Page 87 of Revenge

“You don’t need to understand. You just need to do as I’m ordering you.”

“You always have an answer and expect me to follow you blindly. I’m not doing this. You can’t expect me to follow orders blindly, not anymore. It’s not just me. I don’t want this life for Nikolas. He deserves a better life than the one you can give him. It’s not fair to him.” Her words are harsh, but they aren’t wrong. The life I want to give him isn’t possible while Cillian is alive.

“Whether it’s fair or not is irrelevant. You’re only safe beside me.”

“Am I? Ever since I’ve met you, my life has been in constant danger. I won’t do this to my son. He will not have the same fate. Not while I’m breathing.”

“You mean our son.” I walk to her and take a deep breath. “We don’t have time to debate. I’m sorry this is happening,” I find myself saying.

“You aren’t sorry. If you were, I wouldn’t be in this situation. You would have left me alone. If you’d let me leave like I asked you, I could be somewhere far away by now, where no one would find us.”

At this moment, I just want to drag her out of here to make her compliant, but it won’t work, and I know it.

“Ava…” I plead and kneel before her, “… I’ve done many things wrong in my life, but I’ll be damned if I let something happen to you or our son while I can protect you both.”

She stares between our son and me. I’m going to start talking again when she speaks.

“Do you expect me to be under the same roof as your wife?”

“You don’t need to worry about Fiona. She moved out.” I haven’t had this conversation with Fiona, but it doesn’t make it any less true. I should have pushed her out the minute she was released from the hospital.

“And your daughter? You can’t do that to her. I won’t go with you,” she says, her voice cracks with emotion, and she looks away.

“Enough. I’ve been more than patient. I’m growing tired of repeating myself. Fiona is gone. You will leave this hospital and go to the mansion.” I stand.

“You can’t believe you have any say over us. I’m not one of your men who you can command,” she retorts, her voice is stronger now.

“I’m not asking. Since you and Oliver seem to have become such good friends, I’ll have him escort you home.”

“Viktor—”

“My word is final. I suggest you pack your things,” I say, walking out. Oliver has appeared nearby. “Get her settled. I expect you to be at the house within the hour. I swear if you don’t follow this order, I’ll kill you myself,” I bark.

He doesn’t say anything as he walks past me. He knows I’m not lying. This is not a bluff. We’ve run out of time and moves. If Oliver wants to keep Ava safe like I do, he knows this is the only option. As Manarchs, we are expected to stay and fight. I can’t do that if my attention is split by worrying about Ava, Aisling, and Nikolas being in different places. They’re my life.

I’m being harsh with Ava. She’s right to want a better life for our son. I want that also, but this is our life. Their lives are in danger because of who I am. This isn’t the life you would choose for your children, but it’s the reality we have to accept. Nikolas is my firstborn son, my heir. He will be the man who will continue the bloodline. His life is in danger with Cillian and my father trying to get rid of me. I refuse to give them whatever it is that they want.

I’m going to fight them all and spill whatever blood is necessary to end this. I’ll protect my family even if it means destroying my father, and I’ll start by finding my daughter.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Viktor

Fiona surprises me by answering the phone when I call.

“Hi baby, how are you?” she asks, like everything is business as usual.

“Cut the crap. Where’s Aisling?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She tries to sound innocent.

“I’m not playing games. You ditched your security.”

“I didn’t see the need for them. I was with my mother.”

“Where are you?” I demand.

“Where else would I be? I’m home.” Her voice is calm, too calm.

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