This Time Around (Sequel to All Over Again)

Chapter Forty-Four

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

McKenna brought the phone back to her ear and squeezed her eyes shut as Phil Coulson told her they had Ward pinned down in Alaska. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure, McKenna. I spoke to May not half an hour ago. I’ve got the bus ready to go if you and Loki want to join us.”

“Phil,” she glanced over her shoulder at Loki, who stood leaning against the doorjamb with his arms folded stiffly over his chest, “we just returned from Asgard yesterday and I’ve got the kids. I can’t go.”

“I can.” Loki's voice was low and chilled and she shook her head, he unfolded his arms to jerk the receiver from her hand. “Son of Coul, where should I meet you?”

“Loki, no, we need to talk—”

He ignored her, nodding as he said, “I will be there within the hour,” and hung up.

“Are you kidding me? After all that talk about being careful and not taking chances and—and now you’re going after him?”

He didn’t answer her, but strode out of the kitchen and into the living room. McKenna glanced over at Selig. “Keep an eye on Aislinn for me for a minute, okay?”

“Okay, Mommy.” His eyes clouded over and his forehead wrinkled. “Is Daddy going after Uncle—I mean, the bad man?”

“Not if I have anything to say about it.” She managed to smile as she passed Selig, planted a kiss on the top of his head, and then hurried after Loki.

He was halfway up the stairs when she said, “Hold it right there, Loki.”

“McKenna, we are not even discussing this.”

He didn’t pause, but kept on walking as she called up, “Oh, yes, we are!” and hurried up after him.

At the top of the steps, she launched herself at him, grabbing him by the arm to tug him to a stop. “Loki!”

“What?”

“You can’t be serious about this.”

“I owe him.”

As he spoke, his eyes took on a greenish hue. Unlike the soft emerald they turned when he was aroused, they were glittering jade when icy fury filled him and even she took a step back, although she knew that fury had nothing to do with her.

Well, actually, it had everything to do with her, but she wasn’t the target. She slid her hand down his arm, until her palm met his, and she threaded her fingers with his. “Please don’t do this. Not alone.”

“McKenna, that son of a bitch tried to kill you. I don’t want you near him. Not anywhere near him.” He brought his free hand up to curve against her cheek. “And I want to make damn certain he never lays a hand upon you, or our son, again.”

She knew she was supposed to be supportive and agree, but the thought of his facing off with Grant Ward frightened her. She couldn’t really explain why, since the last time he met Ward, Ward had the element of surprise on his side and Loki was distracted by her and Selig. But at the same time, she just didn’t want him going.

“I understand that, but I have such a bad feeling about this.”

“Darling girl, he won’t know what hit him.” His thumb brushed along her cheekbone. “And I will be home before you even realize I’m gone.”

“Loki, what if it’s a trap? What if Ward is luring you there, knowing as soon as Coulson said they had him, you would jump on the bus as well? He wants you. I was bait. Selig was bait. He can’t be bothered with either of us unless we will lure you to him.” She brought her hand up to cover his.