Page 18 of Loki's Luck

“How did you two get in here?” I ask them.

Rae smiles at me again before answering. “We snuck in with a party and hid in the bathroom when they left. The guy behind the counter doesn’t come in here and check,” she explains, shrugging.

“You two are quite the little deviants, aren’t you?” I ask, smiling widely. I hate they are alone here, but I am proud of them for sticking together and getting somewhere safe.

I look around the skating rink one more time.

“Well, since you two ran away, where have you been sleeping, and what are you eating?” I ask softly again, fearing I already know the answer.

“Don’t tell them anything, Rae. They just want to tell the state and take us back. This time, they might split us up. They’ve been threatening it for a while,” Rome says, glaring at Loki. It will take a lot of time before he trusts us, and that’s okay. Trust is earned. They can’t give it away freely. We understand this kid a hell of a lot more than he thinks. Loki looks at him curiously for a minute before speaking up.

“You would do anything to protect your sister, huh?” he asks.

“Yes, I would kill to protect my twin,” Rome says without blinking, staring Loki down.

“Now, you know that the best place for her is with people who will do nothing but love, care, and protect her, right?” Loki asks again.

“Yes, sir. She has that with me,” Rome says, sticking out his chest.

“I understand that, son. I have a sister I protect too… But who’s taking care of you?” Loki asks softly. As soon as the words leave Loki’s mouth, Rome’s face crumples. The look in Rome’s eyes mirrors the one shining in Loki’s. If anyone can relate to what this little boy is feeling, it’s Loki.

I look at Loki, and I can see the same feelings on his face that I know are mirrored in mine. These kids won’t ever have to worry again if we have anything to say about it. I never knew it was possible for your heart to break but to be filled at the same time. All these emotions are floating between Loki, me, and these babies. I’m surprised everyone within a ten-block radius can’t feel it. The moment I laid eyes on these babies, I knew they would impact our lives, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. By the look on my man’s face, he’s right there with me.

Ten

LOKI

“I’ll be right back, baby. Why don’t you go to the counter over there and get yourself and the kids something to eat?” I tell Halle, kissing her temple as I hand her some cash before walking away.

I pull out my cell phone walking to the front counter of the rink.

“I want to pay for my kids. They snuck in with a party, but I’ll pay for them now,” I tell the guy at the counter.

“I saw them sneak in. They looked pretty rough, saw the bruises, and thought they might need a safe place,” the guy at the counter says, raising an eyebrow at me.

“Yeah, I’m taking care of that shit now. No one lays a hand on those kids from here on out,” I growl before paying and walking outside. I hit my cell's first speed dial number as I walk toward my bike. That any fucker could lay a hand on a child in hate disgusts me. That it's people who took an oath to protect said children before they were placed in their homes makes me want to burn this town to the ground.

How could anyone be that fucking cruel? Alright, I may be fucking insane and a bit knife happy, but I would never take my anger out on a kid in a million years. Sick fuckers, that’s what they are. Anyone who can stomach seeing a bruise they made on a child should be put down. I’ll make it my fucking duty to be the one delivering that punishment.

“What?” Swift barks into the phone, and I hear Piper’s breathy sigh over the line.

“Fuck, Prez, don’t want to hear that shit,” I tell him, pulling the phone away from my ear. If Halle caught wind that I heard any other woman’s pleasure besides hers, I’m worried she’d have my balls.

“What the fuck do you want, Loki?” he asks impatiently.

“I need a favor,” I say, and everything stills. I hear nothing on the other line until he speaks up.

“YOU are asking ME for a favor? You never ask for favors, brother,” he says like I don’t already fucking know that.

“You going to help me or not, Prez?” I ask impatiently, not having the patience for this shit.

“Of course, brother. You should already know that,” he says in a softer tone.

“I know that. That’s why I called. Look, we have a situation down here at the skating rink. Can you send one of the prospects with the truck?” I ask.

“They are on their way now,” he says a minute later. I give him my thanks before hanging up and heading into the skating rink. I walk in and make a beeline to the table where Halle sits with the kids. When I get there, Rae smiles up at me. Rome sticks another chicken nugget in his mouth, but he’s got a death grip on his sister’s hand.

“Hey Loki, look, I got pizza!” Rae says with a smile full of cheese and sauce.

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