Malicious: A Nomad Biker Novel (Raiders of Valhalla MC Book 1), Elizabeth Knox [best book series to read TXT] 📗

simply lays by my feet as I’m doing chores around the house, and after a while, if I’m moving too much, he sticks right next to Astrid, like he’s her best buddy.

The back door opens and a growling sound rings out in the kitchen as I’m preparing to cook burgers for everyone.

“The fuck is that?!” Fenrir’s voice booms out from around me, looking straight at Beowulf who’s guarding Astrid.

“This is my puppy! Isn’t he the cutest, Daddy?!” Astrid rises and rushes over to her father, wraps her arms around his leg, and looks up into his eyes.

Beowulf instantly relaxes when Astrid embraces her father. It’s like he knows that Fenrir is safe and he doesn’t have to worry. Instead of baring his teeth and growling, he begins to wag his tail and ducks his head a bit, showing Fenrir he’s a good boy.

“Charm, what did you do?” Fenrir asks me with wide eyes.

“We went to the park after the zoo, and they had adoptable dogs, and he just fell in love with the kids. I couldn’t say no. Plus, he’s old and he’s been at the shelter a while because of it. Apparently, he can be the only dog in the home, too, so we’re the perfect family for him.”

Fenrir immediately smiles at what I’ve said, and it hits me at this moment. I said we’re. I didn’t say them. I said we.

God.

His smile stays plastered on his face and he can’t hide it at all. He’s not even making any efforts, almost like the thought must be amusing him or something.

Astrid yawns loudly and walks away from her dad. “I’m sleepy, I take the puppy with me, okay?!” she says excitedly like she isn’t asking a question.

Fenrir takes a step toward her and kneels down. “Sweetie, I don’t know if it’s a good idea. The puppy . . . er . . .”

“Beowulf,” I fill him in on his name.

“Beowulf is new to us and needs to get used to the family. I don’t think he should be sleeping with you just yet, okay?”

Astrid immediately starts crying and Beowulf crosses the distance between them, starts whining loudly and begins licking her face. “Fenrir, I think he’ll be okay with her. It’s obvious he adores Astrid.” I’m putting myself in the middle of something that’ll likely make Fenrir have another issue with me, but I think Astrid and Beowulf need each other. I know he hasn’t been with her long, but their bond is unbreakable and it’s obvious. He’s been with her every second of the day since they met.

Fenrir inhales deeply through his nose and grits his teeth. “Fine.”

Oskar and Emil end up making their way upstairs as soon as Astrid’s gone up with Beowulf and Fenrir has the same smirk on his face he’s been sporting the last twenty minutes. “I’m surprised you haven’t ripped into me yet.”

He cocks a brow. “Now, why would I wanna do that?”

I gulp. “I brought a dog to your house. A big, scary dog that growls at you and protects your little girl like he’s been bonded with her his entire life.”

Fenrir nods. “Yeah, and somehow I don’t wanna choke you out right now. Probably the first time ever if you ask me.”

Baffled, my mouth drops open and Fenrir takes a couple steps closer to me. “Wow, you’re . . . you’re something else.”

“Mhm, I know I am. Now, you gonna stay for a drink tonight or what?”

I blink a few times at him, not sure if I’m hallucinating or what. “Sorry, what was that?”

“I asked if you’re gonna stay for a drink, Charm. We’ve been makin’ eyes at each other for a bit now, and to be frank, I can only wrap my palm around my dick so many times. Every time I close my eyes I see you, and fuck, I know it’s wrong but I can’t stop—”

I don’t know what takes over me, but I take a step toward him and stand up on my tippy toes until my lips are crashing against his. He kisses me in a rough, callous way. The kind that any alpha man would, the kind that makes you think you’re going crazy. It makes every part of your body warm up like you’ve just been lit on fire.

Out of nowhere it’s like all of my senses come rushing back to me, and I run out through the kitchen, push through the back door and head straight home, clutching the necklace Amanda bought me not long before her death.

I kissed my dead friend’s ex-husband, and no matter what, it’s not acceptable.

Oh god, what have I done?

What can of worms have I opened up now?

Chapter Fourteen

Fenrir

What the fuck just happened?

Hell, did it even happen?

Oh yeah. It happened and I wish it continued to happen.

Damn, today has been one of those days.

First, I come home after killing a man to find a dog my kids adopted with the help of Charm. Then the woman kisses me and runs away as if Skoll and Hati were on her heels hunting her like she were the sun and moon.

I’ve never, not once, had a woman run from me. Normally it’s the woman chasing after me, wanting my attention at least for the night. That or they’re already on their knees, ready and willing to do as I please.

Shit.

What the hell do I do now?

I can’t just leave things be now. Not after that kiss.

Knowing what she tastes like now, I’ll never get her out of my head. I should’ve known when I claimed her to my brothers that I really meant it and wasn’t speaking out my ass to keep my brothers from her. It’s just a matter of getting her to understand it as well.

Finishing the rest of my drink, I take my glass to the kitchen and put it in the sink. With the kids asleep, and a dog in my daughter’s bed, I think of Charm. I never had the opportunity