Twenty-Eight
Clover
It’s barely eight AM and I’m on my second cup of coffee. After my visit to Thor’s room last night—which sounds way worse than anything that actually happened—I tossed and turned, unable to sleep after that life-altering kiss. Forget life-altering. It was DNA-altering. I’m pretty sure Thor’s touch has completely rewritten every molecule of my body. And I’m curious if every kiss with him is going to be like that.
I smile to myself, trying to tamp down on the excitement of seeing him again.
“I wonder what has you smiling so much this morning.” Thor’s deep voice draws my attention to the doorway where he’s leaning. His smoldering eyes rake over my body, landing on my shirt that has a picture of a cactus on it with the words Not a Hugger. His lips lift into a smirk before he runs a hand over his mouth to wipe it away. “Not sure if that shirt rings true.”
My brow scrunches. “And what makes you think that?”
Thor settles in the chair beside me, his gaze sweeping across my face. Leaning closer, he whispers, “Because you still have the beard burn on those adorable cheeks of yours, Love.”
My hand rises to my burning face, and Thor chuckles. I glare at him as I drink my coffee. “You’re incorrigible for such an old man.”
Sputtering out a laugh, he bops me on the nose. “And you like it.” He winks before standing to pour his coffee.
Biting back a smile, I open my phone to check my emails.
“So what is on the agenda today?”
I swipe through my emails. Most of them are junk. “I don’t know. I’m too tired to make plans right now.”
“Huh. Wonder why that is?”
My gaze briefly meets his, and I roll my eyes playfully. “Oh, shut up.” One email catches my eye, and I open it up and let out a squeal before quickly clamping a hand over my mouth.
Thor is laughing as he sits down beside me again. “That may be the most excited I’ve seen you since the book sale the other day. What’s up?”
“I need to go home.”
His eyebrow lifts. “You think you’re ready?”
“No, I mean”—I shove the phone in his face—“I had books delivered this morning.”
Shaking his head, he chuckles. “Of course, it’s about books.”
I slap his chest playfully, but he grabs my hands and presses a quick kiss to my wrist before releasing me, not even seeming to care about the cameras in the room. “I need some fresh clothes too. So that would be nice. But, Thor, these are limited edition books with sprayed edges and interior art! I ordered them months ago and forgot when they were shipping. I can’t let them sit out. What if someone steals them? Or what if it rains? Or one of the stray cats comes and pees on the box?” I crinkle my nose in disgust.
Laughing, Thor holds up his hands. “Okay, okay. We’ll go get your books, and you can grab some more clothes.” He brings his mouth close to my ear and whispers, “Plus, it’ll give us a little time away from my nosy co-workers and all the cameras.”
And I’m not sure if it’s the excitement from getting my long-awaited books or the idea of revisiting that kiss, but either way, my stomach flutters with anticipation.
Thor runs his hands back and forth over my legs as we turn toward my house. It’s super distracting, and he very well knows it.
“Would you stop that?” I huff through the comms.
“Hey, you’re the one who insisted on driving. I’m just being a good backpack.” He rubs my thighs, giving them a squeeze.
“You’re being a devious one, and you know it.”
Laughing, Thor moves his hands and wraps them loosely around my waist, leaning into my back. “I never thought I’d like being a backpack so much.”
I chuckle. “I’m sure you look ridiculous back there.”
“Ah, I don’t care. As long as you’re happy and having fun, that’s all that matters.”
My heart swells at his words as I pull into my driveway. After I park, we get off the bike and remove our helmets and gloves. Thor’s gaze flits across the yard and front of the house as I attach the helmets to the bike.
“Ugh. It’s so hot.” I slip my jacket off and sigh when the cool breeze touches my arms. “So, Hunt already cleared the place?” My eyes move to the porch, noticing there isn’t a package there.
“Yeah, he said he put your books in the living room. I still need to do another sweep before you go in, though.”
When we get to the porch, Thor motions for me to unlock the front door, but as I turn the lock, there’s a loud clattering sound from the backyard.
I freeze while Thor immediately pulls his gun out from underneath his shirt. He frowns at me, concern etched on his face.
“It’s probably one of the stray cats, right?” I ask quietly.
“Stay here. Hide behind the planter until I come back around. If something happens, leave on the bike, and call the police and Rock. Okay?”
My heart beats hard against my ribcage. “It’s just a stray,” I repeat.
Thor gives me a grim smile and presses a kiss to my forehead. “Please, stay out of sight. I’ll be right back.”
I nod and watch anxiously as he makes his way around the back of my house. I squat behind the large planter by my door, trying to stay hidden. It feels like hours pass, and my legs begin to ache. I’ve got to work out more. I stay still, my gaze bouncing back and forth, waiting for him to come back. Adjusting a bit, I bite my lip and say a prayer for Thor’s safety. Why isn’t he back yet?
