Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Viktor
“ I know she isn’t fucking here. The building has been searched.” I bark.
“She couldn’t have gone far,” Oliver says.
“This is why I didn’t want her alone. If something happens to her, I’m holding you responsible.” I slam my fist on the desk. It’s been twenty minutes, and she’s nowhere to be found.
“Have you tried calling her?”
“What do you fucking think? It’s your fault she’s gone. I don’t know what your deal is with her.”
“Nothing. The implication is uncalled for.”
“This is just like the first time she disappeared. You said something to make her leave.”
“Is that what she told you?” There’s an edge to Oliver’s voice.
I’m pacing, trying to figure out if my father or Cillian have taken her.
“She didn’t tell me anything. But your question tells me all I need to know. She’s here to stay. You need to get on board.”
“You’ve changed from the moment she walked into the restaurant. You can’t even see it. She’s going to get us both killed.”
I choose to ignore him and ask, “where’s Marco?”
“He’s five minutes from arriving back here.” I start walking out of my office.
“Where are you going?” he asks.
“To find her. Where else?”
“You don’t even know where she is.”
He’s right, but I can’t stay here and do nothing. I’ve called and texted with no response.
“Viktor,” he calls out.
“I’m going to start with her father.”
“I’m coming with you,” he declares.
“Stay, in case she returns.” I run my hand through my hair.
“I wasn’t asking,” he responds.
A few minutes later, I’m driving to her father’s apartment. I try calling Ava again, but she still doesn’t answer. I swear, I’m going to show her who I am and what I’m capable of when I find her. She does not know what kind of beast lives inside of me. I won’t tolerate anyone disobeying my orders, especially her. We get to her father’s place in ten minutes. Leaving the SUV double parked, I run upstairs to the second floor. I don’t bother knocking on the door and instead force the door open. Her father is watching television.
“Where’s Ava?” I demand.
He faces me, and I can see he’s taken another beating. This one wasn’t from my men.
“She isn’t here.” I walk into the living room and stand him up by his shirt.
“Obviously. Talk, or you won’t see from your other eye either.”
“She left fifteen minutes ago.”
“Where?” He doesn’t speak. I ram him back on the chair and pull my gun, pointing it at him. “Where?”
“Viktor, put the gun down.” I hear Oliver’s plea, but I’m not listening.
“Where? If something happens to her because of you, I’ll fucking kill you.” I press the barrel to his head.
“She went to see Joe.”
“I should kill you anyway. She doesn’t deserve the shit you put her through. If something, anything, happens to a strand of hair on her head, I will come back to finish you.” I put my gun away and storm out.
“Where now?” Oliver asks as we get in the SUV.
“Bluehorn.”
There’s only one place Ava would go to see a low life like Joe. The Bluehorn. I despise Joe. He’s a conniving, perverted man. We’ve come close to ending him numerous times. There are rumors he forces himself onto defenseless girls and women. My father tolerates him because they’ve known each other since childhood, but he’s a waste of oxygen.
“What’s the plan?” Oliver interrupts my thoughts.
“Get Ava.”
“You can’t storm in. He might not be one of the families, but we don’t need to start a war.”
I say nothing.
“Viktor—”
“What, Oliver?” I grip the wheel tighter than necessary.
“You need to think.” Once again, he’s right. What is it about Ava that makes my reason go out the window?
“What do you suggest?”
“See if she’s there. We can’t intervene in the affairs of others.”
“She’s going to be my wife.”
“I’m confused. I thought this was just a facade. Has something changed in the arrangement?” Oliver asks, raising his right eyebrow.
What the fuck is going on in my head? Of course, she won’t be my wife. This is a facade. I take a deep breath.
“Appearances are everything. You know that. I can’t allow anyone to do anything to Ava while she wears my ring.” I don’t know if I’m trying to convince him or myself.
“Good. We have enough problems.” I don’t respond because we’ve arrived at Bluehorn. “We ask if she’s there first.” He reminds me. There aren’t many people inside. The place is just as disgusting as I remember.
“I swear if you touch me again—”I hear Ava scream.
I run before anyone has a chance to react.
“Wait, Viktor,” Oliver says from behind me.
The rage I feel at hearing her scream is inexplicable. I kick the door to his office open and see Ava cornered and trembling with fear. Joe steps away from her as I run to him and shove him against the wall.
“You must have a death wish to think you can touch my woman.” I punch him, breaking his nose. I’m ready to punch him again when her voice stops me.
“Viktor, please don’t.” Ava’s voice is unsteady. I turn to her, and she’s shaking like a leaf, her face covered in tears. “Please,” she whispers, hugging herself.
“Go to her, Viktor. I’ll take care of this,” Oliver says.
I don’t have to move far because she’s already running to me. I catch her, pulling her close.
“You’re safe,” I say, holding her tightly, but she continues to shake.
“Take her home. I’ll settle this.” Oliver’s jaw is clenched, and his eyes bore into Joe like steel gimlets.
“You come near her again, and you can consider yourself a dead man.” I try to walk with Ava, but her shaking worsens, so I pick her up. “No harm will come to you while I’m alive. I’m here.” I whisper in her ear. She instantly relaxes in my arms. When we get to the SUV, I put her down and open her door.
She surprises me when she whimpers, “please hold me.”
I take out my cell and call Oliver. “I need you to drive.” I end the call and pull her into my arms. Less than a minute later, Oliver emerges from the bar.
“Where?”
“Home.”
I sit her on my lap with her head against my chest. She doesn’t speak, but her tears wet my shirt. I want to go back and kill Joe. I don’t know what a minute more with him would have meant for her. This woman is more innocent and fragile than she lets on.
The SUV pulls up to the house. She has stopped crying, but her body’s still shaking. I get out of the SUV and hold my hand out for her. She tries to take it, but her hands are trembling, and she seems to have little control. Her fragility does something to me, so I pick her up again. She wraps her arms tightly around my neck, and I walk into the house with a million thoughts running through my head. As I walk upstairs, she holds me tighter. Clearly, she’s still afraid. I take her to my bedroom, sit her on my bed, and then start walking away.
“Please don’t leave me.” Her words are barely audible.
“I’m going to run a bath for you.” She looks at me, willing me not to leave her. “Come.” I hold my hand out for her again.
Ava O’Brien needs me to protect her, and I find myself wanting to do just that.