Page 17 of Beautiful Sinner

Viktor is uncertain but he agrees anyway.

That’s how I end up next to Grigori at the outside table on the back patio. Across from him is Inessa. Viktor had to attend to some business but me and Inessa assured him we’d talk to Grigori.

“I can’t believe Viktor didn’t even have time for me,” he mutters, picking at one of the croissants that our housekeeper, Mrs. Green, served.

“He had an emergency come up,” Inessa explains.

“But we’re here to talk to you,” I remind him.

“Yes. Well, Julia, I have to say, you’re looking lovely this afternoon.”

I made sure to put on one of my nice white summer dresses. Though, it’s not Grigori whom I wish would see me in it. “Thank you. I wanted to ask you something. If you and me didn’t get married, would you still be an ally to my brother?”

“No. It’s the marriage deal or no deal.”

“But what’s the point of marriage anyway?” I ask.

“Children,” he says flatly.

Inessa dabs at her mouth and sets her napkin in her lap. “Do you not have children, Grigori?”

“I do. Sons. They’re both in their forties now. But I would like more.”

The thought of this man putting his hands on me makes me tremble.

“Are you cold?” he asks.

I flash him a smile. “I’m all right. Thank you.”

“You and me, Julia. We could have a lot of children together. I’m not dead yet.”

It’s then that I feel his hand find my knee underneath the table. I resist the urge to push it away.

“I see,” I murmur. “Well, I’m not sure I can promise a marriage to you, Grigori. I just…”

“You just what?”

“Julia has a few marriage prospects that she’s considering,” Inessa says. “It might be a good idea to consider being my husband’s ally, no matter who she chooses.”

“Why do you say that?” Still, his hand doesn’t leave my knee.

“Because,” Inessa says in a clear and confident voice, “if she chooses one of the other men interested in her, that man will become my husband’s closest ally next. Not you. And that could lead to bad things for you.”

“Are you threatening me?” His hand clenches my knee.

“No.” Inessa looks at him with wide eyes. She has the perfect face for it. “I’m just pointing out that no matter who Julia chooses, making an alliance with Viktor would be a smart thing to do. You wouldn’t want to go to war against him, would you? You see how ruthless he can be. Do you really want to be on the receiving end of that?”

“Of course not. So, he should just marry me and Julia. Plain and simple.” In one quick motion, his hand pushes higher up my thigh, making me gasp and stand up. Grigori frowns up at me.

“Are you ok?” Inessa asks.

“I’m fine. I just think that this meeting should be over. It was nice talking to you again, Grigori, but I have things I need to attend to.”

“You can’t be too busy to see me. You’re a woman.”

Ah. Casual sexism.

I smile politely at him. “I am a woman and so therefore, I have womanly things I need to attend to. I hope you consider what Inessa said.” I dash inside before he can try to touch me anymore.