Page 119 of Absolution

My cell rings again. This time, it’s Angus.

“Tell me you have the kids.”

“I do. Six of your father’s men are dead.”

I sigh in relief. “Where are you?”

“One of the many houses I told you about.”

“Who else knows?”

“No one, other than the men with me.” My second relieved sigh almost drowns out the rest of his reply. “Have you heard anything about Ava?”

“Oliver isn’t answering.”And I’m really fucking pissed about that.

“Did you meet your father?” Angus asks.

Although he can’t see me, I nod. “Yes. He tried to kill me.”

“Are you surprised?” His usually deep voice is brittle with unconcealed humor.

“No. But I didn’t think he’d try anything in the open. That man is a coward. He didn’t even pull the fucking trigger himself.”

“Again, are you surprised?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer him before asking another question. “Where are you?”

“Marco cleared a path. I’m on my way to Eros to regroup. I need to find Ava and Oliver.”

“What do you want me to do?”

I know the answer to his question immediately. “Stay with the kids. That is your priority.”

“Aye. Call me the minute you know something.”

Angus is more than a soldier to me. He’s a brother. He would lay down his life for me. The safest place for my kids to be is with him.

Fifteen minutes later, I see Eros up ahead. It is day and night from when I bought it. The club looks as rundown as I feel. But there have been some good memories here. Like the first night Ava and I ran into each other. She was a ball of fire when I told her I was taking her with me after she passed out in my arms.

“Put me down.”

“Relax. Stop fighting me.”

“Put me down, or I’ll scream!”

“Good luck getting someone to hear you.”

“I’m not going anywhere, especially not with you. Besides, I can’t just leave. It’s busy, and we both know I need the money.”

“I know the owner. Your job is safe.”

“Mr. Manarch, I appreciate your concern, but I can’t leave. I need the money. I have to get back to work.”

“Ms. O’Brien, you have two choices. You can leave with me of your own accord, or I’ll carry you to my car. You’re done working for the night.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Baby girl, you have no idea what I’d dare. What’s it going to be?”

I knew she was made for me then. A woman like Ava only comes once in a lifetime.

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