Page 75 of Revenge

We spend the next hour talking about life and dreams. He’s such a wonderful man. In another lifetime and other circumstances, I would be happy with a man like him. He has so much to offer. Maybe if I hadn’t met Viktor, we could be together and happy. Sitting beside him, looking at the beautiful night, makes me feel at peace.

“You’re a wonderful man,” I say dreamily.

He turns to face me and leans in to kiss me.

“What are you doing?” I move away from him. “Why would you try to kiss me?” I put the cup of tea down.

“I’m sorry. Just sitting here beside you, I can’t help it. I love you.”

“I’ve always been straight with you,” I say, standing. “I don’t love you like that. You tell me you’re okay with just being friends but obviously, it’s not true. I can’t stay here anymore.” I finish the sentence under my breath.

“I didn’t have any bad intentions with the kiss. I swear. It was just a lapse in judgment. Nothing more.”

“But it isn’t, Max. I’ve been honest with you from the beginning. If I gave you any reason to think I’ve changed my mind, then I’m sorry. We will never be anything more than friends.”

“You didn’t. You have to understand. It’s impossible not to love you and want to be with you. You’re beautiful inside and out. You’re an amazing woman. It’s not hard to fall for you.”

“I can’t love you,” I repeat.

“You think I don’t know that? I know there’s no hope for us. But it doesn’t change how I feel about you. I swear being friends will be more than enough for me. Let me be your friend. Don’t shut me out.”

“It’s not a good idea. I’m in love with Viktor and always will be. I care about you as my friend.”

“I’ll take it.” He takes a step closer.

“I want to go home.” I start walking to the bedroom. It’s my fault this is happening. I should have never moved in with him. I wasn’t trying to give him hope when I chose to stay at the cabin, but somehow, I did.

“It’s late.”

“I don’t care.”

“I’ll take you in the morning. I swear Ava, I’m sorry. You need to believe me. I wasn’t trying to upset you.” I don’t say anything.

I enter the bedroom and lock the door. I stayed here longer than I should have. I think of calling Oliver to come for me, but he would probably have Max’s head if he knew what had just happened. I can tell Oliver doesn’t really like Max, even if he doesn’t say it.

Tomorrow I’ll go home and wait to give birth to my son. Once he comes into this world, I’ll pack my things and go far, far away from everything and everyone. I should have left the state the night I left the mansion and not looked back.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Oliver

My coffee finishes brewing, and I pour it, wondering how I got here. Life hasn’t been easy. I’m grateful for everything my mom has done for me. She’s always treated me like her biological son. But that doesn’t mean I don’t think of my birth mother from time to time. I wonder if she would have fought for me instead of letting my father take me if she had someone like me in her life. Perhaps that’s why I feel so protective of Ava despite Viktor. I don’t want her to ever feel alone. She isn’t a Manarch, but she’s carrying one. The sound of my cell startles me. The screen reads Angus.

“What’s up, Angus?” I greet him.

“A’m fine, brother. Where are ye?”

“Home. Why?”

“It’s your brother. He’s up tae high doh.”

Viktor riled and flustered is nothing new these days.

“What’s wrong now?”

“It’s your da. New orders came in. He wants to disperse the men more. Give the Irish more say.”

“He must be losing his mind.”

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