Free The Deception by Marquita Valentine Page B

this and his need to embarrass me, because I had thought it was to make me stronger. But now... now, I refuse to be humiliated by him or anyone else.
    “I remain the same,” I say softly. “Why are you here?”
    Viktor’s laughter dies away. His gaze is appraising as it runs over me. “The same, yet slightly different.”
    He’s right. I am a man slightly changed by the friendship of a good woman. But how could I remain the same once I’d felt the warmth of Everly’s smile? It was like asking a bear to forsake the sun to hibernate after spring had fully come.
    “Why. Are. You. Here?” I ask again.
    He shrugs. “Do I need an excuse to see you, Kolya ?”
    My jaw works. He only uses my childhood nickname to remind me that I am beneath him. “I won’t ask again,” I say pointedly.
    “I’m here to finally meet your lover.”
    “You’ve already met her.”
    “A passing glance is hardly conversation. Even by your standards.”
    “An assassin is quiet in all things, Nikolai. He allows his prey to spill his secrets before you drain him.” My grandfather looks upon me with pride, and then at the body on the floor, blood forming a grotesque halo around the head. “Brilliant work, Kolya.”
    Viktor mutters a curse. “Those who desire your services sent me to check on you. To make sure that Ms. Andrews is with you, and you are agreeable to our terms.”
    Cold dread digs deeper inside of me. “First, I’m taking her to meet Grandfather.”
    “You can’t get out of this. Not even the great Dmitri Romanov can save your half brother,” Victor reminds me.
    Perhaps he can’t. Or he will refuse to do so. But it’s worth a shot to find out if he knows a hit has been placed on his grandson. It’s worth risking everything to get his help, if it means that Everly remains alive.
    I slash a hand through the air. “ Blyad . It was the only way I could get her to come.”
    Viktor laughs. “An old-fashioned abduction too good for you?”
    “After we’d been seen by half the city, walking around her neighborhood, and then eating in a popular restaurant—yes.” God, he annoys me more than ever. How could I have ever considered him my mentor?
    Because he was a god to you. He took you under his wing, taught you what you needed to know in order to survive—that’s why.
    Viktor runs a hand along the wood grain on the interior walls of the cabin, his gaze on me. His mouth twists a little. “How is Ms. Andrews feeling?”
    Feeling? Oh, fuck me. The attendant had produced what she’d needed a little too quickly, but I had allowed my concern to override my natural distrust.
    “What did you do?” I start for the bedroom, but Viktor catches me by the arm, twisting it behind my back. Sharp pain radiates from the shoulder, as if I’ve been shot once again.
    “I did my job.” There’s a pinch in my neck, and I go lax. The room spins. I close my eyes to stop it. “Now do yours.”
    My body becomes light, insubstantial, like I’m made of air. My cheek connects with the carpet, a jarring surprise. Struggling to keep my eyes open, I force them to focus on Viktor. He’s bent over me, an evil smile splitting his face.
    “You have two weeks,” he says, straightening. As if in slow motion, he raises his foot above my head. I try to brace for what’s coming next, but my useless body won’t cooperate.
    His boot smashes down, and agony explodes behind my temple an instant before my world goes dark.
    ***  ***  ***
    I wake up with a start and a sharp intake of air. The room is cold and warm at the same time. Rubbing my eyes, I force them open, startled to find myself in a bedroom. In bed.
    My clothes are missing, my head hurts like a bitch, but my face feels fine. Perhaps I should be grateful Viktor kicked me in the head, because hiding a bruised face isn’t easy.
    However, none of that matters.
    “Everly,” I whisper, grabbing the covers. I have to find her. I have to—
    “What time is it?” a groggy voice asks.
    I