Page 117 of Heart of Frost and Scars

His words resonate within me, igniting a fire that’s been smoldering for years.

This isn’t just about survival anymore. It’s about building a future, about creating something that tells our story. And for the first time, I believe it’s possible.

While we wait for the owner, Monty returns to his phone, a frown knitting his forehead as he types.

“What’s wrong?” I crane my neck, unable to see his screen.

“Sirena’s here.” He pockets the device and twists toward the door.

She walks in, drawing every pair of eyes in the bar.

Tight denim molds to her long, shapely legs. That’s as far as my perusal goes before Leo’s hand smacks the back of my head.

“I wasn’t checking her out.” I grunt.

“Sure you weren’t.” He sweeps his gaze over the crowd. “You and every other hard dick in this place.”

She might be the most beautiful female here, but my dick only responds to one woman.

Monty hasn’t spared her a glance beyond his quick acknowledgment when she walked in.

Men whistle and leer as she passes, but she doesn’t flinch. It’s like they don’t exist to her.

I track her in my periphery like I track everyone else in this place. She carries herself with the kind of confidence that makes everyone take notice, her head held high, and dark hair flowing down her back.

But she only has eyes for us.

As she approaches, the crowd parts, drawn to her but knowing better than to get too close.

“Hello, boys,” she purrs.

I return to my drink, preferring the tasteless vodka over her sugary conversation.

Monty doesn’t pay her attention, leaving us to deal with her as he buries his nose in his phone.

I focus on the bar, on all the ways I would change it if it were mine.

Sirena moves closer to me and rests a hand on my thigh.

I loosen a low, warning sound deep in my chest. “Remove your fucking hand.”

She blinks, a look of surprise crossing her face before she chuckles and withdraws her hand. “Easy there, big guy.”

“Why are you here?”

“I heard you were in town.”

“How?” I glare at her, my patience wearing thin.

“It’s my job to know.” At my glance toward Monty, she shakes her head. “I have a lot of customers, baby. I need to know who’s coming and going from this port.” She pitches forward, tits first, and exhales hot breath in my ear. “You three are by far my sexiest clients.”

“I’m not your client.”

“Even better.”

“I’m only going to say this once.” Slowly, I rise from the stool, donning my scariest scowl.

One peek at my face, and she stumbles back.

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