Page 44 of Scornful

"I'll catch up with you later," I tell her, keeping my voice steady even though my heart's already dropped into the pit of my stomach.

I follow Fenrir inside, and every single muscle in my body tenses up.

The clubhouse is still busy, ladies working on getting the Halloween decorations up, but the atmosphere shifts as we pass through.

Brothers look up, sensing the tension rolling off the VP like smoke.

He leads me to the office he shares with Runes, slamming the door behind us hard enough to rattle the frames on the wall.

The same office where Astrid just found those documents about Laken.

He moves behind the desk. "Sit the fuck down."

I drop into the chair across from him, keeping my expression neutral.

Years of practice in keeping my emotions locked down serve me well now, even though inside I'm wondering if this is it—if Magnus already talked, if someone else saw something, if I'm about to get my patch pulled for touching the one woman who should've been off-limits.

Fenrir leans back in his chair, those sharp eyes studying me. "You know why you're here?"

"The Laken situation," I guess, hoping I'm right.

A cold smile crosses his face. "Yeah, the Laken situation. Seems fitting you do this job, considerin' you're up my daughter's ass every time I turn around."

My blood goes cold, but I force myself not to react. "Just looking out for her, brother. Like I would any family."

"Right." He draws out the word, making it clear he's not buying my bullshit entirely. "Well, since you're so invested in her safety, you can be the one to bring that piece of shit in. Alive."

"When?"

"Tonight. Got word he's holed up at that motel off Route 90. The Pine something." Fenrir slides a piece of paper across the desk with an address. "Take Emil, Magnus, and Rio. I want this done clean."

"And then?"

His smile turns predatory. "Then we have a conversation with Mr. Laken about what happens when you fuck with a Raiders of Valhalla’s family."

I nod, standing to leave, but his voice stops me at the door.

"Geirolf."

I turn back.

"My daughter's been through enough. If I find out anyone—anyone—is taking advantage of her, adding to her pain..." Helets the threat hang in the air between us. "Well, let's just say Laken won't be the only one having a bad night."

"Understood," I manage, my throat tight.

"Good. Now get the fuck out of my office."

I leave, my mind racing.

Did he mean that as a general warning, or does he know?

The way he phrased it up my daughter's ass.

Well, it felt deliberate, but maybe I'm just being paranoid.

I find Emil in the main room, helping Oskar move tables for the party. "We've got a job tonight," I tell him.

He sets down his end of the table, interest sparking in his eyes. "The Laken thing?"

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