Chapter 39

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Viktor

F iona surprises me by answering the phone when I call.

"Hi baby, how are you?" she asks, like everything is business as usual.

"Cut the crap. Where's Aisling?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." She tries to sound innocent.

"I'm not playing games. You ditched your security."

"I didn't see the need for them. I was with my mother."

"Where are you?" I demand.

"Where else would I be? I'm home." Her voice is calm, too calm.

"I'll be there in thirty minutes." I end the call and dial Angus.

"Ceannard," Angus answers.

"Where are you?"

"The mansion."

"Is Fiona there?"

"Aye."

"Full lockdown. I don't care what you need to do, but Aisling is not to leave the mansion under any circumstances."

"Aye."

I haven't figured out exactly what I'm going to do. I know I can't have Ava under the same roof as Fiona, but I won't let Fiona take Aisling. She doesn't care for her as a mother should. She would never be a proper mother to Aisling, and I won't risk Aisling's future or her life. But I'm aware I need to tread carefully. I have my children and the woman I love to protect, and I refuse to let them be caught in the middle.

The gates open, and I drive in. The mansion looks like a military base, exactly how I expect it to be. There are men carrying M4s everywhere, ready for anything that comes to our doorstep. I stop at the entrance, shut off the engine and take a deep breath. I'm a tough man—and ruthless—but I won't harm Fiona. She's still the mother of my child. Despite whom she is, she gave me Aisling, and I can't forget that.

"Angus, where is she?"

"She's in the baby's bedroom."

"It's good to hear you speaking English again," I mock him gently.

"Aye. Grams has gone back to Scotland."

"Good. People might actually understand you for a change." I walk to the front door.

"Congratulations on your mac."

"Thank you. His name is Nikolas, and he and Ava will be here in an hour."

"Aye," he acknowledges as he leaves.

I've never had to tell Angus what I need. He always seems to know. His years of service and loyalty mean that he's like another brother in many ways.

The house feels cold, and I'm looking forward to having Ava bring her warmth. I head straight to the stairs because there's no point in prolonging the inevitable. Upstairs I hear Fiona's voice.

"Are you sure? Impossible. When? You have to be kidding. Do you know where? I'm not sure. He said he was coming. If he thinks I'm letting him be with that whore he must be demented. I'd rather see them both dead." Aisling's door is open.

"Is that so?" I enter the bedroom, startling her. She ends the call. "What nonsense are you spouting now?" I demand.

"I don't know what you mean, but I'm glad you're home," she replies with a smirk.

I look in the crib. Aisling is sleeping peacefully.

"We have to talk," I announce, softening my voice, not wanting to wake Aisling.

"I bet we do, but I can't right now. I'm watching our daughter," she sneers, looking down her nose at me. I grab her arm, pulling her out of the chair. "You're hurting me. Let me go," she cries loudly. I pull her out of the bedroom and close Aisling's door. "What do you want?" She crosses her arms.

"You're leaving."

"What do you mean leaving?" Her voice is loud. I grab her and pull her toward the stairs.

"Let's talk in my office."

"I'm not going anywhere," she shouts. I open the door to my bedroom and push her in. "Is this what you want? It took you long enough." Suddenly she's acting like a coy seductress. She tries to close the gap between us.

"I'm done, Fiona. There's no point in you being here."

"It's the whore, isn't it? She had her bastard, and now you're running to her. I'm not going anywhere. I'm your wife and the mother of your daughter. We're a family."

"I'm tired of your bullshit, and you're not my wife."

John called and told me the divorce was final two days ago. In New York State you can get a divorce without your spouse's signature if your spouse fails to respond to the summons. John managed to provide the necessary proof to the judge. As far as full custody of Aisling that was easy. Since the moment I married Fiona, I've had her followed and evidence collected to showcase she is an unfit mother.

"What are you talking about?" she asks, putting her hand on her hip.

"I told you I was divorcing you the minute Aisling was born."

