Page 15 of Viking

“She needed help—”

“Ah.”

“And I needed to know that she couldn’t place us at the scene. So until she talks, she stays here.”

“You sure that’s all there is to it?” CJ says. “Pretty young thing like her. I mean, she’s got some nasty sunburn, and those scars aren’t fresh.”

I sit up straighter and lean forward, but I can’t see shit from here. “The ones on her ankles?”

She nods and throws back the covers, exposing the little siren’s legs. “I noticed them when you were carrying her in. That crisscross pattern in a band like that suggests whatever they used, it wasn’t just holding her down, it designed to dig deeper the more she struggled.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

“Oh honey, I never joke about physical trauma.” CJ sighs. “Wherever she came from, this girl has been through hell. I wanna do a physical. Find out how much damage there really is.”

“So do it.”

“I need you to leave, Vike.”

I shake my head and fold my arms over my chest. “Now I know you’re tugging my dick.”

“With everything this kid has been through, a bunch of strangers standing around staring at her pussy is probably not the warmest welcome, if you know what I mean?”

“CJ—”

“No, Vike. I’m gonna be firm on this. I can see you’re invested. Frankly, I don’t understand how she’s not dead already after holding a knife to your throat.”

“Neither do I.”

“But from now on, it should be her choice whom she shows her body to. It’s clear that hasn’t been an option in the past, unless she’s really into kink.”

“Fine. But I wanna know everything.”

She nods.

I step out into the hall to find several of the brothers waiting.

“How’s she doin’, Prez?” Meatball asks.

“Don’t know yet.” I lean against the wall. “Don’t y’all have shit to do?”

“Yep.” They scatter down the hall and into the clubhouse. I sigh and wait.