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CHAPTERSEVEN
Magnus
Over a week has passed since everything turned upside down. Rayna, still visibly shaken, can’t help but constantly glance over her shoulder. It’s a shame because she had finally found some semblance of peace after these last few months.
Despite our knowledge of Loren’s malicious presence, we were foolish enough to believe he had calmed down. But we were wrong. He managed to follow us during our mundane trip to a furniture shop and even snuck onto the club’s property.
I discussed it with Vanir, and we came to the realization that there were no cameras on the side of the clubhouse where Loren had trespassed. We spoke to Runes, and Runes gave Vanir the okay to add more cameras around the property.
Vanir is currently working on installing surveillance cameras around the entire club so that not a single blind spot remains.
We cannot undo the past, but at least now, we have an additional precaution for the future. Bubba’s bar being constructed at the far end of the clubhouse only reinforces the need for heightened security measures. Our customers’ safety is just as important as our own, and having cameras on that side will provide us with further protection and peace of mind.
What gets me is how I didn’t notice someone was following us. I’m always so cautious about my surroundings. Is it because Rayna was with me?
Even so, I should have been more cautious. I care about her immensely and don’t want any harm to come to her. Fuck.
I groan and proceed to roll a blunt on the picnic table out back. As I sit at the picnic table, carefully breaking apart the sticky buds of weed, my mind is still reeling with the events of the past week. Nothing has been too crazy, but I keep thinking about Loren. I wonder what it will take for him to leave them alone, but I know all too well what we’ll have to do.
The sun casts a golden glow upon the cleared space behind the warehouse. I stare out across the barren space, looking onto the tree line a few acres in. It creates a serene backdrop that contrasts with the turmoil in my thoughts. I can’t help but feel a mix of anger and frustration at myself for not noticing Loren’s presence sooner. How could I have let my guard down? I can’t fucking let it happen again.
The scent of cannabis fills the air as I begin to grind the buds, releasing their pungent aroma. My fingers work nimbly, gently scattering the ground weed onto the rolling paper before me. The thin paper crinkles beneath my touch, and I can’t wait to light up and take the edge off.
I finish rolling my blunt and put my lighter on the other end, then take a hit. God, I needed this so bad. I haven’t smoked in a while, but my stress levels have been a little higher over these last few days. In times like these, weed is the only thing that can force me to relax.
With a loud bang, the back door of the club slams shut. I turn my head and spot Dag striding confidently toward me. “I’ve been lookin’ for you, brother,” he says as he approaches my table.
I raise an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “Have you now?”
Dag takes a seat across from me, his eyes intense as he stares at me. “Yeah, I have. I’ve been waiting for you to tell me you’re dating my sister, but you haven’t said shit.”
I let out a light chuckle and take another drag of my blunt. “Was I supposed to come up and ask for permission?”
His jaw tightens in irritation. “No.”
“Good, because you know damn well I wouldn’t. I don’t ask for permission from anyone, Dag. I do what I want, and you know that.” My voice is laced with defiance and a hint of amusement at his attempt to control the situation.
Dag’s frustration is evident as he clenches his fists, his knuckles turning white. “You think this is a joke, Magnus? Rayna is my sister. I need to know that you’re going to take care of her, protect her. Last week, you barely managed to do so. Shit could’ve gone sideways really fast.”
I lean back, blowing out a plume of smoke. “Look, Dag, I understand where you’re coming from, but Rayna is more capable of taking care of herself than you realize. She isn’t some weak, delicate woman. And trust me when I say that I would never let anything happen to her. Sure, shit got close last week, but it was fine.”
Dag’s glare softens slightly as he leans forward, resting his forearms on the table. “I don’t think she’s weak in the least bit. What I do think is you two got lucky last week. Now, I’ve seen the way she looks at you, Magnus. I’ve seen the light in her eyes when she talks about you. Just promise me that you won’t hurt her. She hasn’t been this happy in a really long time, and I don’t want you fucking that up.”
It doesn’t take too many hits to get me high, so I stub out the blunt in the ashtray and meet Dag’s gaze with sincerity. “I swear, Dag. I would never intentionally hurt Rayna. She means everything to me. I genuinely want to make this work between the two of us.”
There’s a tense silence between us before Dag finally nods, a sense of understanding passing between us. “All right then. But if you ever cross that line and break her heart, just know before I pick up the pieces of her broken heart, I’ll be putting pieces of you in the ground.”
I appreciate Dag’s protective nature and respect his warning. “Fair enough,” I respond.
As we sit here, the tension slowly dissipates, replaced with a shared understanding and unspoken acceptance. We may have our differences, but at the end of the day, we both want what’s best for Rayna.
Dag lets out a long, weighted sigh, his breath visible in the cold air. His face is set in a determined expression as he speaks. “Now that we’ve addressed that issue let’s move on to more pressing matters.”
I raise an eyebrow, curious about what he could consider more important after the explosive revelation we just had. “Such as?” I prompt.
“Loren,” Dag says through gritted teeth. “He’s been deliberately targeting my sister and mother with his menacing behavior. And by extension, he’s threatening anyone close to me.” He looks at me, his gaze intense and unyielding. “I need you to be prepared for when he inevitably shows up again. We have two options: capture him if possible because I’d relish the chance for some one-on-one time with that son of a bitch. Or, kill him on sight. If my mother or sister’s lives are in imminent danger, kill him.” Dag’s face hardens as he speaks, his gaze fixed intently on me.
“Noted. I won’t let him get close to Rayna, so you don’t have to worry about that. What happened last week was a fluke.”
