All Over Again (Sequel to Wanted Man)

Chapter Forty-Four

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

McKenna glared up at Ward as he set his phone on the table between them. "Look, I don't know what you want to know, but chances are I don't know what it is you want to know anyway." She sat back in her chair as Agent Ward blinked and stared hard at her.

"What?"

"Why am I here?"

"Because we need you."

"Who is we? And why do you need me? I'm a bartender. You need drinks mixed?" She had no idea where the mouthiness came from, but she couldn't seem to shut it off, either. It happened when she was frightened, and God knew she was absolutely terrified.

After marching her out of the cell, Agent Ward brought her to a small, windowless gray room. It held a table, two chairs, and that was it. Hardly frightening, and yet at the same time, she could barely breathe from how her heart pounded against her ribs.

He smiled and shook his head. "Funny. I'd bet they get a kick out of your sense of humor in Asgard, don't they? The funny little human amongst the gods."

She glared at him. "I don't know what you mean."

"McKenna Carlin Laufeyson. According to the Middlesex County Clerk's office, you were married on March first, three years ago. To a Loki Laufeyson?" Ward turned his chair around before sinking into it. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't he an Asgardian? Brother to Thor, I believe? Although I would think his last name would be Odinson and not Laufeyson, but then again, Loki isn't exactly a common name, so I don't think there are many of them running around here."

Her mouth and throat felt parched, but no one offered her so much as a drop of water. She swallowed hard. "I-"

Ward's dark eyes narrowed. "Don't lie to me, Mrs. Laufeyson. You are married to the same man responsible for the destruction of New York City, aren't you?"

"He is not the same man."

"Very well, but he is the one, isn't he?"

"Why are you asking me?"

"Because I want to make sure I have the right woman. No sense in torturing the wrong one and then having to start all over again."

Her pulse pounded through her head. "Y-yes. Loki is my husband and yes, he is the same one."

"Good. So, we do have the right one."

She nodded slowly. "Why do you want Loki?"

"Oh, we don't want him. Just what he can get for us."

"And what can he get for you?"

"Nothing you need concern yourself with." Ward smiled, but his eyes remained cool and hard, which left her with the urge to squirm in her chair. She hated the way she felt beneath that stare. Fear left her icy cold to the point where she began to shake no matter how she wrapped her arms about herself. "But, just for the fun of it, let's give him a call, shall we? You know, just on the off chance you happen to be married to a different Loki."

"This is ridiculous."

"Humor me."

***

The building hardly looked at all imposing from the outside and Thor glanced over at Loki, his forehead creased. "Are you certain this is the right place?"

Loki nodded. "If Heimdall is to be believed." He looked up toward the roof. The building looked old and run down, four stories, the top windows either broken or missing entirely. It certainly didn't look like the place where an outfit such as H.Y.D.R.A. would be located. But he trusted Heimdall. Especially when it came to McKenna. Like just about everyone else in Asgard, he thought very highly of McKenna, and therefore would do whatever he could to help Loki find her.