Page 20 of Viking (Dixie Reapers MC #24)

I studied his face in the dim light, the strong lines and angles that had haunted my teenage dreams, now matured into something more compelling.

This wasn’t a crush anymore. This was something deeper, more complex, built on shared danger and quiet moments and the way he looked at me when he thought I wouldn’t notice.

“You said you wanted me to be yours. Did you mean it?” As much as I wanted to believe him, to jump in with both feet, I was too terrified to hope everything would be okay.

Viking moved closer, his large frame shifting until he was directly in front of me, his knees brushing mine. One hand came up, callused fingers gently touching my cheek. The contact sent electricity racing through me, a shiver I couldn’t suppress.

“It’s real and I meant every word,” he said, his thumb tracing the line of my jaw. “You have to know that by now.”

I leaned into his touch, unable to help myself. “Show me,” I whispered.

His eyes darkened at my words. Slowly, giving me every chance to pull away, he leaned forward until his face was inches from mine. I could feel his breath on my lips, could smell the whiskey and something uniquely him -- leather and motor oil and man.

“Karoline,” he murmured, my name a question and an answer all at once.

I closed the final distance between us, pressing my lips to his.

The kiss was gentle at first, tentative, both of us exploring this new territory.

His beard was softer than I’d expected, tickling my skin as his mouth moved against mine.

Then his hand slid into my hair, cradling the back of my head, and the kiss deepened.

A soft sound escaped me as Viking’s other arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer.

I found myself responding with an urgency that surprised me, my hands clutching at the front of his shirt, my body arching toward his.

All the tension of the past days, all the fear and grief and uncertainty, channeled into this connection between us.

His kiss was nothing like I’d imagined during my teenage daydreams. It was better -- real and raw and hungry, yet somehow reverent too, as if he understood how monumental this step was for both of us.

My head spun with the sensation, with the knowledge that this was Viking -- my brother’s best friend, my protector, the man offering me a future I’d never anticipated.

When we finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Viking rested his forehead against mine. “I’ve wanted to do that since you showed up at our gate,” he admitted, his voice rough.

“I’ve wanted you to do that since I was sixteen,” I countered, earning a low chuckle that I felt rumble through his chest where my hands still rested.

“This complicates everything,” he said, but he didn’t sound upset about it.

“Everything was already complicated.” I leaned back slightly to see his face better. “At least now there’s something good in the mix.”

Viking’s hands framed my face, his thumbs brushing my cheekbones. “If you say yes, if you let me claim you both, I’m all in. You need to know that.”

The intensity in his eyes made my breath catch. This was it -- the moment to decide. To trust or not. To take this leap into the unknown with this man who had already risked everything to protect us.

Before I could answer, a sharp, urgent knocking shattered the moment. Viking was on his feet in an instant, body tensing, hand moving instinctively toward where I knew he kept his gun.

“Viking!” A voice called through the door. “It’s Wire. We’ve got trouble!”

The spell broken, Viking looked down at me, conflict evident in his eyes -- duty pulling him one way, the unfinished conversation between us pulling another.

“Go,” I said, rising to my feet. “We’ll finish this after.”

He nodded once, his hand squeezing my shoulder briefly before he strode toward the door, already shifting from the man who had kissed me with such tenderness to the warrior prepared to face whatever threat had arrived at our doorstep.

I stood frozen in the hallway as Viking yanked open the front door, revealing Wire on the porch.

Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the cool night air, and his eyes darted past Viking to me, then back again.

Whatever news he brought, it wasn’t good.

The taste of Viking’s kiss still lingered on my lips, but the moment of connection we’d shared evaporated like morning mist in the face of Wire’s obvious distress.

“They’re moving,” Wire said without preamble, his voice low and urgent. “Three black SUVs just left the Bluebird, heading in our direction. Atlas is tracking them on traffic cams.”

Viking’s entire body language transformed before my eyes. The man who had held me tenderly moments ago vanished, replaced by something harder, colder. His shoulders squared, feet planted wider, hands hanging loose at his sides -- ready. The change was so complete it almost frightened me.

“How long?” Viking demanded.

“Twenty minutes, maybe less if they push it.” Wire glanced at me again, hesitation flickering across his face. “They’re not even pretending anymore. Full tactical gear, moving in formation.”

I stepped closer, refusing to be sidelined. “How do you know they’re coming here? Maybe they’re just --”

“They’ve got satellite images of the compound,” Wire cut me off. “Atlas intercepted their communications. They know you’re here, they know exactly where Viking’s house is, and they’re coming with enough firepower to start a small war.”

My blood turned to ice. I thought of Athena sleeping peacefully down the hall, unaware that the monsters from her father’s world were minutes away from our doorstep.

“How?” I whispered. “How did they find us so quickly?”

