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“Okay.” She looks up searching my eyes, for what? I don’t know. I let go and walk her to the SUV. I open her door. She slides in. Once again it gives me a chance to see how beautiful she is.
“Straight home.” I tell Oliver.
“Did you want me to come back?”
“No, stay at the house.”
“Call me if you change your mind.”
I nod and close the door. I meant it when I told her I will protect her. That means even from my father. I’ve just met her and feel like I would go to war for her. It’s not the type of thoughts a man in my position should entertain. Ava is just another woman. Except she isn’t.
Chapter Sixteen
Ava
I’m mortified. I can’t believe I spoke to Viktor’s father the way I did. He must think the worst of me. I couldn’t stand there and do nothing. I don’t know what it is about Viktor that brings out the fighter in me. I don’t know the man but I am willing to stand up to his father for him. This arrangement is supposed to be easy. Help my father. But if tonight is an inclination of what is to come, I might need to reconsider. Well, I do need to reconsider. I’m not from his world, that much is clear.
As I look outside the SUV window people walk without a care in the world. It makes me jealous. Why can’t my life be less complicated? Boring even. My life has been a complete mess. The more I try to make things better for me and Dad the worse it gets.
“Ava, are you ok?”
“I’m sorry?” I ask, confused.
“You’re crying.” Oliver adds.
I wipe my tears. I hadn’t noticed I was crying. The last twenty-four hours have been filled with a rollercoaster of emotions I have yet to process. But they seem like they are going to spill over. My life has been turned upside down. I agreed to be the fiancé to a man who brings fear. A man who if I am honest intimidates me. I’m not sure I am going to be able to survive a year with him.
“Nothing to worry about.”
“Don’t worry about Viktor or our father.”
“Viktor is your brother?”
“Half-brother.”
“I didn’t know. You don’t act like brothers. You look like you work for him.”
“We are and I do.”
“Don’t you find it strange? I mean, he doesn’t treat you like his brother.”
“I love my brother. He is loyal to those he cares about. He is demanding and controlling. He isn’t like most people. He is the heir to the Manarch Clan. It’s not easy to be part of this clan. There are expectations he needs to meet. I’m not sure what you are up to or why you are here. Let me warn you. If you aren’t sure about marrying Viktor it’s best you leave now and never come back.” His words are cold. His warmth from earlier is gone.
“Is my life in danger?” I can’t help but ask. He is quiet for longer than I am comfortable with.
“No.” He finally says.
“I want to go home.”
“I am taking you home.”
“Not Viktor’s house. I want to go home. My home.” I’m beginning to feel that being Viktor’s fake fiancé might cost me more than a hundred thousand dollars.
“I have my orders.”
“He isn’t my boss.”
“Yet here you are. I am driving you home.” He emphasizes home, like Viktor’s house is my home.
