Ava's Revenge: (Salvation Series Book 2)

by Jaime Whitley

  I knew this day would eventually come, that I would need to tell Sal about the pregnancy, but now that it’s here, I wish I had Dante here for support. That was the plan, to face everything side by side. Now, I’m alone.

  Just as I’m getting wrapped up in my thoughts, the car door opens and catches me off guard, making me jump. When I look to my right, I see Killian holding his hand out, a huge smile aimed at me.

  Placing my hand in his, he wraps fingers around mine. “Are you ready for this?” He asks as I step out of the car.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.” I pull my hand away and straighten out my shirt and pants before shutting the door. I twist my neck and feeling it crack makes me feel a little bit better, but not much. This is the one thing I don’t like about pregnancy. These hormones make me feel so weak and not the person I truly am.

  “Don’t be nervous. It’s going to be fine. It’s Angelo that should be nervous. I’m sure he thinks that he’s sitting pretty, but that’s why we are here, doing what we are doing remember?” I nod and his nostrils flare out. “For God’s sake, Ava!” He yells in the middle of the street.

  “What the hell, Killian!” I throw my hands up. “Would you keep it down?”

  “No. You need to be confident and…”

  “And what?”

  “I don’t know… you! This isn’t the time for a mini meltdown in that head of yours. How is Sal supposed to believe you when you look like you’re about to shit your pants? Close your eyes.” He demands.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Just do it.” Crossing my arms like a petulant child, I close my eyes. “Now picture Dante,” I peek one eye open at him. “Just do it.” Closing my eye, I picture Dante. “Think of who he was as a person, how he supported you, how he spoke to you. If he was here, what would he tell you?”

  Since my eyes are closed I do as he asks, taking a minute to think hard on what his advice would be. A smile creeps up on my face and I open my eyes as the answer comes. “He would tell me I’m a fucking rock star that doesn’t take shit from anyone. I can handle my own and for God’s sake, I’m usually the one drugging people!” I can see the last part confuses Killian as he scratches his temple for a brief moment before clapping his hands together.

  “Well, alright then. Go in there, be a fucking rock star, handle your shit and kick some fucking ass!” He pats me on the ass, giving me a little push forward like we just broke a huddle. With my spine straight and my shoulders back I open the door and get ready to unleash hell on Angelo. He fucked with the wrong person and now I’m ready to put the final nail in his coffin.

  With my confidence remaining strong, I strut my sassy ass over to the back table where everyone is seated. My eyes dart around the table and I notice there’s one person missing. Pulling out an empty chair, I sit down in it, not bothering the pleasantries of saying hello.

  “Where’s Angelo?” I scowl at the fact he’s absent. “It’s because of him we’re here and in this mess. Don’t you think he should be here?” Everyone except for Sal and Killian are doe-eyed. I know what they’re thinking. How can she just roll up in here and talk to our boss like that. Someone at the table clears their throat to break the thickening silence.

  “She does have a point.” Killian places his hand on my knee under the table giving it a reassuring squeeze.

  “That’s a great question. I had personally called him and told him what time to be here. He said he had one loose end to tie up, but he assured me he would be here.” Sal looks around the table before his eyes land on me. “I already heard Angelo’s side of the story but I want yours.” He sits back in his chair, kicking his one leg over the other one. “Whenever you’re ready.”

  “It’s like I’ve been trying to tell you. Angelo is not happy with the fact that I’m helping you run things now. He’s made it clear and I’m pretty sure everyone in this room knows it as well.” Looking around, the guys nod their heads in agreement. “Basically it comes down to respect and Angelo doesn’t have any for anyone but himself.” Shrugging, I continue. “Bottom line is, he is getting paranoid, and everyone here knows it and can see it. So he got replaced, big deal, it doesn’t mean he has to go around drugging people.”

  “He drugged you?” Michael’s voice comes from behind me as he’s carrying a tray of drinks.

  “Well, we don’t know if it was him.” Sal holds his hand up in defense.

  “Really? Okay then tell me this. Why was Angelo at the meet up point? How did he even find out where it was? Why did he bring a spread of food and drinks, telling me he was only there because he wanted to speak with me privately and when I insisted he leave, he told me I would regret it? The only thing I ate or drank that morning was the food I prepared for myself. Then, I get to the warehouse and drink the soda he got for me, and next thing you know I’m on my ass.” I slam my palm down on the table. “And you know what the fucked up part is? I’m pregnant!” I shout that part out in anger. It’s not really the way I wanted to break the news but I’m so mad that Sal is trying to defend Angelo it just slips out. A couple jaws drop at the table but I don’t give two shits at this point. “He could have seriously hurt my baby. If Killian wasn’t there, who knows what would have happened.”

  “You’re pregnant and Angelo drugged you.” Sal remains calm and his face is void of emotion. I have no idea what’s running through his head right now. Killian’s hand is still resting on my knee and I take my free hand and grab ahold of it under the table.

  “Yes.” My voice is confident.

  “Who is the father?” His face is void but his eyebrow is raised.

  “That’s hardly any of…” Before I can finish Killian opens his big fat mouth and does the unthinkable.