A noise comes from inside the house. Did he go through the back door?
After another moment of nothing, my frayed nerves are unraveling. I stand and open the front door, peeking my head inside. “Thor?” I whisper-yell.
When there’s no answer, I frown, but before I can step back, someone latches on to my arm and jerks me inside. I try to scream, but a hand covers my mouth.
“It’s okay, sweetie. Mommy is here.”
My eyes clench shut and nausea pulls in my stomach as Angie pulls me into the living room. I feel something press into my back and realize it’s the end of a gun. Oh, my goodness. Did she find my gun? God, please help me.
We stop in the living room and Angie pushes the barrel of the gun harder into my back. “I’m going to move my hand, but you aren’t going to scream. Okay?”
I nod and she releases me. Drawing in a full breath, I bring a trembling hand to my face as I spin to face Angie. Tears form in my eyes when my gaze meets her crazed one. “Angie,” I whisper. “What happened to you?”
Anger flashes in her eyes. “Clover, don’t do this. You know I’m not her ,” she spits the last word out, then smiles at me, but it’s not the same smile I’ve known for years. This one sends a shiver down my spine. “I’m your mom. ”
My fingers shake as I attempt to think through my options. If I push her too much, she may go off. I inch slowly backward toward the end table, trying to find something to use as a weapon. I glance to where she’s holding the gun loosely.
“Okay. Maybe we could sit down and talk?” I gesture toward the couch, and she eyes it dubiously, not saying a word. Swallowing over the lump of fear, I try again, searching for something that may get through to her in this state. “I could make us some tea. You still like ginger and lemon, right?” I ask softly, but quickly realize my mistake when Angie scoffs and anger flashes in her eyes.
“You’re just like the rest. You don’t believe me either! They took everything from me! Everything! I won’t let them take you too!”
Just as she raises the gun, the kitchen door leading to the garage squeaks. Thor.
Before I can warn him, Angie lunges for me, wrapping her arm around my waist and jerking me forward until I’m in front of her. She presses the gun to my forehead. I freeze, swallowing down the scream that threatens to break loose.
Thor bursts into the room, his eyes widening when he sees Angie behind me with the gun pressed to my head. “Angie, you don’t want to do this,” Thor says in a calm, collected voice. A muscle ripples in his jaw, his arm holding his gun steady.
“See, Clover? No one believes me.” The gun presses further into my scalp and a whimper escapes my lips. “Of course, I don’t want to harm my daughter, but you leave me with no choice.”
Thor’s desperate gaze bounces between Angie and me, and when he lowers his weapon, my throat tightens. “No, Thor. Just take the shot.”
He’s still holding his gun, but it’s no longer trained on Angie’s head. “You’re right, Clarissa. I’m sorry for not believing you sooner. What if we both put down our guns and talk it out?” His words are calm and soft-spoken as he focuses on Angie.
I hold my breath, praying that she’ll listen to him. And when I feel the pressure of the gun falling away from my temple, I think she has. Until she raises a shaky hand toward Thor. My heart drops to my stomach as I hear a gunshot. Thor brings his hand up to his chest, fear flashing in his eyes when they meet mine, and something in me snaps.
Bringing my left arm out in front of me, I jab my elbow as hard as I can into Angie’s stomach. Then, I throw my head back, straight into Angie’s face. When her grip loosens, I turn, grabbing the lamp from the table beside me as I let out a battle cry, charge at her, and swing the lamp at her head. She crashes to the floor and before I register what happened, massive arms are wrapped around me, drawing me into a warm, firm chest.
“Love, are you okay? Where are you hurt?”
I blink the haze from my vision, meeting Thor’s concerned look. “She shot you!” I jerk back to reality and start pressing my hands against his chest, looking for the wound. But—“You aren’t bleeding. I saw her shoot you. I heard it.” My voice shakes as tears burn my eyes .
Thor cups my face and presses a quick kiss to my cheek. “She didn’t shoot me. I’m okay.”
He rushes to Angie, removing zip ties from his pockets, and places them around her wrists. Once he secures her, he stands and pulls his bandana out of his jean pocket before lifting the gun. Careful not to let his fingers touch it, he examines the weapon. I’m relieved to realize it isn’t my gun, while also kicking myself for leaving my gun behind when we went to Thor’s cabin. Thor’s brow scrunches as he places it on the table.
That’s when I recognize the barely noticeable sticker on the side of the gun. “I think it’s one of the prop guns Daddy uses. Look at the label.”
