Page 82 of Beautiful Sinner

Inessa and Elena share a look. “We’re on opposites sides of this war too but we’re still friends. With Julia being taken, I was worried and went to Elena. We agreed to meet here since it’s far from the city and would give us a chance just to talk. I snuck out without Viktor knowing and Elena did the same.”

“We knew it was risky,” Elena says.

“You left your son at home?” Matteo asks her.

“Yes. I wouldn’t put him in danger. He’s with the housekeeper. Inessa really wanted to talk. It’s just a coincidence that you’re both here too.”

“Don’t call your husband,” Matteo says to Inessa. “In fact, turn your phone off. He can track your phone.”

“Do it,” I say softly, nodding. Inessa slowly takes out her phone and powers it down.

“Do the same, Elena,” Matteo says. She follows Inessa’s lead and turns her phone off.

“There. Happy?”

“I just have to be careful. Viktor can’t find us here and frankly, I don’t want Aiden to find us either. If him or Finn showed up, it would just cause more chaos. You know that.”

Elena nods. “I do. Inessa was telling me about you two. How you actually have feelings for each other. Julia called me a few weeks ago, asking for your phone number, Matteo. I’m the one who gave it to her. So don’t worry. I won’t get in the way of you two being together.”

“Because it’s obvious you love each other,” Inessa adds. “The way you’re looking at each other. You really are in love?”

“We are,” I tell her, holding Matteo closer. Now that we’ve been found by Inessa and Elena, I want to keep Matteo with me for as long as possible before he slips from my grasp.

Inessa tears up. “I’m happy for you. I really am. I know how lonely you’ve been. I’ve always wanted you to find love.”

“Is Connor alive?” I have to know.

“He is. And he seemed to have spun a story to Viktor about you, saying that Matteo seduced you. That he brainwashed you. Viktor seemed to believe it.”

“Bastard,” Matteo mutters.

“He did not brainwash me. Connor is lying.”

“I know. I just wanted you to know. Viktor is struggling with what’s the truth. He needs to hear it from you.”

“But I can’t go see him. He’ll just lock me back up. You know that. Please don’t tell him where I am. At least not yet. Let me have some happiness. And if Viktor finds us, he’ll kill Matteo and then ask questions later.”

“I won’t tell him.” She looks at Elena. “You can’t tell Aiden we’re here either. For both Julia and Matteo’s safety.”

“Matteo and I are friends,” Elena says. “I don’t want him to get hurt either. So don’t worry. I won’t tell Aiden where you are. But I don’t like lying to my husband so please get this figured out soon. I can’t bear to lose you, Matteo. But you plunged us furtherinto war when you kidnapped Julia. Viktor will be out for your head and he might just kill anyone who gets in his way, like my own husband.”

“We will figure this out,” he promises.

Inessa looks between us as realization dawns in her eyes. “Are you two getting married? The ring. You’re holding onto a garment bag. Is that what’s happening?”

Matteo and I look at each other, unsure what to say. We wanted to have this moment together and now it’s been invaded but it doesn’t have to be ruined.

“Yes,” I answer her. “We are getting married. Please don’t stop us. I just want to be with Matteo. Give me that. Please.”

“You’re really doing this?”

“We are.”

Inessa lets out a long breath. “Viktor will not be happy about this.”

“But if Matteo and I marry, there’s a chance for peace. Viktor will see it in time. He has to.”

“I want to believe that too,” she says softly. “So you’re getting married. I won’t stop you.”