Page 16 of Bad Luck, Hard Love (Heaven’s Rejects MC #6)

The truth of her words hits me hard. She's right, and I know it. But the memory of Thor's touch, the safety I felt in his arms, the way he looked at me like I was something precious—it clouds my judgment.

“I need to think,” I mutter, grabbing my purse and tucking my phone inside. “I'm going for a walk.”

“Charlie—”

“I'll be back soon,” I promise, already heading for the door. “I just need some air.”

The hallway feels too quiet after I close the door behind me. I lean against the wall, taking deep breaths to clear my head. Minny's concerns echo in my mind. But the way he makes me feel…

I need to sort through these feelings before I see him again tonight. The hotel's sprawling layout offers plenty of space to think, so I head toward the atrium, where tropical plants and fountains create a peaceful oasis amid the casino chaos.

The morning crowd is sparse—mostly hungover tourists nursing coffees and business types heading to meetings.

I wander, barely registering my surroundings as my thoughts circle in endless loops.

Thor's world versus the safety I've finally created for myself.

The intensity of our connection versus the rational voice screaming that two days isn't enough to know someone.

I'm so lost in thought that I don't notice the man in my path until I slam straight into his chest.

“I'm so sorry,” I stammer, stepping back and looking up.

“Well, look who it is. The girl who disappeared on me the other night. I was worried about you.”

I freeze, my blood turning to ice as recognition slams into me. That smug smile, those predatory eyes—this is one of the men from the club. One of the ones who drugged me.

“Oh,” I manage, forcing my lips into a confused smile while my heart hammers against my ribs. “Do I know you?”

He invades my personal space. “Come on now, don't play coy. We were having such a good time at the Dice Club before you and your friend disappeared.”

Every instinct inside of me screams danger. I take a small step backward, maintaining my facade of polite confusion, “I'm sorry, I think you've mistaken me for someone else.”

“No mistake,” he says, his tone hardening slightly as he blocks my path “We were just getting to know each other. My friends and I are having brunch at Tableau. Why don't you join us? We'd love to catch up.”

My mouth goes dry. Every cell in my body is telling me to run, but I force myself to appear calm. “That's very kind, but I'm actually meeting someone.”

His smile turns predatory, “It'll just be for a little while, Charlotte.”

My name on his lips sends ice through my veins. I never told him my name. The realization slams into me— they knew who I was before they drugged me. This wasn't random.

“How do you know my name?” I demand, abandoning all pretense of politeness.

He chuckles, stepping closer. “Let's just say we have mutual acquaintances.” His hand reaches for my arm. “Now about that brunch?—”

I jerk away from his touch, “Don't.”

“Don't be difficult. My associates are very interested in meeting you properly. No games this time.”

I scan the atrium desperately. There are people around, but they're all engrossed in their own worlds—no one is paying attention to us. The man moves closer, herding me toward a less populated area.

“I said, no.”

His hand clamps around my wrist, grip tightening like a vise, “I wasn't asking.”

Panic explodes in my chest. Without thinking, I slam my knee upward, connecting with his groin. He doubles over with a strangled groan, his grip loosening just enough for me to wrench free.

I run.

My heels click frantically against the marble floor as I dart between potted palms and confused tourists. Behind me, I hear his furious shout and the heavy thud of footsteps giving chase. I don't look back, focusing only on putting as much distance between us as possible.

The casino floor looms ahead—a maze of slot machines and gaming tables.

Perfect. I plunge into the crowd, weaving between elderly women at penny slots and bachelor parties around craps tables.

The noise swallows me, a cacophony of electronic chimes and drunken cheers providing cover as I duck and dodge.

“Charlotte!”

I catch a glimpse of him shoving past a cocktail waitress, his face contorted with rage. My heart hammers against my ribs as I spot an employee-only door tucked between two banks of machines. Without hesitation, I lunge for it, shouldering through into a stark service corridor.

The door swings shut behind me, muffling the casino's roar.

I kick off my heels, snatching them up as I sprint down the corridor, my bare feet slapping against the cold linoleum.

The service hallway stretches ahead, fluorescent lights buzzing as I push my body to move faster.

Behind me, I hear the door slam open, his furious shout echoing off the bare walls.

“You can't run from me!”

I dart around a corner, nearly colliding with a startled housekeeper pushing a cart.

I mumble an apology as I squeeze past her, scanning desperately for an exit.

My lungs burn, panic clawing at my throat as I spot another door at the end of the hall.

I slam into it with my shoulder, tumbling out into what looks like a loading dock.

The morning sun blinds me momentarily. I blink rapidly, orienting myself as I hear the door behind me bang.

I dart behind a stack of delivery crates, crouching low and pressing my back against the rough wood.

My bare feet sting against the hot concrete as I tuck myself into the shadows, praying he won't see me.

I hold my breath, clutching my shoes to my chest to keep them from making noise.

“Charlotte!” His voice echoes across the concrete expanse, “Don't make this harder than it needs to be!”

I press myself deeper into my hiding place, making myself as small as possible.

Sweat trickles down my spine as I hear his footsteps moving across the loading dock.

Farther at first, then closer. I press my fist against my mouth to stifle my panicked breathing, squeezing my eyes shut as if that might somehow make me invisible.

His footsteps stop. I'm barely breathing now, eyes still closed, hands trembling around my shoes. The silence stretches for what feels like eternity before I hear a phone ringing.

He answers with an irritated grunt, “What?”

