Page 25 of Revenge
“Are you going to kill me, Father?” I stand my ground. I’ll not show him fear.
“Dougal, put that gun away. You remember how it was to be his age,” placates Cillian.
My father and I are in a staring match. There’s hatred in his eyes, and his gun is now pointed at me. I’ll be damned if I cower to him. He’s nothing without the gun he’s holding, just a man who bleeds red like me.
“Dougal, put the gun down. That’s our son,” my mother shouts from the kitchen door since men are blocking her. It’s a few seconds before my father reacts. “What is going on here?” Mother continues tearfully. She has fear written all over her when I glance in her direction.
“Ask him.” I incline my head toward my father, turn around, and walk to the door.
“I have not dismissed you,” my father bellows. If he adds anything, I don’t hear. I don’t look back.
“What now?” Oliver asks once we’re outside.
“War. He’s made his choice.”
Chapter Fifteen
Viktor
“Ican’t take any more bad news today. I need results.” I slam my fists on my desk.
“It’s not my fault the Irish have been difficult. There’ve been more fights this month with the Irish than all year combined.” Oliver sits.
“My father is going to be our downfall. We have to find a way to stop this madness. Between Manarch Industries, Fiona, and this never-ending spree of violence….” I trail off. I’m exhausted. All I face are problems.
“I do have some good news.”
“Anything is better than the crap you’re telling me.”
“I found Ava.”
I stop to look at him. I thought he would never find her. I want to ask him where she is—how she’s doing—but I can’t. Right now, I need to steer clear of her. Knowing where she is will be a temptation I can’t give into.
“I thought you said you had good news.” Even though I trust Oliver, I don’t know who could be listening to us. I need to continue with the pretense that I don’t care about Ava.
“I thought you’d be happy.” Oliver looks at me, confused.
“We’re in the middle of the biggest war our clan has ever faced. I can’t distract myself by thinking about Ava. I’ve moved on.” He gives me a questioning look. He knows I’m lying, and I hate lying to him. “What?” I glare at him.
“Nothing. I’m glad you came to your senses. I never thought I’d hear those words out of your mouth.”
“Just forget about Ava. You were right when you told me to let her go. She’s my past, and we have bigger problems right now.” I run my fingers through my hair. I’ve accepted she won’t be safe with me, and it’s better now for me to love her in silence than love her in a coffin.
“Good.” He nods and then adds, “How are things in the house with Fiona?”
I sigh. “Insufferable. Infuriating. She tries to come to my bed almost every night. She won’t take no for an answer. I barely stay at the house anymore.”
“And the child?”
“Fine, as far as I know. The doctor came over and examined her. She’s been impossible, refusing to go to her doctor’s visits. I think she’s drinking. Back to her old ways now that she got what she wanted.” I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“What does that mean for the child?”
“On her last visit, the doctor mentioned the dangers of drinking while pregnant to her, and she swore to stop. But I’m not sure she cares.” There are so many moments I’ve wished the child I’m expecting was Ava’s.
“Did you get the paternity test results?”
“Fuck, with everything going on, I’ve forgotten to check.” It should have been at the top of my list. “What the fuck is wrong with me? This isn’t like me. I’m losing control of myself.”
