Page 92 of Scornful

He looks exhausted, dark circles under those ice-blue eyes, but they light up when he sees me.

His cut hangs open over a gray henley, and I can see the edge of his skull tattoo peeking out from the collar.

"Morning, princess," he murmurs as I approach.

"Morning yourself." I glance around, then steal a quick kiss.

He tastes like coffee and cigarettes. "Tired?"

"Nothing coffee won't fix." His hand finds my hip, thumb stroking through the fabric. "How's the party planning?"

"Eh, you know, crazy," I admit. "But the kids are excited."

He nods, then leans closer, voice dropping. "We hit one of the Patriot's drug houses last night. Got some good intel, but the bastard himself is still in the wind."

My blood runs cold.

I had no idea he was out on a run before his guard shift. Then again, he probably didn’t want to wake me.

I know the club is still actively hunting the Patriot even though we’re the lockdown, but hearing it confirmed makes it real. "Anyone hurt?"

"Nah. They scattered like roaches when we showed up." His expression darkens a bit. "But we're getting closer. He can't hide forever."

Before I can respond, Kraken appears in the doorway.

He looks like he’s been run over, like he hasn't slept in days.

His usually neat beard is unkempt, his clothes wrinkled.

The entire room seems to pause, everyone wondering about Bjorn.

Fern approaches quickly. "How is he?"

"Awake. Angry. In pain." Kraken rubs his face. "The pain is killin’ him. Docs say it's normal, but..." He trails off, shoulders slumping. "He keeps reaching for his leg. The one that's not there anymore."

The words hang heavy in the air.

Several of the women tear up, and I see Ingrid's face crumple from across the room.

Mom comes over, speaking to him gently. "Magnolia's still with him?"

"Won't leave his side. Logi and Magnus are on guard duty there now." He glances around the decorated room, and for amoment, his expression softens. "This is good. The kids need this."

"Njal's in the game room," Fern tells him. "He's been asking about his brother."

Kraken nods and heads off to find his other son.

I notice Ingrid watching him go, longing written all over her face.

She wants to ask about Bjorn but knows it's not her place. The secret they've been keeping is killing her.

"I'll be back," I tell Geirolf, squeezing his hand.

I search the clubhouse until I find what I'm looking for—my father in the office, going over some paperwork, probably security rotations or something else I’m not supposed to know about.

They look up when I knock.

"What is it, baby girl?" Dad asks, immediately alert.

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