Chapter 60

Chapter Sixty

Viktor

T he next Manarch Industries board meeting starts in an hour. They bore me to death and make me wonder what possessed me to take the company public. Sitting in a meeting and listening to useless people make decisions on the future of my company pisses me off. Especially when I don't have the time to deal with them. My lawyer, John, says this is how public companies do business, but I don't have time to deal with trivial things like Manarch Industries when Ava is still pissed at me because of the other night. She's giving me the cold shoulder, and I hate it. My cell rings, interrupting my thoughts. The screen reads Oliver.

"Hello, Oliver."

"Where are you?"

"At Manarch Industries, why?" I hear noises in the background. I stand and start leave my office. "Cancel the rest of my day and reschedule the board meeting," I order my PA. "Oliver?—"

"Can you get away and come to Eros?"

"Are Ava and the kids safe?"

"Yes."

"I'll be there in twenty." I end the call.

Things have been weird between Oliver and me since the argument, although neither of us has mentioned the fight at the penthouse. I dial Ava, but she doesn't answer, so I dial Marco, who answers immediately.

"Mr. Manarch, how may I help you?"

"I'm trying to get hold of Ava. She isn't answering her cell."

"I believe she's in the nursery."

"Take the cell to her." Even though Oliver said they are safe, I need to hear her voice and make sure myself.

"Hey, Marco, what's up?" I hear her ask.

"Mr. Manarch is on the cell."

"Thanks. Viktor, is everything okay?" There's a slight concern in her voice.

"Yes, I needed to hear your voice. I called your cell, but you didn't answer."

"My cell is upstairs, I think. Viktor, what's going on?" I hear a door open as I get in the car.

"Oliver called. He needs me at Eros. I need to make sure you and the kids are safe."

"We're home, safe. Should I be worried?" There's that concern again.

"I don't know," I admit.

"Thank you," she says.

"For what?"

"For being honest. What do you want me to do?"

"I'm going to be honest again, your question has thrown me for a loop," I chuckle.

"If you treat me like your equal, you will be surprised by what you can get from me. So, tell me."

"Just… prepare a bag for you and the kids in case you have to leave in a hurry."

"Okay. Be careful and come home to us."

"Alright."

"I'm serious. I want you home tonight," she says sternly.

"I will. I have to go. I love you."

"I love you too." I end the call.

There are men everywhere when I pull up at Eros. I put the car in park, turn the engine off, and get my gun from the secret compartment. Whatever is happening, it doesn't look good from here. I leave my SUV and head for the entrance of Eros. The men part as I reach them. One of them opens the door. There are even more men inside Eros. By my count, almost three dozen men stand around. Angus, Ray, Beiste, and Oliver are by the bar. I walk over to them.

"What's going on?" I ask, approaching.

"Let's go to your office," Oliver says. Angus, Ray, and Beiste follow us. We walk in silence.

"Talk," I order, opening my office door.

"Our father has put out an order for the men to choose a side," Oliver says.

"When?"

"An hour ago. He's taking inventory."

My father has lost his fucking mind. My grandfather must be turning in his grave. My father has openly divided the clan for everyone to see and damn the consequences. I sit down, and everyone follows suit. Whatever I say will set the tone for what comes next. If there's one thing I have over my father, he thinks for the moment while I think of the future. I always think a couple of moves ahead.

"We've been preparing for this possibility. If he wants to take inventory, let him. Anyone who chooses his side is welcome to do so. We won't hold anyone against their will. However, they have to be ready to fight their brothers."

"That's what we've been discussing," Oliver says.

"Our concern is knowing who is here by choice and who is here as a spy," Ray says.

"Aye," Angus agrees.

"Call for an all-out gathering. Angus and Beiste, check the armory. Verify we have everything we need."

"Aye," Beiste says.

"Ray, I need you to move the banker and the vault. We can't risk my father attacking our currency."

"Got it."