"You're a fucking asshole. I didn't sign anything. I'll fucking fight this. You had no right," she screams.

"I want to be civil. For the sake of our daughter, leave," I say calmly.

She takes a step toward me.

" I'm not going anywhere !" she screams.

"Your things have been packed," I say

She takes another step and slaps me. I grab her by the throat.

"Yes, baby, just how I like it." She tries to sound seductive.

The woman has no shame. She disgusts me.

"You make me sick." I push her away. "You have fifteen minutes."

"You're moving her in, aren't you? I'm taking Aisling with me." She takes a step toward the door.

"You aren't taking her. She's staying in her home where she belongs."

"I'm her mother and you said we're divorced. Aisling doesn't belong with you. She belongs with me. Not here playing house with your whore."

I take a deep breath. I know what she's doing. She wants to get a reaction out of me so she can get her way.

"You keep telling yourself that. You don't have a motherly bone in your body. You don't want or love Aisling. Your actions show it every day." For a second, I see a flash in her eyes. She could care less about Aisling. "Do I need to have you dragged out of here?" I bark.

"I see how it is. Your bastard is born, the whore is back, you divorced me behind my back, and now you're throwing me out of my home." I don't say anything. "Are you fucking kidding me? You're kicking me out of my home to bring your whore and your bastard son."

How the fuck does Fiona have so much information. Cillian's reach is bigger than I realized.

"I won't repeat myself," I spit. She takes a step back. "It will be better if you leave of your own accord. There's no reason for you to be here." I open the door for her to leave.

"This isn't the end. You'll pay for this. She'll pay for this," she screams as she leaves my bedroom.

It took Fiona thirty minutes, but she's finally gone. I check in on Aisling, who's still peacefully sleeping. I open the door to Nikolas' bedroom. It's to the right of Ava's old bedroom, while Aisling's is to the left. Everything is perfect, as it should have been all along.

"Mr. Manarch," Mary greets me.

"Yes, Mary?"

"Ms. O'Brien's things have been unpacked in your bedroom. Everything is in its place."

"Thank you, Mary." My cell beeps.

Oliver: We should be there in fifteen minutes. She's pissed.

"Mary?"

"Sir?"

"Ava and my son will be here in fifteen minutes."

"I'll have something prepared for you to eat," she says, walking away.

I would be lying if I didn't admit I'm nervous, but I'm not sure why. It's not like Ava hasn't lived under my roof before. Although the last time she was here, things did not end well. I text Angus to confirm that Fiona is physically gone, and he replies, confirming she is.

Ava will be here where she belongs at any moment. I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. Fifteen minutes later, I hear the front door open.

"Let me carry him," I hear Ava say.

"You just gave birth. I've got my nephew."

"I'm perfectly fine carrying him."

I head to the foyer. "Why must you argue with everyone?" I ask, shaking my head in mock frustration.

"Viktor," she responds. She isn't her usual self. She's cold, and I hate it, but it doesn't surprise me.

"I'll take him," I inform Oliver. "Let me take you to Niko's bedroom."

"When did he become Niko?"

I'm going to say something, but it isn't worth the fight. She just got home, and that's all I care about.

"His bedroom is on the second floor." I lead us to the stairs but notice she's walking very slowly. "Will you be okay to take the stairs?"

"I'm fine… is your wife here?" Her voice isn't her usual sweet velvet. This is a side of her I don't care for.

"I already told you. She doesn't live here, and…" I add, "… she isn't my wife. We're divorced."

She doesn't say anything, which surprises me. Instead, she takes the stairs quietly. I can't fail to see she's my Ava, yet she isn't at the same time. But I'm determined to make this right. She'll see this is where she belongs. We're a family.

"I'll fix this, Ava. I promise to make things right."

She continues her silence even when we reach upstairs. I see she's hurting, and I'm to blame. I have to do whatever I can to end this war with Cillian and my father and start my life with my family.