Page 45 of Possession

“I decide what is more important.” I hit my desk making everything rattle as I sit.

“You aren’t thinking straight. Ever since Ava walked in the restaurant you have been making reckless decisions.” He is calm as he speaks which only angers me more.

“Tread carefully. You should consider your next words wisely, for they might be your last.”

“My job isn’t to tell you what you want to hear. I would be doing you a disservice. My job is to tell you the truth.” I have always appreciated his honesty and ability to call me on my shit. But he went too far in questioning me about my personal affairs.

“What the fuck is your problem?” He takes a deep breath.

“Marco is getting the ring.”

“There isn’t anyone guarding her? What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“She is in the most secure building known to man. This place is safer than the fucking White House.” He says in anger. He is right. I don’t understand my outburst. “You need to take a breath. We have bigger problems.” I stay quiet. “You asked me to inquire about Cillian.”

“What about him?” Suddenly I’m on alert and my blood runs cold.

“She is back.” I sit back. Maybe this is why I am on edge. It was only a matter of time before my past collided with my present once I saw Cillian was back.

“How is that possible?”

“I’m not sure yet. It’s just rumors for now. No one has actually seen her.”

“I don’t understand how this is more important, or my problem.”

“Our father has put the deal back on the table.” He says apologetically.

“Fuck.” I stand from my chair and walk over to the window. “Why?”

“Passage. The McIntyre’s still run most of the port. Marriage means the union of two powerful families.”

“At my cost.” I stare out the window running my fingers through my hair. The last time I was in the same room with her I almost died.

“You are being dramatic. My father just wants everyone to know his little girl is marrying a Manarch.”

“Things are not good right now. We can’t have a party to announce what everyone already knows.”

“Come on Viktor. It’s one night. Nothing is going to happen.”

Except something did happen. When word got out that the two most powerful families in the city were joining, the other families didn’t take it kindly. They knew what it meant. That night a dozen men showed up to the party and opened fire. Women and children were killed because of her insistence on something I knew was a terrible idea. I was shot multiple times. I have scars that are a reminder of that night.

“How did you find out?”

“Bobby told me.” If it came from my father’s consigliere it must be true.

“So, it’s true.” I close my eyes in frustration.

“I’m afraid so.” He responds even though I wasn’t asking. “This changes everything. Ava has to go.” He is right. But I will be damned if I change my plans because of my father.

“It changes nothing. I’m not marrying a woman who brought me to the brink of death.”

“He isn’t going to give you a choice.”

“There is always a choice. Where is he now?”

“The restaurant. But we aren’t supposed to know. He scheduled a family dinner. He will most likely announce the deal then.”

“I want to see him before.” I turn and look at him. For the first time since we were kids, I see a trace of fear.

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