Guess Wrong, Die Again

My ears perked up, though I inwardly scoffed at her naivety.

What man would ever admit to having a new lover?

Predictably, Viktor sidestepped the question.

"Don't overthink it. Having you is enough. Be good."

"I really am busy. I have to go, my men are waiting."

Vivian's own intuition must have been screaming at her, because the sudden chill in his tone made her press on.

"No, you're not at the estate! It's so crowded there, how could it be this quiet?"

"Viktor, you told me you only loved me!"

He took a deep breath, his voice turning to ice.

"Vivian Cross, I'm warning you for the last time. It's not your place to question my affairs!"

"I'm hanging up. If you need something, go through my men. Don't bother me again today."

Without waiting for a reply, he ended the call.

"Is there anything else?" he asked me coldly.

Are you kidding me? If I crossed him now, I'd be signing my own death warrant.

I forced a smile, fetching a cigar and lighting it for him.

"No, nothing else. I'll go make the arrangements right away."

The moment Viktor left the mansion, I was in my car, tailing him.

Since he was so cold to Vivian and yet so secretive, he had to be going to see his new lover.

This time, I would not get it wrong.

I tailed him to an upscale bar that had been completely emptied for a private event.

Inside, his Soldati had already secured the entire venue, and a group of men were methodically setting something up.

I hid behind a pillar and overheard Viktor instructing his men:

"Remember, the second I raise my hand, you hit the lights. The moment she says yes, the music starts."

"Did you pick up the ring I sent for? It's her favorite style. I have to give her a surprise before I go abroad."

The Soldato nodded eagerly, his posture deferential. "Don, rest assured, everything has been prepared to your specifications. We're just waiting for her to arrive."

"But Don, you'll be gone for over half a year. What if she misses you…"

Viktor sighed. "I have no choice. The deal over there is set, and I have to go in person."

"Her getting pregnant at a time like this… I can only leave her in Lana's care."

"I promised her that after this one last job, I'll get out of the life for good and give her the peaceful life she deserves."

Relief washed over me so fiercely I nearly burst into tears.

This has to be it.

The person who could make a monster like Viktor decide to "get out of the life" had to be the most important person to him.

As the minutes ticked by, my heart hammered against my ribs.

The moment the midnight bell chimed, a breathtaking woman stepped through the entrance.