Chapter 38

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Viktor

I swear, sometimes I just want to lock Ava in a tower. Her fearlessness seeping to the surface is giving me whiplash. Don't get me wrong, she's always stepped up to me. But things are different now. She's like a lioness ready to scratch out the eyes of whoever crosses her when it comes to Nikolas. It makes me love her even more. I've never wanted her more than I do now. Her defiance releases a surge of energy through my body.

Oliver is standing in the waiting area. This can't be good.

"What?"

"Someone's bliss is quickly over," he mocks me.

"I'm not in the mood. Obviously, you're here because you need something." I run my fingers through my hair.

"How are Ava and my nephew?"

"They're fine. Stop the small talk and spit it out," I snarl, irritated. He's stalling, and I don't have the time or patience.

"There's word of an upcoming coming attack from Cillian. He's stopped a shipment from the docks, but fresh men have been spotted."

"How about my father?"

"Our father is either oblivious or in on it."

This is not what I need right now.

"Who has my daughter?" He stays quiet. "Oliver?"

"We can't find her. Fiona has gone into hiding."

"Where the fuck were the men?" I bark, getting the attention of the people around us. He pulls me to the nearest staircase where we won't be heard.

"She went to see her mother. After a few hours, the men watching became suspicious and asked to see her. Initially, her mother refused to let them in, but they insisted. After searching the house, they realized she was gone."

"Fuck." I hit the wall. "Triple Ava and Nikolas' security. Call my lieutenants. It's time to strike."

"Nikolas?" He searches my eyes.

"Your nephew," I say right before I leave.

I open the staircase door and head back to Ava's room. There's no way I'm letting her go back to the apartment where I know it isn't safe. I know it will only be a matter of hours before the McIntyre's show at her apartment. Everything has changed.

Entering her room, I see Max. He just doesn't get it.

"What the fuck? Can't you get a fucking clue? I want you gone." I bark at Max. The sudden noise startles Nikolas, who starts wailing.

"Get out, Viktor." Ava picks up Nikolas. Her eyes are throwing daggers at me. She's angry, but there's no time for anger.

"I'm not going anywhere. He has to go. I won't repeat myself," I say, looking at Max.

"I love him like a son. I'm not going anywhere," Max says.

"Max, we've talked about this. This is not about you or what you want. I've been clear with you more than once," she tells him. I hear a trace of anger. "You and I…" she trails off, not wanting to finish whatever she was going to say. I'll have to question her about this later.

"He's not your son. I'm his father." I walk into the room, closing the distance between Max and me. I'm going to grab him by the neck when Ava speaks.

"This is not a schoolyard and certainly not the time. I want you both gone," she snaps as she soothes our son, trying to calm his cries.

"Ava—" Max reaches a hand toward her.

"I said to get out. I don't want to see either of you." Her voice is filled with conviction. If her anger wasn't directed at me, I would be proud. She never ceases to amaze me.

"I need a word with you. It can't wait," I tell her. She looks at me, contemplating. "I wasn't asking. This is about our son." I look from her to Nikolas.

"Fine. But the minute you're done, you're leaving." Her voice is strong, commanding.

"I'm staying too, Ava. You need me here," Max says.

She looks into my eyes and sees the rage. She knows me better than anyone.

"Are you not fucking listening? She doesn't need you here. Know your place, Max," I bark at him. Ava takes a deep breath. She knows I'm right even though she hasn't said it.

"You need to leave, Max. It's obvious this is a family matter." She looks at our son. "Go," she repeats, her voice stern. I close the door once he leaves. "What?"

"We're leaving."

"I already told you I'm not leaving with you."

I run my hands over my face.

"It isn't safe. What part of that don't you fucking understand?" I finally ask.

"What does that mean exactly?" She looks at our son. Her anger is replaced by fear for our son.

"There's a storm coming, and I'm afraid it's almost at our doorstep. I need you and Nikolas safe." She looks between Nikolas and me. I can see her struggle with whether to believe me or not. I'm going to add more, but she speaks.

"You swear you aren't lying?" she asks.

"I have never lied to you. Why would I start now?" The words are true. I have never lied, just kept things from her.

"I don't understand, Viktor. What's going on?"

"You don't need to understand. You just need to do as I'm ordering you."

"You always have an answer and expect me to follow you blindly. I'm not doing this. You can't expect me to follow orders blindly, not anymore. It's not just me. I don't want this life for Nikolas. He deserves a better life than the one you can give him. It's not fair to him." Her words are harsh, but they aren't wrong. The life I want to give him isn't possible while Cillian is alive.

"Whether it's fair or not is irrelevant. You're only safe beside me."

"Am I? Ever since I've met you, my life has been in constant danger. I won't do this to my son. He will not have the same fate. Not while I'm breathing."

"You mean our son." I walk to her and take a deep breath. "We don't have time to debate. I'm sorry this is happening," I find myself saying.

"You aren't sorry. If you were, I wouldn't be in this situation. You would have left me alone. If you'd let me leave like I asked you, I could be somewhere far away by now, where no one would find us."

At this moment, I just want to drag her out of here to make her compliant, but it won't work, and I know it.

"Ava…" I plead and kneel before her, "… I've done many things wrong in my life, but I'll be damned if I let something happen to you or our son while I can protect you both."

She stares between our son and me. I'm going to start talking again when she speaks.

"Do you expect me to be under the same roof as your wife?"

"You don't need to worry about Fiona. She moved out." I haven't had this conversation with Fiona, but it doesn't make it any less true. I should have pushed her out the minute she was released from the hospital.

"And your daughter? You can't do that to her. I won't go with you," she says, her voice cracks with emotion, and she looks away.

"Enough. I've been more than patient. I'm growing tired of repeating myself. Fiona is gone. You will leave this hospital and go to the mansion." I stand.

"You can't believe you have any say over us. I'm not one of your men who you can command," she retorts, her voice is stronger now.

"I'm not asking. Since you and Oliver seem to have become such good friends, I'll have him escort you home."

"Viktor—"

"My word is final. I suggest you pack your things," I say, walking out. Oliver has appeared nearby. "Get her settled. I expect you to be at the house within the hour. I swear if you don't follow this order, I'll kill you myself," I bark.

He doesn't say anything as he walks past me. He knows I'm not lying. This is not a bluff. We've run out of time and moves. If Oliver wants to keep Ava safe like I do, he knows this is the only option. As Manarchs, we are expected to stay and fight. I can't do that if my attention is split by worrying about Ava, Aisling, and Nikolas being in different places. They're my life.

I'm being harsh with Ava. She's right to want a better life for our son. I want that also, but this is our life. Their lives are in danger because of who I am. This isn't the life you would choose for your children, but it's the reality we have to accept. Nikolas is my firstborn son, my heir. He will be the man who will continue the bloodline. His life is in danger with Cillian and my father trying to get rid of me. I refuse to give them whatever it is that they want.

I'm going to fight them all and spill whatever blood is necessary to end this. I'll protect my family even if it means destroying my father, and I'll start by finding my daughter.