Chapter 34
The blanket coveringDinah slipped down into her lap. Brage reached over and caught the cover before it hit the floorboard of the truck. She needed all the sleep she could get, but he needed to wake her in a few minutes when they stopped at the rest area.
They'd left early for Moses Lake which only gave her a couple hours to try and rest after working at the bar. Instead of sleeping, those hours were spent having sex because Dinah was keyed up and restless.
Roar and Elling pulled off the interstate. He followed, rolling into the rest area. In an hour, they'd arrive at their meeting spot with Jeremy Aldridge. A lot rode on the outcome.
In the back of his mind, he hoped the president of Moroad wasn't fucking them over. They could arrive and find every Moroad member there waiting to take them out.
Not a trusting person when it came to the safety of Slag, Roar believed the club would benefit from the exchange. It was one reason why Roar decided only the three of them would approach Aldridge with Dinah.
If something happened, they all had a job. Elling would protect Roar. Brage would protect Dinah.
He slowed to a stop, looking at the parked cars, in between the line of truck and trailers on the other side of the grassy area. As much as he wanted today to go off without a hitch, he expected trouble.
"Babe?" He rubbed Dinah's arm. "You need to wake up."
She startled, jerking her head upright and opening her eyes. Her gaze darted around, finding him in her panic.
"I'm right here." He stroked her face. "Another bad dream?"
"I don't know," she mumbled on a shiver. "Are we there?"
"Not yet. We're an hour out." He opened his door. "I'll take you over to the restroom, and you can stretch your legs. It'll be the last stop before we arrive in Moses Lake."
She waited for him. He let her out and walked her over to the small concrete building housing two separate rooms. Stopping her outside the door, he told her to stay. He went inside the women's bathroom and checked under the two stalls. The place was empty.
Returning to her, he said, "You can go in."
"You're not supposed to go in the women's restroom." She stepped inside.
He remained outside, giving her privacy and making sure nobody else went into the restroom while she was busy doing her thing. On the other side of the building a door slammed. He looked out at Roar and Elling.
Both of them pointed a finger downward at their side telling him one man exited the men's restroom.
The toilet flushed inside, echoing through the door. Several minutes later, Dinah walked out. The tendrils of hair framing her face, loose from her ponytail, were damp and her eyes were more alert. She must've washed her face. She would need to be fully awake when they reached Moses Lake.
"I'm ready." She slipped her hand into his.
She trembled through her bravery. He led her to the others and lit a cigarette while Roar talked over the directions and wanting to circle the vacant lot where they would meet with Aldridge.
"There's a police station three blocks from the address we received. We'll want to avoid riding past. We don't need law enforcement getting curious and following." Brage, in charge of the route, needed no map or GPS.
Over the last couple of days, he'd memorized the roads, looked for construction listings, and prepared everything down to the mile. There could be no mistakes.
"I'll flash my lights when we're five minutes out. That'll give you time to prepare." He put his hand on Dinah's back and rubbed the slight slope above her ass.
The other men understood his instructions. They each carried two pistols on them, plus Roar had his knife at his hip. Every weapon needed to be available and ready.
"I don't have to approach Jeremy by myself, do I?" asked Dinah.
"No, I'll be at your side. Roar and Elling will stand behind you and off to the right." He faced her. "I'm not saying it's going to happen, but if anything goes down, I want you to drop to the ground and make yourself as flat as you can. Don't run, don't turn, don't grab me, and don't raise your head. I'll cover you."
She blew out her cheeks. "That's not helping me calm down."
"It's necessary, babe."
"You're expecting Moroad to shoot you? Shoot me?" She stared at him.