Vik (Shot Callers 2)

And when his eyes sliced back to my face, it burned holes into me. “As a matter of fact, you can.”

The way he said it, with undertones of desire and carnage, had my mouth drying, and suddenly, I didn’t want the attention anymore.

He stepped toward me, and my spine turned rigid. My focus shifted when a body obstructed his path. Anika moved to stand in front of me like a shield of flowers facing a fire. Her hands balled into fists, and her voice shook. “Roam, leave her alone.”

This man, this Roam, he looked at her as though she were a walking, talking seraph. It was clear he was enamored. But he also was a man about his business, and her plea went unheard.

“I’m afraid I need to make a point, sweet Anika. A big one. And that requires the right incentive.”

What was that supposed to mean?

Also, what did it have to do with me?

“Why are you doing this?” she asked, her expression pleading, her bewilderment evident. She sounded frustrated as hell when she let out a quiet, “Why can’t you just leave us alone?”

Her question reverberated in my head. I heard it over and over again.

Goddammit, Ani.

One thing was clear. Anika knew more than I did, and I didn’t exactly appreciate the naïve, unknowing position I was put in.

Roam looked away a moment in annoyance, licked his lips, then returned his midnight gaze to her. “That’s not how this works. I want what was promised to me, and I was promised an obedient soldier, one I intend to work to the bone. This isn’t a job at Walgreens, princess. You don’t just get to quit. You don’t get to walk away.” His jaw steeled. “Not unless you’re crawling on broken legs.”

A soldier.

My stomach twisted as recognition began to dawn, the pieces of the puzzle coming together, snapping in place and with it, dread vibrated through my chest.

As he moved to step forward, toward me, Anika threw her hands out to stop him and rushed out a shaky, “What do you want? I know how you work. I’ll negotiate with you.” He was already shaking his head regrettably, and Anika stepped closer, shooting out a panicked, “I-I’ll go with you. I’ll do what you want. We get along, don’t we?” Her breathing turned heavy, and her hands shook in unease. “This has nothing to do with her. I’ll go willingly. You’ve done it before. Take me.” She ended on a small, “I’ll be good.”

What she said took root in my mind and began a slow crawl down my spine.

He’d done it before? He’d taken Anika?

Oh no. This was not good.

My head spun with this information.

At her last declaration, he stilled. I was amazed to find he looked as though he was actually thinking it over. But then the moment ceased, and he ultimately said, “You’re right, we do get along, you and me. I’m not above admitting you tempt me, but—” His tone was almost penitent after a brief pause. “—you just don’t have what I need, princess.”

I saw the exact moment her panic turned to sheer desperation.

“She’s pregnant.”

My stomach twisted. “Anika!”

You goddamn snitch.

I twisted to face her, my expression one of utter disbelief.

How could she?

She promised.

Anika’s chin dipped, and when she lifted her face to me, it was one of pure misery. Her whispered apology broke my heart. “I’m sorry.”

Roam’s brow creased. He stared at me a long moment, then scrutinized my fairly flat stomach before those dark eyes went to Anika, and he uttered a cool, “Whatever game you’re playing at, I suggest you stop.”

Wait a second.

Was it just me, or did he sound hesitant?

Oh my God.

Hope flared. It was working. This was working.

Without a care for my safety, I rushed out, “It’s true. I am.”

“Bullshit” was what he spat, but there was a suggestion of uncertainty in his expression.

Anika’s eyes widened as she lost focus and let out a hushed, “The bag.” She lifted her head and said, “The bag.” Turning to the goon closest to us, she pointed to the bags we brought in and all but demanded, “Look in the blue bag.”

I held my breath.

The goon scrutinized us a long moment before looking to his boss and awaiting his order. With a curt nod, Roam’s lips thinned, and the goon brought the bags to the counter and turned them over with a rude shake.

Roam sifted through the mess with a glower until Anika saw what she was looking for and pointed out, “The yellow one.”

Roam put his fingers to the small garment, holding it up, and even amongst all the shit we were in, my heart melted.

It was a long-sleeved onesie. It was a pastel yellow, and it had bumblebees on it. It was so little and so sweet. A gift for my baby. And I loved it.