Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

Viktor

T ime is passing, and still no news of Ava. I don't know how I feel anymore. I find myself confused, which annoys the shit out of me. I need control, and I can't seem to find it. I've never been a man who dwells on emotions. I was taught they are a sign of weakness and emotions are a waste of energy. But it's hard not to when Fiona is making my life a living hell. The clan and Manarch Industries are barely being held together. And I still don't know where Ava is.

My life is filled with dread and anger. I can't stop thinking about Ava. Is she safe? Has she found someone new? Does she think of me as I do of her? I can't remember the last time I kissed her. There's a knock at my door.

"Come in," I call.

"Babe, you weren't at breakfast." Fiona stalks toward my desk. She's only two steps inside, and I already have a headache.

"Far enough," my voice carries through the office, making her stop.

"Are you seriously going to be like this? You have spent no time with me." She puts her hand on her hip.

"And I'm not going to either. Get used to it."

"I'm your wife and the mother of your unborn child." She touches her belly.

"You're my wife on paper. I'm not interested in being your husband."

"It's that whore, isn't it? She's the gift that keeps on giving. Jesus, forget about her already. She's probably forgotten about you and moved on to?—"

"Get the fuck out of my office," I bark.

"She's a nobody. You know what will happen if you go to her." There's a mocking tone to her voice that makes my hair stand on edge. Leaping from my seat, I grab her by the throat.

"You will never say her name again. I might just forget who you are. Now, get the fuck out of my office," I repeat, thrusting her toward the door.

"This isn't over," she spits.

Before she's even left, there's another knock at the door. It's like fucking Grand Central Station here today.

"Who the fuck is it now?" I demand. The door opens, and it's Oliver.

"Bad time?" He looks between Fiona and me.

"Fiona was just leaving," I snarl. She rolls her eyes at me and leaves. I turn and go back to my desk. "Talk," I growl as I sit.

"There's a problem." He walks toward my desk.

"There's always a fucking problem. Tell me something I don't already know." I run my fingers through my hair.

"I know you're pissed, but you can't continue on this path," he says, sitting across from me.

"I don't want to hear it."

"You need to keep your cool. Yelling at Fiona isn't the best option, considering the stakes."

"I told you I don't want to hear it. Have you found Ava? Because that's all I want to hear." He doesn't realize I'm losing my fucking mind. "I need to know she's safe, how she's doing."

"You know I haven't."

"Then why are you here? I gave you one fucking task. How hard is it to find one person?" I'm being a dick. I know he's been looking for her. He understands the risk of her being alone and unprotected.

"We have another problem that can't wait."

"Yes, finding Ava." I hit my desk, making everything rattle.

He takes a deep breath. "I understand you want her found but there are pressing matters we must deal with. Our father is driving the men to take irreversible actions. This needs to be dealt with or it will be the end of us."

"Fix it," I order.

"Do you want me to find Ava and fix it?"

I stand and go to him before he can react.

"Are you telling me you can't do your fucking job?" I pick him up off the chair by his shirt.

"I'm not the heir. You are. The men need you, not me."

"Fuck." I feel exhausted. My world is fucking collapsing. I let him go.

"I know." He's sympathetic. "I swore to find her, and I will. You know I will, but you can't neglect your duties. The men need reassurance. They need to know they aren't alone. The McIntyres are taking over."

I rub my forehead. He's right. We can't afford for the clan to divide. We need to show strength with Cillian.

"Close Eros down. Schedule a mandatory meeting. It will be an open forum. The men can bring up their concerns."

"All of them?"

"Down to the lowest soldier." I go back to my desk.

"It's a great idea."

I'm going to tell him I know. It's why I ordered it, but my cell rings. The screen reads Tina.

"Have you heard from her?" I demand.

"I sent a text, but..." I don't hear another word after she said Ava didn't answer her text.

"I have to go, Tina. Let me know if you speak with her." I don't let her finish and end the call.

"Send me the details of the meeting. See that no one disturbs me," I tell Oliver, he nods his agreement and leaves.

Staring at my emails is not helping me get any work done. I've been trying to work on Manarch Industries stuff for a distraction, but Oliver is right, I'm the heir, and I need to suck it up. If my father doesn't stand by our men, I have to. Loyalty goes both ways. The men need to know I will walk through fire for them, just as I expect them to do for me. I think about the oath we all made.

I solemnly swear to serve my clan and never accept defeat. I'll fight until my last breath and never leave a fallen brother behind. I'll honor my brothers before me. I vow never to betray my clan. I'll protect and live by the Manarch Clan Code.

I made the vow so long ago. I must have been all of fourteen, but it feels like it was just yesterday. The words run through my veins. The Manarch name represents loyalty and honor, something my father seems to have forgotten. His greed and blindness toward Cillian have started a war there's no walking back from. My father might have forgotten the words or lost his way, but I haven't. I won't become my father. Our men need me to guide them and show them we are family and can overcome the tide we're facing. I'll stand with them, they're my brothers, and I don't take that lightly. I'll not allow my father to destroy what was built before him. I'll protect the clan even if it means treating him like the enemy, which in many ways, he has become. These men depend on us just as we depend on them. My grandfather would have had my father's head for the shit he's pulling. He's become a disgrace to the Manarch name. He's in bed with the Irish doing their bidding and can't see it. I don't have many fears, but I fear his greed will destroy us all.

After an hour of doing nothing, I decide it's pointless to stay here. Opening the office door, I can hear Fiona's voice. Not wanting to deal with her again, I leave the house and head for the SUV. A change of scenery is what I need.