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Shaking my head, I send Odin a message.
Odin
Delete my number, creep.
Dropping my phone on the bed, I pad to my closet. I’m getting the hell out of here tonight because I need that drink more than ever.
3
Anna
The penthouse is silent when I finally slip out the front door. I don’t put my shoes on until I’m safely in the elevator, on my way to the ground floor.
The doorman gives me a wink as I pass.
“Want the usual?” I ask.
“I wouldn’t say no to it, ma’am.”
“Deal.”
I’m grinning as I step outside. The air is cool, but not unbearable. Even though it’s nearly midnight, the streets are busy with life. Something that can’t be found inAngrboða. Something I’ve missed. I adjust the trench coat that hides my short skirt and shirt as I fall in line with tourists and locals alike. The pub I’m going to is only a few blocks away from the house. Close enough that I can rush home if needed, but far enough that I won’t run into a relative. I hope. Not that any of them would be caught in a bar.
I’m almost at the bar when I realize I’m being followed. A quick glance over my shoulder confirms two large men trailing several feet behind me. One of them has a phone pressed to his ear, speaking in a low tone. Shit. Who is he talking to? Grandmama? I make a plan and pick up my speed. Once I get to the pub, I can call an Uber to take me back to the house. I bite back a groan. Guess that means no dancing after the pub.
Entering the pub that Malik Jafar owns, I wave at the bartender, Iago.
“Ms. Aakre, what a surprise. I didn’t know you were back in town.”
I take a seat right at the bar, pushing a stray piece of hair behind my ear. “We returned today, and I knew this was the first place I wanted to visit.”
He shakes his head, not believing me, and asks, “Want your usual?”
“Yes, please.”
He fixes my drink, sliding it in front of me. “One Blue Curaçao Long Island Iced Tea coming right up.”
It’s silly, but I like this drink just because it’s the same shade of blue that my grandmother loves. Plus, because it’s got so many kinds of alcohol in it, it only takes one to get me buzzing.
“Want to put in an order for a pizza?”
I glance over my shoulder and don’t see the men. Maybe I was just being paranoid before.
I nod. “Yes, please.”
Iago nods and moves down the bar to help another customer. I turn in my seat, looking around. This pub is always so busy and the people watching is fantastic. But tonight I’m on edge. Probably because of everything that’s happened in the last twenty-four hours, and I don’t just mean the fiasco with Odin. I think I’d be equally upset with any prospect that Grandmama picked for Mother to marry. Again, I wonder why now.
Reaching for my drink, I take a large sip, letting the alcohol do its job. A few sips later, all the stress I’m feeling is fading away and is replaced with a warm feeling that makes me sleepy and happy at the same time.
Iago stops by to check on me and I ask, “Can you have the pizza sent to the doorman at my building? I think I’m going to find a club before I go home.”
His eyebrows lift. “I’ll call a car for you, ma’am.”
“There’s no need. There’s one a few blocks from here.”
He looks unsure, but glances over my shoulder before nodding. “Okay. I’ll get that pizza right over to your doorman.”
“Thanks.”
