Page 22 of Reaper
“Okay.” None of this makes sense. He talks about the community like it’s his own, but yesterday was the first time I even heard about their club. If they were so embedded in the area, how is that possible? “Still doesn’t change the fact that I can’t pay you.”
“Again, we like to help out when we can,” Reaper repeats. “And if you’re so hell-bent on paying us, you can feed us while we work.”
“I…” I run a shaky hand through my hair. “I can do that. Thank you.”
Lemons meet lemonade.
13
Reaper
“Think she’s okay?”
I’ve been sweeping up sawdust for what feels like forever, but at Demo’s question, I pause and glance toward the hallway where Kyra disappeared a few hours ago.
“I don’t know,” I reply honestly.
“Don’t you think you should go check on her?”
My mind travels back to Skuld’s middle of the night visit. If it hadn’t been for her, we wouldn’t have had exactly everything we needed to fix the diner up, and we wouldn’t be here. And if it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be contemplating something I never thought I’d do again: getting mixed up with a woman.
“He’s right,” Inferno says with a mouthful of fries. “You were sent for a reason. Might as well accept it.”
What they don’t know is that I am accepting it. I’m still not a hundred percent sure Odin’s decision to send me is the right call, but I can’t ignore Skuld’s request that I try. Sure as Fire Pits not gonna admit that to them though. Not yet anyway.
“Fine. I’ll go check on her.”
“Just be nice,” Viking warns.
“I’m always nice,” I toss over my shoulder as I step into the hallway.
“Yeah, and I’m a saint,” Grump hollers.
Kyra’s office door is closed so I knock lightly.
“Yeah, come in.”
Her voice is like silk. Even with everything she’s been through, with the stress of the last twenty-four hours, she sounds like Freyja, the Norse goddess of love, beauty, and sex. In other words, Kyra’s voice wraps around my cock like a tempting vice and won’t let go.
I clear my throat before entering. There’s nothing I can do to tamp down my arousal, so I don’t even bother.
“Oh, hey, Reaper,” Kyra greets. “You guys hungry again?”
“What? No.” I shake my head. “No, I just came to check on you.”
She tilts her head and stares at me with questions in her eyes. For a moment, I wish I had Odin’s and the Valkyries’ ability to read minds because I’d answer any damn thing she wants to ask.
“Are you okay?” I ask when she remains silent.
Kyra nods as she lowers her gaze. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
Lie.
“How long have you been doing that?”
“Doing what?”
“Trying to convince yourself and others that everything is okay when it definitely isn’t?”
