“It’s been a while, Ragnar.” He uses the nickname he gave me years ago.
It’s easier in conversation than what other people call me in fearful whispers:Ragnarök.The end of all things.
“I thought you forgot about me,” Ghost remarks.
“You wish.”
“What’s going on? Don’t you like your fancy new life as Rand Hirst? It was a pain in the ass to set that one up for you. I’m not in the mood to do it all over again.”
“It’s Karolina,” I say roughly.
“So, she doesn’t actually like you,” he surmises. “Figures. How many times have I told you there are plenty of other women out there?”
I’d kill another man for daring to say it, but Ghost has earned the right to give me shit occasionally.
He’s the reason I’ve had the technological capabilities to trace Karolina’s online activities and clone her phone. He led me to the chatroom of her favorite erotica website four years ago, when I posed as Bones for the first time and began our virtual relationship.
But Ghost should know better than to bait me when it comes to her. We might be friends, but he’s still scared of me.
Just less so than most people.
“Someone’s threatening her,” I say instead of engaging with his bullshit. “They left a note at her apartment. They know where she lives.”
“Who do you suspect?” He’s gone deadly serious.
I run a hand through my hair, agitated.
“I don’t know. No one was supposed to find me here. You said you could make a new life for me.”
“You think it’s one of your old enemies,” he concludes.
“You tell me,” I growl. “It was your job to cover my tracks.”
“I might be the best, but I’m not infallible,” he says coolly. “I told you it was risky.”
If someone is targeting Karolina because of me…
“Maybe it has nothing to do with you,” Ghost suggests. “She’s a beautiful woman. Maybe some lesser criminal has become fixated on her.”
I see red. It takes several deep breaths for my vision to clear.
I can’t let myself lose focus now. I’m known for being utterly unfeeling and merciless.
But when it comes to Karolina, I feeleverything.
“You okay?” Ghost asks.
“No,” I bark. “Someone is threatening my Karolina. Of course I’m not fuckingokay.”
“Jesus, I was just asking.”
“Are you going to help me, or not?”
“It’ll be my usual rate,” he warns.
I can easily pay anything he asks. Especially when it comes to protecting her. I’d spend every last dime of my blood money to keep her safe.
“Done,” I snap. “You know I’m good for it.”
