Page 42 of Mated To The Vikens

The decision to walk away made my blood burn like acid, but I would not face him here, not with Sophia by my side. I refused to place my mate in danger. Now that I knew who he was, he would be dealt with. He was a high-ranking council member in Sector Two, but the three Kings would not allow council politics to stand in their way. Two was my sector, King Lev’s sector. Sector Two was famous for brutal efficiency in its warriors, for men who liked to be in control.

Lev’s fury would equal mine. Neither of us would permit this bastard to live long.

For now, I needed to get my mate as far away from him as possible. For now, I had to tread carefully.

“Yes. I’m lucky,” I replied. “If you’ll excuse us, we are tired. The third floor was as entertaining as I remembered.”

“Of course.” He inclined his head and I gave the couple a brief nod, then took Sophia’s arm and pulled her along next to me as I walked down the street. She was stiff and slow, as if her legs were numb, for I had to tug her along behind me. It was as if Dorn’s voice triggered a deep fear in her, or sent her back into shock. I tucked her under my arm and tried to will my heat, my strength into her small body. “I’ve got you, mate. He’ll never threaten you again, I swear it.”

She shivered in response to my words, but picked up the pace, clinging to my side. Once we rounded a corner out of sight from the entrance, I stopped and turned her to face me. The sky was dark, but the city lights made the street bright. People were about, walking to their homes, their places of work. Their lives. Innocent people streamed past us as I processed the truth.

The VSS had infiltrated the sector councils. The three Kings had feared the movement had recruited spies and conspirators from deep within the government. I suspected this would be the case, but there had been no proof. Until now. Until Dorn.

Leaning down, I looked into her eyes from beneath the edge of the hood.

“Do not be afraid.”

She licked her lips. Only a short time ago, I’d have found that innocent gesture arousing. Now, with her eyes wide with fear and anxiety, I saw it as an outlet of her nerves.

“He…it was him. I…why did you let him go?”

“He won’t get away, I promise. I know who he is now, thanks to you. He won’t escape justice. Breathe, Sophia.” I placed my hands on either shoulder and pulled her close. She melted into me, accepting my protection and strength, trusting me to keep her safe, and my heart swelled with a painful ache I’d not felt in a long, long time. Her faith humbled me, made me feel complete, filled a void in me I hadn’t realized was empty. And I vowed to be worthy, to protect my beautiful little mate to my last dying breath.

She pulled away and looked up at me, her warm eyes clouded with confusion. “You know him? Is he your friend?” she asked, her voice stronger.

I nodded once, my jaw clenched. “He’s not my friend. I’ve known him for a long time. He’s belonged to Club Trinity even longer than I. He was one of my trainers in the Masters program there.”

Sophia closed her eyes and shuddered in revulsion. “God, how could any woman let him touch her?”

“He’s a Sadist, and very good at what he does. For those that find release through pain, he’s exactly what they need.”

She opened her eyes and blinked slowly. Once. Twice, as my words processed. “So, he likes hurting people?”

I sighed, unsure if she could ever understand the complexities of need Club Trinity catered to. “Some people enjoy pain, little one.”

“I know. It’s the same on Earth. I just…”

“What is it?”

“He’s—he’s evil, Gunnar. Pure evil.” She buried her face in my chest and I wrapped my arms around her, provided a safe place for her to release her anger and fear. “He was going to kill Leah and Allayna. He wanted that other man to kill me. He didn’t hesitate. He talked about killing me like he was stepping on a spider.”

I rubbed her back until her shivering stopped. “Let’s get out of her and go tell the others. The Kings will take care of arresting him. And when they’re done with him, Lev will kill him.”

She shook her head in denial and I placed my hands under her chin, gently lifted her face and forced her to meet my gaze. “If Lev doesn’t kill him, I will. He’ll never threaten you again.”

“It’s just like on Earth,” she replied. “It’s like I never left.”

“Why do you say this?” I knew little about the far-off planet, but I recognized the resignation, the sound of defeat in my mate’s voice, and I did not like it.

“There are many names for groups like the VSS. Terrorists. Mafia. Cartels. Gangs. The title is irrelevant, but there’s always a leader, someone with…minions beneath, and more foot soldiers and pawns beneath them. It’s like roots on a tree, they spread out and permeate every aspect of society. Government, police, banking, everything. The people on the bottom are expendable, and so are those in the middle. But those at the top are protected at any cost. It’s vicious and cruel and no one is safe. And you never know who to trust, and who’s been bought.”

“Yes,” I replied. “That sounds quite similar to the VSS.”

“That is how I was put in jail. I was at the bottom. I was expendable. That guy, Dorn, is he at the bottom?” she asked.

“No, I’m afraid not. He sits on the council in Sector Two. He has risen to a position of power.”

She shuddered, her eyes clouded with worry. Unable to resist offering comfort, I stroked her cheek. “Do not fear, mate. I will take care of this. You’ve done your part.”

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