Chapter 45
Chapter Forty-Five
Viktor
I n anger, I leave the bedroom, ready to do what needs to be done. This has been a night from hell. Ava looked broken when I left her standing in the middle of our bedroom. Seeing Fiona’s handprint on Ava’s face is not something I’ll tolerate. I could care less if it’s Christmas Eve or there are guests in my house. This won’t go unanswered. Fiona is losing her fucking mind if she thinks she’ll get away with this shit.
“Viktor,” Oliver says, but I keep walking. “Stop. We need to talk.” I want to keep walking, but his tone demands attention.
“What?” I turn as he approaches.
“She isn’t here. I escorted her out.”
“You allowed her to lay a finger on Ava.” I grab him by the neck and shove him to the nearest wall.
“I stopped it before it could escalate.”
“Were you going to tell me?”
“Let’s take this somewhere private.” He puts his hands on my arm, trying to push it away, but I’m stronger.
“Viktor, let him go,” my mother says.
“Stay out of this, Mom.” I let Oliver go.
“I’m afraid it’s a little too late for that,” she replies. “Where’s Ava?”
“She isn’t feeling well. She’s calling it a night.”
“Your father is furious. He knows about the incident between Ava and Fiona.”
“I don’t fucking care.”
“Watch your tone, little boy.” There’s a barely controlled anger in my father’s voice, so I don’t answer. “I want her gone by morning. Her little scene has caused discord with Cillian,” he continues.
“Ava isn’t going anywhere. I’m marrying her. You’d better get used to it.”
“You won’t marry her, and that’s final.”
I run my fingers through my hair. “This party’s over. I want everyone out of my fucking house.”
“It’s not your call,” my father says.
“Yet this is my house.” I turn to leave, but my father grabs my arm.
“You’re a Manarch, Viktor. You will act as such. There will be consequences if you don’t obey me.”
“Has it come to that? Are you threatening me, Father?”
“Call it whatever you want. You’re marrying Fiona or else.”
“I think we need to cool down,” my mother says.
“I want everyone gone.” I don’t give anyone time to say anything else as I storm upstairs.
I open the door to my bedroom. It’s quiet, and at first, I think she’s gone, but the bathroom light is on. I go in and find her submerged in the tub. I run to the tub, realizing she isn’t emerging for air. I grab her arms and pull her up.
“What the fuck, Ava? What are you doing?”
“I’m taking a bath.”
“This is not a bath. I know what a bath looks like.” I get her out of the tub. I grab the nearest towel and wrap it around her. It’s the first time I stare at her eyes, and they’re empty. It’s like she isn’t there anymore. I lead her to the bedroom. She pulls away.
“I’m tired, Viktor. You have guests.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” She walks to the dresser, opening drawers.
“Where are my clothes?” Her voice cracks. I walk over and grab one of my T-shirts.
“Here.” I hand it to her. “We need to talk about this.”
“There’s nothing to talk about. Please go away.” I pull her to me. Tears are streaming from her eyes.
“Baby girl, you would have drowned in the tub had I not come in. This warrants a conversation.”
“I’m tired. Please leave.” She gets in bed.
“Ava—”
“Viktor, this needs to end. This isn’t going to get any easier. There must be another way to pay off my debt.” She’s quiet when I get in bed.
“This is not going to end. You aren’t going anywhere. You are mine.”
I open the dresser drawer where I’ve kept a box for weeks. I was waiting for the perfect moment. But I’ve run out of time. It’s now or never.
I take out the ring.
It’s a different ring from the one she’s been wearing. This ring is her. This ring is not an arrangement, it symbolizes my love for her, my commitment to her.
“Marry me.”
“Don’t.” She closes her eyes.
“I want you to marry me.”
“Today you do. What’s to say you will tomorrow?”
I sit her up. “It’s you and me. No one else matters.” I kiss her.
“Viktor.” She moans loudly.
She fumbles with her fingers unbuttoning my shirt. I kiss her neck as she reaches the last button. My shirt goes to the floor, followed by her T-shirt and the rest of my clothes. Our lips separate for barely more than a few seconds. I lay her down. My mouth explores and tastes every sweet inch of her. I want to take my time. Enjoy her. Her nails dig into my back, causing a groan to erupt from me.
“I need you inside of me,” she pleads.
I’m slow at first. Advancing inch by inch, enjoying how her body takes me in. Every moan leads to the next inch. I slide in and out, enjoying how she seeks more. I circle her clit, causing her moans to get louder. Her body is screaming for release. I’m no longer gentle. I increase my speed but stop when I know she’s close. I roll her onto her stomach and pull her to the edge of the bed. Her ass is gloriously out for me as I slam inside her pussy.
“Fuck,” she screams.
“If you only knew.” I thrust harder. She meets every thrust. When she’s at the edge, I slow down. Her body still screams for release. “Say yes.” She pushes her ass back to create friction. “Say yes, and I’ll let you come.”
“What?” she asks, sounding confused. I increase my speed bringing her to the edge again, then stop.
“Marry me,” I repeat. I start the process again. She will submit to me. I won’t take no for an answer. I slow down when she’s close.
“Yes. I’ll fucking marry you.” I give three more thrusts, and she explodes gloriously. Soon after, I follow. I bite down on her shoulder, then pull her to me. I ease out of her, and she collapses.
“Good girl.”
I get out of bed and walk to the bathroom for a washcloth to clean her. She lays in my bed, looking sated. How did I ever think I’d be able to let her go? It was foolish to think so. In bed, I take the ring from the dresser and pull her to me, resting her head on my chest.
“You’re mine forever.”
“Yes.” She answers, eyes closed. I put the ring on her finger. Her breathing slows. I comb loose strands of hair away from her face.
“I’ve fallen for you. I don’t even know when it happened.” I kiss the top of her head.
This ring is a symbol of war. There’s no turning back now, but she is my happiness. Denying it is a fool’s errand. I’m a Manarch. I will have what I want, and I want Ava as my wife.
Damn the consequences.
As my mother predicted, Ava has become my world.