Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Ava
V iktor’s father must think the worst of me after the way I spoke to him, but I couldn’t stand there and do nothing. Something about Viktor brings out the fighter in me. I don’t know the man, but I’m willing to stand up to his father for him. This arrangement is supposed to be an easy way to help my father, but if tonight is an indication of what is to come, I might need to reconsider. Well, I do need to reconsider. I’m not from his world. That much is clear.
I see people walking by the SUV without a care in the world. It makes me jealous. Why can’t my life be less complicated? Boring even. My life has become a complete mess. The more I try to make things better for Dad and me, the worse it gets.
“Ava, are you ok?” Oliver sounds concerned.
“I’m sorry?” I ask, confused by his question.
“You’re crying,” Oliver observes.
I wipe my tears. I hadn’t noticed I was crying. The last twenty-four hours have been a rollercoaster ride of emotions I have yet to process. But they seem like they’re going to spill over. My life has been turned upside down. I agreed to be the fiancée to a man who brings fear. A man who, if I’m honest, intimidates me. I’m not sure if I’ll survive a year with him.
“Nothing to worry about,” I assure him.
“Don’t worry about Viktor or our father.”
“Viktor is your brother?”
“Half-brother.”
“I didn’t know. You don’t act like brothers. You look like you work for him.”
“We are and I do.”
“Don’t you find it strange? I mean, he doesn’t treat you like his brother.”
“I love my brother. He’s loyal to those he cares about. He’s demanding and controlling. He’s not like most people because he’s the heir to the Manarch Clan. It’s not easy to be part of this clan. There are expectations he needs to meet. I know about the deal you made with Viktor, but if you aren’t certain about it, it’s best you leave now.” His tone is cold now, the warmth from earlier gone
“Is my life in danger?” I can’t help but ask. He’s quiet for longer than I’m comfortable with.
“No,” he finally says.
“I want to go home.” My voice shakes.
“I’m taking you home,” Oliver responds.
“Not Viktor’s house. I want to go home. My home.” I’m beginning to feel that being Viktor’s fake fiancée might cost me more than one hundred thousand dollars.
“I have my orders.”
“He’s not my boss.”
“Yet here you are.”
“I don’t understand what your problem is. You’re telling me to leave but you won’t take me home.”
“I’m not going to disobey orders for someone like you. I’m driving you to Viktor’s home… your new home .” He emphasizes new home, like Viktor’s house is my home.
“That house isn’t my home. I demand you take me to my home or pull over so I can take myself.” There’s a long moment of silence. “Oliver, please.”
He doesn’t speak, just turns the radio on to drown my pleas. I’ve made a mistake. This price is much higher than I’m willing to pay. Somehow, I feel this is not about the hundred thousand dollars. There’s more to what Viktor is asking of me.
“I can’t stay.” My final plea to Oliver.
“I have to follow Viktor’s orders. But it will be at least an hour before he leaves the restaurant.” I read between the lines.
“How can I leave? Is there a bus, train, or cab?” I ask as the house comes into view.
“There’s a bus stop about a quarter of a mile away.” The SUV stops at the gate. He doesn’t look at me. “I would appreciate it if you kept our conversation to yourself.”
“I will.”
I open the car door and walk in the direction he indicated. I won’t be caught in this family drama. I will be on the losing end. I don’t need to be a genius to know that. There must be another way to give him his money. There must be someone who isn’t afraid of the Manarch name. I’m pissed that Dad would put me in this position yet again. I wish I could run away from the life he’s forced me into. Dad is slowly dragging me down with him, and I’m not sure he cares.
It’s a long time before a bus comes, and it takes me two hours to get home. The lights are off. If I’m lucky, Dad is sleeping and not gambling. I’ll have to come up with a good excuse for why I’m here. My things are at Viktor’s. Maybe I should have gone inside and grabbed my stuff. But there’s nothing I can do tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll figure it out. Tonight, I need rest.
Opening the door, I instantly know the apartment is empty. Dad isn’t here, but I don’t have the energy to be upset. I’m a little hungry, but I’m sure there isn’t anything to eat. In the kitchen, I drink a glass of water, hoping it will fill my belly. I walk to my bedroom feeling confused and disappointed in myself. I don’t know why. I’ve done nothing wrong. I take off my overpriced shoes and the dress that could pay the rent for a month. I find a worn-down T-shirt and a pair of Nathan’s old boxers I must have taken by mistake once upon a time.
