Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty-One

Viktor

A nother day and nothing has changed. I'm babysitting a fucking grown woman because she can't be bothered to take care of herself or our child. Plus, jumping through hoops, keeping the peace within the clan.

I'm on my last set of bicep curls when my cell rings. I let it go to voicemail, but it immediately rings again. I set the weights down and grab my cell. The screen reads Angus.

"Hello," I answer sharply.

"I know you don't want to be bothered. I wouldn't call if I didn't have to."

I grab my water bottle and drink, preparing myself for whatever new bullshit has come to light.

"What is it?"

"We have a situation at Eros."

"What sort of situation?"

"Cillian is here." I almost drop the bottle of water at the mention of his name.

"Where is Oliver?"

"Trying to get him to leave."

"Don't let Oliver do anything stupid. I'll be there in twenty."

"Aye."

I end the call and take a quick shower. Thankfully, I'm in the city already. I'm not worried about Cillian. I'm worried about what Oliver might do and what will happen to him if he does. He isn't generally aggressive, but he won't stand down if it means protecting the clan or me.

It's not long before I'm pulling up at Eros. Some of my men are in a standoff with some of Cillian's in front of the club.

"Ceannard," Angus says at the door. I often tell him not to use the Gaelic word for boss. But he's set in his ways.

"What's the latest?"

"The man's a nyaff," spits Angus.

"I agree, he's irritating. Where are they?"

"By the bar."

"Any Irish inside?"

"Him and two lackeys." I chuckle. The minute I walk inside, I feel the tension.

"Full lockdown," I order Angus.

"Aye."

"Cillian, what a surprise. I didn't realize we had something scheduled." I greet him pleasantly, making him turn.

"I was just telling your brother that I'm welcome here anytime. You are, after all, my son-in-law."

Up close, I see that Oliver's self-control is wavering. I came just in time.

"Eros is not a Manarch business." I take a deep breath, trying to measure my words. I don't want to start something with him. It's not worth it. "What do you need from Eros?"

"I wanted to see the operations. Dougal mentioned it was commissioned for Manarch Clan Business after the awful accident."

I take a step closer to him. "Why are you here?" I repeat.

"Settle down. I just want to take a look around." He takes a few steps back.

"And you need a dozen foot soldiers, your right hand and this other guy to look around?" I look to his right.

"I didn't mean anything by it. Suppose I could have called."

"Eros is not one of my father's businesses. The next time you feel inclined to visit one of my establishments, call."

"You're being sensitive. I'm sure Dougal didn't raise you to treat family like this."

"We're not family. Cut the bullshit and get the fuck out of my property." I take a step forward, but Oliver stops me from taking any more.

"I know when I'm not welcome. I'll take my leave."

"You do that." Angus follows Cillian to the door. "What did he want?" I ask Oliver.

"Who knows what his true intentions were. He wanted to look around. Look at the operation."

"What game is he playing?" I mutter to myself.

"I suspect playing spy for our father. But I have a feeling it's more than that. He has his own agenda." Oliver answers, even though I wasn't asking him. Does he know something I don't?

"Double security. I want a bug sweep daily. No one who isn't authorized is to be here." I head for my office.

"How are you doing?" he asks, following me.

"I want to be left alone," I say, closing the door in his face behind me.

It's been a few hours of working. Cillian's visit unsettled me. He wanted something, and I don't believe the visit was at my father's request. This feels personal. Between him and my father, I swear I'm getting ulcers. I push my chair back, ready to call it a day.

Leaving my office, I'm welcomed by double the men than when I came in. These men are my brothers, recruited to stand by me. Oliver is speaking to Angus.

"I'll be in the apartment," I say as I reach them.

"Do you want company?" Oliver asks.

"Call if you need me. I want to be left to my own thoughts."

"I understand. I'll call you if anything happens."

I nod and start walking.

Outside, I get in my car, ready to find control. Without a destination in mind, I drive. There's something about the open road—it's quiet, almost peaceful. Nothing troubles me there.

Out of nowhere, a black SUV pulls beside me. I know what's coming. I've done it countless times myself. The first bullet strikes the glass, but it slows and doesn't pierce the window. One of Oliver's latest ideas was to put bulletproof glass in all our vehicles. At the time, I deemed it unnecessary.

"I don't see the point."

"It's not your job to see the point. It's mine. Besides, it's already done. After the incident with Ava, I didn't want to take any chances." I nod in agreement.

I've never been more grateful for my brother. I begin to maneuver as more bullets fly. Another SUV pulls up on my other side. They're trying to pin me between them, but I won't go down without a fight. I increase my speed, and both SUVs try to match me. I abruptly swerve at one of them and hit the brakes, making the SUV on my right lose control. I try to see inside, but the windows are too tinted. With momentum, I hit the gas and gain distance. I look in the mirror, and the second SUV does not follow me. As much as I want to turn back and empty my clip, I'm not stupid. I'm outnumbered. On the next street, I double back to Eros and dial Oliver.

"What's up?" he asks.

"Are you still at the club?"

"Yes. Why? What's going on?"

"Someone just tried to kill me. I'm doubling back. Lockdown Eros." I end the call.

In all my years, I've never experienced multiple attacks back-to-back. I've accumulated many enemies, more than most people. I've been ruthless and have a body count that would get me a lethal injection in some states. But this shit is something else entirely. I'm being attacked from all angles, through my business and personal life. I thought this was about the Manarch name, but it isn't. This is about me. There's no doubt in my mind that someone wants me dead. My money's on Cillian, but I won't rule out my father. He might want me dead too.

Outside Eros, a dozen men are scattered on the sidewalk, at the entrance, and in the parking lot. I pull up and turn off the engine. My car has seen better days. I throw the keys to the nearest person as Oliver approaches me.

"What the fuck? Are you good?" he asks, running his hand through his hair.

I enter, only stopping when I get to the bar. I grab a bottle and pour.

"Talk," Oliver barks.

"What do you want me to say?" I take a shot and pour another.

"Who attacked you? What happened?"

"The million-dollar question. Someone is trying to fucking see me dead." I mutter under my breath.

"That's not what I asked."

"Look, thank you for getting the SUVs retrofitted with bulletproof glass. But what matters now is knowing who is after me. I want to know where Cillian is at all times. I want surveillance on my father and Cillian. I'm sick of this fucking game they're forcing me to take part in. I'm done." I take the shot and walk toward my office.

"Viktor—"

"Oliver. Find out who wants me dead." I slam my door in his face. It's uncalled for, but I don't care.

As I sit at my desk, I think of Ava. She won't be safe until Cillian is dead. I need to end this and bring her home. The game has just changed.

I'm going for the king because I must protect my queen.