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“Get Ava.”
“You can’t storm in. He might not be one of the families but we don’t need to start a war.” I don’t say anything. “Viktor,” he starts.
“What Oliver?” I grip the wheel tighter than necessary.
“You need to think.” Once again, he is right. What is it about Ava that makes my reason go out the window?
“What do you suggest?”
“See if she is there. We can’t intervene in the affairs of others.”
“She is going to be my wife.”
“I’m confused. I thought this was just a façade. Has something changed in the arrangement?” What the fuck is going on in my head? She is not going to be my wife. I take a deep breath.
“Appearances are everything. You know that. I can’t allow anyone to do anything to her while she wears my ring.” I don’t know if I am trying to convince him or myself.
“Good. We have enough problems.” I don’t respond since we are at Bluehorn. “We ask first if she is there.” He reminds me. There aren’t many people inside. The place is just as disgusting as I remember.
“I swear if you touch me again,” I hear Ava scream. I run before anyone has a chance to react.
“Wait Viktor,” Oliver says from behind me.
The rage I feel as I hear her screams is unexplainable. I kick the door open to his office. Ava is cornered. Fear written all over her. Joe takes steps away from her. I run to him and push against the wall.
“You must have a death wish to think you can touch my woman.” I punch him, breaking his nose instantly. I’m going to do it again when her voice stops me.
“Viktor, please don’t.” Her voice shakes. I turn to her. She is shaking. Her face is covered in tears. “Please.” She is hugging herself.
“Go to her Viktor. I’ll take care of this.” I hear Oliver say. I don’t have to take many steps because she is already running to me. I catch her.
“You are safe.” I say comforting her. But she continues to shake.
“Take her home. I’ll settle this.” Oliver breaks the haze.
“You come near her and you can consider yourself a dead man.” I try to walk with Ava but her shaking gets worse. I pick her up. “No harm will come to you while I am alive. I’m here.” I whisper in her ear. She instantly relaxes in my arms. We get to the SUV. I put her down and open her door. She surprises me with the words out of her mouth.
“Please hold me.” I take out my phone.
“Oliver, I need you to drive.” I end the call and pull her into my arms. Less than a minute later he comes out.
“Where?”
“Home.”
I sit her on my lap. Her head against my chest. She doesn’t speak. I feel her tears wet my shirt. I want to go back and kill Joe. I don’t know what a minute more would have meant for her. This woman is more innocent and fragile than she lets on. The SUV pulls up to the house. She has stopped crying but her body is still shaking. I get out of the SUV and hold out my hand for her to take. She takes it, hands shaking. Her fragility does something to me. I pick her up. She wraps her arms tight around my neck. I walk into the house with a million thoughts running through my head. As I walk upstairs she holds me tighter. Clearly she is still afraid. I take her to my bedroom and sit her on my bed, then start walking away.
“Please don’t leave me.” She barely says.
“I’m going to start a bath for you.” She looks at me, willing me not to leave her. “Come.” I hold out my hand for her to take. Ava O’Brien needs me to protect her and I find myself wanting to do just that.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Ava
My fear is irrational. I’m safe. I know I am. But somehow my head can’t register it. I have a need for his warmth. In his arms, I feel like nothing can touch me, no one can hurt me. I take his hand. He leads us to his bathroom. There is a beautiful detached white tub near the center. He sits me on the toilet. I watch as he turns the water on. He proceeds to pour something in the tub. The air fills with lavender. I’m surprised by his choice. Does he know it’s my favorite scent?
“Let’s get you undressed and into the tub.” But I don’t move or speak. He softly caresses my face. “You're safe, Baby girl.”
