Chapter 24

Chapter Twenty-Four

Viktor

A few weeks have passed since the attempt on my life. I know Cillian was behind it. I might not have proof, but my gut is telling me so. At a different time, I would have waged war without proof. You don't get away with trying to kill me. But I find myself thinking of my child with Fiona and Ava. Ava might not be here, but she will never forgive me if I get myself killed.

"Promise me that no matter what, you will always come home. That you will never get yourself killed."

"I can't promise that. You know the life I live."

"You're the air I breathe. Without you, I might as well be dead too." Her words are certain. They are coming from her core. "Viktor ? —"

"I'll always come home to you."

When I made that promise, I meant it, and even though she isn't beside me now, I intend to keep it. I look at my cell and pull up a picture of Ava. She's in bed wearing my T-shirt, reading a book, a normal moment, nothing special about the day.

I miss the normal days with her. The days when I would play hooky in the mansion, doing nothing productive, just being with her. Ava is an exceptional woman who made me a better man.

"Mr. Manarch, you have a visitor," my PA tells me seconds before Fiona enters.

"Hi, baby," she greets me.

"Thank you, Becky. Hold my calls." I turn to Fiona. "Why are you here?" I ask as she approaches.

"I came to ask you to lunch. You didn't come home last night." She saunters around my desk. I stand and walk to the window.

"I'm busy."

"How long are you going to be like this? We're going to be a family. Our baby needs us. I need you." From the corner of my eye, I see her touch her belly. Like always, I wish it was Ava and not Fiona carrying my child. The thought of Fiona being the mother of my child repulses me.

"I'm busy, Fiona. Go home."

"I'm tired of the way you're treating me. We're married. This shit with not coming home or working late has to stop. I need you home. I can't do this alone." She yells. I ignore her. "I swear if you don't change your tune, I'll disappear," I look at her. "And you will never meet your daughter."

"I don't do threats." I stand and walk toward her but stop.

"What are you going to do? Are you going to hit me? Are you going to hurt your daughter?" She laughs. I take another step toward her.

"Viktor," I hear Oliver call.

"What?" I've stopped inches from Fiona.

"It's not worth it," he says, entering the office.

"Are you going to listen to your pathetic bastard brother?" she says mockingly.

I grab her by the neck, barely holding my temper under control.

"Let her go," Oliver says.

"Get the fuck out, Fiona," I hiss, letting her go. I have to remind myself that she's carrying my daughter. I might not give a fuck about her, but I do care about my baby.

"This isn't over. You will come home tonight, or else." There's that threat again.

"Fiona…"

I'm about to grab her arm, but Oliver gets between us. "She's trying to get in your head," he states calmly.

She leaves, laughing.

I walk to the minibar and pour a drink. Anything to calm the rage brewing inside of me.

"This is wrong. She shouldn't be carrying my daughter," I mutter to myself.

"Viktor—"

"Why are you here?" I interrupt.

"Letting you know everything at Eros is ready. In the event that a war breaks out with the Irish, everything is in place. We kept it small. All men recruited by Angus."

"Good. Did you ever get in touch with Marco?" It's been bugging me that Oliver seems distracted as of late. It's not like him.

"No. Why?"

"Why do I have to ask you if you did? Are you keeping something from me?"

He stays quiet and looks away.

"Oliver—"

"I'm not keeping anything from you. Just a lot on my mind."

I see a trace of something not quite right in him.

"You're my brother. I won't tolerate you lying to me." I take several steps toward him, but we're interrupted as his cell rings. A mixture of panic and fear spreads across his face.

"Fuck. I have to take this." He turns to leave.

"Oliver, I'm not done." I go to grab his arm.

"I have to go." He rushes out of the office.

"What the fuck, Oliver?" I bark, but he's gone.

He's hiding something. But what? What would possess him to start keeping secrets now? Is he choosing my father's side? Is he scared that we can't win? I pull out my cell and text him.

Viktor: You will tell me what you're hiding or I swear I'll beat the truth out of you

I pour another drink, waiting for his response, but it never comes. What is happening? I've never felt this out of control. I thrive on commanding my men. Before Ava, life was simple. I didn't care about shit. My life was about business and the occasional fuck. Relationships weren't in my DNA, and it was just how I preferred it. My life was the clan. I was comfortable and knew how each day would start and end. Now I know nothing. Everywhere I look, something is waiting to explode. I can't help but think of Ava—she changed my life.

"I want to sit in a rocking chair drinking tea, enjoying the beautiful day next to my husband when I'm wrinkled and gray," she tells me.

"Does that include me?" I tease.

"I'm sure my husband wouldn't mind sharing me with you." I go to grab her, but she's too quick. "What, you wouldn't like to be my lover?" She giggles.

"It's been a few days since I've seen my handprint on that perfect ass. Should we see how many spanks it will take to make it a nice shade of red?" I go to grab her again, but she dodges me.

"I think you're getting old, mister. You can't even catch me." She giggles. I fake forward, making her miss my true intentions.

"Got you now." I throw her over my shoulder and slap her ass. "This one is a freebie. Let's see how many it will take to remind you who I am." She giggles more.

I never imagined missing someone as I do her. A part of me is missing without her. The thought both confuses and angers me. How did I allow myself to be reduced to this? I've become a shadow of the ruler I once was. She's softened me, making me think about my fucking feelings. What the fuck?

Why the fuck did you have to walk into my life, Ava?