Page 5 of Tyr

A flash of anger threaded through Tyr, and someone at the bar slammed down his drink and yelled at the bartender.

Tyr caught Eve’s eye, and she glared at him. He inclined his head as an apology and swallowed hard.

Keep it together.

His gaze moved back to Sylax.

“Tell me what you need, and it’s done. We have safe houses all over California as well as the US. I can set her up?—”

“No,” Sylax said forcefully. He cleared his throat. “I apologize. What I mean is, I want to hireyouuntil I can come back for her. Please. You are the only person I trust.”

Tyr looked at the hooded figure and just distinguished between the long, black hair and the silky fabric of her cloak. He wasn’t used to taking care of someone personally. He was used to taking care of problems. Helping get rid of people that no longer deserved to live. Setting up clients in new places with new identities. Blackmail. Roughing people up. Everything others needed to have done but weren’t willing or capable of doing for themselves. But babysitting someone’s daughter was a new one.

Sy wasn’t just someone, though. He’d helped Tyr on more than one occasion, and outside of Vid, Herm, and one other, Sy was the only real friend Tyr had.

From somewhere deep within the dark hood, a bright blue eye lifted and met his gaze. Red tinged the edge of her eye where a blood vessel had been broken.

A feeling raced through him that he couldn’t place. Familiarity maybe? But he’d never met Sy’s daughter before.

Puzzled, he stared at her, trying to figure out why he couldn’t see both of her eyes.

As if reading his thoughts, she removed her hood.

His fists clenched, and his gut cramped so tight he fought for breath. One side of her face had swollen beyond recognition. Her cheek had been split open, as had her lip. Her second eye swelled shut, and a jagged gash split through her eyebrow. Her other side was a little better, with a black eye and bruised cheek.

Tyr wanted nothing more than to cut apart the man who’d done that to her. A heated wave of emotion blasted away from him, and two men across the room began to argue.

Tyr unclenched his fists and glanced over his shoulder. Vid spotted the two men and then glanced over at Tyr. He half stood from his chair, but Tyr gestured with his hand, and Vid sat back down. Herm whispered something, and Vid shook his head.

Eve glared at him. Tyr bowed to her, and she cocked an eyebrow.

He needed to control himself. She wouldn’t stand for a third flare-up. Damn. He hadn’t had two anger flares in a row in decades.

Sy’s daughter studied him and then looked up at her father and winced, raising her fingers to her jaw.

Was she mute, or did she have more extensive injuries to her face he couldn’t discern?

Sylax nodded. “Please, Lord Tyr. I?—”

“Are you sure you want me? You see how my emotions?—”

Sy grabbed Tyr’s hand.

“I trust only you.”Sy’s thoughts flowed into Tyr, and he experienced the depth of Sylax’s fear and need. The emotions permeated Tyr as if Sylax’s feelings were his own. It both intrigued Tyr as well as made him uneasy, knowing Sylax could penetrate his mind at any moment if he didn’t lock it down.

Tyr nodded. “Okay. But are you sure you only want me to keep her safe? I would happily take care of the person or persons who harmed her as well.”

Sylax let go of Tyr’s hand. “I appreciate that more than words can say, but they are something I need to deal with in my own way.”

“I understand.” He did. Tyr understood more than anyone the need to enact vengeance with one’s own hands. “It would be my honor to ensure her safety until you return.”

Sy bowed. “I can’t pay you all the money upfront, but?—”

Tyr waved his hand. “This is beyond money. Pay me when you can pay me. And if it so be that you never pay me, I am fine with that as well. You just take care of the bastards who did this.” Tyr said to Sy. “And if you need anything, anything at all, I will be there. As you were for me many years ago.”

Sy nodded and hugged his daughter. She sucked in a sharp breath, making Tyr’s anger burn hotter.

Chill, man, or Eve and Aphrodite will have your balls to decorate the café.

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