Page 22 of Beautiful Sinner

I sneak into Viktor and Inessa’s bedroom. Thankfully, they’re asleep. Inessa’s phone is on the nightstand. I snatch it up and tiptoe back to my own room. Elena’s number is in there. It seems that Inessa and her have been talking even though they technically shouldn’t be. It works for me.

I press down on Elena’s number. It rings three times before she answers. “Inessa?” Her voice is groggy late at night.

“Don’t panic. It’s Julia. Not Inessa.”

Elena goes silent for a long moment before she says, “Did something happen to Inessa?”

“No. She’s fine. I promise you that. I need something from you. An address.”

“I don’t understand. Why are you calling me?”

“I need an address.”

“Who’s?”

“Matteo Conti’s.”

Elena is quiet on the other end for a long time. She could be sharing a look with her husband. I could be ratted out within a matter of seconds. This is risky but I have to take it.

“Why do you need his address?” she finally asks.

“I’m trusting you, Elena, because you’re friends with Inessa. You know Inessa and I are friends too. I am trusting you to keep this a secret because people could get hurt.”

“A secret… from my husband?”

“Is he there with you?”

“No. He’s out for the night. It’s just me.”

She could be lying but I can’t worry about that right now. “I need to talk to Matteo. I know we’re on opposite sides of this war. I know you have no reason to trust me since I’m the sister of Viktor. But I have no intention of hurting Matteo. I… like him,” I admit.

“You like him?”

“And I need to talk to him. I need to know where he lives. Or if that’s too much to ask for, then his phone number. Just some way I can contact him.”

“I… I can give you his number. I don’t fully trust you. Viktor could be using you to hurt us.”

I can’t blame Elena for thinking that. “His number then. Thank you.” I write it down as she tells me. “Just keep this between us, please? No one will get hurt. I just need to talk tohim. But if word gets out I’m talking to Matteo, it could lead to bigger problems.”

“You mean it? You really do like him?”

“I mean, I barely know him. But I know I can trust him. And I know I can trust you too. You’ve always been on Inessa’s side.”

“Ok,” she says. “I won’t tell anyone about this conversation. But if Matteo somehow ends up hurt, I’ll tell everyone you reached out to me.”

A spike of fear hits my chest. “Understood.”

I tiptoe back to Inessa and Viktor’s room and place her phone on the nightstand table. Neither one wakes up. I rush back to my room and call Matteo.

“Please pick up,” I mutter. He finally does.

“Hello?”

“Matteo, it’s me. Julia.”

He’s quiet for a few seconds. “Julia? How did you get my number?”

“Elena. She promised not to tell anyone. I need to talk to you.” I keep my voice as low as I possibly can.