Page 4 of Loki's Luck

“That happen a lot around here?” he asks, looking out the door. I look up at him, raising a brow.

“Have you seen this area?” I ask.

“Fair enough,” he says, chuckling. “Well, at least it’s good to know you can take care of yourself.”

“Yeah, when I know where the fuckers threatening me are,” I grumble, not really meaning to let that part slip. I'm beyond fucking tired of fighting an invisible enemy.

Unfortunately, I’ve got a stalker who doesn’t want to come out and play. He wants to make threats by smashing my car windows or slashing two of my fucking tires, which, by the way, is just rude. Well, at least it started with that minor stuff. Now, things have escalated to him trying to burn my fucking apartment down. With me in it, mind you. See what I mean about rude? No fucking manners. I was lucky he only got my stoop, but I couldn’t tell if that was intentional or if he just didn’t have enough gas for the rest of the place. Either way, I’m pissed and fucking done.

“What was that, darlin’?” Beau asks.

“Oh, nothing, Beau,” I say, giving him a fake-ass smile and bagging up his items.

“You know, if you’re in trouble, I could help. I’m a member of the Reckless Omens MC. We wouldn’t hurt you,” he says, looking at me in concern. It’s really sweet, and if I were more trusting, I might take him up on that offer. As it stands, my sister taught me to be strong and independent. Not scared of anything and not to owe anyone for anything.

“Thanks for the offer, but I’m alright,” I tell him, handing him his change and bags. He continues to stare at me before shaking his head.

“Fine, but let me give you my number, anyway. Just in case,” he says, using my pen and writing his number on the back of his receipt.

“Was this just a ploy to give me your number?” I joke with him, and the smile that overtakes his face lights up the room. Unfortunately, it does nothing for my lady bits. Damn, he’s hot as hell.

“No offense, but you seem like a bit of a….” He stops when I raise my brow again at him. “Handful,” he finishes carefully. “I have a lot of shit going on at the moment, and while you are gorgeous, women ain’t in my sights for the foreseeable future.”

“You wanted to say crazy, didn’t you?” I ask, cocking one eyebrow and smiling.

“That’s what you’re stuck on?” he laughs.

“Oh, I heard the rest, and no offense, but you seem like the brotherly type for me. Not the rough, hot, steamy fuck session against the wall, in between the sheets, carry that over into the kitchen, pancake mix everywhere. Chocolate syrup…” My mind drifts at the scene, and I sigh.

“Okay, I can’t tell if we're talking about fucking or food anymore… but now I’m hungry,” Beau says, and I shake my head to bring me back to the moment.

“Sorry, got lost in the fantasy. You seem like a nice guy, but I need someone who can match me. Nice can be… how can I put this… a turnoff,” I tell him with a shrug, and he smiles.

“Oh, I can see that. I actually know someone who might have ya beat. Either way, you have my number if you need help or want to talk. I’d love to hear from ya… friends only,” he says, smiling and making me smile in return.

“I would actually love a friend close by. I’ll be texting you, Beau,” I tell him, and mean it.

My sister is the only person who has ever stuck around when I show my ‘crazy.’ She’s stuck around for everything and held my hand through every fucked up situation I got myself into. She never asks questions, has never turned her back, and has never told me to change. She just loves me for me. There are no conditions with her love. She gives it freely to me, and I don’t deserve it.

Friends are hard to find when you live like you don’t give two fucks. I hadn’t noticed how much I craved that connection to another person until now.

“I’m going to hold you to that. I better hear from you,” he says, pointing a finger at me. I laugh and watch as he exits, tucking his bags into his saddlebags before hopping on his Harley and speeding out of the parking lot.

I look down at the receipt with his number and grab my phone from my back pocket, quickly inputting his number. I wasn’t lying about the connection, as friends, I felt with Beau. Or that I’ve been lonely since my sister left town.

Me: Hey B. Be safe out there ;P

Beau: Thanks, Darlin. You be safe in that store. Gun close.

I roll my eyes before smiling, putting my phone back in my pocket, and getting back to work. Nothing can take the smile away. My sister should be coming home for a visit soon. I’ve got a new BFF, and I almost whooped a guy's ass. Time to do a little happy dance; It doesn’t get better than this… or so I thought.

Somehow, between doing my little dance, checking out two customers, and cashing out, I look up to see a message scribbled across the window to my right. There’s only one word, and it makes me want to smash the whole fucking place.

“Soon.”

Two

LOKI

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