Page 20 of Revenge

“You need to keep your cool. Screaming at Fiona isn’t the best considering the stakes.”

“I told you I don’t want to hear it. Have you found Ava? Because that is all I want to hear.” Even though I text Ava I want nothing to do with her it is not true. I just want her safe. Maybe her thinking I am done will make her resurface again.

“You know I haven’t.”

“Then why are you here? I gave you one fucking task. How hard is it to find one person?” I’m being a dick. I know he has been looking for her. He understands the risk of her being alone unprotected.

“We have a problem that can’t wait.”

“Yes, finding Ava.” I hit my desk, making everything rattle. He takes a deep breath.

“I understand you want her found. But there are pressing matters. Our father is driving the men to take irreversible actions. This needs to be dealt with or it will be the end of us.”

“Fix it.” I order.

“Do you want me to find Avaandfix this?” I stand and go to him before he can react.

“Are you telling me you can’t do your fucking job?” I pick him up off the chair.

“I am not the heir. You are. The men need you, not me."

“Fuck.” I feel exhausted. My world is fucking collapsing. I let him go.

“I know.” He is sympathetic.“I swore to find her, and I will. But you can’t neglect your duties. The men need reassurance. They need to know they aren’t alone. The McIntyres are taking over.”

I rub my forehead. We can’t afford for the clan to divide. We need to show strength.

“Close Gotham down. Schedule a mandatory meeting. It will be an open forum. The men can bring up their concerns.”

“All of them?”

“Down to the lowest soldier.” I start walking back to my desk.

“It’s a great idea.”

I am going to tell him I know it’s why I ordered it but my phone rings. The screen reads Tina.

“Have you heard from her?” I greet.

“I sent a text, but...” I don’t hear a word after she said Ava didn’t answer her text.

“I have to go, Tina. Let me know if you speak to her.” I don’t let her finish and end the call.

“Send me the details to the meeting. See that no one disturbs me.” I tell Oliver. He nods and leaves.

I’ve been staring at my emails, attempting to get work done with no success. I came to Manarch Industries for a distraction. But Oliver is right. I am the heir, and I need to suck it up. If my father doesn't stand by our men, then I have to. Loyalty goes both ways. You can't expect people to walk through fire if they know you will not do the same. I find myself thinking about the oath we all made.

I solemnly swear to serve my clan and never accept defeat. I will fight until my last breath and never leave a fallen brother behind. I will honor my brothers before me. I vow never to betray my clan. I will protect and live by the Manarch Clan Code.

It’s been so long since I made the vow. I must have been fourteen when I made it. It feels like it was just yesterday. The words run through my veins. The Manarch name is loyalty and honor. Something my father has forgotten. His greed and blindness toward Cillian have started a war that there is no walking backing from. My father might have forgotten the words or lost his way, but I haven’t. I won’t become my father. I am not him. Our men need me to guide them and show them we are family. We can overcome the tide we are facing. I will stand with them. They are my brothers, and I don’t take that lightly. I will not allow my father to destroy what was built before him. I will protect the clan even if it means treating him like the enemy, which in many ways he already is. These men depend on us just as we depend on them. My grandfather would have had my father's head for the shit he is pulling. My father has become a disgrace to the Manarch name. He is in bed with the Irish doing their bidding, and he can't see it. I don't have many fears. But I fear he will destroy us all because of his greed.

After an hour of doing nothing, I stand. It’s pointless to stay here. As I open the office door, I can hear Fiona’s voice. Not wanting to deal with her again, I leave the house and walk to the SUV. A change of scenery is what I need.

Chapter Thirteen

Ava

My encounter with Fiona has me rattled. I still don’t know how she found me or why she came to see me. She won. She got Viktor. He married her. Why look for me? I have nothing. Maybe I won’t have to worry about her. She thinks only of herself, and that is to my favor. But I can't deny seeing her growing belly was hard. It's a reminder of what she is sharing with Viktor. He probably rubs her belly, talks to the baby, and goes to all her doctor appointments. The things I wish he was doing with me. It should've been me. I should be the one he does those things with. At least nothing out of the ordinary has happened since her visit. It means she is keeping my secret.

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