"Give me the room. Oliver, stay." The rest leave, and I take a deep breath.

"I never imagined our father would do something like this," Oliver mutters once we're alone.

"This isn't the first time," I respond sadly.

"What do you mean?"

"Do you remember Operation Dumfries?"

"A little. Why?"

I open my drawer, take out a bottle of scotch and two glasses, and pour us each a drink. Oliver is looking at me with deep furrows between his eyes. I hand him a glass before taking a seat.

"You were told we were taking out another Scottish clan coming from the homeland. A threat to the family," I remind him.

"Yes."

"Do you remember how it all started?"

He looks at me, confused.

"Our father met with you to go over a detailed plan. You were going to fly to Scotland. But you never did because it was a false alarm." I take a deep breath. "Our father wanted me to kill you."

I let the words sink in before I continue. It's been the only secret I've kept from Oliver that mattered.

He drains his glass. "Why didn't you?" he asks quizzically.

"Because I couldn't. You're my brother. It's the one order I refused to carry out. At the time, he said he was proud of me for not betraying my blood. But I knew then the day would come where he and I would stand on opposite sides." I run my hand across my chin as I remember those events

"Why did he want me dead?" he asks, clearly puzzled.

I drain my drink. "Because your existence threatens him. If I die, you're the one who will take over when the time comes. You're an heir."

"I'm not a Manarch, not really."

"You are more of a Manarch than you realize. The men respect you. You could run the clan without a doubt. He fears the men will follow you and not him."

He looks unsure. "Why are you telling me this now?"

"Because our father doesn't give a fuck about anyone other than himself. His priority and loyalty are to himself. You and I have had our issues this last year or so because of Ava. But you're my brother, and I trust you with my life. I'll always choose you over our father," I confess.

He stays quiet, and I'm going to say more when he speaks.

"I too, will choose you over our father. I'll always have your back."

"I know. But before we go into this war, you need to ask yourself if you can go all the way. You've always idolized the man we call father. But he's never been a father, not to you or to me. You have to be at peace knowing it will come down to a bullet from your gun or mine. He has to die. He won't let anyone get in the way of what he wants and will kill anyone, including us, if he has to."

"If the time comes, I'll do what needs to be done. From now on, everything we do will be for the good of the clan. Our father's loyalty might not be on the right side, but mine is," Oliver says.

"Then be ready because this will get bloody. No one is guaranteed to make it out alive. Not you or me. His numbers are at least double ours when you include Cillian's men. Despite all of our recruitment efforts, we will be outnumbered."

"I'm ready. What about Ava and the kids?"

"They will stay put for now. Is the contingency plan in place?"

"Yes. There are new identities for them, half a million in cash and a property in the mountains ready for them to move to."

"And no one knows?"

"Only Marco knows, as we discussed. He has a plan in place, but I won't know what it is until it's executed."

"I don't like being in the dark," I confess.

"We both know this is the best way. They're safer if no one beside him knows the plan."

"It won't come to that," I say, looking up to a God I don't believe in.

"Let's hope not," he replies as I pour another drink for us.

At this moment, I feel useless. All I want to do is leave Eros, find my father, and put two bullets in his head. The man has lived past his expiration date, but killing him outright will create chaos within the clan. Chaos we can't afford as long as Cillian is in play. It's obvious this is what Cillian is hoping for. If I kill my father, Cillian will take the opportunity to attack the clan, so I have to wait and let my father show his hand. As much as I hate it, I will have to plan on the fly. This is the best solution for an impossible problem.

The contingency plan is in place in case I don't make it home. I need to make sure Ava is ready for anything. Earlier, she showed me she will do whatever is needed to keep our family safe. She was right in saying I need to treat her like my partner and not someone fragile. She can handle herself and has shown me this time after time. No one loves or cares for our children more than her. I can't keep her in the dark. Not this time. It's time for me to make her my queen in front of everyone. For her to take her rightful place by my side.