  “I am.” He smiles proudly at Sal. My head starts to spin and my blood runs cold. This is not good. Why would he think that would be a good idea? We didn’t discuss this but he must have had that planned. There was no hesitation in his words. It’s like he actually believes it.

  “Well, it’s a good thing you’re not blood, son.” Sal laughs, and I look to Killian who doesn’t know what he means but I do and now I really start to feel sick.

  “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “Well, I was going to wait a while longer to make this announcement but seeing as I just found out I’m going to be a grandfather, now seems like as good a time as any. Michael, grab us something to toast with will you?” Everyone looks at each other wondering what the hell is going on as Michael heads back to the kitchen.

  Killian looks to me leaning in. “What is he talking about?” He whispers under his breath. Before I can prepare him for what he’s about to hear, Sal speaks up.

  “I told you all there would be a lot of change coming your way. After our hiccup with Angelo, who seems to have better things to do than be here, I felt there needed to be a shift in who handles my business. I had no intentions on pushing Angelo out, after all, he’s been loyal and has done one hell of a job up until recent events, but now it seems the circumstances have changed. When I brought Ava on board, I knew I liked her instantly. She had smart business written all over her. You all might remember that I had everyone’s blood work and fingerprints run after the whole Dante mess. Well a little twist of fate came along and threw me for a loop. It turns out,” and here it comes, the blow that’s going to redefine the rest of my relationship with Killian, “that Ava is my daughter.” His hand squeezes tightly on my leg before he pushes mine off his, removing it completely. “That’s why I made the power move I did. Ava has proven herself to be more than worthy of the tasks I assigned her and this change will be permanent. I expect you all to welcome her and treat her with the respect she deserves; after all, she is my daughter.” Michael comes out with champagne for everyone and water for myself. “Perfect timing.” Grabbing a glass off the tray he holds it up. “To Ava, and the little baby Onorato she’s carrying.” Everyone lifts their glass and cheers me, and I play my part, smile thanking everyone who congratulates
Sal and myself. It’s funny because Killian announced he was the father and he’s being congratulated last. It not too much longer after that Sal announces he has somewhere else to be. Before he leaves, he makes it known he wants Angelo found and brought to him immediately.

  I wait for everyone to leave, hoping Killian will give me a chance to explain, but I realize that’s not going to happen as he’s not hanging around. “Killian, wait.” I call out, but it’s no use. He doesn’t even acknowledge me and storms out the door. The sound of tires spinning in the road as he takes off only confirms the anger I suspected he has for me now.

  “Let him go.” Michael says sympathetically.

  “Ugh, not you too. Look, I don’t need a lecture and I’m not looking for some brotherly advice.”

  “Well you’re going to fucking get some. Now sit down and stop being so stubborn all the time.” I raise my eyebrows in challenge. “Sit, stand, I don’t care but at least for once listen to someone who cares about you.”

  “You know nothing about me. How could you possibly care about me?”

  “Because like it or not, I’m your brother and we both have one main thing in common. We both hate Sal.” Pursing my lips, I sit down in the chair next to him.

  “We both know Killian isn’t the father of your baby.”

  “I know.” Feeling uncomfortable talking to him about all this, I look down and pick at my shirt.

  “So obviously, you two are closer than anyone would have thought. Which I’m assuming if you’re that close he told you about Aria.” My head peeks up.

  “You know about Aria?”

  “We all do. It’s horrible what they did to them but that’s Sal and he only cares about himself. Killian was in a very bad place and I wasn’t sure he would be able to snap himself out of it. He drank a lot and was drunk every day. He would come here shitfaced, which means he drove drunk. I honestly don’t know how he pulled himself out of the hole he dug himself. I was really worried that it was going to end badly for him.”

  “So how did he do it?”

  “I have no clue. One day he showed up sober and every day after that he remained sober, ready to work.”

  “I really think we can use him, Michael.” Placing my elbow on the table, I rest my head in my hand.

  “I think any chances of using him just went right out that door with him.” He points to the front entrance.

  “I have to try. He knows a lot and has seen enough shit. He definitely has the motivation to help us.”

  “Well, before you go all high and mighty on him to join the cause and fight the good fight, give him time to cool off. He took a big risk saying he was the father of your child and it’s obvious that he trusts you.”

  “Or did.”

  “He will again. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. You just have to give him time to cool off.” He stands up and starts to clear the table of all the empty glasses.

  “Thank you, Michael. I know I can be a pain in the ass, but I appreciate it.” A big smile spreads across his face and I grab my keys to head home. Just as I’m about to leave he yells out to me.

  “Wait! One more thing, since you’re listening to me you should know that what you did to Sylva was wrong.”

  “How do you even know about that?” I shake my head.

  “I still update him and Riggs. You really should consider apologizing to him.”

  “I’ll think about it. And Michael?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Try not to meddle in my business again.” And just like that, our sibling bonding time is over.

