“Really, what profession is that?” Scott asked.
“My profession is people watching. I can tell what’s going on with someone just by looking at them.”
“Maybe I should start calling you doctor.”
“Hell no. I watch them, and you fix them,” Marlow said. “Now go do your stuff and help that handsome man.” He started herding Scott towards his office.
“Anything else I need to know?”
“Fix him and make sure he comes back again, so I can gaze into his pretty, bright green eyes,” Marlow said.
“Whatever,” Scott told him. “Oh, and cancel my noon appointment. I’m meeting someone for lunch.”
“The new lover, perhaps?” Marlow asked, a bit too enthused for his liking.
“My contractor,” Scott said and then walked into his office, chuckling at hearing Marlow’s mumble to himself. The smile was instantly wiped off his face when he saw who was in his office waiting for him. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Aren’t you happy to see me, my beloved nephew?”
The man in front of him was handsome—shimmering long blond hair, with bright green eyes.
The man’s skin glowed, as if he had been too close to the sun. The smile on his uncle’s face sent shivers of fear down his spine. It was never good when the man was around. He played with people’s lives forhis own pleasure, never caring who would be hurt in the process. Scott braced himself, letting his fangs elongate and ready for a fight. He wouldn’t win against the god, but he would put up a fight.
“Why the hell should I be, Loki?”
“I no longer go by that name,” Loki said. “Please, call me Uncle Lucas.”
“Why should I show you such respect? When you’ve tried to kill my bearer and grand-Odin. And for what? Power!” Scott was seething with anger.
Loki looked away, and Scott could see the ticking in his jaw muscles. “You’re right. I don’t deserve your respect. Not after all the things I’ve done. But that’s why I am here.” He turned and looked at Scott. “I want to make amends and fix things with the entire family.”
“What?” Scott said in shock. “Do you fucking think coming in here and trying to act all nice and sweet is going to get me to change my mind about you?”
“You’re right,” Loki said. “I should have known coming here to see you wouldn’t have put me in good graces with the family just because it’s you.”
“Why me?”
“Because everyone listens to you. Out of everyone in the family, you are the one who garners more respect. Even more than Odin.”
“Do you think sweet talking me is going to get me to listen to you?”
“I’m only trying to be honest.” Scott could hear the sadness in his voice. “I’m tired of living this existence alone. No family or lover will have a man like me.”
Maybe if you didn’t try to kill everyone who tries to get close to you, then you wouldn’t be alone.
“Why should I believe anything you say?” Scott didn’t relax, contrary to Loki’s words. He couldn’t let himself be pulled into the man’s tricks.
“I’ve given you every reason to hate me,” Loki said. “I haven’t been a good son, brother, uncle, and most of all, father. Your cousins hate me and want nothing to do with me. I want to repair the damages I’ve caused.”
“It’s going to take more thanI’m sorry,not after everything you’ve done.”
Scott didn’t hide his anger. He couldn’t, not after all his family had been through over the centuries.
“I know,” Loki whispered.
“Shouldn’t you be talking to them and not me?” Scott couldn’t wrap his head around it, but something felt off. He wasn’t sure what
“I can’t find Fenrir. But he’s always been good at hiding from me, even as a babe. Hellenna refuses to see me, and Jormungand has pretty much told me to ‘fuck off.’ Do you know she’s going by Eve now? Why would she choose that name of all names? I know she did that just to piss me off, but I can’t blame her. I know I’ve done a lot to make her regret I’m her father.”
