Nine
Thor
My weary eyes drift around the Brokedown Tavern and the group of rag-tag old men sitting around yapping like a bunch of women. I smile as they bicker back and forth with one another.
A high-pitched giggle snaps my attention to the booth across from me where Chantelle is curled into Jude while they chat with their friends, Ronnie and Archer. Indy, Archer and Ronnie’s daughter, is making faces at Jude. He smiles at the little girl’s antics.
Archer tucks a strand of Ronnie’s hot pink hair behind her ear, his eyes full of love and tenderness as he stares at his wife and daughter. Chantelle catches me watching and waves for me to come over. I decline with a shake of my head, causing her to frown for a moment before she turns back to her friends.
Normally, I’d join them. Banter and flirt with Chantelle just to mess with Jude. But seeing Archer and his little family sends an ache through my chest. I rub the spot, trying to forget that I’m thirty-two years old and not even close to finding happiness like that. And though I’m generally happy, I’m experiencing more days where the pinpricks of loneliness dig deeper into my heart.
Or maybe I’m overanalyzing the situation and I’m simply exhausted.
I should have slept longer when Gunner and I returned home following a morning full of errands, but after almost four hours of blissful rest, I was jolted awake by another nightmare. A memory. The same one that has haunted my dreams for the past four years.
Sighing, I rub a hand over my face, attempting to scrub away the terrified look in Jasper’s eyes. My gaze drifts down to my dog tag tattoo with the word Lit engraved on it. My throat tightens, and I blink away the unwelcome memories and the ever-present guilt.
Grasping my cup, I sip my coffee as the door opens and Christian and Cai stride in. I let out a deep breath before they slide into the booth.
Plastering on a smile, I lean back in my seat. “It’s about time you two joined me.”
Cai smirks. “You saw me this morning, didn’t know you’d miss me already.”
“I always miss your pretty face, Hotshot.” I wink and Christian shakes his head. “So how’s it feel to be off work and to get a break from your lady loves?”
“Lady loves?” Christian quirks an eyebrow.
“Better than ball and chains.” I drink a large gulp of coffee, not even flinching when Cai kicks me under the table .
Christian studies me for a moment through his glasses. “You doing okay?”
“Never better, Boss.” I run a finger over the bandage under my watch from this morning's impromptu run to the tattoo parlor.
Christian nods, but Cai’s arms are crossed as he watches me intently. Not much gets past him, so I need to keep it light. I’m pretty sure he suspects something has been bothering me, but . . . well, I don’t want to talk about it. Even to one of my closest friends.
I open my mouth to crack a joke when my phone buzzes. When Cut’s name flashes across the screen, unease scrapes up my spine. “Gimme a second,” I mumble, stepping away from the table as a dozen scenarios flash through my mind. “What’s wrong?”
There’s a pause, followed by a heavy sigh. “I’ve lost the asset.”
My heart drops as fury floods my veins. “You what!?” I practically yell, noticing several people’s heads swivel my way. I move deeper into the back hallway, trying to get some privacy. “What are you talking about, Cut?”
“I’ve already called Rock. He’s aware of the situation and wanted me to contact you.” His tone is short and snippy, as if this is my fault and not his.
“How could you lose her? How long has it been? Did you call the cops?”
He clears his throat. “Three hours and ten minutes.” I bite back a curse as he continues. “Rock wants me to head back to the agency while you go check her house again and then report back to him before involving the cops.” He scoffs. “Like I missed seeing a full-grown woman when I cleared it earlier.”
I snort. “You lost our client, you imbecile. No one’s trusting you at the moment.” I lower my voice into a low and threatening tone as I make my way back to the dining room. “And you better hope she’s safe when I find her.”
“Oh, come off it. You can’t do anything to me.”
Before I can respond, there’s an incoming call. Glancing down at my phone, the air whooshes out of my lungs. I don’t even bother to say anything more to Cut before I switch over the call. “Love, are you okay?”
“Angie was in my house.”
I stop in my tracks, fear curling in my chest. “Was? Or is?”
She takes a shaky breath. “Was. I mean, I’m pretty sure. I have my gun and I’ve locked all the doors. I didn’t want to call the cops and I kind of snuck away from Nick. But I don’t want to leave. What if she’s outside waiting on me? Thor, I don’t know what to do.” Her words are almost running together by the end and I can hear panic settling into her voice.