  I’ve been driving around trying to find Killian. I have no idea where he could be but I need to see him. I need him to understand why I never told him about Sal and how potentially we are on the same side. Even if that means telling him who I really am. I know this is a huge move and I need to bring Lance in on it. If I blow my cover without letting her know it’s going to happen, who the hell knows the consequences that will await me. I’m already treading on thin ice since I went behind everyone’s back so I could stay in the game, but this? This is something bigger and needs to be brought to her attention. Hitting the Bluetooth on my car, I instruct it to call Detective Lance and she picks up immediately.

  “Ava, your ears must have been burning because I was just talking with Riggs about you. You should give the poor man a call. He’s worried sick about you.”

  “I will, but I don’t have much time so I need you to hear me out.”

  Concern takes over her tone. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes, but I need to run something by you and I need a quick decision. There can’t be discussion about it either. It needs to be something you okay now or we’re going to miss a very valuable opportunity.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “I’m going to tell Killian who I really am.” I wait for her to flip out but she remains silent so I continue. “I found out some things about his past, things that Sal has done to him that he can’t forgive. I really think he can help us wrap this case up quicker. If we have him on our side, there’s no room for error.” Honking my horn at the car in front of me, my annoyance grows at the fact he is doing thirty in a sixty-five zone.

  “Okay.” Her response shocks me.

  “Wow, that’s not really what I expected you to say.”

  “Well, it seems to me like you already have your mind made up. One thing I’ve learned working with you all these years, is that you won’t take ‘no’ for an answer. Just text me a time and location of where you’re going to do it. If anything happens, I need to be able to pull you out.”

  “Yeah about that… I’m on my way to do it now. Something big happened and I need to jump on this right away, but trust me when I tell you he is not going to harm me.”

  “You can’t be sure about that, Ava.”

  “I know he won’t hurt me. Just trust me.” I hang up before she can argue any further. As I pull up to Killian’s house I curse, hitting the steering wheel. His car isn’t here, but I jump out of the car and knock anyway in case he parked in the garage. After no answer, I look around and none of his neighbors seem to be home. I head back into my car and grab my lock picking kit.

  I effortlessly pick the lock and open the door, yelling out his name. Nothing. I check each room but they are all empty. I see a notepad sitting on his end table, grabbing it, I jot down a note.

  Killian,

  Call me as soon as you get this.

  Leaving the note where he will see it, I lock up his house and head to the hospital next. I figure if he were going to be anywhere else it would be with Aria. After I make my way across town and finally get to her room, I come up short here as well. I figure since I’m here I might as well take a moment and sit with her. The truth is, I have no idea where else to look for Killian and he isn’t making it easy for me. Sitting in the vacant chair next to her, I gaze at her frail body. She really is quite beautiful and I can see why Killian was so attracted to her when he first saw her. I can’t help but look at her and feel pity. She had her whole life ahead of her and it was taken away by a selfish man whose ego trumped doing the right thing.

  “Hey Aria, it’s Ava. I came here looking for Killian but obviously he isn’t here. I’m afraid I made a mess of things and he’s not speaking to me just now. I wish I knew where to find him. It’s so complicated and I don’t even know where to start.”

  “How about at the beginning, with the truth.” His voice startles me and I jump up out of my seat.

  “Killian, I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

  “Well, you found me.” He doesn’t even look at me as he enters the room.

  “Can we talk?”

  “Go ahead.” He walks past me with flowers in his hands and it never occurred to me to check the damn flower shop. Replacing the wilted ones with the new ones, he stands at the other side of Aria’s bed.

  “Can we talk somewhere else? Somewhere more private?”

  “I really don’t think that’s necessa
ry. Just say what you need to say and leave, and never come back here ever again. Understand?” I flinch at the harshness in his tone. He’s never spoken to me with such hate. This is how Sylva must have felt when I left his cabin this morning.

  Getting up, I walk around the bed and stand by his side. “You’re mad at me. I get that. But please trust me when I tell you it’s better to have this conversation in private. For you, for me, and for her.” I nod my head at Aria. He frowns as he looks down to Aria and fidgets with his hands for a moment. The uncertainty within him is clear. Grabbing his hand, I squeeze it. “Please, Killian.”

  “Fine. But we’re going to my place.” He leans down, kissing Aria on the forehead and brushes past me, leaving the room. I look to Aria and tell her to pray for me and quickly leave the room trying to catch up to him. Feeling it’s best to take my own car, I follow him back to his place. As we both get out of our cars, I just remember the note I left after I picked his lock earlier. Shit. He already lost his trust in me; this is just going to add to the pile of shit I’m in. Maybe I can get to it before he sees it. When we walk up to the door, his body is blocking me so I can’t go around him. Unlocking the door, he opens it and walks in, straight in the direction of my note. I hurry in behind him, and close the door locking it behind us. I stand nervously in his doorway waiting for the other shoe to drop on this shitty day. Picking it up, he reads it and crumples it into a ball.

  “If lying to me wasn’t bad enough, now you’re breaking into my house? Damn, you’re on a roll today.” He tosses the note into the trash as he walks to the fridge and grabs a beer from the shelf. Popping the cap off the bottle, he takes a swig of it before leaning across the counter. “You wanted my attention, well you have it. So start talking and God help me, Ava, you better start telling the truth or I’m done with you.” I don’t like the way he’s scowling at me. I shift my feet and walk over to where he’s standing.