Page 95 of Revenge

“I need a moment with Ava.” His eyes glue me in place. “Ava?—‍”

“Sure.” I stand. “I’ll be right back.”

“We’ll check on dinner. Come on, Tina,” Anita says.

Viktor leads me to his office. The air between us is filled with sexual tension, and I can feel the pull. But sex has never been an issue. Being here isn’t making it easy on my inner desires, but I refuse to let us go there. He opens the door to let me in first. I stop midway.

“Did you need something?” I ask.

“Why didn’t you tell me the kids’ bedroom arrangements aren’t working or that you wanted something on the first floor?” He walks closer to me, and I take a few steps backward.

“Honestly, I hadn’t given it much thought until recently. Besides, it isn’t my place to make changes to the house. This is your home, not mine.” Again he steps closer to me, and I take a few steps back.

“This is your home too. If you need to make changes for the benefit of our children, then so be it.”

“Viktor, as much as I love and adore Aisling, don’t forget she already has a mother.” I find myself reminding him. But I think it’s more that I’m reminding myself. I know I claim over and over that Aisling is my daughter. Still, I can’t ignore or forget that Fiona is her biological mother. Fiona could take her away from me, and I wouldn’t be able to do a damn thing. The law would be on her side if she chose to take it there.

“She is as much yours as she is mine.” He takes more steps toward me, and I try to back away, but I’ve nowhere to go. I literally have my back to a wall. “Ava,” he whispers, only inches from me. He moves a few strands of hair behind my ear.

“Don’t,” I beg.

“How long are you going to fight this? How long are you going to fight us?”

I want to tell him as long as it takes. Until my body no longer craves him or my heart no longer loves him. Even if it’s impossible, I have to try.

“We can’t happen…” I begin to tell him, but I don’t get to finish what I’m saying.

His lips brush mine. If I were stronger, I would try harder to push him away, but I can’t. Instead, my fingers dig into his hair, and I return his kiss with the same intensity. It’s ferocious, animalistic.

The last time we’ve kissed was in the hospital bathroom when Niko was born. I’ve kept my distance from him, always using one of the babies as a shield. Because I know what will happen. I put my hands on his chest, breaking the kiss. I’ve let things go far enough.

“We have company. I have to go,” I finally say, sliding out from between him and the wall.

“Ava—”

“No, Viktor. I was clear,” I say. I leave his office before I cross a line I won’t be able to come back from. Because he’s right, I’m fighting a battle I’ve already lost.

After the long day, I find myself physically and mentally exhausted. I touch my lips which still feel like they are burning from the kiss earlier. How did I ever think I could be near him and be able to move on? My need for him grows by the second. He is ingrained in the deepest part of me, and I was lying to myself when I thought I would no longer love or crave him. He’s the love of my life. The man who, in so many ways, completes me. I’ll never be able to love another man. I’m his, and he’s made that clear with every touch. What did I get myself into by coming back? It’s becoming obvious Viktor has no intentions of letting me go, and I’m not so sure I want him to. Because I belong with him.

Chapter Forty-Two

Viktor

In my line of work, observation is the key to success. I’m good at spotting problems. I see them clearly all the time with the clan or Manarch Industries. So how the hell did I miss that Ava wasn’t pleased with the house’s layout? How did I not see that the layout was a problem myself? I haven’t paid much attention to the smaller details like I normally would. I’ve been distracted, and that is dangerous.

Growing up, I remember my father left the raising of the children to my mother because he couldn’t be bothered with us. Unless he was teaching me to run the clan, he didn’t want anything to do with me. I want to be more for Aisling and Niko, the father he never was. It’s one of the reasons I need to figure out a way to end this fucking war with my father and Cillian. I’m getting tired of waiting for their next strike. It’s not just me anymore. Ava and the kids depend on me.

I’ve probably been staring at Aisling for fifteen minutes, thinking of the life I want for her. I wish Fiona wasn’t her mother. She hasn’t even attempted to see Aisling since I threw her out. What kind of mother does that to her child? But she has Ava to love her like she loves Niko. I see how Ava is with them. She doesn’t play favorites. The fact that Aisling is two and a half months older than Niko doesn’t matter to her. I kiss Aisling’s head softly and make my way to Niko’s bedroom.

I quietly open his door, walk over to his crib, and take a second to soak him in. Every day he looks more like Ava. She claims Niko looks like me, but I see Ava when I look at him. It’s incredible how fast time is passing. It feels like it was just yesterday I was cutting his umbilical cord. I’m grateful I was there and hope he will be a better man than me. That he learns there’s more than one way to be a Manarch. He doesn’t have to follow in my footsteps. He doesn’t have to be a criminal. He and Aisling are the reason Manarch Industries exists. I want a different future for my children. I softly kiss Niko goodnight and leave his bedroom. I text Oliver to meet me in the office. By the time I reach the office, Oliver is waiting.

“Hey,” Oliver says as I enter the office.

“I have a new project for you.”

“I’m listening.”

“The layout of the house doesn’t function effectively for Ava. She mentioned she wants the kids’ bedrooms beside each other instead of with her bedroom between them. Also a nursery on the first floor. I am sure there are a few other things she hasn’t realized yet, too.”

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