Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Viktor
A s I go downstairs, my thoughts are overwhelmed by the feel of Ava’s body. She fits perfectly in my arms. The woman is pure perfection without a single blemish on her smooth, lavender-scented skin. She’s perfect. The woman I want beside me. She’s different from Fiona. Where Fiona is entitled, Ava is sweet. Fiona forces seduction, but Ava has a natural sex appeal. Ava’s smile and voice do something to me I can’t explain. The thought of another man touching her makes me murderous. I would kill any man who touches her. But with Fiona, I could care less.
“How is she?” Oliver asks as I enter my office.
“She’s fine. Resting.”
“I took care of Joe. He won’t go near the O’Briens again. Their debt is cleared.”
“Thank you.” I pick up my laptop. He tips his head to one side and stares. “What?” I demand
“Nothing.” He shakes his head.
“Speak, Oliver. I’m not in the mood.”
“She’s your blind spot.”
“She’s an employee.”
“If you say so.” He whirls to leave.
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing, brother. I’ll be around the house if you need me.” I want to question him, but I don’t want to leave Ava alone longer than I have to.
Upstairs, I open the door to my bedroom and find her sitting on the bed, knees against her chest, hugging herself. She looks so small and vulnerable. Whatever Joe did to her shook her to the core, but she relaxes when she sees me. She lays down when I sit on the bed. I push strands of hair from her beautiful face, and she closes her eyes as my fingers caress her. I get hard. I want her, but one night won’t be enough. I want her in my bed every night. Her breathing slows, and I watch her body find peace as she lays beside me.
Oliver is right. We’re facing something bigger than I want to admit. My father won’t allow me to break a deal he has brokered for anyone—especially for someone like Ava. The deal is that I’m to marry Cillian’s daughter, Fiona.
Cillian is a powerful man, but Ava brings nothing to the table, no name, power, or fortune. But looking at her, I can’t imagine having another woman by my side. She’s blurred the lines in just a few days. Is Oliver right? Has she become my blind spot? Even in our arguments, she isn’t toxic like Fiona. The more I compare them, the more I know what choice I want to make. But it doesn’t mean it’s the right one. She hasn’t been here long, and she’s changing everything. There has to be something, a way out, something Cillian wants more that will lead to the same outcome. Marrying Fiona can’t be the only solution. But I can’t afford a war. He’s a powerful man who could bring chaos.
I look through emails to occupy myself with something else. Taking Manarch Industries public has been harder than I first expected. I want to bring us into this decade. When I take over, I want things to be better. Our off-the-book business is still active, but it will be easier to hide those activities behind a legitimate business. I’ve wanted to invest more, expand my portfolio and look for better ways to clean our money. I see an email from John.
Mr. Manarch,
I have a few names for hedge funds. They come highly recommended. The deal with the hotel is complete. I need a meeting.
Please call my office to schedule.
Best Regards,
John
With everything going on, I had forgotten about the hotel. It’s my largest venture outside the family business. Years of working for my father and my inheritance means I live comfortably. But I want something aside from the family business. Something I’ve built for myself.
I organized my most recent meeting with John to discuss my money outside the family. A few profitable ventures from my own investments led to John reporting that I’m a billionaire in my own right. Who knew? I could break off from my father without making a dent in my lifestyle. I don’t need my father, and if it wasn’t for my responsibilities as the eldest son, I’d have walked away. I need time to think. To get away from all the noise.
Then it occurs to me that a trip to my newly acquired hotel with Ava is just what we both need.