Page 28 of Loki's Flame
“Who did we know who had those?” Roar asked.
“Rosco’s cousin Sheila works for a government contractor. The vehicles will be scrapped because they’ve got new inventory. We’re paying cash and we’ll junk them after we use them so they won’t trace back to us.” Whiskey rubbed his jaw as he glanced at me.
I said nothing, staring at the display on the wall. My focus came back as I felt all the eyes on me.
“Let’s get moving. I told Gina to get us some gear and masks to wear. I want to be ghosts in this hellhole,” I said dispassionately as I hit the gavel on the table.
“Yo, Taz, hang back a second,” I called out.
“Piotr took Ivy to his island. He said they’ll be back in a few days.”
“Why didn’t you fucking tell me before?” his voice trembled with anger as he damn near yelled the comment.
“Focus!” I glared at him.
Taz clenched and released his hands. His death glare enough to tell me how unhappy he was.
“Look, I’m angry too, but we have to get this shit handled in Arkansas. Maybe Odin is on our side and things will fall into place,” I said, shoving my hand through my hair in frustration. I wanted to kick the shit out of something again.
“Don’t start with that Odin shit, Prez.”
“Fine, pray to whoever the hell you want to that we get these fucking crates back.”
Chapter 23
Bridget Ivy
The sun was bright and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Water glistened in the distance as I lounged under an enormous umbrella. The weather was warm, but the breeze off the ocean made it comfortable. Someone on Piotr’s staff had laid out some new clothes for me this morning. I chose the red bikini with the blush colored sarong. I had my hair tied up under a big floppy hat. My shades were dark, and I perused a Vogue magazine that I found in my room.
We landed late afternoon yesterday on a private landing strip on the other side of the island that was about three miles around. We took jeeps up the terrain that lead to the house. The house was two stories, white, with a big veranda porch and a six-car detached garage in the back. Large windows and French doors were open to the exceptional weather. A lush canopy of trees that stopped at the manicured landscape that showcased a rainbow of colors in native flowers surrounded the grounds. Piotr had set up food on the veranda as we ate a lovely dinner his cook had prepared. My favorite was the Caprese, which I’d also had for lunch. At dinner, the sunset and it was impossible to stay mad as the gorgeous pinks and oranges painted the sky.
Loki tried to call me last night, but I’d ignored it. I texted him to say I was fine, but I wasn’t ready to talk to him.
So, I enjoyed the atmosphere. Piotr told me his father had bought the land about 20 years ago because his mother had wanted to visit a tropical island. I didn’t bother to ask too many questions. My instincts told me Piotr’s family was mafia and, honestly, I didn’t want confirmation. How the Valhalla Heathens played into it wasn’t something I cared to know either.
One surprise I learned was the island was located to the northeast of the Bahamas and staff often took the boat to downtown Nassau for supplies. Piotr said he’d take me tomorrow since the boat ride was only 30 minutes. I was looking forward to it as I’d never been to the Caribbean.
Today, though, it felt good to laze around outside. I’d spent some time this morning walking the beach and swimming in the pool on the grounds. I saw Piotr at breakfast, but was glad to have had time to myself for the bulk of the day.
“You look serene,” Piotr’s accented voice called out from behind me.
“It’s too amazing here not to be serene,” I said, casually turning the page of my magazine.
The chair beside me creaked, and I looked over, surprised to see him in long swim trunks and no shirt. His body ripped with defined muscles and a six-pack. My eyes lingered longer than I realized. “Do you like what you see?” He chuckled.
“It’s alright,” I huffed and turned the page of my magazine, not seeing the words.
“So, how has your day been?”
“Grand. How in the world do you ever leave this place? I asked.”
“It's difficult, I can tell you.”
Filip walked up behind us and put two drinks on the small table between us. I smiled at him warmly. Filip had to be in his early 20s but had an old soul because he acted like he was ancient. He took his butler duties seriously.
Filip had already disappeared when I asked, “so, tell me how you and Loki know each other?”
Piotr smiled faintly and put on his aviator shades, laying back in the chaise lounge and crossing his feet at the ankles.