Page 196 of What We Burn

“Because Fenrir is working on the Kennel app. I assigned this to you because I wanted you to handle it, detective. Or would you prefer I divert Fenrir to this instead of dealing with the bigger issue?”

I grit my teeth. “She hasn’t done anything.”

“I’m aware.”

That bothers me. “Then leave her alone.”

“Do I need to remind you who pays you, Holden?”

The reminder lands harder than a raised voice.

“I gave the assignment to you. Not Fenrir. Not Milo. You. Be thorough. Be discreet. Then bring me the report I asked for.”

My jaw locks.

“Are we clear?” he asks.

“Crystal.”

I turn for the elevator.

“Holden,” Loki calls after me.

When I look back, he’s already left his chair and crossed to the sofa. He stands between Thor’s knees.

“Be a good boy and do what Odin says, okay? We want that girl.”

He might be talking to me, but he has one hand curled around the back of Thor’s neck. Thor chuckles in agreement as Loki bends to kiss him. One massive hand closes around Loki’s waist and pulls him down until Loki is half-straddling his lap, their mouths meeting with the easy familiarity of men who have done this a thousand times.

“Sure,” I say, about to turn away before Odin lifts a hand.

“One more thing, Holden,” he says.

I stand there, waiting while Odin watches Loki and Thor from his chair. There’s nothing detached in the way his eye darkens. Nothing casual about the hunger he makes no effort to hide.

The three of them. Comfortable. Practiced. Whatever exists between them belongs to all three, even when only two are touching. And they’re about to pull this girl into it too.

And it looks like I’m helping them.

I clear my throat and Odin’s attention returns to me. He taps one finger against Rosaline’s name. “Discreetly.”

The doors close before I tell him what he can do with his reminder.

My phone vibrates on the ride down.

MILO:

The corpse bow has been upgraded to silver because the black looked somber.

I type back with one thumb.

ME:

Do not decorate the body.

MILO:

Too late. It’s really boring waiting and art cannot be governed.