Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Viktor
A va’s appearance filled me with awe when I opened the kitchen door. I knew Ava was beautiful, but it’s incredible what a little pampering and new clothes have done. It’s night and day. You would never guess she grew up on the wrong side of the city with nothing to her name. Now she looks like an elite woman from the Upper East Side. She stands tall and commands the room. I’m glad my mother took her to get something new to wear. She’s more than I imagined. She was born to be a Manarch. I walk to a table away from everyone, refusing to share her. I find I’m territorial around her.
“You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. Are the clothes and hair okay? I wasn’t sure but your mom and Tina insisted.”
“It’s perfect.” I’m pleased. She’s a woman who can represent me.
“I’m glad,” she whispers.
“I have something for you.” I reach for the box that has been burning a hole in pocket. I was going to take her to choose a ring, but I had time to kill. “Your ring.” I open the box.
“Viktor, it’s beautiful. Don’t you think it’s too much?” She looks at me, her eyes wide.
“My future wife deserves the very best.”
The platinum ring has a four-carat diamond as the center stone with surrounding diamonds. I remove the ring from the box, take her left hand and put the ring on her finger.
“This must have cost you a fortune. You could have bought something simpler.”
A fortune is an understatement. I probably shouldn’t have chosen this ring. It cost more than a sports car. But she doesn’t need to know that.
“You represent me. You’ll have the very best. As I told you, I’ll take care of you. You’ll be noticed now. People will look at you because of who I am. The ring on your finger tells everyone that you’re mine.”
She sits back, hands clutched together, as my words sink in.
“Viktor, I?—”
The front door opens, and I’m immediately on alert.
“Hold that thought,” I interrupt to focus on who is entering. She follows my gaze.
My father walks in with some of his men and Cillian McIntyre, the head of the Irish Mafia, with his own men. This is unplanned.
“Stay here,” I tell her. Her eyes flick between the men and me. I squeeze her hand as I stand and walk toward my father. “Father, I didn’t realize you were bringing guests.”
“Last time I checked, this was still my restaurant.”
I want to question why he’s bringing the leader of one of the four families here today, of all days. He never does anything without a good reason, and he seems to be making decisions without discussing them with me lately. I’m supposed to be taking over the business, but as the days go by, he seems to be involving me less and less.
“I wanted only family here this evening. I have an announcement to make.” My eyes meet his, and steel meets steel for what feels like an eternity.
“I know the announcement. The answer is no.” His tone is dismissive, and he looks at me like I’m five years old and asking for permission.
“I didn’t realize I was asking your permission,” I reply sardonically. My voice carries, silencing the room.
“It’s best if we have this discussion later. We have a guest you must entertain. I suggest you tell your friend to go home.”
I want to give my father a piece of my mind, but it will be pointless as I won’t gain anything. Instead, I need to focus on what is right in front of me. Why is Cillian here? What is my father up to? All hell broke loose the last time we were all in the same room.
“My future wife is not going home without me. If you want me to stay, she will too.” As the heir to the business, I stand my ground.
“Tread carefully, Viktor. I’m not a forgiving man.”
“And I?—”
“What is all the back and forth?” My mother interrupts, walking out of the kitchen.
“Father has brought a guest. We can have family dinner another time,” I reply with a forced smile.
“Nonsense.”
She continues to talk, but my attention is on Ava, who gracefully stands and walks to me. I don’t know why but she looks determined.
“Good evening Mr. Manarch. May I have a word with Viktor?” She stands beside me, looking my father in the eyes. You can see the shock on his face. No one who isn’t family usually dares look at or talk to him.
“Go ahead,” he finally says, surprising me. Ava draws me to the side.
“Viktor, I think it’s best if I go. I don’t want you to have problems with your father because of me. We need to be smart if you want this to work.” I’m listening to her, but I can’t believe the words coming from her mouth.
“He doesn’t dictate what I do with my life.” My words come out harsher than I intend.
She puts her hand on my cheek. It’s cold and instantly cools me.
“This battle isn’t worth fighting. Let him have it.” I’m surprised by how calm and collected she is. “It’s ok. Can you call a car for me? I’ll go to the house, and we can talk later.” I can’t argue with her logic. This is the best course of action, considering my options. I don’t want Cillian to see any discord between my father and me.
“I’ll have Oliver drive you,” I finally say.
“Okay.” She smiles softly at me and gently strokes my cheek.
“Oliver, take Ava home.”
“I’ll get the SUV,” he says from beside me.
“Thank you,” Ava replies.
“This is nonsense. Ava is my guest,” Mom says, looking at my father with determination.
“I will not repeat myself, Anita,” my father replies.
“It’s okay, Anita. I had a lovely day with you, but it was a long day, and I’m tired. I think it’s best if I go home. We can do dinner another time.” She pulls my mother in for a hug. “Mr. Manarch, thank you for letting me speak with Viktor. Enjoy your dinner.”
She holds herself erect as she turns to leave the room. She doesn’t let my father speak, leaving him with the words in his mouth. I’m not sure if I should praise or scold her. I follow her out but stop before we reach the SUV.
“Ava—”
She turns to me, her eyes glistening, “Viktor, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” Her voice shakes.
“Don’t,” I say gently as I pull her closer. “No one stands up to my father without fear. You’re a brave woman.” Her body is shaking. Her adrenaline is wearing off. “I’ll always take care of you.” I lay my chin on her head and am surprised when I can’t smell the lavender I’ve come to associate with her. I find myself missing her scent even though I only just learned it. “Go home and relax. I’ll have Mary make you something to eat. It will be a few hours before I’ll be home.”
“Okay.” She looks up, searching my eyes. For what? I don’t know. I walk her to the SUV, open her door, and watch her slide in. Once again, it gives me a chance to see how beautiful she is.
“Straight home,” I tell Oliver.
“Did you want me to come back?”
“No, stay at the house.”
“Call me if you change your mind.”
I nod and close the door. I meant it when I told Ava I’ll protect her. That means even from my father. I’ve just met her and feel like I’d go to war for her. It’s not the type of thought a man in my position should entertain. Ava is just another woman. Except I have a feeling that she isn’t.