Page 100 of Revenge

He gives me a look that tells me Viktor wasn’t happy. But that’s Viktor’s problem, not mine. “I see. Shall we?” Marco takes the baby bouncer from the nanny and leads us through the French doors, where Jimmy is standing with two other men. I’m not surprised.

“Mary has set up toward the back, still in the garden but closer to the guardhouse.” I’m going to say something. “It was the best I could do. Call it a happy medium.”

“Fine.”

We go outside, and I’m surprised. It’s unbelievable the things Mary can get done in twenty minutes, someone’s put up a tent, and there’s a large blanket with a few toys for Aisling. Of course, I don’t fail to see the six men circling the area, but I’m willing to compromise if it means I get to be outside. I suppose it’s the cost of living with Viktor.

We’ve been enjoying the beautiful weather for an hour, and I love it. It’s been nice not to worry about anything except watching Aisling play and Niko giggle. Then Aisling starts fussing once Niko falls asleep. The girl is like clockwork. I hand Brenda Niko to put him on the bouncer and take Aisling, not wanting her to wake him.

“Ms. O’Brien, here you go,” Grace, Niko’s nanny, says, handing me a nursing cover to feed Aisling.

“You can call me Ava, both of you can,” I say, looking between her and Brenda.

“It wouldn’t be professional,” Grace says.

“Well, I demand it. You both have been with me long enough, and I don’t like formality.” They both look unsure. “The next one to call me Ms. O’Brien will be fired,” I tease.

“Okay,” they both say. I shake my head.

Aisling is happily feeding when I see Viktor walk toward us. I prepare myself for whatever he has for me. I’m already living in this house to make him happy. I won’t let him take what little freedom I have left.

“Do you really have to feed our daughter with the guards lurking?” he asks, approaching me.

“It’s the most natural thing in the world. Our—your—daughter was hungry.” I take Aisling off my boob and start burping her.

“I would like a moment with Ava,” he orders. Both nannies stand ready to go.

“I’m busy, and don’t dismiss them,” I assert as I try to stand. He chuckles as he helps me.

“Holding our daughter won’t stop me from showing you who has the last word.” Niko wakes at the sound of his voice, moving his head as he searches for his father.

“You’re insufferable,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Get your son. He’s looking for you.” Niko has been lying in the bouncer. Viktor bends down and picks him up. I can’t deny that he’s a wonderful father. “Let’s take them inside,” I say and walk toward the house. “Ladies, you can take a break.”

“Thanks,” Brenda says. One of the guards opens the door as we reach them.

“What would you like to talk about?” I say, reaching the stairs.

“Your defiance.”

“You’re acting like it’s something new.” I open the door to Aisling’s bedroom to put her down. She’s fast asleep. “Is he asleep?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s put him down before you wake him.” We quietly leave Aisling’s bedroom and go to Niko’s. He lays him down, and we give Niko a minute to make sure he won’t wake. “You said you wanted to talk. Go ahead,” I say as I close the door. Except he doesn’t speak. He pulls me close and throws me over his shoulder. “Put me down, Viktor,” I cry, thumping his back ineffectually. He walks to his bedroom and heads in. “What do we possibly have to talk about that we can’t do in the hallway?”

He sets me down and kisses me. It’s intense, and I’m nearly out of breath when he breaks the kiss. I think he’s going to say something, but he doesn’t. Instead, he picks me up. I know this is it. I’ve caved. The more time passes, the more I learn that his way of talking leads to sex. Don’t get me wrong, sex has never been an issue with us. But I don’t want to resolve all our problems with sex. I’m defenseless in his arms.

“Viktor, you said you wanted to talk,” I say as he breaks the kiss to take my blouse off.

“I never said I wanted to talk.” He goes back to kissing me.

For a moment, I allow his determination to dictate what happens because it feels good to have him in control. The man knows how to bend my body to his will. The way he touches me. His lips leave a trace of fire everywhere they touch. I wonder if it will always be like this. Will he always have this power over me? But I don’t want to think. I want to let him claim me as only he can. I’m going to let him love every inch of me. At the end of the day, there’s only one thing I’m certain of. I belong to Viktor, and there’s no running from that.

Chapter Forty-Five

Viktor

Driving to the house, I’m excited and pissed. Ava is going to be the death of me. I don’t understand why it’s so hard for her to do what she’s told. It’s her way or not at all, and it drives me crazy. It’s like her judgment lapses, even though she knows things aren’t safe right now.

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