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“You thought of everything. Thank you.” I add.
“No need. I’ve had time to plan since she has been in the mansion. I don’t want to take any chances. I know if something happened to her or Niko, you would have my head,” he laughs.
“You aren’t lying. I probably will forget that you are my brother,” I chuckle.
“Viktor, regardless of what is waiting at the restaurant, try not to lose control. He is going to try and bait you.”
“Oliver,” I start.
“Not this time Viktor. I swore to Ava that I will always make sure you come home to her and the kids.” His confession surprises me.
“When did you speak to her?” I ask as we pull to the restaurant.
“It doesn’t matter. We are here,” he says, parking. I knew they were close but didn’t realize how close. I am going to demand he tell me when he opens his door.
Outside the restaurant, there is a mixture of two dozen men from both sides. If I didn’t know any better, I would think this was a battle cry. Is my father calling because he is going to war and needs me, or is he calling me to my death? When did it come to this? At what point did my father become my enemy in the open? We walk in and are met by even more men. If he thinks this is going to intimidate me, he needs to try harder. I’m not afraid of my father.
“You are finally here,” he greets. He is standing to the left with Cillian by his side.
“You called.” I stop, keeping enough distance from him.
“We have some business to attend to. Have a seat,” he says walking to the head of the table. I take a deep breath and sit at the other end. We are surrounded by men and a table that seats at least sixteen people between us.
“How can I help you, Father?”
“I’ve been informed Fiona no longer lives with you, you divorced her and you have brought your little girlfriend back.” He is acting like it’s breaking news. He has known since Niko’s birth.
“You are acting like you didn’t know.” I say sitting straighter.
“I was clear with you, Viktor. She isn’t a Manarch, and it’s not her place to be here. I’ll give you a choice. She can leave quietly on her own, you marry Fiona again and she moves back in, or Ava can leave in a body bag.” It’s the first time he says Ava’s name and I can hear the venom in his voice.
“I don’t tell you how to live your life, Father. I suggest you give me the same courtesy.”
“Listen here, you piece of shit. I gave you an order, and I expect you to follow it.”
“Are you taking orders from the Irish now?”
“I don’t take orders from anyone, especially a little dipshit like you. I expect you to follow my orders.” I stand.“If you don’t do as I say, you will become my enemy. I won’t care that you are my son and heir.”
“You stopped caring I was your son the moment you brokered a deal for me to marry the woman who nearly got me killed once before.”
“Walk out that door, and it means war. Remember, in war, there are many casualties. Are you ready to lose loved ones?” I take a step forward and put my hand on my back, where my nine mil is. I could end this right here. One bullet, and it would all be over.
“Don’t,” Oliver whispers. I look at him. If I shoot, the probability of us walking out of here alive is zero. I want my father gone but not at the cost of my life. I can’t begin to imagine what will happen to Ava and the kids if I am dead. I can’t do that to her. She doesn’t deserve it.
“Then war it is, Father. Clearly, you have made your choice.” I turn to leave.
“I hope you are willing to pay the price.” My father tells me.
“I can say the same.” I walk out determined I will fight at all costs. I won’t bow down to my father.“Are you ready?” I ask Oliver as we stand by my car.
“Until the very end.”
?
I’m exhausted. It’s only been two hours since I left the restaurant, and it feels like years have passed. We decided to iron out our plan further at Gotham. We can’t afford any mistakes. The men are going to have to pick sides after the first strike.
“Viktor,” Oliver calls.
