Page 36 of Absolution

“With my help, you will win her. You’ll really have a chance with her.”

He stares at me with hopeful puppy eyes. “What type of help?”

Now I have his attention.

“If you get her away from him, from everyone, you can show her how great life could be with you. But while she’s in his prison, she won’t think clearly. She told me today that she felt like a prisoner in her own home.”

“Really?” He fist bumps the air. “I knew it. Viktor is a dangerous man. It doesn’t surprise me at all. But how are we supposed to get her out of there? That place is heavily guarded, and Viktor has forbidden her from seeing me.”

I want to ask him where his balls are, but I keep the conversation flowing.

“How about at House of Beauty? Call an emergency meeting?” He peers at me, puzzled, showing that I will have to lay everything out for him. “I’m sure you guys have a magazine coming out soon. How about you have her assistant beg her to come to the office to sort it out.”

“Maddie won’t agree to that.”

I take a deep breath, fighting the urge to wring his scrawny neck.

“You don’t have to tell Maddie. Just pretend it was her.”

A lightbulb in his head turns on. “I can do that, but what happens when she shows up?”

“Take her somewhere private. Somewhere only you know about. I’m sure that’s what she wants. As I said, she told me this afternoon that she feels like a prisoner. She wants to escape but has nowhere to go and no one to help her.”

It is like stealing candy from a baby. “I can help her. I knew he was keeping her against her will. I just had no proof. I should drive over there right now and get her!”

Thankfully, this kid is oblivious but fucking stupid.

I hate that my plan depends on the success of this idiot.

“No,” I remark louder than intended. When he glares at me suspiciously, I lay my hand over his. “I mean, you already said Viktor won’t let you in. My plan is better.”

“What about Niko? She won’t leave without him.”

“First, you need to convince her, then you can get her son. Trust me, once she knows you love her and will do anything to keep her safe, she will take Niko and be with you.”

Hope highlights his face. “Okay.”

“Great. Let’s toast to love.” I click my cocktail against his beer.

If everything goes as planned, he will get her away from Viktor and Oliver long enough for me to have time with her. Time to convince her I’m sorry for all the pain I’ve caused her. All I need is a way in. Once I’m in, I can infiltrate the Manarch house. I can use Ava’s power to manipulate Viktor. I want to destroy the Manarch Clan as it destroyed me. Dougal will watch as I destroy his precious Clan, and he won’t be able to do anything about it.

He should have never chosen Anita over me. Some people might say I’m bitter—perhaps I am—but three decades have taught me timing is everything and karma is a bitch. Dougal’s fall will come from his own heir, and then everything will be mine.

ChapterThirteen

Max

When Diana called, I didn’t know what to expect. She isn’t your typical mother. She doesn’t have the warmth most mothers have. But who am I to judge? The only thing I care about is saving Ava from Viktor. If he had stayed away from her, none of this would be happening, and no attempts would have been made against Ava’s life.

I don’t understand how Ava doesn’t see it. It’s clear as day. Viktor is the problem. I need Ava to open her eyes and see him for who he really is.

Diana’s plan is barely a plan, but it is all I have. The more I think about it, the more nervous I become. But I can’t sit around and do nothing. I wish Ava had confided in me and told me she’s a prisoner in Viktor’s house herself. She doesn’t need to stay there. She has options. It pisses me off that she hasn’t tried to take one. But I can’t just walk up to that damn house and get her out. That isn’t an option. I need to craft a bulletproof ruse to get her to House of Beauty. It’s the only place I can take her safely.

So, with my mind made up, I call her PA, Rosie.

“Good morning, House of Beauty. How may I help you?”

I keep my tone friendly. “Hey, Rosie, it’s Max.”

---