Page 16 of Odin

Alexander Sterling was one of the local drug lords I did home visits for. His kids were always catching something from daycare. It usually wasn't anything serious, but he'd call me to come examine them, and since he paid well, I never said no.

"Hello?" I answered the phone, looking right at the Old Man. He was still red in the face, but he'd toned it down a little so that he wouldn't explode.

“Doc, Lexie is sick to her stomach. She probably picked up something from daycare. Do you have time to stop by?”

“I’ll be there within the hour.” I winked at the Old Man.

“Thanks.”

Hanging up my phone, I stood from my chair and turned to walk towards the door. “Time to go play doctor," I said over my shoulder as a last parting shot.

***

On my way to the appointment, I called Serena from the car to let her know I wouldn't be home. We didn't have any plans, but I didn't want her worried I was out with another woman, or worse. I still remembered her accusations the morning after our wedding.

“Odin," she answered quickly. She must have screened the phone call this time.

“Hey, baby. I am on my way to an emergency appointment. One of my clients called because he thinks his daughter picked something up from daycare."

“Aw, poor kid." Her sweet voice came through the radio.

“Yeah,” I said, nonchalantly. “Reason I am calling is because that daycare services a few of my clients, and if one kid is sick…”

“Chances are good that most of them are, too,” she replied.

“Yeah, which means this probably won’t be my first emergency appointment for the night. I may not be home until late, and I wanted you to know.”

“Be careful. I’ll see you when you get home.”

“Sounds good.” It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her I loved her, but the words were stuck to the roof of my mouth.

When I didn't say a word, she disconnected the call, and I groaned into the silence of the empty car. Fuck me.

Chapter 9

Serena

I hung up the phone and just looked at the black screen in my hand, feeling disappointed. If the Deviants functioned the same as the Italians, family men were supposed to show loyalty by putting the family before all else, even their own wives and children. I should have been grateful that I knew where Odin would be. He wasn't in danger.

I was still upset, but when a tear trailed down my cheek, I quickly pulled myself together. This was silly, and I didn't have a reason to be crying. I gave myself a few more minutes to wallow in self-pity, and then I physically shook out my arms and legs, as if to get rid of the childish antics.

If Odin wasn't home, I'd call the next best person in my life.

"Hey, Rena." Kat answered the phone quickly.

"Are you still stuck at home?" I asked her. Her voice sounded normal, so I assumed they must still be allocating guards on an as-needed basis. Kat's father used to force her to remain in her room as punishment.

"Yes," she answered hesitantly.

“Want to come over and hang out?”

“I am not into threesomes."

I laughed, not expecting that response. "You wouldn't know what do to with all that man meat."

"You're probably right. I'd be like, 'Okay boys, give me a show, and then get the fuck out.'"

I was laughing so hard, I couldn't catch my breath. "Only you wouldn't want to be the meat in that sandwich."

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