🥀 2 🥀

~♤~

"C'mon brother. I promise you'll have fun tonight, just at least try to tell your face to pretend in the meantime." Thor smacks his brother's shoulder firmly.

It was more an order than a suggestion, which he did not like one bit.

He had been dragged to the club opening that he and his brother had invested in. It was important to buy local businesses to invest in. It kept the money clean and the authorities out of their books.

That didn't mean he had to like being there. It was important they showed their face. People knew who they were and staking their territory for other rival organisations to see was integral.

He tightens his dark green tie that lay against his crisp white shirt and black velvet suit jacket. His Rolex gleams on his wrist, and his trusty dagger is strapped underneath his jacket on his trouser belt. After being in this business for so long, even on 'social' affairs, you could never be too careful.

The music boomed as the brothers enter the club, strobe lights flashing around them as security escort them to their VIP section. He was surprised how many people were already here. Whoever Thor had hired to do the PR had clearly done a good job. The interior was gold and black, elegant and menacing at the same time.

Several people part ways as they saw the two handsome, yet terrifying, brothers stalk through the crowd, their faces lighting up in recognition as they avert their gaze. Their reputation proceeded them, and they'd heard the stories of what happened to people that crossed the Odinson family. It didn't bear thinking about.

There were already several people in VIP which he did not like. He wasn't one for small talk. He wasn't one for talk in general to be quite honest. People pissed him off. Most were useless, dull and just worthless. His brother was a lot more outgoing than him, naturally attracting people and making his job a lot easier. He had, however, taken a different approach.

He was the cold monster, and he had an appearance to withhold. It wasn't totally his fault, there had been the issue of being adopted which meant that his father naturally favoured Thor. No matter how much he tried to prove him he was worthy.

Several girls clambered their way to him and he rolls his eyes. He knew how this went. They were good for one thing and one thing only. And he was far from in that mood.

"So, what do you think?" Thor's voice booms, shouting over the music playing.

A waitress brings over a bottle of Moet to the brothers, who Thor winks at, causing her to blush.

"It's not so bad I suppose. It'll do its purpose." He responded.

"Brother, you are allowed to enjoy yourself. It can't be business all the time. Enjoy the company." Thor says gesturing towards the women curled up either side of the brothers now. "You always push people away. Loosen up a little."

"It's not my fault that people bore me. No one holds my interests for long enough." He sighed as he took a sip of the champagne, swallowing down the fizz and wanting the buzz to get him through this.

"I'm not saying you have to have a girlfriend brother. But it wouldn't hurt to have someone by your side every now and then. You seem lonely these days." Thor scolds as he chugs his own champagne and throws the glass down onto the floor, getting caught up in the moment.

"Waitress! Another!" Thor cheers.

His brother was an oaf. He hated him nearly as much as his father. There was a reason he was good at what he did. It was because he kept emotions out of it.

"Speaking of..." his brother starts as his eyes flicker over the room and out towards the dancefloor. "There's someone I'd like you to meet." He says cheekily.

He follows Thor's gaze across the dimly lit room, his breath immediately hitching as he saw the two most beautiful women he'd ever laid eyes on strolling this way. He steeled himself, putting his mask back on, intrigue officially piqued.

~♡~

Lyla tugged at the satin olive dress she was wearing that was making her feel very self-conscious.

Nat, on the other hand, looked radiant in her silky red number that matched her hair and lips. Lyla curses internally that she could have her body and confidence.

Nat had spent ages curling Lyla's long hair into a bouncy blow-dry and had insisted on a smoky eye make up that she claimed made her look 'sultry as Hell'.

Sure, this wasn't an uncomfortable scene for Lyla, she'd had plenty of party times with Nat growing up, but she always felt so small standing next to her in a crowd of people, her anxiety kicking in.

"I'm going to need a stiff drink to get through tonight Nat." Lyla says loudly over the bass of the music, as Nat grabs her arm, looking around in awe.

"OK, but first you need to complement how well I marketed this launch." Nat rolls her eyes cheekily.

Lyla laughs as she bends her head closer to Nat to hear her.

"You did an insane job babe. I especially love the gymnasts hanging off the silk on the ceiling. Did you think of that?!" Lyla asks incredulously as her eyes gaze upwards to the acrobatics above her.

This was seriously an impressive club opening. Nat was good at her job.

Nat winked and nodded appreciatively.

"I don't do anything by half girl." She whistled.

Just then Nat's eyes scanning the dancefloor landed on something that made her light up and wave. Lyla's gaze followed Nat's to what looked like a private area with lots of people inside.

"Who's that?" Lyla asks as she takes in two handsome, but intimidating, men sitting in the middle.

The blonde, and larger one, is waving back at Nat and summoning her over.

Nat turns to Lyla, grabbing her hand and interlocking her fingers as she drags her that way confidently.

"That's Thor and his brother. They own the club and hired me. Now I know you hate mingling, but please come play nice for me? They have a tonne of businesses, it'd be great to be in their good books." Nat shouts into Lyla's ear as she strides over.

