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“How do you know Diana is Ava’s mother?” No one outside the immediate circle knows that.
“You forget that I am a powerful man. Did you think I wouldn’t do my homework? You brought a stranger into our lives. Besides, from the moment I saw her, I knewexactlywho she was.”
I think back to the moment he saw her for the first time.
I should have known. He acted too familiar when he spoke about Ava. He didn’t want her in my life, but he had never before cared about the woman I was with. Not even Fiona. Although he pressed me to marry her for business.
I won’t give him the satisfaction of believing I am entertaining him.
He is baiting me, and I won’t take it.
“If you don’t have anything else, I have to go.”
“Ava O’Brien isn’t a Manarch. You’ll do well to remember that.” His tone hackles my spine.
“Is that a threat?”
“Call it what you want, but if your mother isn’t home in three hours, I’ll kill everyone you love one by one, starting with Ava. You will learn pain like never before.”
“You son of a bitch.”
He ends our call before I can speak another word.
“What?” Oliver asks.
I slam the burner phone down so hard it cracks. “He’s going after Ava. He knew who she was from the beginning.”
“He asked you for something. What was it?”
I work my jaw side to side before muttering, “Our mother for Ava.”
“Absolutely not.” Ava puts her foot down.
I turn to see her walking toward me.
“Ava—” I start.
“I’m not afraid of him,” she interrupts. “If Anita is in a safe place, she can remain there. That man is a fucking monster. If he wants me, then he can come and get me.”
“Calm down,” I demand, aware having a hotheaded reaction won’t work in our favor.
“Calm down? Are you kidding me? I’ve been hunted by the Irish and the Scots. I have nearly died more times than I care to count. If you don’t put an end to this Viktor, I will. I’m more than capable of ending this fucking war.” Her voice carries across the room. Her strength isn’t fueled by anger or fear. It’s authority.
“My mother isnevergoing back to that man, but I’m not handing you over, either. Also, if anyone will end this war, it will be me.” I whack my chest with my fist during the last part of my reply.
“How about we all take a step back and think for a second,” Oliver suggests. “We know what each of us brings to the table. Collectively, we will find a way to end this.”
ChapterThirty
Oliver
A few minutes earlier…
While Viktor and Ava talk, I relive the previous twenty-fourhours. When you’re facing the barrel of a gun, your life flashes in front of your eyes. You start thinking of all your regrets. At least I did.
When Cillian had me on my knees, I was sure I would die. Shit, I was ready to die. I was taught that life can end without a moment’s notice. My father saw to that.
I thought about all the things I should have said. All the mistakes I’ve made through the years. But more importantly, keeping my family safe.