“Doesn’t matter now,” Viking said, his voice flat and emotionless. “Wire, get back to the clubhouse. Savior know yet?”

Wire nodded. “I already called him. He’s mobilizing everyone. And he said that decision he asked you to make… he’s going to consider it made.”

I bit my lip. Looked like any choice I’d had was now gone. Not that I’d really needed one. I’d pretty much already decided I would stay here with Viking, and not just because I wanted to keep Athena safe. Being his woman was a dream come true for me.

“The Prospects?” Viking asked.

“Already moving families to the new safe house on the back forty.”

Viking turned to me, his gaze softened briefly. “Pack a bag for you and Athena. Just essentials. Wire’s son will come for you in five minutes.”

“I’m not leaving you,” I protested, stepping closer. “Not after everything we just --”

“Karoline.” His voice left no room for argument. “I need you safe. Need to know Athena’s safe. I can’t do what needs to be done otherwise.”

Wire shifted uncomfortably on the porch. “I’ve got Tank securing the armory and Flicker is setting up the roadblocks. We need you at the gate, Viking.”

“Go,” I said, seeing the conflict in Viking’s eyes. “I’ll be ready.”

Viking hesitated, then pulled me against his chest in a fierce embrace. His lips pressed against my hair, my forehead, then briefly, desperately against my mouth. “Stay with Athena,” he murmured against my lips. “I’ll come for you both.”

Before I could respond, he released me and stepped onto the porch with Wire. “I’ll be there in two minutes,” he told Wire, who nodded and jogged down the steps, already pulling out his phone.

Viking turned back to me, his expression unreadable in the porch light. “Whatever happens tonight, remember what I said. This is real. You and me. Athena. All of it.”

Then he was gone, striding across the compound, his long legs eating up the distance. I watched until they disappeared into the darkness, my fingers pressed to my lips where I could still feel the pressure of his urgent kiss.

The shock of the moment faded, replaced by cold, practical fear.

I forced myself into motion, hurrying down the hall to Athena’s room.

She was still asleep, one arm thrown over her head, Hopper clutched against her chest. For a moment, I just watched her breathe, overwhelmed by the fierce protectiveness that had become as natural as my own heartbeat since she came into my life.

“Athena,” I whispered, gently shaking her shoulder. “Sweetie, wake up. We need to go.”

Her eyes fluttered open, confusion clouding them before that now-familiar wariness settled in. She didn’t cry or complain, just watched me with those solemn eyes that had seen too much for her three years.

“We’re going on a little trip,” I explained, pulling her small backpack from the closet. “Just for a little while. Can you help me pack Hopper and your new unicorn?”

She nodded, sliding from the bed and gathering her stuffed animals while I quickly shoved clothes into the backpack. As I worked, my mind raced between the danger approaching and my new status as his woman.

I moved to the window, pulling back the curtain just enough to peer outside.

The compound had transformed in the minutes since Wire’s arrival.

Men moved with military precision, taking up positions behind vehicles and buildings.

They looked like they were heading toward the front gates.

I saw Viking with another man beside him.

He seemed to be giving instructions. This was a side of Viking I hadn’t fully acknowledged until now.

These weren’t just rough men playing at being outlaws.

They were warriors preparing for battle, organized and disciplined in ways I hadn’t expected.

And they were doing it for us -- for me and Athena.

A small tug on my shirt made me look down.

Athena stood beside me, her backpack on, Hopper and the unicorn clutched to her chest. Ready to run, just like that.

No tears, no questions. My heart broke a little at the realization that this wasn’t her first midnight evacuation, that Kris had probably prepared her for moments like this.

“It’s okay, sweetie,” I said, kneeling to her level. “Viking’s friends are going to keep us safe.”

She glanced toward the window, then back at me. “Viking?” she asked, her voice so small I barely heard it.

It was the first time she’d said someone’s name since she’d come into my care, and it was his name. Something twisted in my chest -- pain and hope mingled together.

“He’s coming back for us,” I promised, praying it wasn’t a lie. “He’s making sure the bad men can’t get to us.”

A sharp knock at the door made me jump. I scooped Athena into my arms and moved cautiously to the entryway. Through the peephole, I saw Atlas, Wire’s teenage son, shifting nervously on the porch.

“Ms. Kringle?” he called softly. “Viking sent me to take you and Athena to the safe house.”

I opened the door, clutching Athena tighter as I stepped onto the porch.

The compound beyond was a flurry of activity, men and motorcycles moving with purpose, the distant sound of engines growing louder by the second.

The peaceful home I’d begun to adjust to had transformed into a war zone in minutes.

As Atlas led us toward a waiting truck, I cast one last glance toward the main gate where Viking stood with two men, his blond hair catching the security lights. Whatever happened next would change everything -- for me, for Athena, for Viking, for all of us.

The only certainty I had was that when morning came, nothing would be the same.