Page 124 of Revenge

“Show her you trust her. Don’t go to House of Beauty.”

“I’m not doing that. I won’t let Max think he can do whatever he wants.”

“You asked.”

“Actually, I didn’t,” I say as we get closer to House of Beauty.

“Want me to come upstairs with you? I wouldn’t mind seeing her PA.”

“I didn’t know you had a thing for her,” I say, looking at him. Oliver has always been private about his personal affairs.

“Maybe. Don’t really know her.”

I don’t know what it is about Ava that makes me act this way. Everything Oliver is telling me is logical. Ava would never do anything to betray me. She’s shown me over and over again that she loves me beyond measure. Yet I can’t shake the feeling that Max is a threat to our relationship. But there I can’t do anything to him without losing her.

Finally, we pull up to House of Beauty. Getting out of the SUV, Oliver and I enter the building without a word. We take the elevator to the top floor. Oliver leaves me to my thoughts. We’re a few floors away from hers, and I still don’t have a plan. I probably shouldn’t have come, but it’s too late to turn back now.

“Don’t be you,” Oliver breaks the silence. I look at him.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Exactly what I said. Show her you aren’t an asshole.” The elevator doors open. I look at him, confused. “Good luck,” he chuckles and keeps walking.

The floor is busy, and people are all over the place. I enter Ava’s office, but as I get closer, I notice she isn’t inside, which I find odd considering she’s supposed to be here. It fuels my anger. Did they go somewhere else? This is the shit I’m talking about. How am I supposed to be calm? It’s obvious she’s somewhere alone with Max. I stand in front of her PA’s desk.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Manarch. Ava isn’t in her office.”

“I can see that, where is she?” I bark, making her push her chair back a little away from me.

“She should be here any minute. She went to get some materials.”

“Why are you here?” I turn at Max’s voice.

“None of your fucking business,” I say.

“It is. I’m her friend, and you don’t deserve her.”

“What the fuck did you just say?” I move toward him. He laughs.

“Are you trying to intimidate me? It won’t work on me. I see you for who you really are, even if she doesn’t. She’ll see soon the monster that you really are well enough.”

I grab him by the neck. “You don’t know me,” I bark.

“Viktor.” I hear Ava shout from behind me. I don’t move an inch, still holding Max by the neck. “Let him go.” I do and push him backward, making him fall. “What is wrong with you?” she asks as she tries to help Max up.

“He’s a monster, Ava. How do you not see it? You shouldn’t be with a man like him. He’s dangerous, and he can hurt you or Niko.” I take a step forward. She stands between us, holding her hands out to block us.

“Viktor, go to my office,” she demands.

“I’m not going anywhere.” She looks at me.

“Please.” I walk to her door slowly. “Max, you need to leave,” she tells him.

“But Ava, you shouldn’t deal with a man like Viktor,” he says.

“I don’t need to explain myself to you. Please go,” she tells him as I enter her office. I wait by the door for her. “And you, get inside,” she tells me when she’s close. She looks furious. “What the heck, Viktor? Have you lost your fucking mind?” She enters, and I close her door.

“What?”

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