Page 2 of Tyr

Tyr rolled his eyes. Gods help the women who ended up with those two. They’d need more patience than Frigg herself.

Tyr’s phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out. His brow furrowed. It was a number he’d not seen in forever. He pushed the button and answered.

“Sylax?”

“Tyr? I need your help.”

Tyr strode to the stairs and jumped down them in one leap. He grabbed a set of keys off the wall and threw open the door to the garage.

“Tell me where you are.”

CHAPTER 2

24 HoursEarlier

Celeste staredat the floor as the broken glass ground into her palms. The beautiful vase of flowers that had been presented to her less than twelve hours prior as an apology gift lay smashed on the wood all around her.

“Why?” Anton yelled. “Why are you so unhappy? I have power. I have money. I’m excellent in bed. I give you everything, and it isn’t enough.”

Tears dripped from Celeste’s eyes, but she refused to let him see them, so she kept her head bowed and her hair encasing her face.

“Answer me!” The metal bat hit her shin, and she bit the inside of her cheek to keep from crying out.

Her head and face throbbed from the blows he’d rained down upon her earlier. They’d heal quick… too quick… leaving him wondering why, but that wasn’t something she could do anything about. Her mother had sold her off to the man as payment for gambling debts. She’d told him of Celeste’s particular gift but not why Celeste had it. And he hadn’t caredto ask. Anton had taken one glance at Celeste, and she hadn’t needed to read his mind to see what he wanted. The lust that wafted off him like a stinking donkey was there for anyone to witness.

And now she lay on his floor, not only the cause of his latest violent episode but the recipient as well.

Anton grabbed her by her hair and whipped her head back. “Usually, I like my women silent, but if you don’t answer me, you ungrateful little bitch, I’m going to cut your tongue out.”

Celeste couldn’t help the shakes that took over her body at his threat. She’d been with Anton for a week and a half and had seen things she never imagined. Beatings, murders, sex of every kind. The last had been particularly embarrassing as Anton forced her to witness one of the girls from his club kneel in front of him and show Celeste how he liked it.

Not that he would ever getthatfrom Celeste. Not unless he wanted it bitten off. Even so, the display shocked her. She’d seen it in movies, but seeing it in person, and with someone she loathed, made her want to vomit.

Anton dropped the bat with a clang and pulled a gun from his waistband, pressing it to her temple. “Tell me, Celeste. What is so bad about everything I want to give you? Why will you not utter one word of gratitude? Tell me, or I will splatter what little is inside your skull all over this floor.”

Celeste couldn’t hold back the terrified tears any longer. Couldn’t hold back the snot running over her lips. Couldn’t hold back the violent shaking of her body at his threat. She could only control the one thing he wanted more than anything. Her words. Not that she would have been able to speak if she’d wanted to. She was sure her jaw was at least cracked.

“I’m gonna give you until the count of two. One… Two?—”

A huge bang sounded on the door, and Celeste jumped at the sound.

Anton turned his head. “I’m busy!” he yelled before looking at her once more. “Where were we?”

“Boss!” came a muffled voice. “There’s a problem.”

Anton’s eyes didn’t leave hers. “Handle it. It’s what I pay you for!”

There was another bang. “Boss, a guy’s been stabbed! Twice.”

Anton stared at her for a moment and then shoved the gun back into his waistband. He threw her to the floor once more, and Celeste stiffened, waiting for his parting blow, but it didn’t come. Instead, he stomped to the door and yanked it open.

Panicked voices and shouting floated up the stairs. The music stopped, and women screamed below. “Shit.” Anton walked out the door but turned and pointed to her. “Put her in the closet. She doesn’t come out until I get her, understand?”

The bodyguard nodded, and Anton took off down the stairs, yelling obscenities the entire way.

Celeste allowed herself to take a shaky breath but winced as her ribs screamed at her.

The guard closed the door and surveyed the room. She read his thoughts.

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