Page 117 of The Daredevil

Viktor smiled. “Just as good-looking?”

“Better,” I teased.

He leaned in and whispered, “He’s my son, and he hates me.”

I sucked in a breath at the shocking news. Royce told me that his father had abandoned him and his family a long time ago.

I didn’t know what to say. I had a lot of questions, but this wasn’t the time for that conversation. How would Royce react?

The name intrigued me. “Your name is Viktor, and Royce’s last name is Viktorsson. Is there a correlation between the father’s name to the surname?”

“Very perceptive. In our country, the children take the father’s first name and add a suffix. Royce is literally Viktor’s son. My daughter’s last name is Viktorsdóttir—Viktor’s daughter.”

That was so basic and interesting. “It makes so much sense. Simple and to the point.”

His blue eyes crinkled in the corners. “My son loves you.”

My eyebrows furrowed. “How do you know?”

“I’ve watched him grow up from the sideline. I had dangerous things to do and didn’t keep in touch the way a father should have. I wanted him safe. He’s never been happier than when he was with you. I see it in his eyes, the way he walks. There’s love and joy in him.”

Fiona and Brittany woke from their sleep, looking drowsy. Wincing, Fiona glanced around and met my gaze. “You’re here too? Where are we?”

“Warehouse. Looks like we’re all in the same boat,” I replied, not wanting to think about my qualm with her.

Brittany glared at me and looked at Fiona. “What the hell is going on? Dominic told me he’d take me somewhere exotic. I felt dizzy after he gave me a drink.” She rubbed her head.

“He told me he got tickets to Armani’s new fashion show and gave me a drink. The asshole drugged us.”

It was ironic how I ended up in this situation with two of my enemies.

Looking frantic, Brittany cried out, “Dominic! You killed Larus, and now you want to kill me too? Where the fuck are you?”

She kicked her legs and continued shouting for him. Fiona tried to calm her down, telling her to be quiet. Brittany glared at me. “It’s all your fault. When I told him you were with Royce, something in him changed.”

I shot her an irritated look. “I don’t know what your deal is, but we could die any minute. Let’s conserve our energy so we can escape. Your hatred toward me isn’t going to help you get out of here.”

“I should have won all those tiaras! You stole them from me!”

Was this really happening? She sounded like an adolescent, throwing a tantrum about something that happened a long time ago.

“I donated them to the local shelter, but you’re welcome to go there and get them.”

Tears ran down her cheek. “I should have been the winner! I was the most beautiful! You stole the pageants!”

“It’s not her fault,” Fiona said, surprising me.

Brittany cried, placing her head on Fiona’s shoulder.

“Shh . . . We should be quiet before Dominic comes back to kill us,” Fiona said.

While the female drama occurred, Viktor kept his gaze on the guard, who appeared to be glued to his phone.

Fiona turned to me. “I’m sorry for being such a bitch. I was jealous of what you had with Royce. He was right. I should have moved on a long time ago. He’s crazy about you. Sorry.”

I never thought I’d hear those words from Fiona’s mouth. Was she still affected by the drugs Dominic had given her? So many surprises occurred today, making me wonder if I was having some massive nightmare.

I was an adult and didn’t want any drama in my life. “Apology accepted.”

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