“It’s okay, kotik,” he murmured.
I don’t know why it gave me a tight feeling in my chest. Perhaps it was the knowledge Ash longed for a parental figure who genuinely cared about her. She’d been used as a tool for manipulation between Frank and Isabella her whole life. That would give anyone a complex about their parents.
When Ash continued, my heart broke further for her, especially at Isabella’s assertion that Frank was disappointed in Ash. Something I’d known had bothered Ash quite a bit before she decided she wanted to take revenge on the man. And when she got to the part about Frank wanting to declare war on me, I clenched my fist under the table. That was just what we fucking needed. I still hadn’t come up with a plan to destroy him.
“That’s why I wanted to come straight home, so I could tell you what she said. I’m really worried about it.”
It was perfectly understandable. The threat of war hanging over our heads put me on edge. What if I couldn’t keep her safe? Ash meant the fucking world to me and the boys. If anything happened to her, I don’t know how I’d survive it. It would be like having my heart ripped out and stomped all over. My heart which belonged solely to her.
And another fucking question I had was why Nate hadn’t said a word about this to me. It was his job to tell me if anything had changed. That cunt was going to get an earful from me. This was information I needed to know. Especially if Frank was involving the other families. It was only a matter of time before things went to complete shit. I didn’t want to make enemies of them all. The only person I cared about taking down was Frank.
“May I make a suggestion?” Viktor asked, looking directly at me.
“By all means.”
I did wonder what he thought about all of this. He’d told me he wanted Frank gone and he expected me to deliver on that.
“You have three options in this situation. First, you do nothing and wait to see what Frank has planned, something I do not recommend.”
I didn’t like being on the back foot which is how I felt right now. We needed to get ahead of the game here.
“Second, you go on the offensive, attack him before he does so to you. Again, something I do not recommend knowing the type of man Russo is.”
Aggravating him wouldn’t end well, especially when we didn’t have the resources for a full-frontal attack. We’d lose everything if we took that route.
“Third, Ash publicly denounces her allegiance to Russo, thus making it clear to the families she has willingly left his side and taking away Frank’s leverage.”
The silence around the table was deafening. Ash looked at me wide eyes as if the thought of making it known she was no longer Frank’s heir terrified her.
“That’s what you’re suggesting we do about this situation?” I asked for her.
“Did she not already tell him she wasn’t returning to his side? Frank won’t have told anyone about that. It makes him look weak.”
Ash looked down at her plate.
“There’s another option,” she said quietly. “I go back to Frank to keep all of you safe.”
The moment she said it, I was out of my chair and rounding the table before squatting next to her. My hands were on her face turning it towards me. How could she think that was ever an option?
“Little girl,” I whispered, leaning my forehead against hers. “I will never let you sacrifice yourself like that, do you hear me? Never.” I ran my fingers over the necklace I’d given her. “Do you remember when I gave this to you? Do you remember what it means?”
She nodded, her eyes beginning to well with tears.
“Then you know I can’t let you go back to him. I don’t care how much danger we’re in. You’re not a pawn or bait for Russo. You’re not going back to that life where you were locked in chains and never allowed to be free, do you hear me? Not as long as me and the boys still draw breath.”
“Quinn,” she choked out, reaching for me and gripping my shirt.
“I love you.” I pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I promised to protect you and let you have your revenge against him. I’m going to give that to you, Ash, if it’s the last fucking thing I do.”
She pulled me closer, wrapping her arms around my neck and burying her face in my shoulder.
“I’m sorry… I’m scared of what he’ll do to you. I’m scared of losing you. I can’t lose any of you, I won’t survive it.”
I stroked her hair.
“Shh, I know. You’re not going to lose us, sweetheart.”
She didn’t cry, but she held onto me tightly as her body shook with the force of her emotions. Today had been taxing for her. What she’d learnt from Isabella had shaken her very foundations to the core. She shouldn’t have to deal with this shit. She’d had enough to contend with already.
I looked over her shoulder at Viktor whose expression was neutral but his blue eyes, which matched Ash’s almost perfectly, betrayed him. The concern and sympathy for his daughter in them gave me the impression he really did care about her, just like she said he did.
“We don’t have to make a decision tonight, okay? Let’s finish dinner and I’m sure E will be more than happy to make your favourite for you.”
“Hot chocolate?” she whispered.
I smiled.
“Yes, with marshmallows and whipped cream, just how you like it.”
“Okay.”
I kissed her head before pulling away and glancing at Eric who nodded at me. His green eyes were full of concern as were Xav’s and Rory’s, which I noticed when I stood up. We all cared about
