more clearly now.”

“I’m sorry, Viktor. Sorry for sneaking around behind your back. Sorry for stealing Julia away. Sorry for trying to kill you. I want to start fresh.”

“Once we save Julia, we can.”

We arrive at Connor’s apartment building and Viktor strides inside while I follow behind more slowly.

He doesn’t bother knocking at Connor’s door. He kicks it down.

And a gunshot goes off.

Viktor slams his body against the wall to avoid being hit and in the process, holds me back too.

Saving my life.

“If you try to come in here,” Connor says, “I will kill you.”

“Help!” Julia screams. That tells us everything we need to know.

Viktor darts forward and fires off his gun but Connor just responds. Viktor has to dive back to avoid getting hit.

“How can we stop him?” I ask.

“We make him run out of bullets.” Viktor keeps darting forward and back, making Connor shoot at him, and every time, he misses.

There’s a moment of silence when Connor finally runs out of bullets.

“Now.” Viktor runs inside and tries shooting at Connor, but he dives into a room down the hallway. “Untie Julia.”

I rush, as fast as I can, to Julia’s side and start untying the rope around her.

“You’re here,” she says.

“I always told you I’ve got you.”

Her eyes flick to Viktor. “And with my brother.”

“We’re working to save your life.”

“And after that?”

“We’ll talk about it then. Let’s just get you out of here.”

I see Viktor move down the hallway to wherever Connor is hiding. I get Julia untied and gently push her towards the door. “You need to leave. For your own safety.”

“But you’re here. You look like you can barely move. I can help.”

“You can help by getting to safety. Please.”

Slowly, she nods and runs out the door. I turn towards the hallway and see that Viktor is looking inside one of the rooms.