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“Who could it be? Who would dare betray me?” he says, looking at the distance lost in thought.
“I don’t know. What we can do now is separate Ava from the clan. This will give us time and space to find the leak.”
“You were right in keeping Marco.” He adds absently.
“I thought it wise at the time. I’ll have him formally hire a dozen of his marine buddies. Outsiders might be what we need. We won't have to worry about them being in our father's pocket.”
“How did it get to this?” He drains his drink. I know he isn’t really asking. I would like to tell him this isn’t his fault but I can’t. Instead, I stay quiet.“Let’s get the apartment in the city ready for her.” He stands and leaves.
I sit, thinking of this last year. It has been filled with a never-ending battle. Viktor’s question of how it got to this lingers in my mind. Where did it all start? People might say it started the moment Viktor brought Ava into this life, but it wasn’t. To understand, you have to go all the way to the beginning.
“Viktor is just a boy, Dougal. He is your son.” I hear mom tell my father. No one ever notices me.
“He is useless to me. For him to run this empire, he needs to become ruthless and cold.” I’m hiding behind a staircase, wondering what they are talking about.
“He needs your love, not your punishment.”
“I would rather kill him myself.”
I swore that day to always protect Viktor. To be his right hand and fight beside him. He always says he is the one doing the protecting, but if you take a step back, you’ll see I’ve always been the one doing all the protecting. I’ve always done what I believe is right. In many ways, I became his conscience. But now, I find myself doing the same for Ava. I’m not her conscience, but I’m the one who wants to keep her safe. Life is hard as it is. Throw in the Manarch Clan, and it’s a battle that will never end. I know what it feels like to be the bastard son. I don’t want that life for Niko. Not if I can help it.
?
I’ve been at Gotham for a few hours developing the plan that will give Ava the freedom she is demanding.
“How many men do you think you’ll need?” I ask Marco.
“Two in the apartment next door, two outside and Jimmy. That will be six, including me. We can do twelve-hour shifts. A dozen men to start with.”
“And you are able to put a team together?”
“Yes. Most of the men you have already met. I can have files on the others in a few hours.”
“That works. You will continue to report to me.”
“Sir?” he looks at me, confused.
“Let’s just say I’m always clear-headed when it comes to Ava. Viktor won’t intervene, but in the event he does, call me.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Call me Oliver. I’m not sure how many times I have to tell you.”
“It’s out of habit.”
“Lose it. You are at least a decade older than me. I should be calling you sir.” We laugh.
“Ok. Anything else Oliver?”
“Have cameras installed in the apartment except for the master bedroom. There are already cameras outside the building and the hallways. Viktor had them installed earlier this year. The apartment next door is fully functional. It will serve as the command station.”
“I received plans for the building and apartment. We should have everything completed in a few hours.”
“Great. Call me if you need anything.”
I walk over to the bar where Angus and Ray are sitting, having a drink. It reminds me of the good old days when we were younger and didn’t have any worries.
“Care for a drink?” Ray asks as I approach.
