Page 17 of Ordinary Girl

My fingers grip the steering wheel tighter as we put more and more distance between us and the club. A place I’m scared could now have a much bigger impact on the life I’m trying to save. The daughter I’m trying to protect.

Who’s going to protectme? From the man who’s promised to save me…

Eight

Skip

The bike skids to a halt and Jep rushes over, obedient as ever, waiting for his next instruction.

“Do you need me for anything, boss? Joel says you might want me and Felix to go out: keep eyes on the Blackhawks compound.”

“Not tonight. Even the Blackhawks wouldn’t be stupid enough to look for trouble on a night when practically every Viking chapter in northern Europe is gathering here. Stay put. Enjoy the party.”

“Thanks, Skip.”

“Is Kasper around?”

“He went into town about an hour ago. Said he was meeting someone.”

“He’s left the compound? Now? Jesus Christ… I need him here. What the fuck’s he playing at?”

“He said he’d only be about an hour. Said he was picking some girl up, bringing her back here.”

“What girl? He’s got plenty of girls here, what’s wrong with him?” I throw Jep my helmet and keys. “Park this up and get inside. Go see if anyone needs any help with anything.”

I head into the clubhouse and find Joel at the bar laying his Nordic charm on Paula, a seasoned club girl from Poland who’s been here forever, and still looks about twenty. Her mother must’ve had some damn good genes. “Hey. People are starting to arrive, quit enjoying yourself.”

Joel tears his attention away from Paula and looks at me. “You been out?”

“I needed a break from you assholes. Did you know Kasper’s left the compound?”

“Security’s sorted, Skip. We’ve got weapons stashed exactly where we need them.Shouldwe need them. We’re covered.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not expecting any shit to kick off, but there’ve been whispers that the Hawks might suspect we know more about their weapons deal than they want us to. And if they think we might try to muscle in, it’s possible trouble could be brewing. So, we can’t afford to drop our guard, even on nights like this. Are Dag and Alver here?”

“Never missed a club gathering like this before. They’re not gonna start now.”

Dag and Alver. Two of our life members. Brothers who’ve been a part of this club for decades. Their loyalty, knowledge and wisdom is something we all depend on around here, and no fucker disrespects either of them, or their old ladies. Elise and Freja are as much a part of the Vikings as their old men. They look after the club girls. They look after all of us. Without their cooking we’d probably all starve.

Joel starts sliding his hand up Paula’s ridiculously short skirt – she might as well not be wearing one – and I take that as my sign to leave.

“I’ve got a couple of things to finish up out back. Keep your eye on this place, alright? Kasper might have things covered but let’s not get lax. Oh, and if Rik comes calling, don’t take any shit, okay? He’s trying to assert an authority ’round here he got no place showing. He knows the rules. Make sure he keeps to them.”

“Is he gonna be a problem?”

“Not if I can help it.”

I grab a beer from the bar and head to the back of the clubhouse, to the meeting room, and I contemplate calling Sofia. I wanted her to be here tonight, but I’m not surprised she’s giving it a miss. I’m guessing – like me – that she’s still unsure where we are, exactly.Whatwe are. And I don’t do all that talking about my feelings crap, ’cause I don’t know what I really want from her. I don’t know what she wants fromme, I just know that the sex – man, it’s good! When I’m fucking her she puts up no fight, she’s all in…Jesus!She’s got my head in a freaking mess, and I’m not used to fighting for women, I’ve never had to do that. I wasn’t intending to ever start, but this one, she’s got me. And I’m not done with her yet. Not by a long way.

Joel

I’m locking up the workshop when I see her, climbing off the back of Kasper’s bike.

Ana.

Sofia’s kid.

Does her mother know she’s here? I doubt it.

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