Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

Viktor

" I can't take any more bad news today. I need results." I slam my fists on my desk.

"It's not my fault the Irish have been difficult. There've been more fights this month with the Irish than all year combined." Oliver sits.

"My father is going to be our downfall. We have to find a way to stop this madness. Between Manarch Industries, Fiona, and this never-ending spree of violence…." I trail off. I'm exhausted. All I face are problems.

"I do have some good news."

"Anything is better than the crap you're telling me."

"I found Ava."

I stop to look at him. I thought he would never find her. I want to ask him where she is—how she's doing—but I can't. Right now, I need to steer clear of her. Knowing where she is will be a temptation I can't give into.

"I thought you said you had good news." Even though I trust Oliver, I don't know who could be listening to us. I need to continue with the pretense that I don't care about Ava.

"I thought you'd be happy." Oliver looks at me, confused.

"We're in the middle of the biggest war our clan has ever faced. I can't distract myself by thinking about Ava. I've moved on." He gives me a questioning look. He knows I'm lying, and I hate lying to him. "What?" I glare at him.

"Nothing. I'm glad you came to your senses. I never thought I'd hear those words out of your mouth."

"Just forget about Ava. You were right when you told me to let her go. She's my past, and we have bigger problems right now." I run my fingers through my hair. I've accepted she won't be safe with me, and it's better now for me to love her in silence than love her in a coffin.

"Good." He nods and then adds, "How are things in the house with Fiona?"

I sigh. "Insufferable. Infuriating. She tries to come to my bed almost every night. She won't take no for an answer. I barely stay at the house anymore."

"And the child?"

"Fine, as far as I know. The doctor came over and examined her. She's been impossible, refusing to go to her doctor's visits. I think she's drinking. Back to her old ways now that she got what she wanted." I pinch the bridge of my nose.

"What does that mean for the child?"

"On her last visit, the doctor mentioned the dangers of drinking while pregnant to her, and she swore to stop. But I'm not sure she cares." There are so many moments I've wished the child I'm expecting was Ava's.

"Did you get the paternity test results?"

"Fuck, with everything going on, I've forgotten to check." It should have been at the top of my list. "What the fuck is wrong with me? This isn't like me. I'm losing control of myself."

"Do you need me to do anything?"

"I need you to set up a meeting with my lieutenants."

"That wasn't what I was asking."

"But that is what I'm ordering. I need to get back to work." His cue to leave. I need to get my shit together. Fiona needs to stop dodging the paternity test. I'll need to take her myself if I have to.

I turn my chair and face the city. It's a beautiful day, the kind of day I used to take Ava for a stroll on. I've missed her feistiness and smart mouth. The house is empty without her. Ava made it a home. It doesn't feel like home anymore, and I dread being there, so I've been staying in the city lately. I've claimed I'm working, which isn't entirely a lie. Fiona sees right through me. She knows I just want to be away from her. But I don't care. There is nowhere I can go where to find peace like the peace and solace I found in Ava.

My reverie is interrupted as my cell beeps.

Oliver: Meeting set at Eros @7

Viktor: Copy

To occupy my time, I look through my emails. I'm not sure why I opened Manarch Industries. I've been stressed by running both businesses. My father reminds me daily how I'm failing the clan. Manarch Industries is the future. We can't continue to run around like thugs. We can be much more than criminals. I won't ever abandon our ways. All I've ever known is the clan. I would die for my brothers without hesitation. I'm simply building an empire. A place that shields our regular business. But he will never get it. He wants the power that comes with fear.

"Speak o' the devil!" Angus says.

"You must be hanging around your grandma too long. Your Scot is leaking," Ray responds, making everyone laugh.

"Thanks for coming, boys," I say.

"Anytime. You called, and we're here," Angus replies.

"Aye," Beiste adds.

I find comfort in sitting with my top three and Oliver. We've all been friends for a long time.

"Down to business. As you know, things aren't getting any better. Bobby and my father's capos aren't getting involved in the brawls that seem to happen more frequently with the Irish and spill over into fights between our brothers. They're loyal to my father, so they won't move a finger unless my father gives the green light." Bobby is my father's consigliere. "Which means we have to step it up," I add.

"The men are tired. They're turning on each other," Oliver chimes in.

"We have to find a way to find peace with our brothers while we fix our McIntyre problem. Cillian has inserted himself in my father's ear. From a distance, people can perceive him as his right hand."

"Aye," Beiste says.

"What were you thinking, Boss?" Ray asks.

"I called this meeting because I refuse to run the clan like my father. I have the last word, but I want you to feel heard." As I speak, Oliver is at my side. I know he'll follow me to the death, but I want to make sure the men in front of me make the choice for themselves. "What I propose won't be easy and can get us all killed. I want you to be willing to follow. I won't demand it."

Oliver nods, declaring as I expected, "I'm with you, Viktor."

"Whit's fur ye'll no go by ye! I'll follow you to deid," Angus says. I don't expect anything less from him.

The ancient Scots phrase means what is meant to happen will happen. And he said he will follow me to the death.

"Aye," Both Beiste and Ray add.

"Thank you. Your loyalty is priceless. The first item of business is that we need to figure out a way to stop the men from fighting. At the rate we're going, people will die and we can't have that. The last thing we need is the cops at our doorstep. Someone has to be instigating these brawls. We need to find out who's behind them and stop it." I turn to my second after Oliver, Angus, "Have there been any more issues with paychecks?"

"Naw. I've stayed on top of it. It's helped with morale," Angus answers.

"Good. Let me know if anything changes. Beiste, I need you at the docks. If anything is out of the norm, I need to know. You have to be my eyes and ears."

"Aye." Beiste is the oldest of all of us. He was raised in Scotland and came to the US as a teenager. He's more reserved, but the man will follow orders without question.

"Ray, I need you to audit the businesses. My father clearly has given Cillian free rein with who knows what."

"Aye," Ray says.

"Everyone has their orders. Call if anything is out of the norm. For tonight enjoy yourselves. Drinks are on the house." All three men leave, and I breathe easier knowing I have their loyalty.

"It's as good a plan as any," Oliver says.

"I thought so. We just need one crack to have the upper hand."

"Strategy and patience will be the key to our success. Until we learn exactly what Cillian and our father's plan is, we need to lay low. You also have an image to maintain with Manarch Industries." His words make me think of Ava. I built Manarch Industries for my future, but after having her in my life, I wanted it with her.

"Oliver, I meant to ask. Where did you assign Marco? I want him at Manarch Industries." I hadn't given it much thought to Marco until earlier today when my head of security approached me about needing more men with Manarch Industries going public.

"Honestly, I don't know where he is. He felt responsible for not knowing where Ava went after he dropped her off. He wanted to move on to other opportunities. I didn't know you wanted to keep him."

"Fair enough. Reach out. I would like to offer him a new job."

"I'll keep you posted."

"Then it's settled. Let's get a drink. It's been a long day."