Page 86 of Beautiful Sinner

I explain to them what happened. How a man attacked our wedding but I lie and say I don’t know who the man is. I tell them how I managed to punch the attacker but I left to get Julia to safety. I don’t know what happened to the attacker. I purposely do not say Connor’s name at all. The less they know this is Mafia business, the better.

“Where there any other witnesses?” the officer asks.

“Yes. There were two women there but I didn’t know who they were. They acted as witnesses. But they ran after the shooting.”

“You had strangers act as witnesses to your marriage?”

“My wife and I just wanted to get married. We didn’t want a big party. Those women were there and they were more than happy to be witnesses. I never got their names though. I’m sorry.”

“What about the priest?”

“He ran. I didn’t see what happened to him after that.” The moment the police are done questioning me and leave, I text Dante, telling him to take care of the priest. I can’t have the priest telling the cops about how I threatened him to marry me and Julia. That will not look good.

Dante tells me he’s on it, though I can tell, even through text, that he is not happy with me.

The doctor working on Julia comes find me after some time. “We managed to stop the bleeding but she’ll need surgery on her arm. She’s being taken there now.”

“Can I talk to her?”

“I’m afraid not. She fell unconscious during our treatment and we had to place a breathing tube into her mouth. You can wait in here.” He leads me to a private room. “We’ll let you know when she’s out of surgery.”

I slump onto the chair, all my energy leaving me. I can’t believe this. Today was going so well. Julia and I were so happy and now… this. I’m stuck in a hospital waiting room, wondering if Julia is even going to survive this day. All because of fucking Connor. I am going to kill him one day.

I just hope he doesn’t get the chance to kill me first.

Inessa

I rush home as fast as I can. Elena took her own car, so at least I don’t have to worry about her. I need to tell Viktor about whathappened before he hears it from anyone else.

But when I run inside, I stumble to a halt when I see Connor in the foyer. Viktor is greeting him. Connor must have just gotten here right before me.

“What’s going on?” I ask, staring at Connor’s bloody, bruised face. I can’t help but feel a little happy at the sight. He deserved to get beat up.

“That’s what I want to know,” Viktor says. “Where were you? You told the guards that you were going out shopping but you’ve been gone for hours!”

Connor smirks. “Yes. Where were you, Inessa?”

I glare at him before turning to Viktor. “Can I talk to you in private?”

“In a moment. Connor, what did you want to tell me?”

“I found Matteo and Julia. Matteo did this to me. He tried to kill me but I managed to get away.”

“Where was he?”

“He was forcing Julia to marry him. It was a disgusting sight.”

I can see the moment Viktor believes Connor. In reality, he has no reason to not believe Connor.

“And there’s something else,” Connor continues. “In the process, Julia got hurt. Matteo shot her.”

“Is she dead?”

“No. But I had to leave before I could see what else happened. She might be dead for all I know. I am sorry, Viktor. I really did try. We have to kill that bastard for hurting Julia and forcing her to marry him.”

“Then get to it,” Viktor growls. “Go out there and find him. Now!”

“Yes. Of course.” Connor sneers at me as he walks to the door. “Oh, and Viktor. You might want to ask where your wife was today.” He leaves with a whistle.