Page 96 of Blood Red Rage
“I've been worse.”
“That isn't comforting!”
“I know.”
His voice strained on the last word. There was noise behind him, men shouting. I could hear an engine. Draugr's voice somewhere farther away. Then Viking came back to me.
“Bryn.”
“I'm here.”
“Put your hand on our baby.”
My breath caught. “What?”
“Please.”
Viking Dragic didn't say please. Not often, my hand moved instantly to my stomach. “Okay.”
Silence, then he breathed. One deep, shuddering breath. The bond pulled, I felt him reaching for me, not physically, something deeper, like a man in dark water grabbing hold of a rope.
“Tell me you're both safe.”
My eyes filled. “We're safe.”
“Again.”
“We're safe, Viking.” His breathing steadied. “We're home. Guards everywhere. I'm with Runa, Layla and Sorcha.”
“Good.”
“And we're waiting for you.”
A pause. Then, quietly, “I know.” Something in his voice shattered me.
“You promised,” I whispered.
“I remember.”
“You said you'd always come back.”
“I will.”
“Then come home.” Silence, the sun climbed higher. My tears finally fell. “Viking?”
“I'm here.”
“I love you.” Nothing, for half a heartbeat. Then the bond exploded. Love, so powerful it stole my breath.
His voice came rough through the phone. “I fucking love you too.”
I pressed the phone harder against my ear. “Then come home to me, please Viking, promise me.”
His answer was quiet. Absolute. “Always.”
The call ended, I stared at the screen and for a couple of minutes nobody spoke. I could feel all three women watching me. Finally, Layla asked, “How bad?”
I lowered the phone. “I don't know.”
