Page 50 of Viking

“I’m doing this because Viking has earned it. He and Mea belong together. But I also have a reputation to protect. If I made things too easy, what would the other VRMC brothers think? Would they assume I’ll do the same for them? Would they think I’ve gone soft?” I shrug. “Luckily, we don’t have to find out because Viking won’t break the rules.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that, Sir. His love for Mea slash Makayla goes deeper than you could possibly imagine.”

“Okay, so maybe he will break the rules, but he’ll think twice about it for a bit longer.”

“And if he cracks sooner than you expect?” she asks. “What happens then?”

“Nothing, Kára. Nothing happens. Viking will not be punished in any way as long as Valhalla remains protected. I think thousands of years without your soulmate is punishment enough, don’t you?”

21

Viking

What’s wrong?

Makayla’s question tumbles around in my skull. I have no clue how to answer her, how to explain what’s caused the shift in my mood without telling her the truth. And if I do that, I’ll likely scare the shit out of her.

It’s a lose-lose situation.

“Viking?” she prods as she turns to set the bottles of water on the coffee table. “Talk to me.”

I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out.

Code number eight: Cannot reveal your true self to anyone.

“I, um…” I clear my throat and nod at the image. “I know this place.”

“You do?”

I nod.

“I mean, it’s not like it’s a secret place, so it’s not surprising that it’s fa—”

“No, Makayla,” I interject. “Iknowthis place.”

Turning to face her, I watch as confusion enters her eyes. “How?”

“It’s…” I heave a sigh. “Fuck, I can’t do this.”

When I whirl around to leave, she grabs my arm and halts me. I glance over my shoulder, silently asking her what she wants from me.

“Don’t run,” she urges. “I did that last week, and…” She drops her gaze for a moment before lifting it back to mine. “And I regret it.”

“I can’t…” I shake my head to clear my thoughts. “There’s so much I want to tell you, but I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because I have rules to follow,” I say honestly.

“Rules?” she repeats. “Like, in the club?”

One corner of my mouth tips up. If only it were that simple. “Something like that.”

“Okay, so is it breaking the rules to sit and stay a while?”

“No.”

She tugs on my arm, guiding me to the couch, and we both sit. “Is it breaking the rules to talk to me?”

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