Page 44 of Viking

I shake my head, clearing the void. The blackness dissipates, and his angry face comes into view, stormy eyes glittering with rage. I splay my hands on his chest and push him, but he doesn’t move.

I can’t breathe. He’s too close. The scent of his cologne, of spice, leather and grease, overcomes me. My safety, my harbor. And he gave himself to another woman. I shove him again, a little more forcefully this time. My palms sting but I hit him over and over until I’m sobbing freely, guttural cries ripping from my chest. He doesn’t move, he just takes it, and I fight him as he tries to wrap me in his arms.

Eventually, I give in. I give in because I want him to touch me, to console me. I give in because I’m lost without him, even though he hurts me. I give in because I don’t know what else I’m supposed to do. Big arms hold me tightly and I feel so small in his embrace, so fragile. I never wanted to feel small again after everything I endured on that island. But this is different. It somehow hurts more and feels as if I’ll die if I don’t hold on.

Viking lifts me off my feet and moves us to the bed. He pulls us down, never breaking his hold on me as he kisses my crown and settles us on the bed.

“You can hate me, darlin’. Right now, I fuckin’ hate me. It’s okay if you do too.”

“W-why?” I cry quietly. “Why her?”

“I don’t have a reason. Not one good enough to justify hurtin’ you.”

“Why not m-me?”

He squeezes me tighter. His muscular arms could easily break me, tear me apart, but the only thing broken here is my heart.

“Because I don’t trust myself with you. I’m not safe, darlin’. I never have been.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Arie

Iglare at the blondewoman draped over the bar. She wears the same mini skirt as last night, the one she wore as she kneeled before Viking and took him in her mouth.

The brunette woman sitting beside her must have mentioned my presence, because she turns in my direction. The blonde’s gaze rolls over me with disgust, but her friend waves. “Come on over, honey. Have a drink with us.”

I shake my head. The blonde’s lips curl in a devilish smile as she slides from her stool and approaches. I turn to flee, but she grabs my arm and tugs me back.

“Where you going, sugar?”

I’m pulled forward, sandwiched between the blonde and her friend, and ushered onto a stool.

“Do a shot with us.” The blonde sets a tiny glass down in front of me and fills it with a clear liquid that looks like water and smells like chemicals. She fills another two glasses and places the bottle on the bar. She lifts one of the small glasses and holds it aloft. “To Viking, and that enormous dick of his.”

I scowl and try to push away from the bar, but she digs her long claws into my forearm, causing me to whimper. “Where are you going? Don’t you wanna drink with us? We can swap notes.”

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