I dare to peek around the edge of the crates. He's standing with his back to me, one hand pressing his phone to his ear.

“Yeah, I'm coming. Ran into our mark from the other night. The bitch took off on me.”

My heart pounds so loudly I'm certain he'll hear it. Mark? They were targeting me specifically?

“No, I haven't found her,” he continues, scanning the loading dock. I duck back into the shadows. “Fuck it. I'll be right there.”

He pockets his phone with a curse, making one final sweep of the area before storming back through the service door. I stay frozen in place, counting to one hundred before I dare to move. My legs shake as I stand, adrenaline still coursing through my veins.

I slip my shoes back on, wincing as they press against my tender feet. My mind races with questions. Why was I their ‘mark’? How did they know my name? What do they want with me?

I pull out my phone with trembling hands and call Minny.

My phone rings just once before she picks up. “Charlie? Where?—”

“I don't have time,” I cut her off. “I'm in trouble. One of the guys from the club found me.”

“Oh my God,” she gasps. “Where are you? I'll call security?—”

“No! Listen to me. I need you to find Thor. He's in room 576. Tell him what happened.”

“But Charlie?—”

“Just do it! Please.”

I hang up and press myself against the wall, trying to calm my racing heart. Seconds drag by, stretching into what feels like hours as I stare at the phone, willing it to ring.

Finally, it vibrates in my hand, Minny's name flashing on the screen. I fumble to answer, heart still hammering against my ribs.

“Minny, did you?—”

“Where are you?”

Relief floods through me so powerfully that my knees nearly buckle.

“Tell me where the fuck you are, Charlotte.”

I glance around the loading dock, searching for landmarks. “I'm at some kind of service entrance. The loading dock behind the casino. There are delivery trucks and?—”

“Are you alone?”

“Yes. He left, but he was on the phone with someone. They called me their 'mark,' Thor. They knew who I was before they drugged me.”

A string of vicious curses flows through the phone. “Listen to me carefully. Find somewhere to hide and stay there until I get to you. Don't move, don't talk to anyone. I'm two minutes out.”

“Okay,” I whisper, scanning the area for a better place to hide. I spot a gap between two industrial dumpsters and squeeze myself into it, ignoring the stench. “I'm hidden.”

“Good girl. Stay on the line.”

I press the phone to my ear, taking comfort in the sound of Thor's heavy breathing and rapid footsteps. In the background, I hear doors slamming and muffled voices as he barrels through the hotel.

“Almost there,” he growls. “Don't hang up.”

My heart hammers so loudly I'm certain anyone walking by would hear it. The loading dock remains quiet except for a distant forklift beeping somewhere around the corner.

“Why would they target me? I'm nobody.”

His breathing grows heavier, like he's running now, “I don't know yet, but I'm going to find out.” The deadly calm in his tone sends shivers down my spine, “And when I do, someone's going to bleed.”

The service door bangs open, and I shrink deeper into the shadows, terror freezing my blood. I hold my breath, listening.

“Charlotte!”

Relief floods through me as I scramble out from between the dumpsters, “Here!”

He spots me immediately, his massive frame silhouetted against the sunlight.

In three long strides, he reaches me, pulling me against his chest so fiercely I lose my breath.

His arms wrap around me like steel bands, one hand cradling the back of my head as he buries his face in my hair.

His body is rigid with tension, every muscle coiled like he's ready to snap.

“Are you hurt?” he demands.

“No,” I answer, clinging to him.

Thor pulls back just enough to scan my face. His hands frame my cheeks, thumbs brushing over my skin as if checking for injuries himself.

“I need to get you out of here.”

“What about Minny? What if they figure out where our room is?”

“She’s in my room. She’ll be safe there. Once I get you out, I’ll come back for her.”

He guides me toward a maintenance door, his body angled to shield mine as we move.

The stark hallway beyond is empty except for a startled janitor who quickly averts his eyes at Thor's menacing glare.

His grip on my arm is tight but not painful as we navigate through the maze of service corridors.

The fluorescent lights flicker overhead, casting harsh shadows across his tense face.

His jaw is clenched so tight I can see a muscle twitching beneath his skin.

“Almost there,” he mutters, checking around each corner before pulling me forward.

We push through another door marked Authorized Personnel Only , and suddenly we're in the cavernous parking garage.

The air is cooler here, heavy with the scent of concrete and exhaust. Thor moves with purpose, leading me between rows of parked cars until we reach a sleek black motorcycle parked near a support pillar.

“Get on.”

I hesitate, staring at the intimidating machine, “I've never been on one of these before.”

“There's a first time for everything, princess.” His expression softens slightly as he hands me a helmet, “Just hold onto me and lean when I lean. You'll be fine.”

As I fumble with the helmet strap, Thor pulls something from his pocket—a small wireless earbud. He taps it twice and waits, scanning our surroundings.

“V, it's me,” he says tersely. “Need a safe house.” He pauses, listening, “No, I can’t explain right now. Just fucking do it.”

Thor grabs the helmet from my hands and secures it onto my head, his touch surprisingly gentle despite his gruff exterior.

I climb onto the motorcycle behind him, my heart racing with a mix of fear and excitement.

As he revs the engine, I cling tightly to his waist, feeling the powerful vibrations beneath me.

Without a word, Thor takes off, weaving expertly through the garage.

The wind rushes past us, whipping my hair back and filling my lungs with a sense of freedom I've never experienced before.

In this moment, with my arms wrapped around Thor, I feel strangely safe despite the danger that surrounds us.