Page 38 of Loki's Flame
“Since your wedding?”
“Four years,” Josh smiled serenely.
“And you still need to get a room” I laughed at how light I felt in their presence. I wondered if I’d come here after Shannon’s funeral, if I would have wanted the death of her murderers? Maybe I could have found peace months ago.
“Speaking of rooms, when do you go back to New Orleans?” Michael asked.
“I don’t plan to go back. I’m going to stay with you guys for a week if you’ll have me and I plan to rent an apartment nearby. I don’t know how long I’ll stay yet, maybe just get a short-term lease until I figure out what I want to do next.”
Michael dropped his fork, and it clattered on his plate. “Wait, what about this Erik Anderson person?”
“What about him?”
“Don’t play shy with me, sister from another mister. I know you had a fling with him.”
“Yeah, I did, and so what? It was mind blowing and casual.” I started as I dipped my fork in ketchup and grabbed some hash browns.
“Oh please, when was the last time you had casual sex?” He rolled his eyes at me.
“Just last night and I came four times, thank you very much.” I said, smiling from ear to ear.
“My, my, my, what a silly girl,” Michael tsked.
“What do you mean?”
“Oh honey, I think you’re in love.” Josh looked at me sympathetically.
“Not even. You guys need to just stop that right now.” I cared about Loki, sure, but love. Nah, love was not something I cared to entertain right now. Time was what I needed most. Figuring out life without Shannon, finding a grief counselor and writing again. What he and his brothers did for me was beyond anything I could ever really repay. My spirit was quieter thanks to them.
“Oh, back to the rental thing. You're staying with us for as long as you like. We have that big guest room with your name on it.”
“I can’t do that. I may be here indefinitely.”
Michael smiled and said, “just stay with us. And we’ll figure out next steps in a while.”
“Yes, do,” Josh said and grabbed my hand and squeezed.
“Okay, but I’m chipping in around here,” I smiled, deeply touched by their generosity.
Chapter 30
Taz, 6 months later
Living with Loki wasn’t easy since Bridget left. Grumpy bastard. All of us wanted him to get laid or get his ass kicked, whatever would help him lighten up. A few bright spots were Ragnarök was a partnership divided evenly between the brothers, and business was good. We found the last of the Rogue Boys, stupid fucking name. Charlie Masters was pushing up daisies in Caddo Parish. He’d gotten away with moderate injuries the day we lit up that farmhouse. It paid to have friends in low places. The Valhalla Heathens were still on sabbatical from the criminal element. It was good Piotr and Loki weren’t bickering over who had the bigger dick.Competitive much!
I stood in front of the door of one Michael Carter, waiting for my knock to be answered. I had a letter in my hand. Fuck me, I was nervous. Bridget Ivy Walsh made me nervous from the first second I laid eyes on her. Loki pushing me out of the way was not a surprise. Even in her sadness, Bridget had something special about her. I wasn’t mad about the outcome. Love wasn’t something I wanted again. The first time had been hard enough.
The door opened; Bridget’s blond hair was longer, and she had a brightness to her face that was a nice change. Her lovely hazel eyes drank me in and she smiled widely.
“Taz,” she said my name like a question as she stepped out into the hall and hugged me tightly. I gave into the embrace, taking a few greedy seconds to enjoy her body engulfed inmine.
“Hey Bridget, you look well.”
“Come in. I want to hear about what you’ve been up to since I last saw you.”
“No, I can’t. I just needed you to have this letter I found,” I said, putting the envelope between us.
“What is this?”