Page 49 of Master Vidar & Vali

“But what?” I answered Rose.

“You said that like there was a but in there somewhere.”

“How is it you know me so well after such a short time?”

Rose chuckled. “It comes with giving twenty out of twenty-four hours a day to complete strangers. You're able to read anyone in any situation.”

“Right… the hotel business. How long did it take for you and Gabriel to know that you were each other’s forever?”

Rose leaned back in her seat. “I’d been trying to get the man's attention for some time but he made himself scarce. When he showed up in the club that first time, I knew something big was going to happen. I’d been dying to sample the goods, but when I found our kinks were analogous, I knew I’d met my match.”

I didn’t respond, just let her words replay in my mind.

“Are you struggling with wondering if Colin and Linc are your forever relationship?”

Was I? Not exactly. I knew they could be my forever, but was I the same for them? How did I even say that without sounding like a pathetic woman who was questioning her own self-worth?

“We haven’t known each other long, so how can they be sure I’m enough for them?”

“Ah, I see. So you are questioning your own value?”

“How do you do that?”

Rose giggled. “It’s a gift.”

“I’d say, and in answer to your question, yes, I’m questioning my value. Am I enough for two men? Self-doubt, it is my super power.”

Rose laughed aloud. “Zara, I love you. You’re hilarious! But in all seriousness, you need to take a look in the mirror. First of all, you’re gorgeous, a literal blonde bombshell Marilyn Monroe with a touch of the girl next door innocence about you. So from a purely exterior esthetic, you’re a stunner, who wouldn’t want you? The only thing holding you back is your suffering from thinking you’re lesser because of your humble beginnings. Who cares? Those humble beginnings made you a strong woman and the world needs more of those. Hell, you impressed Mari and that’s saying something. Don’t question your value, Zara, just what your heart wants and maybe let that make your decision.”

The woman had just bitch slapped me in the best way possible. She was right, I was a badass and it was about time I started acting like it. “Thanks, lady, I needed that.”

“I know.” She smirked.

It was my turn to laugh. My heart felt light, unburdened. Colin and Linc were my future and our future was all that mattered.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Lincoln

When we arrived, Rose and Zara had set up in one of the guest cabins on the edge of Asgard property. They’d laid out a spread with all sorts of goodies and drinks. I had to admit, after the day we’d had, it was nice arriving to such a welcome. Zara had showered and her hair hung in damp waves down her back. She was dressed in clingy loungewear that Rose must have lent her and looked good enough to eat.

She kissed me. “Down, boy, you need food first.”

I chuckled and held her close before relinquishing her to Colin who waited patiently for his turn.

“You look good enough to eat,” he said, voicing my thoughts aloud.

Zara giggled. “Real sustenance first. I need my men in top condition before we retire to bed.”

“Do you?” Colin bit down on Zara’s ear. “I’m listening, princess.”

A shudder moved through her and I couldn’t wait until we had some privacy. Lucky for us, all of the bedrooms inAsgard were practically soundproof so, even if Gabriel and Rose planned to stay here, we could be as loud as we wanted.

Zara served us food and urged us to eat and drink throughout the meal. She was a woman on a mission, and I couldn’t wait to have her all to ourselves. We did talk a bit about what would happen next in regards to the Albanians, but already we’d received a call from Jared who said the Albanian mob was claiming that the attack had been by a rogue group and had no association with them. He doubted the man would last a single night once he reached prison.

I shared that with the others over our meal and we speculated that would mean the Albanians had no interest in retaliating against us. “Don’t you find it odd that Jared has better information than the police?”

Colin shook his head. “You’re acting like he’s some sort of spy.”

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