Page 140 of Vicious Vows

“Chains or cuffs?” one asks.

Irons answers, “Neither. I have other ways to make sure my girls behave.” He turns to Anna and Freja, removing his mask. “Ladies, my vehicle is awaiting. Try to run, andAngrboðawon’t be the only one who brings sorrow.”

Freja whimpers, but Anna stills.That’s right, my smart girl.

Irons turns and motions for them to follow. They do, and I fall in line behind Anna. Her arms are wrapped around her stomach as if she’s cold. I will her to be strong for just a bit longer. We make our way outside to the SUV. Most of my brothers are in the second vehicle, but Hans and Heimdall are in this one. Moving around Anna, I open the door for her. She climbs in, followed by Freja.

Irons says, “See you at the airstrip.”

He goes to the first vehicle, getting in. When he’s in, I shut Freja’s door and round the SUV, getting in so that I’m next to Anna. Everyone is silent as we pull away from the warehouse. I dare not remove my mask. Not until we’re at the airstrip walking up to my jet.

Freja silently cries, but Anna is still. The only sign of her fear is her clasped hands that are white under her grip. Fuck. I want to comfort her, but I won’t risk this. The drive takes an hour. Fucking Dallas traffic. We come to a stop in front of my jet where the rest of my brothers stand, masks still on. One of them opens the door and I get out first, motioning for Anna to follow.

Knowing my brothers will make sure Freja comes, too, I take Anna by the elbow and lead her to the steps of the jet. Inside, she stops, but I push her along to the back, directing her to take a seat. Once everyone is on and the doors shut, I stand, pulling off my mask. My brothers do the same. Freja wails ahead of us, and Hans pulls her into his arms. Anna stares up at me, like she can’t believe what she’s seeing. I kneel in front of her.

“Baby girl?”

Her skin pales right before she passes out.

“Anna!”

* * *

Anna

I come to as something cool presses against my forehead. Opening my eyes, I find Odin standing over me. I try to sit, but he stops me.

“Easy, baby girl.”

I sit with his help.

“Where are we?”

“On my jet. We’re almost back home.” His gaze searches mine. “You were out for a while.”

Ahead, I see Freja and Hans. They’re sitting close together, and her head is resting on his shoulder. Looks like I never stood a chance with Hans after all.

“Anna, I have to ask. Did they…did anything happen to you?”

I shake my head. Everything is still too fresh, and I can’t rehash it. Not right now.

He pulls me into his embrace.

“It’s okay,” he soothes.

Suddenly, everything that I’ve held in is too much. Holding onto Odin, I silently sob, my tears soaking his shirt.

He kisses the top of my head, holding me even tighter. “Shh. It’s okay. I’ve got you, baby girl. I’ve got you.”

I cry even harder. He might not feel the same way once he knows the truth. I shut my eyes, willing myself not to think. There are too many what-if’s right now and I just can’t deal with it. So I cry until I have no tears left to cry. And then I fall asleep against his chest to the sound of his steady heartbeat.

* * *

“Anna,” Odin says gently. “I need you to wake up, baby girl.”

Opening my eyes, I find we’re the only two on the jet.

“Where’s Freja?”

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