Page 85 of Revenge
“This is family time. You guys need to bond with Nikolas. I’ll come to the house later in the week.” She takes a last glance at Nikolas, blowing him a kiss. But her words replay in my head. I wait until Anita is gone before I speak.
“What did she mean at the house?” I switch Nikolas to the other breast.
“I want you at the house. You aren’t going back to the apartment.”
“No way,” I say louder than I intended, making Nikolas flinch. I pull him off my breast and start burping him.
“I need to know you’re safe at all times.”
“Last I checked, your wife still lives in your house,” I say bitterly.
“Ava—”
But my rage is boiling to the surface. “Get out.” I lay Nikolas on the hospital bassinet.
“I’m not leaving.”
“I. Said. Get. Out!” I enunciate.
“Everything okay here?” A nurse pops her head in.
“Yes. Mr. Manarch was just leaving.” We stare at each other in a fight of wills. There’s a mixture of anger and darkness in his eyes. But I don’t care.
“I’ll be back to get you in a few hours,” he says as he leaves.
The man is infuriating. I refuse to be roped into the Manarch life. Viktor is a married man, and I’m pretty sure his drama with his father hasn’t changed. I need to protect Nikolas. He’s the most important person in my life. I’ll not let the expectation of him being a Manarch deter me from that.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Viktor
Iswear, sometimes I just want to lock Ava in a tower. Her fearlessness seeping to the surface is giving me whiplash. Don’t get me wrong, she’s always stepped up to me. But things are different now. She’s like a lioness ready to scratch out the eyes of whoever crosses her when it comes to Nikolas. It makes me love her even more. I’ve never wanted her more than I do now. Her defiance releases a surge of energy through my body.
Oliver is standing in the waiting area. This can’t be good.
“What?”
“Someone’s bliss is quickly over,” he mocks me.
“I’m not in the mood. Obviously, you’re here because you need something.” I run my fingers through my hair.
“How are Ava and my nephew?”
“They’re fine. Stop the small talk and spit it out,” I snarl, irritated. He’s stalling, and I don’t have the time or patience.
“There’s word of an upcoming coming attack from Cillian. He’s stopped a shipment from the docks, but fresh men have been spotted.”
“How about my father?”
“Our father is either oblivious or in on it.”
This is not what I need right now.
“Who has my daughter?” He stays quiet. “Oliver?”
“We can’t find her. Fiona has gone into hiding.”
“Where the fuck were the men?” I bark, getting the attention of the people around us. He pulls me to the nearest staircase where we won’t be heard.
