Page 135 of Revenge

“Hi, Ava. I’ll take a rain check on dinner.”

She looks between us.

“What did you do?” She directs her question at me.

“I didn’t do anything, and I don’t need to fucking explain myself,” I bark.

“Oliver, you’re staying for dinner,” she says pointedly, ignoring me.

“He isn’t staying,” I snarl.

“Oliver, can you please check on dinner? It should be ready by now. I need a moment with Viktor,” she says calmly.

He walks around me to go to the kitchen as she reaches me. “What the fuck are you doing? Who the hell do you think you are?” she barks.

“There shouldn’t be another man at the penthouse besides me. Oliver is here more than he should be.”

“Are you listening to yourself? He’s your brother and like a brother to me.”

“That doesn’t mean shit.”

“It does to me.” She sighs. “It’s been a long trying day. I won’t stand here and have you insult me with your implications. And I won’t deal with your bullshit. There’s no room for your misplaced jealousy. I’ve told you that.”

I take a step forward. “I’m not jealous,” I say through clenched teeth.

“You could have fooled me. I have enough on my plate without starting an argument with you over something so stupid. This is why we shouldn’t be together. Nothing is ever simple with you.” She closes her eyes, and I close the gap.

“You’re mine,” I finally say.

“I’m not your property or one of your men. Stop trying to control everything. If Oliver wants to come over or invite himself here every day, that’s my business, not yours.” Her stare holds me in place.

“Ava—”

“I don’t know what has gotten into you, but I won’t tolerate this behavior no matter how much I love you. You need to control your anger if you want to be part of my life, or the kids’ lives. There’s no reason to be jealous of Oliver. There isn’t, nor has there ever been, anything between Oliver and me. He was in my life when I needed someone. He’s been like a brother to me. So whatever emotion is triggering this, shut it down and quick.”

I don’t know exactly why I got angry when Oliver walked in. There’s no logic to it. I know there’s nothing between them because he’d be dead if there were. But it bothers me that he thinks he can come and go as he pleases, without my consent. He might be my brother, but he’s also a man. He shouldn’t be here with her, especially without my consent.

“It bothers me he’s always around,” I finally confess.

“Your implication hurts. Oliver. Is. Like. A. Brother, and I’m in love with you. Over and over again, you show me that you don’t trust me when I should be the one who doesn’t trust you. At moments like these, it is extremely hard to be with you. You remind me why I should just leave once and for all.”

“I’m sorry, Ava.”

“Have you realized how many ‘I’m sorry’s’ you’ve given me lately? Because let me tell you, I’m losing count. I needed you here to comfort me after my father’s visit. Instead, you’re having a fit of jealousy over the one person who has been nothing but good to us.” She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. When she opens them, I see I’ve hurt her again. “I want you to leave. I don’t have the energy to put your feelings ahead of my own.” She takes a few steps away from me.

“Ava—” I take a step forward.

“Not tonight, Viktor. Whatever energy I have left is enough for me to eat and take a shower. You need to cool off and deal with whatever is bothering you.”

I pull her into my arms. “Nothing is bothering me.”

“The last time you said those words, you slept with Fiona and started the path we’re on.” I want to say something, but there is nothing I can say. She puts her hands on my shoulders. “You have a lot of shit you need to sort out, and I, for once, will not be your punching bag.”

Ava is so different now from the woman I met two years ago. If I thought she wasn’t afraid to stand up to me before, this is another ball game. I have to admit I’m proud of her for standing up for herself, I just wish it wasn’t me on the other end of her anger.

Accepting defeat for once, I nod. “I’ll check on our kids,” I say quietly.

“Okay,” she replies.

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