Chapter 28
One block away fromthe industrial zone, the Seattle Slag MC clubhouse came into view. Roar slowed down and pointed ahead of him for Lizzy's sake. At the last rest stop, she'd asked him to give her a head's up when they got close.
The Seattle Chapter's clubhouse was twice as big as the one in Portland. The building added onto through the years, his father picked the location to get around the building codes and restrictions because he had a vision of the biggest damn clubhouse in America. His parents lived in a house behind the building, allowing the privacy to raise the family.
The ideal location for their purpose, Slag used the cargo ships that visited the pier to get their supplies to Norway.
He pulled up to the gate. Having been raised here, a visit felt like coming home.
The gate opened. Henrik walked toward him. Halfway there, his old friend recognized him and waved him through.
Lizzy's arms tightened around him. He patted her hands. She was nervous, and there was no reason for her to worry.
Stopping beside Henrik, he shook his hand and promised to catch up with him later.
Men outside the clubhouse turned at his arrival. Instead of going over and checking in with the members, he rode around the building and over to his parents' house. The two-story block house with many windows faced sideways on the property. His father always said that way he could have a view of the water, reminding him of home, which meant Norway, and an eye on the clubhouse.
His parents stood outside, expecting him.
He parked and shut off the engine. Lizzy slid off the seat and stood by the bike.
Taking off his helmet, he took in her smile, despite the tiredness of the ride. She'd held up and never complained, though he could tell that she was glad to stand again.
Lizzy took off her helmet and smoothed the stray strands that'd come loose from her braid. He unzipped her jacket and took it from her before he got off the Harley.
"Do I look okay?"
"You're beautiful." He gathered her hand.
She glanced over at the house. "Your parents are waiting for us."
"There's nothing to be nervous about." He shifted his hold on her and slid his fingers in-between hers. "They'll welcome you."
"I want them to like me," she whispered.
"They will." He led her toward the house. "I have never taken a woman to meet them before."
She looked at him. He squeezed her hand. There would be time later to explain what her wearing his colors meant to him. The important thing was that his parents would know his intentions, and his MC brothers would understand that she was off-limits.
"Roar." His mother walked forward.
He held on to Lizzy's hand and hugged his mom. "It's good to see you."
"And, you." His mom pulled back, patted his cheek. "Your sisters are late but will be here soon."
Roar pulled Lizzy forward. "Mom, this is Lizzy Wheaton."
"It's nice to meet you." His mom went in for a hug, and he let go of Lizzy's hand. "Welcome to the family. I'm Maren."
"It's so nice to meet you, too." Lizzy glanced back and forth from him to his mom. "Roar has talked about his parents and growing up here, but he never mentioned living on the water. It's absolutely beautiful here."
"Ja." His mom grinned. "The water brings something new past our house each day. This morning some herons perched right on the shore while I had my coffee."
"That sounds so peaceful." Lizzy sighed, smiling. "I don't think I would have any stress if I lived where I could hear the water splashing against the land."
"It's especially nice on summer nights when the windows are open," said his mom.
"Dad's waiting to meet you." Roar took Lizzy to his father and clasped his dad's hand. "Dad, this is Lizzy."