Page 82 of Vicious Vows

“Deal.”

Hans leads the way to the kitchen, to the bar. I haven’t paid it much attention, but there’s quite a variety of alcohol here. I guess it makes sense. Odin probably entertains a lot, and one has to be prepared for anything. I cringe. Oh god. Hans is right. I do sound like Grandmama.

Hans hums to himself as he grabs several bottles, pouring alcohol into a shaker. He adds ice and then mixes it, pouring me a hefty drink.

“Try it.”

I do and smile. “Yum. What is this?”

“It’s a Vilulf family secret. I can’t tell you.”

I grin. “Technically, we’re family since your brother married my mother.”

“Fuck. I forgot about that.” He eyes me. “It’s weird, right?”

“Which part?”

“That they’re married. I mean, it would have made more sense for the two of us to get married.”

His words make my heart miss a beat.

“You think so?”

“Yeah.” His eyes widen. “Shit, did I just make things weird?”

“Not weird. Just surprising, that’s all.” I pause. “I think it would have made sense, too, but now it would be scandalous.”

“Fucking Odin probably did it on purpose. Marrying your mother, I mean.”

“What makes you think that?”

“Because I told him I was ready to settle down and mentioned your name while we were in Bali. He got all weird and told me it wasn’t going to happen.”

Bali, the same place I texted Odin thinking it was Hans.

“Is that why you gave me your number, or what you thought was your number? Because you, I don’t know, like me?”

He grins, reminding me of why I had a crush on him before.

“Is that so hard to believe?”

“Maybe. I’ve seen the women you’re usually with. I don’t fit that mold.” I echo the same words Odin said to me when he was trying to barb me.

“True, but those women were just to have fun with, you know? I’m ready for a wife, and you definitely fit that mold.” He grins. “Besides, you and Freja are like the only women I know who would be appropriate matches. God knows Freja and I would kill each other, sothat’snever going to happen.”

I lift my glass, smiling. “I’ll drink to that.”

We both take a drink, though he gulps most of his, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

“If you really meant to give me your number that night, why didn’t you give it to me when you realized you had given me your brother’s number?”

He gives me a sheepish grin. “I kind of forgot about it. Bali was a blur, but not as much as Australia. After Australia, I went back to Norway for a bit.” He pulls out his phone. “What’s your number?”

I rattle it off and say, “It won’t do you much good. Your brother took my phone as punishment.”

“Fuck, that’s one thing I don’t miss. He likes to think he’s the boss of everyone. What did you do?”

“I ditched a soldier and went out with a friend.”

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