In bed, with my stomach growling and a massive headache, I let the tears out. They won’t solve anything, but maybe they’ll make me feel better. There must be a way to solve this money issue without being Viktor’s fake fiancée. The man is controlling. Exhausting. Demanding. Shit, infuriating. But I can’t stop thinking about his lips on mine. The way my body craves him. I don’t know how much time has passed when suddenly there’s a knock on the door. The clock says it’s past midnight. Who would be knocking at this time? Then I remember that Dad isn’t home.
“Coming.” The knock gets louder. “Shit, hold your horses.” I’m annoyed by the knocking, which is getting more desperate. I open the door without asking or looking. “What the fuck are you doing here?” Viktor pushes himself inside the apartment.
“Sure, come in,” I say with all the sarcasm I can muster.
“Why are you here?” The anger in his voice is barely in check.
“Last I checked, I live here.”
“You don’t. I gave you a specific instruction.”
“I’m not your property, you can command me.”
“I’m not playing games, Ava.”
“Neither am I. This isn’t going to work.” I walk past him, but he grabs my arm.
“Is there a fucking man in here?”
“What?” I turn to look at him. He scans me up and down.
“You’re wearing boxers.”
“And if there is? It doesn’t concern you.”
“Baby girl…” he pushes me to the nearest wall, “… I don’t play games.” His mouth is inches from mine. My breath catches, but I hide it.
“Neither do I. This isn’t going to work for me. I’ll find another way to get your money.” I stare into his eyes.
“I’ll only accept payment in the form of our arrangement. Otherwise, you and your father will face the consequences.” I prod him, but it only leads him to get closer. “Is there a man here?” he demands again. I want to be spiteful and say yes. But something screams I shouldn’t.
“No,” I admit quietly.
“Why are you wearing boxers?”
“If you recall, I don’t have any clothes here. These belong to Nathan.” I look away.
He grabs my face and turns it, so I’m facing him again.
“I want them off. You’ll never wear another man’s clothing again.”
“I’m not yours to order.”
“So help me. If you don’t take them off, I’ll take them off for you.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
Why I dare him is beyond me. He picks me up and takes me to the table. He sits me on top of it. He doesn’t speak. With no mercy and little effort, the boxers disintegrate in his hands. He leaves me in my panties. I’m wetter than I’ve ever been. I’m gasping, and I want him to touch me. I need to feel his hands on me. Am I really feeling like this? I should be scared. I should be worried. But instead, I’m turned on by his actions.
“You’ll never again wear another man’s clothing.” He whispers in my ear. He gently bites my earlobe. “Say it, baby girl.” He opens my legs wide. His fingers are temptingly close.
“I won’t,” I whisper.
“You won’t what?” He’s less than an inch away now, and I can’t breathe.
“I won’t wear another man’s clothing.”
He’s almost there, and I feel the heat of his hand. Then he pulls away.
“Get dressed. We're going home.” He walks toward my bedroom leaving me wet and desperate.
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I say once my voice returns.
“I would prefer my men not to see you dressed as you are, but you’re leaving with me one way or another.” His tone demands obedience. I can’t challenge him. He has proven that he’s capable of anything, and I can’t resist him. I walk to my bedroom to get dressed.
“Good choice.” He folds his arms and leans against the doorway.
“Please leave the bedroom so I can get dressed.”
“Don’t be childish. We’re both adults.”
This man has no respect. I turn my back to him, take off my T-shirt and put the dress on. I reach for the zipper, but his fingers pull it instead, leaving traces of his heat as he touches my skin. The air leaves my lungs, and I realize being near him is dangerous. My body craves and wants him.
“Thank you.” I pull away quickly once he’s done. He makes me nervous.
Viktor Manarch is intimidating.
“Time to go.”
I turn and look at him. Why can’t I just tell him to leave? Why am I doing what he orders? Because this is clearly an order.
“Ava, I will carry you if I have to.”
Just like that, I snap out of it. It reminds me who he is. I don’t say anything. I put my shoes on and walk past him.