Page 19 of Master Vidar & Vali

“Your storage unit was broken into and ransacked. From what we know, there are teams of men searching for you still. Until we can figure out how to get Mihal to back down, you're going to be in danger.”

Lincoln’s response had been so matter-of-fact, it took a minute for the words to sink in. Something inside of mesnapped. The chair I’d been sitting on toppled backward when I rose aggressively to my feet.

“How long have you known this?” My jaw hurt from how tightly it was clenched.

Colin rose as if he was going to comfort me but wisely didn’t come closer. “We found out yesterday. Part of the reason we weren’t here was we had to meet with some people to get more information on the situation.”

Mihal was really still looking for me? My mind raced and my emotions swirled like a rollercoaster between anger and fear. “And you didn’t tell me why?”

“Because until we knew more, there was no point in worrying you.”

“I don’t give a shit if the entire Albanian army is here. You had no right to keep information about my life from me.” I shouted at the two men. They both looked too calm and collected and it made me even angrier as I stood on the edge of a massive breakdown. Did they even care about me or was I just a job?

“We were going to tell you after dinner.” Colin tried to placate me, and even though I believed him, it just made things more confusing.

“I’m done. I can’t do this.” Neither of them moved to restrain me as I barged out of the room and ran for the stairs.

By the time I reached my room, I was panting and my heart was racing. I couldn’t stay here and be some sort of pity case, but I didn’t know where else I could go. I’d figure something out. I always did. I needed to get my stuff then I would find a way to get away. Before I could slam the door shut and lock it, they appeared on the threshold. Lincoln held his hand against the wood and stopped me, his eyes narrowed in frustration.

“Get out!” I hurried to my closet but for what? There was nothing here that was really mine. I grabbed my purse and whirled around. “You know what, never mind.”

My attempt to push by them failed when Colin’s hand shot out and firmly gripped my upper arm.

“You’re not going anywhere, Zara, you are staying with us.” Colin’s grip on my arm was firm, but not painful.

“Why?” My throat was tight with so many emotions. “Why do you care? It’s not your job to take care of me. It’s obvious both of you don’t even like me. I’ll go and then you’ll be free. You won’t have to worry about me anymore.”

“Don’t like you?” Lincoln’s voice held a hurt kind of surprise.

“I’m not an idiot. I can take a hint. Whenever I flirt with either of you, you practically run away. It’s noble, really, that you are willing to protect me, but I’m no one’s pity project. I can take care of myself.”

Not that I had any clue how I was going to do that. Rejection, fear, and days of frustration weren’t the best recipe for good decisions, but the only thing I really knew in that moment was things couldn’t continue the way they’d been. A girl had to have some pride.

Colin’s hand cupped my cheek in a gesture that calmed my soul almost as much as it hurt my heart. “Do you not see how much we like you, want you?”

“Bullshit.” I glared up at him, tears stinging my eyes. I wanted to believe him but couldn’t risk it. It was too easy to lie with words and their actions had spoken clearly.

Lincoln pulled me away and tugged me to his chest. His embrace shocked me and for a minute, I struggled against him. He didn’t let me flee, taking each blow of my fists against his broad chest as he ran his hands over my back soothingly. Fear faded away and my heart rate slowed. Eventually, I rested my forehead against his shoulder, allowing his embrace to act as a balm to all my wounded places.

“You’re not in a good place, Zara.” His voice was a rumble against my ear. “We’re holding back because we care about you,and the last thing Colin or I want is to be those guys who take advantage of a situation.”

God save me from overprotective men. Why did they always think they knew what a woman needed without asking? Okay, I had to admit his words made sense, but I knew what I wanted, and in that moment, it was them.

“Are you saying that you’ve been avoiding me because you thought I wasn’t ready? Not because you don’t want me?” The hope in my voice was embarrassing, but I didn’t care.

“Yes.”

“Both of you want me.” I looked at Colin to make sure he was on the same page.

He took a deep breath then looked at me with a hunger that warmed places deep in my core. “Yes, Zara. We both want you. But if we acted on it, we’d be taking advantage of you.”

“No. This situation is fucked up. Hell, my whole life has been a series of screwed up situations, but I’m a grown woman. I want you both and I need you now.” If for nothing else but to get my mind off the shitshow that was my existence. That wouldn’t be a good argument, but I needed something to remind me I was alive.

“I don’t know.” I could see in Colin’s eyes that he was wavering, so I pushed.

“I’m not asking for forever. Please help me forget all the bad and remind me of the good.” I pulled my head from Lincoln’s shoulder and gave him a pleading look before turning my head and my gaze landed on Colin. “Please.”

It was the moment of no return. If they turned me away, I would have to go. The two men had a silent communication, before Linc stepped back and took me by the hand.

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