Page 86 of Ordinary Girl

“I had no choice but to educate myself.”

“You shouldn’t have had to.”

No. I shouldn’t. But shit happened and I didn’t have much of a choice. “Can I ask you something?”

He frowns slightly. “Of course you can.”

“If Mama hadn’t been killed, would you have still come back?”

His expression remains stoic. Unwavering. And he doesn’t answer the question, he just walks away, into the living room. “Are they treating you well?”

“Yes. They are. They’re like family now.”

He spins around, his cold eyes staring into mine. “I’myour family, Ana. We’re blood.”

“That doesn’t always mean anything.”

“I love you. You’re my daughter.”

“I don’t want you here.”

He goes over to the window, looking out, and he keeps his back to me for a good few seconds before he turns back around. “Lars and Lea, they’ve gone. Left town.”

I frown. “What’s that got to do with you?”

“I know everything that happened, Ana. You think I haven’t been watching every move the Viking Bandits have made since your mama was gunned down?”

“They didn’t kill her.”

“They were the reason she was in that clubhouse.”

I shake my head, crossing my arms tightly over my chest. “Iwas the reason she was in that clubhouse.”

“You can’t blame yourself. It wasn’t your fault.”

It was. But I try not to dwell on it.

“I’ve been watching them, Ana. I’ve been watchingyou.”

“I know.”

He briefly turns back around, takes another quick glance out of the window. “Lars and Lea, I know exactly where they are.”

I sit down on the arm of the couch. “How… how do you know that?”

“I’ve been watching everyone.”

I feel sick. And now I do feel scared. I don’t want any of this, I don’t want him near me, but what he’s telling me… Is he lying? Is he telling me this to try and get me on side? I mean, how much does hereallyknow?

“I know exactly where Rik Nilsen sent them, on behalf of the Viking Bandits.”

I stare at him, I’m still trying to take all of this in. “Are they… are they okay? Are they safe? Have… have you seen them?”

“I’ve already told you, Ana. I’m watching everyone.”

“Are they okay?” I repeat. I still don’t know if he’s telling me the truth, or just telling me something he thinks I want to hear, but if he really does know where they are…

“They’ve opened up a small café in the village, and it’s doing rather well. They make a very nice soup and toasted sandwich.”

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