Page 106 of Revenge
“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.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Oliver
“Man, you couldn’t make this shit up,” I thought.
I’ve always known Fiona is crazy, but I never imagined her capable of trying to kill someone. It takes some serious balls to try. Shortly after we arrived, I took Fiona downstairs. It wasn’t pleasant, but I wouldn’t expect anything less from her. I didn’t even bother questioning her. All she does is spill lies. Instead, I had one of the men take her anywhere but here. I told them to take her to Cillian if she didn’t give him an address. Now I’m walking downstairs to have an uncomfortable conversation with Viktor. I open the door to his office and head straight to the couch.
“What is so important that you dragged me in here?” He goes to his minibar.
“You have to let Ava go.”
“Are you giving me fucking orders now?”
“I’m stating facts, and the fact is, if you don’t, you’ll lose her for good.”