Lyla suddenly gets closer, her heart beating faster at the thought of actually having to interact with the men. She had never seen such fine specimens before and it took her breath away.

As they approached the area and were let in by security, the blond stood to greet them happily, kissing them both on the cheek.

"Miss Romanoff, so glad you made it. And might I say, a truly spectacular job you've done here." He said with a twinkle in his blue eyes.

Lyla saw the way his face took in Nat's body, subtly but definitely there. This wasn't an unusual occurrence with men, but this one in particular looked intense. Nat blushed, hitting his shoulder.

"It was so much fun. I loved doing the work, so I appreciate you letting me! This is my best friend Lyla. Thanks for letting me have a plus one." Nat spoke.

She gestured towards Lyla. "This is Thor." Nat said, giving Lyla a pointed look.

Lyla smiled widely, she would play nice for her friend. Not that it was hard with how beautiful this man was.

"Pleasure to meet you." Lyla responded, feeling a chilly gaze land on her from the side.

She turns just in time to lock eyes with piercing emeralds that send shivers down her spine.

This must be Thor's brother that Nat was talking about. Although she'd only really worked with Thor, she'd mentioned there was two of them. Lyla had to admit, she didn't see the resemblance at all. This man had long dark locks, slicked back off his face.

He licked his lips as a smirk appeared on his features and he stood to meet Lyla. She couldn't look away, she was entranced. There was something about him that gave her a feeling deep in her stomach that she should run far away. But her feet stayed frozen to the spot.

"This is my brother, Loki." Thor spoke to the girls, but Lyla wasn't looking at him anymore.

She was caught in a game of cat and mouse with this devilishly handsome man.

Her mouth felt dry as she raised a hand.

"Lyla." She spoke softly and it came out hoarse.

She cleared her throat which only made the dark haired brother smirk even more. It seemed he liked the effect he was having on her already.

Loki took her hand, kissing her knuckles gently.

"A delight." He responded and his voice felt like honey trickling onto her skin.

She tried to hide the goosebumps that were beginning to form, despite how hot it was in the club.

Her thoughts were interrupted as Nat appeared at her side, holding her hand out too. Loki reluctantly broke his gaze from Lyla and briefly looked at Nat as he did the same. But as soon as he was done, his attention shifted back.

Lyla felt dizzy as if he had sucked all the oxygen out of the room.

She was entranced.

Nat seemed to notice this and cleared her throat as Thor spoke up, sensing the tension also and raising his eyebrows.

"Well, ladies can we help you to a drink? It's the least we can do after your help Nat." Thor shouted as he waved over the waitress from earlier.

"What do you want Ly?" Nat asked as she placed a hand on her friend's lower back, again anchoring Lyla back into the present.

Lyla almost shook her head from the thoughts that plagued her mind that she knew were far from appropriate, turning to Nat.

Before she had time to formulate a sentence, the darker haired brother spoke up.

"She strikes me as a vodka girl. Not the cheap type though. We want the Japanese stuff. On ice with a slice of lime." Loki ordered the woman.

Usually Lyla would protest at being spoken for, by a man nonetheless. But fear danced up her spinal cord at the very thought.

Fear and intrigue.

"OK.... I'll have the same then." Nat spoke to the woman as she went to fetch their orders.

Lyla turned back to Loki with a frown on her face. She swallows hard.

"What about me makes you think I like Japanese vodka on the rocks?" She asked, realising it was the first time she'd properly spoken to the stranger in front of her.

His eyebrows softened a little at the sound of her voice. It was like a sweet melody. It was pure.

The opposite of him.

He gestured for her to sit down next to him, casually ushering the other women who were there previously away. Not before they turned to Lyla staring daggers though.

Lyla slowly shifted to sit next to Loki. She felt like she'd walked into a lion's den.

"I don't think you're a champagne girl. Not really. You might think you are but you haven't tried the best vodka on the planet yet." Loki teased as the waitress brought them back their drinks.

Lyla slowly took hers, trying not to stare into those bright green orbs that had her trapped. Loki waited for her to take a sip.

"And?" He murmured as his eyes flickered to her lips as they pulled away from the glass.

She had to admit, vodka at college had made her sick, but she mixed it with cola or cranberry juice with the purpose to just get drunk quickly, not for taste. This was sharp but smooth however as it glided down her throat. Different too from the Russian type that Nat drank.

She teased a little smile.

"It's really good." She replied, not wanting to fully let him know he'd won.

She had a feeling he always won.

"Your club is great." Lyla said in a shaky voice again, taking another swig as she looked around at the luxurious interior. Loki briefly looked around too.

"It's ok, I suppose. I mean your friend has done a wonderful job. But, when you own so many they all blend into one after a while." He explained as he sipped his own glass that was in front of him.

Lyla made a mental note that these two must be rich rich. Not that she hadn't spotted the Armani suit or the Rolex sparkling on his wrist. She wondered how Nat had even met them.

"What do you do for a living?" Lyla asked, as if she was making small talk which was a foreign concept to her.

But she was genuinely intrigued by this dangerous stranger. He smiled softly, but there was a menacing look in his eye.

