Page 40 of Revenge
“There has to be another way.”
He’s quiet again.
“I want my son to have a normal life, Oliver. Please,” I beg.
“I’ll double your security. But if this or anything remotely like this happens again, I’m telling Viktor.”
I sigh. “This isn’t going to get any easier, is it?”
“I’m afraid not. You just became the most valuable chess piece.”
“What does that mean exactly?”
“You aren’t safe. You’re carrying Viktor’s heir, the firstborn son. He has a claim to the clan. We need to be careful.”
“But I thought Fiona was carrying the firstborn. Isn’t she further along?”
“You’re having a boy, and she isn’t.” He tells me like that should make sense to me.
“I didn’t ask for this. Viktor and I are over. Why can’t people just move on?”
“Our family has a reputation to keep, and the baby you’re carrying is a threat. You have to understand and accept that. Even though he will be born out of wedlock, he has to be raised as a Manarch. It’s our way. I’m living proof of that.”
“I don’t want that life for my son.”
“It doesn’t matter what you want anymore. It doesn’t matter if they know you aren’t with Viktor. Everyone knows Viktor would leave Fiona in a split second if he knew you were pregnant. The tides have turned.”
Why is it that every time I’m close to taking a step forward, somehow Viktor pulls me back in? He brought me into a world I don’t want to be part of. Now I can’t escape it or him. I’ll always be in some sort of danger. I can’t help the tears. The reality of the truth drowns me in sorrow.
“Are you okay?” Oliver places a gentle hand on my arm. “What’s wrong?”
“I should have never walked into that restaurant.”
“It definitely would have made my life a lot simpler,” replies Oliver, raising his eyebrows.
There’s nothing funny about the situation, but Oliver’s comment makes us both burst into laughter. It’s the realization of the impossible situation we’re in. It won’t matter how far I go or hide. My son is a Manarch, whether or not I want him to be. This is a reality that will never change. How can I protect my son when I can’t even protect myself? I just want to breathe peacefully again, to not live in fear. I’m grateful for Oliver, but I don’t want to live my life running and hiding because of Fiona or her father. This is not a life a child deserves, especially mine.
I find myself wishing I had let Viktor be here with me, to see me through this. His warmth and words would tell me everything will be okay. I wish I could leave everything behind, but it’s like I’m frozen in place. I can’t imagine being a million miles away from Viktor. Am I masochistic, not wanting to truly disappear? Does part of me want the secret to get out?
Why the hell did I have to fall in love with Viktor Manarch?
Chapter Twenty-One
Viktor
Another day and nothing has changed. I’m babysitting a fucking grown woman because she can’t be bothered to take care of herself or our child. Plus, jumping through hoops, keeping the peace within the clan.
I’m on my last set of bicep curls when my cell rings. I let it go to voicemail, but it immediately rings again. I set the weights down and grab my cell. The screen reads Angus.
“Hello,” I answer sharply.
“I know you don’t want to be bothered. I wouldn’t call if I didn’t have to.”
I grab my water bottle and drink, preparing myself for whatever new bullshit has come to light.
“What is it?”
“We have a situation at Eros.”