“I’m on my way, but first of all, just breathe for me. Okay, Love? Can you do that?” She doesn’t respond, but I hear her drawing in deep breaths, as I walk toward Christian and Cai. I motion for them to follow me, knowing they won’t ask questions. “Okay, that’s good. Now can you tell me five things you see?”
“Uh . . .” Her voice is unsteady. “My gun.”
I chuckle, though my heart is in my throat at the moment. “Good girl. Keep it close. Four more. ”
“My desk. My shoes. My books. Your coffee mug.”
“Look at that. I’m already making myself at home there.”
She snorts, and I notice she sounds a little calmer.
“I’m not hanging up, but give me a second. Okay?”
“Okay,” she says weakly.
Muffling the phone, I turn to my friends. “I need your help.” They both nod as we all mount our bikes. I pull my helmet on, switching my phone to the mic so I can continue to talk to Clover.
“You still with me, Love?”
“Yes, and don’t think I haven’t noticed your little nickname there. We’ll deal with that once a psychotic woman isn’t after me.”
I pull out of the tavern, Christian and Cai behind me. “I thought it was suitable.” I don’t tell her that her name is saved to my phone as “The Grumpy One.” I’m sure that will go over well.
“Are you almost here?” The quiet question sends an ache through my heart and has my hands gripping the handlebars harder than necessary.
“Almost. Tell me four things you smell.”
“Nick’s stupid aftershave.”
A surprised laugh sputters out of me. “Yeah, it’s the worst. I’m always telling him he needs something more subtle for the job.”
“I don’t think subtle is his specialty.”
“Not at all.” I catch a glimpse of Cai beside me. He gives me a thumbs-up, and we continue to Clover’s house.
God, let her be okay, I pray repeatedly. I’m going to murder Cut. Which I realize is not a great thought to have right after praying. You’ll have to restrain me, Lord .
“What else do you smell?”
“Umm . . . pineapple. From my lotion. Fresh laundry.”
“One more thing.” My tone is calm, though my heart races with the visceral need to see her with my own eyes to ensure she’s safe. “I’m almost there.”
“Flowers.” Her words are barely a whisper.
“I’m here.” I pull into her driveway, Cai and Christian behind me. Flipping the kill switch, I remove my helmet. I barely have time to put the kickstand down and dismount before the front door flies open and Clover rushes out. My entire body relaxes at seeing her whole and unharmed. Her steps slow when she catches sight of Christian and Cai.
“Sorry, I was with my friends and thought I should bring them along in case.”
There’s a brief hesitation on her face before she throws her arms around my neck. I’m shocked by the action and it takes me a moment to realize she’s attached herself to me. And listen, I’m a gentleman, but I also really like this woman. So, of course, I wrap my arms around her, pulling her flush against me.
It’s pure Heaven having her in my arms.
And then she whispers into my ear so only I can hear, “Play along.” Pulling back, she meets my eyes. “Babe, I was so scared.”
The hug was amazing, but having her call me “babe” sends a wave of pure, masculine possessiveness throughout my veins as every cell screams for me to claim her as mine. The endearment also confuses me. I arch an eyebrow and her eyes widen slightly, giving me a silent signal I’m totally missing. My brain is not functioning after having her body wrapped up in my embrace.
Cai clears his throat. “You going to introduce us, Thor?”
I turn to find Christian and Cai watching us with narrowed eyes. “Oh, yeah. Of course. This is—”
“Nicole,” Clover chimes in, slipping her hand into mine. “Thor’s girlfriend.”
My gaze snaps to hers. She’s smiling at me, but it’s strained, and her eyes are pleading. And then it hits me. Her words, “play along.” She’s trying to protect her identity. And well, that is my job. Isn’t it?
I wrap an arm around her waist, drawing her closer to me. “Love, these are my friends, Christian and Cai.” Clover doesn’t say anything, merely smiles and nods.
“Girlfriend, huh?” Cai’s gaze bounces between Clover and me.
“Yup.”
Christian’s lips thin, but he doesn’t speak.
Shifting my attention back to Clover, I take advantage of the situation and tuck a stray curl behind her ear. “What happened? Are you okay?”