Chapter 34

Chapter Thirty-Four

Oliver

M y coffee finishes brewing, and I pour it, wondering how I got here. Life hasn't been easy. I'm grateful for everything my mom has done for me. She's always treated me like her biological son. But that doesn't mean I don't think of my birth mother from time to time. I wonder if she would have fought for me instead of letting my father take me if she had someone like me in her life. Perhaps that's why I feel so protective of Ava despite Viktor. I don't want her to ever feel alone. She isn't a Manarch, but she's carrying one. The sound of my cell startles me. The screen reads Angus.

"What's up, Angus?" I greet him.

"A'm fine, brother. Where are ye?"

"Home. Why?"

"It's your brother. He's up tae high doh."

Viktor riled and flustered is nothing new these days.

"What's wrong now?"

"It's your da. New orders came in. He wants to disperse the men more. Give the Irish more say."

"He must be losing his mind."

"Aye."

"Where's Viktor?"

"Home with the bairn. He said to call you."

"I'm assuming you're at Eros?"

"Aye."

"I'll be there within the hour." I end the call. I haven't spoken to Viktor in a few days. I dial his number.

"What do you want, Oliver? I gave Angus instructions," He barks.

"Hello to you too. I wanted to check in."

"I'm busy and not a child. Do your fucking job." He ends the call. I don't know why I expected anything else.

I'm getting tired of his bullshit attitude. I understand why he's pissed, but he knows I'm doing the right thing. The only thing that matters is keeping Ava safe, which he can't do at the moment. The man is stubborn.

I get in my car, trying to devise a solution. The clan can't continue the way we're going. If we do, it will mean the end of the Manarch Clan. Our father is taking advantage of Viktor not leaving Aisling's side since she was born. Cillian continues to whisper in our father's ear. It doesn't matter what path Viktor decides to take. It always leads to Cillian getting his way. I have to find a way to be creative. To tip the scales in our favor. A way to end this impending war with the Irish once and for all. But the million-dollar question is, what? What can I do to get rid of Cillian?

I enter Eros, and the place is buzzing. It's not chaotic, but there are men everywhere. I walk over to Angus and Ray, who are talking. Their body language tells me it isn't good. But then again, lately, nothing is. All I get is bad news left and right.

"Good morning," I greet them.

"Good morning," Ray replies.

"Guid mornin' fucker." Angus makes me laugh.

"Still hanging out with Grams I see."

"Aye."

"You need a break from her. People have a hard enough time understanding you with the accent already," I say mockingly.

"It's what I keep telling him. We need a break. We're in the states, fucker," Ray adds.

"Y'er both cludgie heids."

"Really, toilet head? Grow up." Ray jokingly pushes him.

"Come on, behave," I say, trying to stop laughing. "Walk with me to Viktor's office." Once inside the office, I start talking. "So, what's going on?" I sit on the couch, and they follow.

"Your da ordered a change of ratio between us. It's three to one favoring the Irish," Angus says.

"When?"

"This morning. The order came from Bobby," Ray adds. We're silent for a moment.

"What did Viktor say?" I ask.

"This thing with the both of you needs to stop. We need to be united at a time like this," Ray says.

"Aye," Angus adds.

"You both know it isn't that simple. But we will always stand side by side when the time comes."

"I guess it means you still won't tell him?" Ray asks.

"No. After this set of new orders, it only reassures me that I'm doing the right thing." I sit back.

"It's his bairn."

"But we know what will happen if my father or, worse, the McIntyres find Ava. I refuse to risk her life so Viktor can see her. Whether he wants to admit it, he knows I'm right."

"Aye," Angus agrees.

"What now?" Ray asks.

"Go into the reserves and even the numbers. We will cover the difference. Angus, you'll have to start recruiting."

"Aye."

"Your father isn't going to approve that," Ray says.

"It's fair to say his priorities are currently misplaced. We need to protect our brothers. Ray, let's go over some tactical plans. I'm pretty certain war is dogging our footsteps. It's just a matter of when." He shakes his head. My cell rings. The screen reads Tina. I decide to answer.

"Hey, cuz," she says.

"Hi, Tina. You're up early," I tease.

"It's not that early."

"What do you need?"

"I want to talk about Ava. Her cell is off."

"She's fine, and stop telling her things."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't play games. Things are fragile as it is. She doesn't need a play-by-play of what is going on. Stressing her isn't healthy for the baby. The baby will be here soon. No need to expedite it."

"She asked a question. What am I supposed to do? Lie?"

"Yes."

"I'm not like you or Viktor. If she asks a question, I'm going to answer her with the truth. She deserves to know what is happening."

"I'm not going to argue with you. Keep shit to yourself," I warn Tina.

"How are Viktor and Aisling? Are you two still fighting?"

"You know the answer to that, and they're both fine."

"You shouldn't be fighting. He needs you even if he doesn't say it."

"We're fine," I say, annoyed. Viktor and I might be at odds right now, but we will always stand by each other. "I have to go. Keep shit to yourself. I won't tell you again."

"Fine. Tell me if she needs anything."

"Okay," I tell her.

"Bye." I end the call.

I take a deep breath and close my eyes. My father is taking a path to self-destruction. But it won't just affect him—he'll bring the clan down with him. This shit with Viktor isn't making things any easier, either. I text Freddy to pull funds from the reserve. I still can't believe it has come to this. We're slowly creating a shadow clan. My father is forcing the clan to split.

I'm afraid we are at a point of no return. As a Manarch, I took an oath. An oath my father has chosen to forget because of Cillian. We have to call a spade a spade. We can't pretend that what is unfolding isn't happening. Dougal Manarch will be the end of the Manarch Clan.