Chapter 47

Chapter Forty-Seven

Viktor

I love spending time with Ava and the kids. These last few weeks have been exactly what I was missing and needed. It doesn't matter what is happening outside the gates. When I'm home, everything is exactly as it should be. Everything is in its place. Even though she still doesn't want to admit it, we're finally a family. I understand it might be hard for her because of everything, but it's only a matter of time before she sees the truth. She will see and accept that we belong together. I claim her every night, and she sleeps in our bed. I know she's afraid that I'll hurt her again. But that's impossible. I would rather die than bring pain to the woman I love. I try to be home as much as possible, showing her our family is my priority.

I was annoyed this morning when Oliver called to say that he needed me at Eros. My plans were to spend the day with my family. About a month ago, I decided I wouldn't discuss clan business at the house. I want our home to be a sanctuary. The only way to make that happen was to create a separation. When Oliver called, I regretted the decision. He needed to talk in person. As I drive to Eros, I'm trying to figure out what he needs to talk about. I pull up to Eros, where a few of our men are standing.

"Good morning, sir," one of my men says as I pass him.

"Good morning."

Inside is a little busier than usual. Oliver is at the center of what used to be the dance floor. He looks like he hasn't slept in days.

"Hey," he says to me when I'm close.

"You look like shit."

"I feel like shit." He sounds exhausted.

"What is going on? This better be good, pulling me from the house on a Saturday."

"You know I wouldn't if it wasn't important."

"I know."

"Let's go to your office," he says, heading in that direction.

I don't object and follow him. Whatever he wants to talk to me about must be something bad. We make it to the office, and he goes straight for the couch.

"What's going on, Oliver?" I ask, sitting across from him.

"I got word on a move our father is going to make in the next few days. It's bad, Viktor."

"How bad?

"He's planning to take over the city with Cillian. This means war with the other families when he moves into their territories. It's going to lead to bloodshed."

"The other families aren't going to care that my father and I are at odds. They will attack us to. My father is striking against me without moving a finger." I say, more to myself than to Oliver.

My father will be waging war against the Italians, Asians, and Lebanese if he is eliminating the competition. A war involving five families means guaranteed destruction for everyone. The bodies will pile up and law enforcements will get involved.

"Exactly. We can't afford to go to war with all the families. Even with our growing numbers, it won't be enough."

"Shit," I say, running my fingers through my hair. "What are you thinking?"

"Every scenario I've come up with is less than ideal." For the first time, I see that Oliver looks haunted. Have I given him more than he can handle?

"You said it will be a few days. How solid is your intel?"

"It came from Jason. He's been our inside man. But that isn't all."

"Of course it isn't."

"Fiona is back. She was seen with Cillian an hour ago." I'm going to say something when my cell rings. It's Jimmy. This is wrong. He shouldn't be calling me.

"Why are you calling? Where is Marco?" I start walking toward the door.

"Ms. McIntyre has breached the perimeter and is screaming, threatening to take your daughter. She's made it inside the house."

"How the fuck did she get in?" I end the call, not waiting for an answer. I can already guess what happened. I leave the office and head outside to my parked SUV.

"What is it?" Oliver asks behind me.

"Fiona."

He gets in my SUV.

I start to drive. My father has made a move. The moment I left, Fiona showed up. The fact she got so far inside the gate lets me know the men are choosing sides. Men at my house have betrayed me. They are with my father. What man hates his son so much he would do anything to destroy him? For fuck's sake, my children are in there. Why does he hate me so much? I drive like a madman. Before I know it, I'm pulling up, and it's pure chaos outside. I rush out of the car as men run into the house.

"What the fuck is happening?" I ask the first man I see by the door.

"Ms. McIntyre fired a weapon at Ms. O'Brien." I don't hear another word. I run upstairs.

The scene in front of me is worse than I could have imagined. Marco is trying to talk with Ava, whose arm is dripping with blood. She doesn't seem to be responding to him. Fiona is being held by one of Marco's men. I walk straight to Fiona—I could kill her right now. Oliver speaks before I can.

"I'll handle Fiona. Go to Ava."

So, I do just that.

"What do you mean you're done?"

"Exactly what I said. Grace, can you take Niko?"

"Of course."

She hands Niko to Grace and leaves the bedroom. A man stands on either side of the nursery door. This is exactly how it should have been earlier. I'll have someone's head after this. Ava could have been killed.

"Talk to me," I ask, following her. She keeps walking. "Stop," I bark, grabbing her good arm.

"Let go of me." She pulls, but it's useless. "You're hurting me." I instantly let go of her. I don't want to ever hurt her.

"Ava," my voice carries. But no one dares to look at us despite the four other men on each side of the floor.

"What, Viktor? What can you say that will make this okay? Because it isn't. There's nothing you can say that will justify any of this."

"I wasn't going to say that. Let's talk." I look at her. She's full of rage.

"What the fuck do you want me to say? Your demented ex-wife came into our home. She had a gun Viktor. Our children live here." Tears start streaming down her face.

"I'm going to get to the bottom of this. Fiona should have never made it inside."

"Do you know how many times I've heard that? It should have never happened. I've fucking lost count. We aren't any safer here than outside this fucking house. I've been a prisoner for what? I'm still not safe. Our babies aren't safe."

"I'm making this right."

"I'm tired of empty promises. I'm leaving with our son. There's one thing Fiona was right about. Aisling is her daughter. I tried living here with you because you claimed I'm safer here. After today I can see that's not the case. I'm leaving, Viktor. I won't stay here anymore." She opens the door to her bedroom, and I follow.

"She might have given birth to Aisling, but she's not her mother. You are."

I can see Ava doesn't want to hear it.

"This isn't up for discussion. You can't keep me here. Being beside you is going to get me killed. I'd rather take my chances elsewhere."

"Absolutely not."

"What are you going to do? Are you going to lock me up inside this fucking house?" She's standing in front of me defiantly.

"Whatever it takes," I barely finish when her hand connects with my face. There's a rage inside of me.

"I'm done believing and trusting anything that comes out of your mouth. Do you understand, like really understand, how life has been for me? My life has been pure chaos for since I walked into your life. I'm not a fucking gangster, and I'm not a Manarch either. Your fucking dangerous life will destroy whatever little is left of me."

I take a step toward her.

"You are a Manarch in every sense of the word. We're a family. I'll fix it."

"I'm done believing that you can do anything. Get the fuck out. I fucking hate you," she screams. Her eyes are full of rage. I'm going to say something but don't. Instead, I walk away. We need to cool off. Outside her door, Oliver is waiting.

"What the fuck now?"

"Let's talk in your office." He turns and stalks to the stairs.