Chapter 44 Norseman
Anna's POV
Even my breathing felt too loud.
Then Serena spoke again, faster this time. “I’m going to meet you in person."
My brows furrowed slightly. How?
How the hell was she going to pull that off in Xavier’s territory?
I opened my mouth to ask— But the line went dead.
I slowly lowered the phone from my ear. Silence filled the room again.
My mind started running wild. Who? Who could have done this? Xavier?
My jaw tightened almost immediately.
It could be him. He never trusted me.
From the very first day, he had been watching me like I was something he needed to figure out… something that didn’t quite belong.
The way he always seemed one step ahead.
Yes… if anyone would tap my phone, it would be Xavier.
But then— Lucas?
My grip on the phone tightened. My chest rose and fell slowly.
What if this was all part of something bigger? The way he came into my life. The way he got close to me so quickly.
The “plan” to save me. Was it real? Or was it all just a way to get me to trust him? To make me careless?
I shook my head slightly, I couldn’t afford to think like that.
If my phone had been tapped, then everything… every single thing I had said to Serena could already be compromised.
Without wasting another second, I turned and walked straight into the bathroom.
My reflection stared back at me from the mirror.
Calm. But my eyes betrayed me.
I looked down at the phone in my hand.
For a brief moment, I hesitated. This phone had been my only connection.
Then my expression hardened.
Not anymore. Without thinking twice— I smashed it against the sink. The sound cracked through the bathroom.
Until the screen shattered completely, spiderweb cracks running across it like veins.
I didn’t stop. I kept going until the phone broke into pieces.
My breathing grew heavier as I stared at what remained.
Good.
I gathered the broken pieces quickly, my movements sharp and efficient, and walked to the toilet.
One by one— I dropped them in. Then I flushed. I stood there, watching as the pieces disappeared.
A slow breath left my lips. That was one problem handled. But the bigger one still remained.
I turned on the shower. Cold water hit my skin, but I barely reacted. My mind was too busy.
I stepped out after a while and got dressed.
I chose something suitable for the party downstairs.
I took one last look at myself in the mirror. Just the way I needed to be. Then I turned and walked out of my room.
I went downstairs and saw that the party had already started.
The atmosphere hit me instantly. Laughter, music, glasses clinking.
Men in expensive suits and women wrapped in silk and glitter moved around like they belonged to this world—like chaos and danger were just part of their daily routine.
The air smelled of wine, expensive perfume, and something darker beneath it all… something I couldn’t quite name, but I could definitely feel.
My eyes moved slowly across the room.
Some of the women were wearing masks. Not all of them. But enough to make it unsettling.
Black lace. Gold designs. Some barely covering their eyes, others hiding half their faces. It wasn’t for fun. I could tell that much. This wasn’t some playful costume party.
It was about hiding, about identity. Or maybe the lack of it.
My stomach tightened slightly. I didn’t like it. Didn’t like how everything felt… calculated.
Like everyone here had something to hide. I exhaled slowly and forced myself to stay calm.
I moved quietly toward a corner and sat down, choosing a spot where I could see most of the room without drawing too much attention to myself.
I crossed my legs, resting my hands lightly on my lap, trying to look as relaxed as everyone else.
But inside? My nerves were alive.
I told myself I wouldn’t be noticed. That if I stayed quiet enough but I was wrong.
I felt it before I saw him. A presence.
My eyes shifted slightly, pretending not to look, but from the corner of my vision— I saw him.
He was huge, tall, broad shoulders. Bald head catching the soft glow of the lights above.
His skin was rough, covered in tattoos that stretched from his scalp down to his neck—patterns that looked ancient… brutal like Norsemen.
My throat went dry. I quickly looked away, pretending I hadn’t noticed him.
But he had noticed me, I could feel it.
Each step he took toward me felt louder than the music playing in the background.
My heart started beating faster. I kept my posture steady, even as my pulse betrayed me.
Then he stopped in front of me.
I slowly lifted my gaze. And he smiled.
“You must be Anna,” he said.
My heart skipped.
I forced a small smile. “I guess I am,” I said carefully.
He tilted his head slightly, studying my reaction like he was enjoying it.
“Don’t look at me that way,” he said, his voice carrying a strange, heavy accent. “I’m not here to kill you.”
I blinked.
Then let out a small breath, pretending to relax.
“Good,” I said lightly. “Because you really look like someone who would.” The words slipped out before I could stop them.
His expression changed instantly.