“Let’s just say I’m always clear-headed when it comes to Ava. Viktor won’t intervene, but if he does, call me.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Call me Oliver. I’m not sure how many times I have to tell you.”
“It’s out of habit.”
“Lose it. You’re about a decade older than me. I should be calling you sir.” We laugh.
“Ok. Anything else, Oliver?”
“Have cameras installed everywhere in the apartment except the master bedroom. There are already cameras outside the building and in the hallways. Viktor had them installed earlier this year. The apartment next door is fully functional. It will serve as the command station. Viktor owns the entire floor, so you’re more than welcome to choose an apartment and make it sleeping quarters if you need to.”
He nods.
“I received floor plans for the building and apartment. We should have everything completed in a few hours.”
“Great. Call me if you need anything.”
I walk over to the bar where Angus and Ray are having a drink together. It reminds me of the good old days when we were younger and didn’t have any worries.
“Care for a drink?” Ray asks as I approach.
“Sure.”
“You look like shit,” he observes.
“Aye,” Angus says.
“Long day,” I say.
“Understatement. I would say a long couple of years,” Angus says.
“What’s new?” I ask.
“Thinking about the old days and how fucked up things are now,” Ray says.
“I find myself thinking the same.” He hands me a drink, and I drain it. “I’m afraid those days are gone and never coming back,” I add.
“Aye, but we don’t have to sit here and let it all burn to hell. We’ve all been through enough. This is the Manarch name. We must protect it.”
“I never imagined we would be in this situation. I never expected my father to take it this far,” I say to no one in particular.
“We’ll fix it,” Ray says.
“I hope so. Because all of our lives depend on it. My father and the Irish are at our backdoor and won’t leave without a fight.”
“That can be arranged,” Angus adds drily.
Another drink is poured, and I take a sip. The tides have turned, and they’ve made a move. We must go on the defense and strike while they think we are down. To win this war, we have to stop it before it starts.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Oliver
It’s been a few days since Fiona shot Ava. Viktor hasn’t left Ava’s side, and I don’t blame him. As tough as Ava tries to be, I know she’s scared. She would never admit it, but I have gotten to know her well. She won’t rest easy until all of this is put behind her, or she leaves.
I told Viktor I would initially focus on finding out how the hell Fiona got inside the house. We have our top men guarding the house, so how did she manage it?