Page 90 of Ordinary Girl

To be honest, I’m glad she’s said that. With everything that’s going on right now the timing of this isn’t the best. I’d rather she was with Dag and Freja until we’ve dealt with the Blackhawks: dealt with her father. And now I’m wondering whether she deserves to know: whether sheshouldknow what’s about to happen to him. Her dad. Because she isn’t stupid, she’ll work it out. She’ll know we were involved. But then, once she knows the truth about the kind of man he really is…

“Are you okay with that, Joel?”

Her voice shakes me out of those thoughts, and I look at her. “Hmm?”

“Are you okay with waiting?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I am. It’s probably for the best, to be honest. If we wait until Skip’s gone it might make our lives a whole lot easier.” I smile. So does she.

“He can’t stop us from being together, Joel.”

“You’d think, right?” I arch a brow and she rolls her eyes. “You hungry?”

“I’ve already eaten.”

“Yeah, well, I haven’t. Come on, you can watch me demolish a burger. I’ll buy you a beer.”

“Last of the big spenders.”

We look at each other and smile, and the mood’s lightened again. I need to keep it that way, so she doesn’t suspect the endgame is getting closer. Once the job’s done we can all move forward, even if that means losing Skip. He’s choosing normality over this world, a world full of risk and danger. But maybe I can change that. This club will be mine in a matter of days, and then, I can do what I want with it. I can do what the hell I want…

Thirty-Six

Ana

Ithink I’m falling in love with him. Joel. I say think, because I don’t really know what love feels like. I’ve never been in love before, I wasn’t ready. I didn’t want that kind of commitment. And I’ve fought this – whatever it is – for long enough, but I’m conflicted. Confused. Wary. When I think about it, I’m not sure if I’ve got these feelings because I really do love him, or because I just have a need to be loved by someone who cares about me. And until I can work out which, I think moving in together is too big a step, even if it feels like the right one. And what happened with my dad: as much as I don’t want to think of him in that way, that’s who he is, he’s my father, and that’s really messing with my head. What he told me, about Lars and Lea, I can’t stop thinking about it. He told me he knows where they are, but, does he? Really? He could’ve been making it all up, telling me what I want to hear in the hope he can get me on side. I’ve been leaning toward that theory, because I don’t want a reason to have him back in my life. He isn’t just here for me, there’s something else going on. He wants revenge for Mama’s death, I know that, and the fact he’s working with the Blackhawks unnerves me. I want to ask him why, but he won’t tell me anything. Same as Joel won’t tell me what’s going on either, but I know something is. And I’m scared. I’ve got a bad feeling, and I want to stop it, all of it, but at the same time I want justice for Mama. But who exactly does my dad blame? Is he going to hurt the Vikings? Is he going to hurt Joel…?

“Penny for ‘em.” Cady sidles up alongside me behind the counter of our little store, and I lean back against it, cross my arms and sigh.

“They’re worth a lot more than that.”

She takes a sip of her coffee. “That bad, huh?”

I look at her, and I wonder just how much I could – should confide in her. How much can Ireallytrust her? I have all the freedom I want now, but this club, they could still be keeping tabs on me for all I know, and if they are, then Cady would be the perfect choice of person to keep an eye on me. We spend a lot of hours a day together, I see her more than I see anyone else. Would she go running back to Skip…?

I shrug and decide not to tell her anything, because I don’t know what’s happening myself. What my dad told me, it’s really thrown me. And I’d gone to see Joel at the clubhouse last night because I’d had every intention of telling him what my dad had told me, about Lars and Lea, but I’d stopped myself. Telling Joel would only complicate the situation, I can handle it. Whatever I decide to do, I can handle it. But I have to do it alone. “I’m fine, just a little preoccupied. I think I’m finding it a bit strange being back in the world of work again.” A lie, but one I hope she buys.

“Well, as long as you’re happy being here.” The look she gives me tells me she isn’t totally convinced I’m telling her everything, and I’m not, so that look is justified.

“I’m happy.”

She smiles again. “Good. Do you want to take a break now? Go grab some lunch?”

I check my watch. “Okay.”

“Take a couple of hours. Things have quietened down a bit now, and I’ve brought lunch in so I’ll eat mine here.”

“Are you sure?” I’m starting to feel a little paranoid now, but is that only because I know I’m hiding things from these people?

“Yes, go on. Get yourself some fresh air.”

I grab my jacket and head outside, pick up a cheese salad sub and a coffee from the deli, and make my way over to the park, finding a quiet spot underneath a tree to eat my lunch. And for a few minutes I enjoy the peace. Enjoy people-watching. But it’s while I’m doing that, watching everyone around me, that I notice that dark green car again. He’s still watching me. And I lean back against the tree and close my eyes, sighing quietly. I don’t think I’ll ever be free, not in the way I used to be. My dad is never going to leave me alone.

I get up and take a breath, and I walk toward the car, but stop short of crossing the street. Instead, I stand there and watch it from a safe distance. Whoever’s in that car, be it my dad or some henchman he’s sent to keep watch, they’ll be able to see me, but I think I’ve ceased caring now.

“If I’d known you were free for lunch I would’ve joined you.”

I spin around, my heart leaping into my chest as I see Joel heading in my direction, a huge smile on his face. And as he approaches he glances over my shoulder, his gaze falling on the car which, as soon as whoever’s in there catches sight of him, pulls out of its spot and drives away.

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