Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Viktor
L eaving Ava with my mother was harder than expected. I am not worried about her safety or her divulging our arrangement. It is that I don’t have her with me. I find myself oddly comfortable with her. There was an instant trust I don’t recognize. Spending the morning with her felt natural, easy. I can’t entertain such thoughts, though. Ava is a means to an end, just someone to have fun with. To keep myself entertained without attachments. A year from now, I’ll send her on her merry way.
Her lips felt natural on mine. She might not realize it, but her body already gravitates toward me. It’s responsive, like it knows I’m in control. I can’t wait until I claim every inch of her. To worship her and show her how a man, even a man like me, treats a woman. She hasn’t been with a real man. After me, I doubt she’ll find one better. It’s selfish of me, but I know what I want, and I want her.
I drive to the office where I conduct business, unlike my father, who conducts his business at the restaurant. I bought the downtown office building a few months back. It is still a work in progress, but it brings legitimacy to the Manarch name. I have been working diligently to create my legacy—Manarch Industries. My business outside the clan—out of my father’s reach—where my goal is to build a reputable corporation that will be the face of the Manarch name when I take over.
As I reach the office, I receive a text from Ava. After reading it, I’m surprised at how good it feels to know her whereabouts, even though I didn’t ask. This is a behavior I will expect from her moving forward. As I pull up, I see Oliver waiting for me. I idle the SUV so the valet can park it.
“How is everything going at the house?” I ask, walking into the building.
“The wardrobe will be delivered in the next hour. Tina might have gone overboard. The bill is high.”
I shake my head, not caring. When did I stop caring about my bottom line?
“Did you ask John to meet us?” We walk to the elevator.
“He’ll be here in thirty minutes.” He is quiet, which is his way of saying he wants to talk. I am about to say something when he speaks. “Viktor, I need to ask. Why her?”
I turn to Oliver, unsure why he would ask such a question. I don’t need to explain my actions to anyone.
“I don’t understand your question.”
“You’re moving a complete stranger into the house and marrying her.”
“News travels fast.” I chuckle as we exit the elevator.
“I’m serious.” Oliver rakes his hand through his hair.
“Good morning, Mr. Manarch,” the receptionist greets me.
“Good morning.” I return the greeting, and we continue to my office. It is a corner office. Who would have imagined? A Manarch in this position.
“I’d never question your decisions. But?—"
“Then don’t,” I snap. He looks at me, unsure. I sit at my new leather-inlaid oak desk, place my head in my hand and take a deep breath. I release my breath with a sigh and look at Oliver. “Close the door.” I realize I need Oliver to know the truth to pull this off. He is right. I don’t know Ava. She’s a wildcard. I look Oliver in the eye. “What do you want to know?”
“Anything you’re willing to share.” He sits opposite me at the desk, steeples his hands at his lips and waits for me to speak.
“I’ve made an arrangement with Ava. For every week she plays my fiancée, I’ll take two thousand dollars from her father’s debt.”
“How are you going to explain that to our father?”
“I’m not. I’m paying off the debt myself. There’s no need for him to know. Ava owes me the hundred thousand.”
Oliver does a double take. “What are you getting out of this?”
“Father off my back about marrying for him to step down.”
“Do you think he won’t step down if you don’t marry? Business is doing well since you have been taking on more responsibilities. It shows you don’t have to be married.”
“Doesn’t matter.” I find myself not wanting to tell him I want Ava. That is the real reason for the arrangement.
“And Ava knows?” Disbelief is etched on Oliver’s face.
“She knows what she needs to know.”
“What happens when the debt is paid off? Will you divorce her?” I give Oliver a filthy look. I don’t like his line of questioning because it makes me confront my real motives.
“It’s not important at the moment. She will be tied to me for the next year. We’ll cross that bridge when the year comes to an end. Any more questions?” My leg is bouncing under the desk. I am getting increasingly annoyed at this line of questioning.
“Just one.” His tone is serious.
“What?” I ask warily.
“Does she know?”
“Know what?” I ask, confused. I have nothing to hide.
“About her.” He doesn’t need to say her name. I know exactly who he means.
“She’s my past. I’ve moved on, and so has she.”
Everything about Oliver’s body language says he’s unsure.
“Ava is to never learn about her or anything from that time. Do I make myself clear?”
Oliver may be my brother, but I still feel the need to ask.
“You have nothing to worry about.” He smiles at me reassuringly.
“Good. Now, before John comes, Ava will need a driver who can double as her security. She won’t be working anymore. She isn’t a prisoner, but I would prefer her outings without me to be limited. I want someone outside the clan.”
“I’ll present you with options by the end of the day.”
“She is to be treated as my fiancée,” I add.
“Understood. What do you want from me?”
“Everything should be business as usual. I don’t want her to learn… you know.” I don’t know why I added the last part. He would never betray me.
“It goes without saying. When will you introduce her to our father?”
“Most likely later today. She’s with Mom. I’m sure she’s made preparations for a family dinner.”
He looks at me and stays quiet. He wants to say something but is restraining himself.
“What is it, Oliver? Spit it out.”
“Our father isn’t going to like her. She isn’t from any of the families—or Scottish. She’s at a disadvantage because she’s an outsider. He won’t welcome her.”
“You’re acting like I give a fuck.”
This hasn’t dawned on me until now. Ava doesn’t meet my father’s expectations. He expects me to marry someone who will bring something into the marriage. But I’ve never cared for the old ways.
“She is what our father calls a plain American girl with nothing to offer. It’s not going to be easy for her,” he continues. “You need to prepare her, explain what it means to be with a Manarch. Especially a life with you. It won’t be long before you take over.”
I turn my chair away from him and look out the window. I have always been a man who doesn’t care about anyone else. It is one of the reasons I’ve remained a bachelor. Yet I never imagined my family having an issue with the woman I chose as my wife. The woman my father previously chose for me nearly got me killed. I swore never again to let myself be told what to do, not even by my father. I am thirty-six years old, and everything is how I want it. No one dares to cross me, but that doesn’t mean Ava will be given the same treatment. I made this decision impulsively. I am usually more calculated.
“She can handle herself. She has a debt to pay, but I won't allow anyone to treat her any less than her title demands.”
“I understand. Maybe Tina can take her under her wing. Strength in numbers.”
“I like it.” With Tina by Ava’s side, I’ll feel more at ease. I see them getting along. They are alike in many ways.