Page 48 of Master Vidar & Vali

That probably meant not everyone on the other side was alive. It was cold but I couldn’t bring myself to care.

“Was it Mihal?” Not that it could have been anyone else but I wanted confirmation.

“Yes, we have him tied up downstairs.”

Now that I took time to notice, I could hear people in the house. Many male voices murmured and, in the distance, I heard a faint siren. The police would come and take him away. I could wait till that happened and not have to face him but that would be cowardly. I needed to face the man who haunted my nightmares if I was ever going to take back my power.

“I want to see him before the cops arrive. There are a few things I need to say to him.” I looked between the two of them. “If you don’t mind?”

Both men grinned. “Let’s go.” Linc took my hand and led the way.

The front yard was filled with big muscular men who I assumed were from G&H. The house had bullet holes and a few broken windows but nothing that couldn’t be fixed. Brody stood off to the side with his weapon pointed at the group of three men who were all bound and kneeling on the ground. I was silently glad there weren’t any dead bodies in sight.

When Mihal saw me, his eyes positively glittered with anger. Kneeling like that, he didn’t look as big as I remembered. Compared to my men, he was practically tiny. How had I ever thought this man was scary?

“You bitch! This is all your fault,” he snarled.

Anger flared through me. Rage at how he’d slipped into my dreams and made me afraid. That he’d forced me to run like a scared rabbit. I wasn’t a weakling. With my men with me, I was fucking invincible. I strode forward and he lifted his chin as if attempting to look down on me even from his knees.

That was it. I pulled my foot back, and I kicked him in the balls as hard as I could. All his smugness and anger vanished as he fell to the side howling in pain. That had been so satisfying.

I looked at Colin and Lincoln who were both trying to hide their laughter. “I think that’s all I had to say.”

The headlights of several cars pulling up the drive cut off any more discussion. It was several police cruisers. I walked away from the bound men and Lincoln placed himself so that his body blocked my view of them.

It took several hours of questioning with more to come before I was allowed to get a drink. Gabriel and Rose had arrived at some point, and when she saw I was finally free of my police escort, she ran over and gave me a huge hug.

“I was so worried about you, Zara. I’m so glad you’re okay.”

My heart melted a little. I’d never had a friend who worried over me. It was amazing how far I’d come in so little time. I not only had two wonderful men who loved me, but my circle of friends was growing as well. It was amazing to feel like I finally had people at my back who would be there no matter what happened.

“Thanks, Rose, that means a lot. I’m so glad you came.”

She smiled. “Of course I came. You’re one of us now. Why don’t you come home with me and Gabriel tonight? This place will need a thorough cleaning and few repairs before you should stay here. We can send in the team to have it ready in no time.”

“Thank you, Rose, but Zara stays with us.” Linc stepped up behind me and wrapped his arms around me.

Colin was only a step behind him and he bent over and stole a kiss. The temptation to demand more was strong. It had been a crazy night, and I could think of nothing better than to lose myself in them.

“Of course the two of you are invited as well. You know how big our guest suite is. Come with us and let us take care of you guys tonight. Though that is a long drive, maybe we could all stay over at Asgard.” The idea of being able to have both my men and my friend was perfect. I turned pleading eyes on the men.

“Asgard is probably the best choice since it’s so late. Linc, I think Zara would like a little bit of female company tonight. I’ll grab some stuff for tonight and we can come tomorrow before work to get the rest until we figure out where we’re going to end up.”

Gabriel joined us. “No work tomorrow for either of you. We can have a quick discussion about cleaning up this mess and then you guys spend the day with your woman. I’ll have Reynolds drive the ladies over now while we finish up here.”

I gave Gabriel a grateful smile. I wanted to get away from all the noise and visual reminders of what had happened. For a moment, I was worried the men would argue, but Linc put a hand on Colin’s shoulder and smiled. “Sounds perfect. Thanks, Gabe.”

It was hard to believe I was finally going to be safe. Rose and I headed out to the SUV and climbed in back together, shutting out the chaos. Would we finally be able to go on with our lives? Worry fluttered in my chest as I saw Lincoln and Colin through the window heading over to finish up talking with the police. I didn’t think the men would get in trouble since Mihal’s men were the aggressors but one never knew. The man named Reynolds as well as someone named Jackson got in the front and we quickly pulled away onto the dark road.

“How are you feeling?” Rose asked with concern in her voice.

“Wired actually and also exhausted.”

Rose sighed and squeezed my hand. “I can’t even imagine, but you're in good hands now, Zara.”

I smiled, the passing streetlights casting strange shadows on Rose’s face. “I know and I’m grateful.” I was also worried that, with the danger gone, things wouldn’t work out as well as I hoped.

“But?”

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