Thor looks at the gun again, rubbing a hand over his beard as he sighs. “I wish I would have realized that sooner. My heart stopped when I saw you with a gun pressed to your head.” His troubled eyes meet mine, but my attention has latched on to something else.
“Thor, why are you bleeding?”
A grim expression falls on his face. “It’s Angie’s. She’s bleeding some from where you cracked her nose and head. But she’ll be fine. Can you go get me a towel for her while I call the cops and Rock?”
I’m numb as I go get the first aid kit and bring it back to Thor. I watch as he gently tends to Angie’s wounds, even as she comes to and starts hurling insults at us. Thor glances at me from the corner of his eyes.
“Stay with me, Love. Tell me some things you see. And not anything to do with her. ”
Forcing my eyes away from the woman who tried to shoot my—well, I’m not sure what he is, except for mine—I work to center myself, rubbing the beads on my bracelet. “My books. My couch. My desk. My window.” I glance at Thor. “My Viking.”
He smiles softly, his eyes crinkling in the corners. “I’ll take it.”
The cops arrived not long after Thor called, along with Rock and Hunt. It was chaos as we gave our statements and the cops took pictures of the crime scene. There were so many people in and out, but whenever I started to get overwhelmed, Thor would notice and walk by me so he could brush his fingers against my arm. Or to give me an encouraging smile. I wouldn’t have made it through without his quiet but steady presence.
During all of the excitement, I get an even bigger surprise than Angie showing up when a cop escorts two unexpected guests inside.
“Mom? Daddy?” Something about seeing my parents in the middle of this mess finally has the dam bursting. Running into Daddy’s arms, I press my face into his chest, finding comfort in his familiar peppermint scent as my shoulders begin to shake with tears. “What are you guys doing here? I thought you were filming. ”
“Rock called us and we shut down production and jumped on the jet.” Daddy kisses the top of my head. “We should have come sooner.”
Emotion overwhelms me as I squeeze him one last time, knowing how big of a deal it is to close an entire production on such short notice. Then, I turn to Mom. Her eyes are full of tears as she wraps me in her arms. “Oh, sweetie. I’m sorry we weren’t here sooner. Are you okay?”
Nodding, I pull back and wipe the tears from under my eyes. “I’m fine. Really.” My gaze follows Thor across the room. He smiles and winks at me before resuming the conversation with an officer and Rock.
Hours pass and finally everyone is gone. Thor passes me on the way out and clears his throat. “I don’t want to leave you,” he whispers, the words meant for my ears alone. “But I have to go back to the office with Rock and do a butt-load of paperwork.” His eyes brim with emotion. “I’m glad you’re safe.”
My lips tug up. “Because of you.”
“No, Love.” His low voice skates across my skin, causing gooseflesh to rise, and I long to curl into his arms. “You were a beast.” Biting his bottom lip, his eyes roam my face before he smiles. “Gotta say, it was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.” He rubs his nose. “Reminds me of our first meeting.”
A strangled laugh erupts from me. “You better go before Rock comes looking for you.” I glance to where Mom and Daddy are talking quietly together, not paying any attention to Thor and me. “I probably need to go talk to my parents.” I want to talk to them, but my body is protesting the realization that Thor is getting ready to leave. That he won’t be just a few feet away at all hours.
Nodding, his eyes capture mine. “I want nothing more than to kiss you right now.” He glances over my shoulder toward my parents. “But that’s probably not a good idea at the moment.”
Though part of me wants to grab him by the collar and jerk his lips to mine, he’s right. Sighing, I wrap my arms around myself and offer him a small smile. “Probably not.”
Dipping his head, he says goodbye and saunters to his bike, taking my heart with him.
It’s been a day and a half since I’ve seen or talked to Thor. I keep checking my phone, hoping that he’ll text me, but nothing.
I saw Daddy and Mom off earlier this morning. They felt bad for not staying longer, but they have a tight schedule, and now that Angie is getting the help she needs, the dangers have passed. And by the grace of God, nothing has leaked out about my identity, and the neighborhood has returned to being peaceful and quiet.
But everything is too quiet. I keep waiting to hear Thor rummaging around my kitchen, or humming hymns, or smacking his gum.
My fingers trace my lips. Was it all a dream ?
I stand, pacing the floor. I’m going to lose my mind if I stay here much longer. I’d love to go on a ride, but my bike is still parked in Thor’s garage.
Anger bubbles up, and after booking a ride, I march over to my coat hanger, jerking my riding jacket off the hook and grabbing my helmet. Well, if Thor wants to avoid me after all we’ve been through, that’s fine. I’ll go get my bike myself. Forget him.
I swing the door open and almost plow right into the troll himself.