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When I saw Ava making her way to me, I was both relieved and afraid for her. I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if something had happened to her because of me. But I knew she had the training needed to get us out of the mess we were in.
I’m so proud of her. She isn’t the same woman who walked into the restaurant over two years ago. The woman making her way to me was cold and calculated. The changes in her aren’t bad, at least not for this life, but killing a person changes you. I’m afraid of what it will do to her.
She should have never been in that position. As her brother, I should have protected her.
Even before I learned she was my sister, I wanted to shield her from this world. Viktor will do anything for her. We both would. But I feel responsible in a way I can’t explain. Maybe realizing I went twenty-three years without knowing she existed changed everything. I didn’t get the chance to protect her as a brother should. I wasn’t there when she needed me. What Diana has done to us is unforgivable.
Right after Diana’s last visit to the mansion, I took it upon myself to learn more about her. I needed to know everything there was to know about the woman who birthed me. I wish I could say that her youth and immaturity forced her to make the choices she did. But it wasn’t that. She was well aware of what she was doing. It wasn’t like she was a teenager who got pregnant by a boyfriend.
The woman has hurt so many people, but it doesn’t matter now. Ava doesn’t need her. She has a brother and husband who love her, and we will do anything to protect her.
Cillian is dead. The standing enemy is my father.
Viktor doesn’t see it yet, but he’s the real threat to our father. If it were up to our father, I’m sure he would have killed him years ago. Our mother is the only reason Viktor is still alive. But everything is different now. Our father has crossed the line. There’s only one way to stop him. We must strike first.
“How about we all take a step back and think for a second. We all know what each of us brings to the table. Collectively, we will find a way to end this,” I say, striving to end Viktor and Ava’s pointless argument.
“I’m listening,” Viktor focuses on me.
“We all agree our mother will stay where she is. There’s no reason for her to go back to him. To be honest, I’m not sure what he’d do to her if she did.”
“Agreed,” Ava and Viktor say.
“We have to meet him to assess his state of mind. He isn’t expecting us to show up to this meeting. Not while we’re in hiding. He thinks he has the upper hand because of all the destruction and chaos Cillian caused.”
“But isn’t it too risky to go to him? I mean, he could just pull the trigger and kill you both. He doesn’t exactly play fair,” Ava cautions, her tone high with worry.
“True. But we would do it on our terms.” I pace closer to them. “We already know he wants us dead. He can’t use what we already know as a surprise.”
“What are our terms?” Viktor asks, crossing his arms. He hates handing control to me, but he doesn’t have a choice when it comes to planning. I have a knack for it.
“The docks. We can have our men surround the place. Marco and a few of his marine brothers are snipers. If we meet in the open, it will limit what our father can do.”
“You’re putting a lot of trust in his ability to play fair,” Ava adds, scoffing.
“Sometimes you have to risk more for a better reward,” Viktor adds, his focus suddenly on his wife. She is both his greatest risk and greatest reward.
“Let’s call him and tell him we will meet him at the docks and take it from there.”
“Okay,” Viktor agrees after a few seconds.
We go over minor details and put people in place. This is the best solution to a shitty situation. Our father agrees to our terms when Viktor calls him. He is a little suspicious, but what alternative does he have?
We leave Ray with Ava as a precaution. The drive is quiet. I know Viktor is running through every scenario he can think of. I’m doing the same. It could be a waste of time, though. Our father is unpredictable, which is what makes him dangerous. There’s a good chance one of us won’t make it out alive. We both know that.
“Viktor, you have to promise me you will always protect Ava if something happens to me.”
He stares at me like I’ve offended him. “You don’t need me to promise you that. She’s my fucking life.”
“I just found out she’s my sister, but I’ve always felt close to her. Now I understand why. I couldn’t protect her in the past, but she has me now.”
“What the fuck are you babbling about? Nothing is going to happen. We got this.”
“You’re right,” I agree, even though I don’t believe it.
My cell goes off. It’s Bobby.
I flick worried eyes to Viktor.
