Page 32 of Viking
“Everything was already complicated.”I leaned back slightly to see his face better.“At least now there’s something good in the mix.”
Viking’s hands framed my face, his thumbs brushing my cheekbones.“If you say yes, if you let me claim you both, I’m all in.You need to know that.”
The intensity in his eyes made my breath catch.This was it -- the moment to decide.To trust or not.To take this leap into the unknown with this man who had already risked everything to protect us.
Before I could answer, a sharp, urgent knocking shattered the moment.Viking was on his feet in an instant, body tensing, hand moving instinctively toward where I knew he kept his gun.
“Viking!”A voice called through the door.“It’s Wire.We’ve got trouble!”
The spell broken, Viking looked down at me, conflict evident in his eyes -- duty pulling him one way, the unfinished conversation between us pulling another.
“Go,” I said, rising to my feet.“We’ll finish this after.”
He nodded once, his hand squeezing my shoulder briefly before he strode toward the door, already shifting from the man who had kissed me with such tenderness to the warrior prepared to face whatever threat had arrived at our doorstep.
I stood frozen in the hallway as Viking yanked open the front door, revealing Wire on the porch.Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the cool night air, and his eyes darted past Viking to me, then back again.Whatever news he brought, it wasn’t good.The taste of Viking’s kiss still lingered on my lips, but the moment of connection we’d shared evaporated like morning mist in the face of Wire’s obvious distress.
“They’re moving,” Wire said without preamble, his voice low and urgent.“Three black SUVs just left the Bluebird, heading in our direction.Atlas is tracking them on traffic cams.”
Viking’s entire body language transformed before my eyes.The man who had held me tenderly moments ago vanished, replaced by something harder, colder.His shoulders squared, feet planted wider, hands hanging loose at his sides -- ready.The change was so complete it almost frightened me.
“How long?”Viking demanded.
“Twenty minutes, maybe less if they push it.”Wire glanced at me again, hesitation flickering across his face.“They’re not even pretending anymore.Full tactical gear, moving in formation.”
I stepped closer, refusing to be sidelined.“How do you know they’re coming here?Maybe they’re just --”
“They’ve got satellite images of the compound,” Wire cut me off.“Atlas intercepted their communications.They know you’re here, they know exactly where Viking’s house is, and they’re coming with enough firepower to start a small war.”
My blood turned to ice.I thought of Athena sleeping peacefully down the hall, unaware that the monsters from her father’s world were minutes away from our doorstep.
“How?”I whispered.“How did they find us so quickly?”
“Doesn’t matter now,” Viking said, his voice flat and emotionless.“Wire, get back to the clubhouse.Savior know yet?”
Wire nodded.“I already called him.He’s mobilizing everyone.And he said that decision he asked you to make… he’s going to consider it made.”
I bit my lip.Looked like any choice I’d had was now gone.Not that I’d really needed one.I’d pretty much already decided I would stay here with Viking, and not just because I wanted to keep Athena safe.Being his woman was a dream come true for me.
“The Prospects?”Viking asked.
“Already moving families to the new safe house on the back forty.”
Viking turned to me, his gaze softened briefly.“Pack a bag for you and Athena.Just essentials.Wire’s son will come for you in five minutes.”
“I’m not leaving you,” I protested, stepping closer.“Not after everything we just --”
“Karoline.”His voice left no room for argument.“I need you safe.Need to know Athena’s safe.I can’t do what needs to be done otherwise.”
Wire shifted uncomfortably on the porch.“I’ve got Tank securing the armory and Flicker is setting up the roadblocks.We need you at the gate, Viking.”
“Go,” I said, seeing the conflict in Viking’s eyes.“I’ll be ready.”
Viking hesitated, then pulled me against his chest in a fierce embrace.His lips pressed against my hair, my forehead, then briefly, desperately against my mouth.“Stay with Athena,” he murmured against my lips.“I’ll come for you both.”
Before I could respond, he released me and stepped onto the porch with Wire.“I’ll be there in two minutes,” he told Wire, who nodded and jogged down the steps, already pulling out his phone.
Viking turned back to me, his expression unreadable in the porch light.“Whatever happens tonight, remember what I said.This is real.You and me.Athena.All of it.”
