Page 11 of The Daredevil

“Everything is here.” Thank God. I’d once visited Milan, Italy, and had my credit card stolen. It took forever for everything to clear. I didn’t want to go through that stress again.

“Let me give you a ride home.”

“It’s just a block away. I can walk.”

“No, you’re not walking.” The commanding tone surprised me.

I didn’t like it and glared at him.

“I don’t want you getting hurt.” He huffed out a breath. “Look what just happened. The thief probably knew you were a tourist, so he targeted you. Let’s get you home and take care of the scrapes. You don’t want it marking up your pretty hands.”

He thinks I have pretty hands?

My annoyance at his commanding tone melted. What did that say about me? I didn’t have an answer.

I slid into the Land Rover and buckled my seatbelt. “It’s going to take you a minute or less to get me home.” The top of the building peaked in the distance.

“That’s okay. I’m heading that way. I live across the street from you. See that gray geometric building? That’s mine.”

“Your building or your apartment?” I asked.

“Building.”

“Oh.”

I often forgot that Audri’s man, Remington Starke, and his friends were all wealthy. Remi, Royce, Grayson, Forrest, and Arrow never talked about their wealth or businesses whenever we hung out. They mostly discussed their WaterFyre Rising video game—something I didn’t know much about. Audri grew up with them, so she knew them better. I only met them through her.

Royce had caught my eye a few times.Look at him.With his long legs, the big blond god of sexy fury filled up the spacious car seat beautifully. Remembering the strength that emanated from him just now, my body shivered. He had always appeared casual, as though nothing could bother him. But just now? I saw a spark of power—daring, untamed, and dangerous—that attracted me.

Ilikedit. What was wrong with me?

He was being a protective friend trying to help me, I told myself. He probably did this all the time.

Why did the car ride seem so much longer? The air in the car thrummed with sexual tension. Or was that my sexual energy stirring in my body and mind?

I had to steer my mind away from inappropriate thoughts. He probably had a girlfriend waiting for him at home. I came to Iceland for work. To find myself. Not for sex. Not for a man who looked like a Viking god who could probably make all my sexual fantasies come true.

“Do you have a special deal with Land Rover?” I asked, recalling Oskar had used one to pick me up. These weren’t cheap cars.

He flicked a look at me as though I had disrupted him from some secret thought, but there was no irritation on his face. If I had to find an adjective, it would be inquisitive.

He swallowed, and my gaze darted to the motion of his throat. Even that was sexy.

“I own some shares and use them for all of my excursion sites. But I’m looking at a startup brand. They’re producing sustainable cars that preserve the natural world. Most vehicles are heading that way, and they’re one of the few pioneers who care about the Earth.”

My heart palpitated at the surprise. I never pegged him to be an environmental guy at all. I’d met some environmentally conscious people, most of whom were vegetarians or vegans and dressed simply. Royce had a certain rugged style. Whenever I saw him at Remi and Audri’s place, he’d worn beat-up jeans and T-shirts that had seen better days, but were expensive brands. Environmental people didn’t have the money for designer labels. Or maybe I hadn’t met any.

I supposed it was true you couldn’t judge a book by its cover, and Royce Viktorsson had me extremely curious.

Who are you, Royce?

The longer I sat in his car, the more intrigued I became. Why was the ride taking so long? Had time frozen?

“I have a Toyota Hybrid at home. It works well.” It was dependable, and that mattered most to me.

I didn’t have money to splurge. Audri had money, but she never used it the way wealthy kids did, and I adored her for that. She never made me or Kiera feel less than her. I spent all my money on traveling. I collected memories the way some people collected handbags and shoes—though I had a wide selection of those too. My heart was happy seeing the world.

“They’re a great car. If you ever need a ride anywhere while you’re in Iceland, let me know. I’m across the street.” The car stopped in front of my apartment, and a sudden sadness gripped me.

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