Dreams of a Dark Warrior

berserker sons felt
exactly right
. “Regin, I’ve got money saved up. I can take care of you and our bairns.”
    “Okay, that wasn’t what I was talking about. Valkyrie aren’t fertile unless we eat for a few weeks.”
    He’d had no idea. Fascinating.
    “But since you brought it up … Dude. You’re a jobless, homeless drug addict. Great daddy material.”
    Straight-talking Regin.
“I’ll never touch the shite again. I don’t need to suppress my strength or get mindless again—I need to be strong and clear to protect what’s mine.” He squeezed her tighter, pressing his lips against her hair. “As for the job, I’ve money enough to keep you in Aston Martins, Valkyrie. And to buy a home. Or two.” When she raised a brow, he explained, “For twenty years I’ve had zero expenses. I haven’t spent a dime of my substantial salary. And many of my captures carried bounties. Now, what
was
your point?”
    “What if you had a ‘freak’ child? It seems like that’d be your worst fear, to get a
detrus
pregnant.”
    “Don’t ever use that word to describe yourself again. That was my mistake—not seeing that there are differences among the immortals. Good and evil, just like with humans.”
    “Yeah, well, your realization came too late for me.” She shoved away from him, rising to her feet.
    With a sigh, he let her go. His skin felt bare and cold without her. All these years avoiding touch, and now he wanted nothing more than to have her warm little body against him.
    When she strode over to her clothes, the sight of that naked arse had him hard all over again. Voice rough, he said, “Stay with me.” Had that sounded like a command?
    Her back stiffened, then she pulled on her knickers. “Forget it.”
    Here goes nothing.
He exhaled and said, “I am … sorry.”
    ***
    Regin froze. Without turning, she asked, “What did you say?”
    He grated, “I’m sorry that I’ve hurt you repeatedly. And that I hurt … people you care about.”
    “An apology?” She faced him. “That must’ve been difficult.”
    “I thought I was doing my duty with you. With all immortals. I followed my commander’s orders blindly.” He scrubbed his hand down his face. “We … went too far.”
    That haunted look in his eyes.
She was drawn to his pain, wanting to soothe it. Aidan had never
needed
her. This man before her needed Regin like a lifeline.
    “Webb was your commander?” At his nod, she said, “You seemed close to him.”
    “He was like my father and best friend rolled into one. He saved my life from a pack of Neoptera. That’s what did this to me.”
    Those creatures were terror personified. She’d suspected, but to hear it confirmed … “How old were you?”
    Instead of answering her, he held out his hand. “I’ll only talk about this if you sleep the rest of the night by my side.”
    “You sound like Lothaire, making everything a transaction.”
    “Maybe he’s right to.”
    With a roll of her eyes, she sat down a couple feet from him, pulling her knees up to her bare chest. At once, he yanked her back to his side.
    She exhaled, defeated. “How old?”
    “I was seventeen.”
    “That picture you showed me, it was of your parents.”
    He tensed against her. “Aye.”
    “I’ve never heard of anyone surviving a Neo attack.”
    “Webb saved my life before they finished me.”
    Finished him.
Everything began to make sense. His family had been massacred, he’d been maimed. And the man who’d saved his life warred against immortals.
    “He gave me a reason to keep going. Taught me everything I know.”
    Meaning he’d been brainwashed, and at such a young age. Declan Chase had never had a chance. “What will happen with Webb now?”
    “If he finds out that I lived and went AWOL, he’ll put a bounty on my head.” There was a thread of something like grief in Chase’s voice.
    “That’s harsh.”
    “I … I almost killed him.”
    “What? Why?”
    “He’s the one who ordered you vivisected. Hid it from me. He’d learned I was a berserker by then, so he would’ve known that you were mine.” Chase’s eyes glowed with menace. “Yet he still hurt you. When La Dorada arrived, I was squeezing the life out of him.” His hands fisted even now.
    He’d harmed the man he looked upon as a father? Over her? She’d heard his outraged bellow that night. …
    “I am done with the Order, done with Webb. Face it, Regin. You’re the only friend I have in the world.”
    He thinks we’re