"It's...complicated Darling." He purred and Lyla felt heat flush through her at the nickname.

He took in her features, noticing her blush and looking like he liked it.

"I guess you could say we're a family run business. We own a lot of other amenities across the city and country. We ensure they give us what we're owed and supply them with what they need."

Lyla's heart beat faster at the words. He was being purposefully vague. Everything in her body was sending alarm bells to get away from this man. But she couldn't bring herself to listen.

Loki's eyes briefly travelled down her figure, before he ushered himself a little closer to her.

"And what is it you do?" He asked suggestively.

Lyla hated this question. It reminded her she wasn't where she wanted to be, wherever that was.

"I—umm—I'm currently just working at a library, but I have my degree in English Literature and I want to do something more." She said as she felt herself blush at the pathetic excuse for a job compared to him.

He was clearly powerful, had a tonne of money and could get any girl he wanted. And here she was trying to justify her degree meant something. He was just entertaining himself by talking to her.

Being nice for his brother, that was it, surely?

"English literature is a passion of mine." He said, surprisingly for Lyla, as he placed his glass down on the table in front of the sofas.

"I always wanted to do it at degree level but my father wanted me straight into the business. I have a love for the classics." He sighed and his facade came down, just a little.

Lyla found it strange. It seemed like the first genuine thing he'd said all night.

"I don't suppose you are paid generously at the library though, despite your vast knowledge." Loki said as a statement rather than a question.

Lyla suddenly felt insignificant as she was called out on it, though he must've spotted it a mile off. She frowned sadly.

"Oh, I didn't mean to be so rude. It's just someone as beautiful and intelligent as yourself surely deserves more." He said again, his voice like velvet as she bit her lip, getting lost in it.

This action did not go unnoticed by Loki.

Lyla briefly turned to see Thor and Nat in a heated conversation about something which Nat was obviously very passionate about. The two weren't even looking over this way.

"I don't know how you know I'm intelligent. I've barely said anything since we met." Lyla spoke up, feeling a little brave at her actions. Loki grinned.

"That's how I know my Dear. The most intelligent people don't need to." He replied, stretching his arm around the back of the sofa they sat on, manspreading a little as he did.

Lyla tried desperately to shut off the dirty thoughts in her mind. She'd only just met this man. And he seemed like he wasn't the innocent type. His vague job description about 'family business', the glare in his eye, not to mention the knife she'd seen glint slightly from underneath his suit jacket.

She gulped hard, feeling her legs shake a little. Loki pushed his knees out wider, just enough so his touched hers. It sent electricity up her spine.

"What is it you want to do in life then, if not the library?" He asked suddenly.

Lyla looked for signs he was just amusing himself, but he seemed genuinely intrigued.

"To be honest. I'm not quite sure. I just want a greater purpose, something I enjoy. Isn't that what we all want?" She asked as she put her own glass down now.

Loki nodded thoughtfully.

"Besides. I despise being at the bottom of the chain of command, I'd like to do something where I finally have control and don't have to just be told what to do all the time." Lyla sighs.

It wasn't a good answer. She knew it.

Loki's eyes twinkled as he bent forward a little more towards her, cocking his head.

"You want to be the one giving demands? Don't like following orders do you?" He asked mischievously.

Lyla's knees felt weak at the double edged comment. Usually she would hate the implication, but the chill dripping in his tone made her feel like she wanted more. She tried to compose herself and took another big swig of her drink, finishing it in one.

"I didn't say I don't like being told what to do. Just that it can get a little old." She replied as she felt herself become braver now the liquid was inside her, buzzing her thoughts.

Loki looked like he enjoyed this answer very much as he leant back again, licking his lips.

"Maybe you just haven't had the right person telling you what to do." He replied darkly.

Lyla had to stop herself from letting out a moan there and then.

Just then, Nat and Thor appeared behind them and Nat sat next to Lyla, looking at her questioningly.

"Everything OK?" She asked, raising her eyebrows.

Thor was giving his brother a warning look, shaking his head, which Lyla didn't notice.

"Yeah. All good, just think I need to go to the bathroom." Lyla said, desperately trying to excuse herself from the situation.

She needed to splash cold water on her face and wake herself up to the reality that this handsome and dangerous stranger wasn't actually interested in her. He was just passing time.

"OK, well hurry back OK?" Nat said as she gave her another look, double checking she was OK.

Lyla nodded and got up, wobbling slightly on her heels as she headed back towards the rope and the security guard to let her through. She needed fresh air, and maybe another drink.

Just then an arm caught hers as she was about to walk through the velvet rope that was held open for her. She turned to see Loki's cold fingers gripping her arm, his white skin against her flushed pink.

She looked up at him, able to smell his expensive aftershave now he was so close. He was even more beautiful from this angle. She looked at him questioningly.

He handed her a small thick card, clasping his fingers around hers a little too long.

"Let's meet up sometime. We can pick up this conversation again if you'd like." He winked as he finally let go, nodding at the security guard as he threw on his coat and walked towards the exit.

What the fuck had happened tonight?