Page 134 of Revenge

I can see Ava trying to hold back her tears.

“That little girl isn’t your daughter. She’s not my grandchild. Nikolas is the son of a criminal. What kind of life is that? You’re no different than he is.” He looks at me as though I’m something stuck to his shoe. I’m going to step around Ava and put him in his place but Ava grabs my arm, stopping me.

“It’s okay, Viktor.” She looks at me, and I take a step back. She picks up an envelope from the coffee table. “I guess I was hoping to be wrong. Here’s the money, don’t ever call me again. I hope the money is worth losing your family for.” She hands him the envelope and starts walking out of the living room. I see her silent tears as she hurries away. I wait until she’s out of earshot before I speak.

“You’re a despicable, worthless piece of shit. If you ever come near her or call her again, you’ll regret it. You’re no father to her.”

“I could say the same about you. I hear the rumors. My little girl is nothing but a plaything to you, even if she hasn’t realized that you’re using her. She’ll see soon enough.”

I grab him by the neck. His hands are trying to pry mine away.

“Pat, I swear I’ll put a bullet in your head without a second thought. Don’t ever contact her again.”

“Mr. Manarch,” Marco calls from behind me. “Everything okay?”

“Get this piece of shit out of my house. He’s to never set foot here or near my family ever again,” I say as I let Pat go.

He holds his chest, trying to catch his breath.

“You’ll pay for this,” he shouts as Marco escorts him out.

I take a breath to calm my anger. I need to find Ava. I call her name but get no answer. I open the door to the downstairs nursery, but she isn’t there, so I go upstairs. I’m about to check the kid’s bedrooms, but I stop at her bedroom instead. I open the door and find her sitting on her bed. It reminds me of the night of the Christmas Party. That was the first time I saw real pain in her eyes. It breaks me to see her like this. She looks up, but unlike that night, she doesn’t say anything. I hate that she’s hurting. I feel useless. All I can do is sit beside her, embrace her, and hold her as she silently cries. I want to shred her father to pieces, he has brought her nothing but pain, and she doesn’t deserve it.

“Do you want to talk?” I finally ask.

She turns to look at me, and I think she will say something, but she doesn’t. Instead, she kisses me, and I taste the saltiness of her tears. She breaks the kiss to sit on my lap and then resumes, her fingers digging into my hair. I leave her lips and let mine explore her neck. She moves her head to the side to give me better access.

“I need you,” she whispers.

I stand with her and lay her on the bed. I’ll do whatever she needs me to. Whatever she needs for her not to be broken. She deserves to be worshipped, and I know she also needs to be worshipped right now. This moment is about her, and I need her to know how much I love her. She doesn’t need her father. I will always do whatever it takes for her not to feel any pain.

As my lips roam her body, the bedroom is filled with her soft moans. I take my time. Her body arches toward me at every touch. I want her to feel loved. I want her to know I’m here and never leaving her. I need her to know she isn’t alone. She might not admit it, but it’s what she needs. She needs to be reminded of her worth.

It’s been an hour since I made Ava mine. Shortly after she fell asleep, so I left her bedroom, wanting to let her rest. After checking on the kids, I told the staff not to disturb Ava. They were more than happy to comply. It amazes me how differently she runs the staff from me. I command people to do my bidding, but she simply asks them. Because of this, they’re willing to do anything for her without a second thought. I understand them. I feel the same way.

I’m in the living room enjoying a drink when I hear the elevator. I set my glass down and head to the elevator to see who it is. There’s no reason for anyone to be here.

The door opens to reveal Oliver, who greets me with his usual “Hey.”

“Why are you here?” I demand as Oliver walks toward me.

“Hello to you too.”

“I asked a question.” I’m annoyed. I don’t get why he’s here. No one knows I’m here. If he needs me, he should have called.

“Ava invited me for dinner. I don’t know what’s going on with you, but you need to cool down.”

“There’s no need for you to be here or accept any invitation from Ava. You’ve become too friendly with her.”

“I won’t entertain this. You’re truly losing it.” He moves to sidestep me, but I grab his arm to stop him. “Are you really going to act this way? You have to see how stupid you’re acting.”

“You need to get the fuck out.” I’m not sure why I suddenly feel territorial.

“What the hell is going on?” Ava asks from the top of the stairs. I let go of Oliver.

“Nothing,” I say.

“It doesn’t look like nothing. Hi, Oliver.”

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