Page 14 of Brutal Reign

Hours later, we lock up the bar together and linger outside, street lamps buzzing overhead while Chloe lights up a smoke.

“You wanna come over?” she asks. “Talk about it? We can make a voodoo doll of Darren and cut off his dick. I don’t know why he gives you such a hard time.”

“He’s a bully,” I say, pulling my coat tighter around myself. “Give it a month, and he’ll lose interest in picking on me.”

Chloe snorts. “I hope so, or I’m going to have to add arsenic to his tea.”

“Promise me you won’t start shit with him. I can handle him myself, I promise. Anyway, let’s not talk about him. He doesn’t deserve a minute of our time.”

She narrows her eyes like she’s waiting for me to crack. Then, smirking, she says, “Fine. Let’s talk about the hot Viking instead.”

“Who?” I ask with a smile, purposely playing dumb.

“Don’t be cute. The guy who was staring at you like you were an expensive whiskey he wanted to sip nice and slow. Did you get his number?”

I laugh. “No. I didn’t get his number. He was… interesting. He’s an author. Writes about Vikings, funny enough.”

“Well damn,” Chloe says, eyebrows arching. “Smart and sexy. That’s rare to find in this place.”

“That’s because he’s not from here. He’s visiting from Sweden. Anyway, I’m sure after Darren’s caveman routine, he thinks I’m sleeping with the boss.”

Chloe cackles and blows out a ring of smoke. “Please. If he’s got eyes, he saw that whatever’s between you isn’t mutual. But if he comes back, you’re taking him home. He’s only visiting, so there’s no chance of things getting messy or complicated.”

I’ve told Chloe that after a string of shitty relationships, I’m taking a break from men, even one-night stands. But the truth is,casual hook-ups are risky. Trusting the wrong person could cost me my life.

“Sure. If he comes back, I’ll leap into his arms,” I joke.

“Promise me you will.”

I groan. “Promise you what exactly?”

She gets a devious gleam in her eyes. “If he comes back in, you’ll take him home.”

That’s insane. I can’t take some random guy home. It’s dangerous. Then again, Lukas didn’t feel like a threat. There was something reassuring about him. Even though he’s built like he could bench-press a car, he had a gentle giant vibe. The way he looked at me made me feel safe rather than exposed.

When’s the last time I felt that spark, that flutter of excitement? I’ve been living like a bloody nun lately. Maybe Chloe’s right; maybe I deserve some fun. One night where I live instead of just survive.

Still, I doubt I’ll see him again after tonight. He’s here for work, and it sounds like he’s busy with research and meetings. Why would he come back to this dive?

So what does it hurt to make a promise I’ll never have to keep?

“How about this,” I offer. “If that gorgeous Swede comes back to the bar, I’ll be open to… further possibilities.”

She rolls her eyes, stamping out her cigarette underfoot. “Is that code for P in V?”

A laugh escapes me. “That’s not the only way to have a good time.”

She waggles her eyebrows. “But it’s the best way.” Before she can push further, her cab pulls up to the curb, headlights splashing across the pavement. “You want me to wait for yours to come?” she offers.

I shake my head. “No need. It’ll be here any second. I’m good. This street’s busy and well lit.”

“Text me the second you walk through your door,” she adds, pointing a finger.

“I will.”

She slides into the car, waves once, and disappears into the night. When her cab is well out of sight, I turn the other way and start walking.

There’s no ride for me. Hasn’t been in weeks, after I spent what little I had saved on a Ring camera for my front door. I sleep better knowing I can see who’s coming and going, even if I can’t afford much else in terms of security.