Chapter 37
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Viktor
“ W hat is wrong with you?” Oliver questions as we walk to the front door.
“Nothing.”
“It didn’t look like nothing.”
“Stay out of it.” We get in my SUV. His question rattles me. Am I losing control around Ava? I didn’t mean to grab her by the throat. It’s not like me to act without thinking. I seem to be doing it since Ava walked into my life.
“You can’t fail to see all these attacks started when you announced your engagement to her. She’s right, you know. Staying with you will get her killed.”
I don’t respond as his words sink in. I pull away with the standard three vehicles behind us. I should let her out of our arrangement. She doesn’t deserve any of this. At the end of the day, she isn’t responsible for her father, and a hundred thousand dollars is pennies for me. This is more complicated than I anticipated. This was supposed to be simple and easy—and it’s far from it. It has become a bottomless problem. But I know she will not be any safer if she leaves my side—not anymore. This is on me.
Why the fuck do I care so much?
“Do you know what Father wants?” I don’t want to talk about Ava. Doing so only reminds me of the never-ending battle inside my head.
“I assume it’s to discuss the latest attack. We took a big hit and lost close to half a million dollars in the shipment. He isn’t happy.”
I drive, trying to figure out what my father wants. What orders will he give this time? All this shit is getting ridiculous. I can’t fathom why marrying Fiona is so important. It’s almost juvenile.
“Has anyone seen Fiona?” I ask.
“Not yet. I have people on the lookout, but it hasn’t been fruitful. If she’s in town, she’s hiding very well.”
“I don’t need this. I need to know why she’s back.”
We’re silent for the remainder of the drive. There’s nothing else that needs to be said. Driving up to the restaurant, I see men standing at the doors. Oliver and I look at each other confused. What the fuck does my father think I’m going to do to him? What has him so paranoid? Does he think I’m going to attack him? I park, and we walk inside the restaurant, which isn’t any better. My father’s capos and lieutenants are standing around. I walk toward the back, where my father is sure to be.
“Unacceptable. I want results now. Oh good, my firstborn has graced us with his presence.”
His tone is condescending, and I’m going to say something about it. I continue walking toward him, but he holds his hand up, signaling me to stop. I’m confused, considering I’ve sat beside him for as long as I can remember.
“Let’s get started,” he says.
Everyone gathers around a conference table. Bobby, his consigliere, is seated beside him. My father’s stare keeps me in place. It’s like he doesn’t want me to sit on his other side. What the fuck is he up to?
“As you all know, we lost a lot of money with the latest attack. We can’t afford another one like this. To be better prepared, I have joined forces with Cillian.” From the door to the right, Cillian enters. “Cillian, thanks for joining us. Have a seat.”
Has he fucking involved the Irish in our affairs? He’s lost his goddamned mind.
“Thank you for having me.” Cillian walks and sits beside my father where I should be. What the fuck is he doing?
“Anytime, good friend. Down to business.”
“What the fuck, Father? Why is Cillian sitting in my place?” I challenge. The last thing I need is for my men to think I’ve lost my place at the table.
“It’s nothing personal, boy,” my father says.
I step forward, but I feel Oliver’s hand on my shoulder.
“Not the time,” he says so that only I can hear.
“As I was saying…” my father starts again.
I grab a chair and put it against the wall, overseeing every corner of the restaurant. For the first time in my life, I realize my guard must always be up, especially with my father.
For the next hour, my father details a plan where we’re working alongside the Irish. Patrols will double with men from both sides with each other. Looking around the restaurant, there are a lot of angry faces.
But no one will say anything. No one will stand up to my father. They fear his wrath.
This little theatrical production my father has performed will cause a lot of carnage. He might not see it, but Cillian is not a man who can be trusted. I see the mischief in his smile as my father speaks. People might be looking and listening to my father, but I’m focused on Cillian. He’s the most dangerous kind of foe—a man who holds his cards close to his chest and will sacrifice his daughter for control. My father might not give a fuck about me, but he wouldn’t shove me to the wolves.
“Everyone knows their new orders. Meeting adjourned.” I stand to leave when my father speaks. “Viktor,” he calls.
“What?” I bark.
“Clear the room.” He tells the remaining people. “Have a seat.”
“I’m fine standing.”
“I wasn’t asking.” I sit, and so does Oliver. “Cillian and I have been speaking. Fiona is back in town. I’d like to have a family dinner. You need to set a date.”
“A fucking date for what? I’m not marrying Fiona.”
“You will marry Fiona.” His voice fills the room.
“Dougal, don’t be hard on the boy. He’s just enjoying his little toy. Fiona isn’t worried about the girl. What’s her name? Ava, is it?” I see red and start to stand, but Oliver stops me. Cillian laughs. “We’ve all been there. It’s time for you to pack her up and send her home, lad. It isn’t safe out in the streets for, what is it that you call someone who isn’t from your clan? Ah, an outsider. You never know where bullets might fly while you’re driving.” He mocks me. I stand, throw the chair back and slam my hands on the table, making it shake.
“You will not threaten her.”
“Viktor, mind your place. Cillian wouldn’t waste his time on a whore,” my father barks.
“I don’t give a fuck what deal you’ve brokered. I will not marry Fiona.” I turn to leave when he speaks again.
“You’d better think things through. Or I might just forget you’re my son.”
I don’t respond, just leave. Everyone moves as I pass.
“Double her security,” I tell Oliver when we reach my SUV.
“Are you sure?”
I turn to him. “You have a choice at this moment. You can choose to obey our piece of shit father or stand with me. It’s time to pick a side.”
I rarely admit Oliver and I share the same father in public, although everyone knows it’s true. Perhaps the distance I put between us allows me to trust Oliver with my life. I open my door. He gets in.
Neither of us speak. He knows I’ve just declared war on my father by choosing not to marry Fiona. Anger is vibrating through me. Cillian pretty much admitted he was behind the attempt on Ava’s life. My father doesn’t care. He doesn’t give a shit about family. It’s all about power and money.
“Do you love her?” Oliver asks as we reach my office at Manarch Industries, interrupting my thoughts. I don’t answer. “If you do, I’ll go to war with you and protect her with my life. But if you don’t, you need to let her go. This arrangement needs to end for both of your sakes. She doesn’t deserve to be caught in the middle of a war if you don’t plan to be with her.”
I let his words sink in. Oliver is my brother, my best friend, my second in command. I trust him with my life, and if I’m going to win this war, I need him by my side. I run my fingers through my hair while glancing out the windshield.
I take a deep breath and confess, “I don’t know what love is. Ava brings me peace in the middle of chaos. I won’t let her go. A life without her isn’t an option.”
“Then war it is. I’ll protect her until my last breath for you.” He opens the door and gets out, his words replaying in my head.