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I should probably tell him about the new threat looming over us. Especially since it isn’t a little one. Cillian is coming after me, and he doesn’t spare the innocent. I killed his heir. He won’t care that Aisling is his granddaughter. That man only cares about himself and the power he seeks. But instead, I keep my cards close to my chest. “Rest. I need you up and moving sooner rather than later. There is still a lot to be done.”
Today, I want everyone to celebrate that Oliver is alive and enjoy the temporary peace before all hell breaks loose again. This is the beginning of the end. It will only be a matter of time before my father gets involved. But I’m prepared for him. I won’t let him or anyone hurt my family. I will protect them no matter what.
ChapterEleven
Max
It’s been a few months since I last saw Ava. When I found out she was marrying Viktor, I was disappointed. He’s a monster, and she knows that. I wish she’d given me a chance to prove it to her. If only Viktor didn’t find out about her being pregnant with Niko, we would be a family now. All we needed was time.
All he offers her is pain. She deserves everything, and Viktor can’t give it to her. A man like him can’t make her happy.
There must be a way for me to fix this, to show her I can make her happy and give her the life she deserves. When I learned she was shot, I was desperate to rescue her, to take her away from Viktor. But she wouldn’t even let me see her. She blurted out an excuse about it being a family matter.
Her response nearly broke me, but she called me a few days ago, and I finally got to see her.
“Hello, stranger,” I greet as I enter her office.
“Hey. It’s been a while.” She stands from her desk and saunters over to greet me with more than a smile.
“It has.” I draw her into a hug, sighing when her familiar scent surrounds me.
She pulls back far too quickly. “So, what is new with you?”
I won’t lie—her snub stings. We used to be close, but Viktor changed that. My Ava is pulling away from me because of him.
“Nothing much. I’ve been working with Maddie on the upcoming issue. I should be the one asking you how you’re doing. You nearly died.”
She shoos off my worry with a wave of her hand. “I’m alive. That is all that matters.” She makes it seem as though it was nothing, which upsets me. She almost died because of him. Why can’t she see that?
“How did it happen? I bet this was Viktor’s fault—”
“It wasn’t anyone’s fault,” She cuts me off, her words snappy. “Shit happens.” She quickly changes the subject. “You wanted to see me. How can I help?” She walks back to her desk, and it feels like she doesn’t want me here. Viktor probably forbade her from being around me.
“I wanted to run some ideas for the new issue.” I sit across from her.
“You don’t need me for that. I know the issue is in capable hands with you and Maddie. I trust you guys.”
She smiles to hide that she is suffering. I am confident Viktor makes her pretend like nothing has happened. I wouldn’t be surprised if he blames her for what happened. I know his ex-wife was in the room when Ava was shot at. I bet she shot Ava.
Needing to keep Ava’s focus off my hands, I say, “You have an eye for detail. I want you to take a look at what we have.”
I pull the magazine editor’s book from my bag, walk around to her side of the desk, then set it down in front of her. I need to be close to her, have her scent hug me.
Excitement flares in her eyes. “Fine. But I don’t have much time. I promised Viktor I’d only be gone for a few hours.”
“You can’t rush perfection.”
She smiles as she shakes her head like in the good old days. “Show me what you have.”
I butt shoulders with her before opening the editor’s book. “Review the bathing suit spread. I want to make sure it’s tasteful and refined.”Like you.I lean in closer, almost hovering above her.
“Are these all the choices?” When our arms brush for the third time, she peers up at me and says, “Max, why don’t you have a seat.” She pushes her chair away from me before pointing at a chair across from her desk, creating distance between us.
“Of course. Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.” I sound confused. Rightfully so. We have always worked in close proximity. Viktor truly has poisoned her.
“No worries.” Her smile isn’t as friendly as it once was. “I don’t want anyone to get the wrong impression.” She tries to sound lighthearted but fails.
After thirty minutes, I can tell she is rushing me to leave, which she confirms. “I think that is all I have. You guys can go over it again. If you think of anything else, just email me. I’ll be working from home now.” The insinuation in her tone isn’t lost on me. She doesn’t want me around because Viktor forbade it. It saddens and angers me. We were so close before he returned to her life.
