Elling stepped into his view. "Marcus picked up the cases of oil this morning."
"Mhm." He gazed across the alley.
"Do you want me to have someone change yours out?"
"Nobody touches my motorcycle." He inhaled deeply. "I'll get around to it."
"Figured you would. I'll be getting around to doing mine later, before the..." Elling walked off giving him half a conversation.
Pushing club business to the side, Brage walked to the Jeep and opened the passenger door. He sat inside, leaving the door open.
A cloud of smoke filled the interior. He stared at the dash of the vehicle, reminding himself that she hadn't started the Jeep, she wasn't leaving.
"Don't lecture me. I know it's bad for me." She flicked the ashes off the cigarette out the window. "I quit. I really did, but it's all too much, and gum isn't helping."
He looked at her. "I have no room to judge."
"Well, I'm judging myself." She inhaled deeply and let her head fall back on the seat, blowing out the smoke. "Maybe I don't deserve good things. I fought my whole life to prove I wasn't like my brothers. I saw how teachers curled their lips when dealing with them about my grades and activities. Every time I tagged along to the store, I noticed how people skirted around Brad and Tony—I don't know, maybe they were afraid they'd get stabbed or raped. From as early as I can remember, I knew I wanted to be different. I wasn't like them. I wanted an education. I wanted a good job. I wanted to become a mother and be married to the father of my children. All the things that other people had and I didn't."
"You're young, you can still have all that," he said softly.
She took another hit on the cigarette and searched for a place to put it out. He took the butt from her and held his arm out of the Jeep, knocking off the coal and pocketing the filter.
"Maybe." She sighed. "On the outside, at least. But, what about how I feel on the inside?"
He had no answer for her. All he'd known throughout his life was acceptance. While he felt the impact of growing up with a father who was a Slag member and experienced the prejudice against an unconventional lifestyle, he had love waiting for him at home where he was accepted for who he was.
"I'm lightheaded." She closed her eyes for several seconds. "I went without smoking for three months. Time to quit again."
He pulled out a package of gum from his vest pocket and handed it to her. Lately, he'd been carrying a spare around for the times she ran out or was away from the bedroom.
"About going to Idaho—"
"No." She laughed sadly and sobered. "Just forget it. I'm apparently not ready to face everything that will come by returning there."
"Promise me one thing?"
She looked at him and nodded. "If I can."
"When or if you leave, you'll let me help you. You won't go alone," he said softly.
She looked away from him. He snagged her hand and held it between his.
"Don't," she whispered.
He refused to let her go. Instead of pulling away, she squeezed onto him
She turned back around. There were tears in her eyes.
"What do you want from me?" Her dark eyes begged for the truth.
He never hesitated. "You."
Chapter 27
The door opened, and a crowd walked into The Fire Ring. Dinah moved behind the bar and spotted Lizzy picking up the tub of dirty dishes.
"Hey, I'll get those for you." She reached in front of Lizzy and took the heavy item from her.
"What are you doing?" Lizzy laughed, holding her empty hands up. "Trying to take my job away from me?"
"No, of course not." Dinah set the tub near the kitchen door on the rolling cart. "You shouldn't be lifting heavy things right now."
Lizzy's smile softened. "You sound like Roar, but luckily, I'm good to go with my regular routine, which includes lifting the dirty dishes. That's per my doctor's orders, by the way."
"It doesn't hurt me to help out more." Dinah curled her arms and flexed her muscles. "It gets me in shape for when you're off on maternity leave."
Hands grabbed her biceps. "Showing off your guns, babe?"
"Don't knock my muscles." She smiled looking over her shoulder at Brage. "Do you want a beer?"
"No." He turned her around. "I stopped in to tell you I'm taking off for a few hours. I'll be back before the bar closes."
"Okay." She leaned back when he leaned forward for a kiss. "I'm working."
"I don't care." He wrapped his arm around her back and brought her forward. "I want you to be careful while I'm gone."
"I will be." She kissed him quickly.
He continued holding her, amusement lighting his eyes. "Mhm."
She flickered her eyes at him but went back in for a deeper kiss. His hand pressed against her lower back, holding her firmly against him. When he pulled back, she had forgotten where she was and rubbed her lips together. Her cheeks tingled from his beard.
"Later," he murmured.
She blew him a kiss and went behind the bar to shake off the pleasure Brage had left with her. It was late to be out riding. She hoped he and the others were careful.
A customer sat down on the stool. She stepped over in front of him. "What can I get you tonight?"
"Rum and Coke." The man half turned. "Can you bring it over to the pool table?"
"Sure." She grabbed a glass as more customers came in the front door.
It was going to get busy.
"I'll serve the new arrivals." She looked over at Peer, surprised to find he hadn't brought Tyr with him tonight. "Holly watching the baby?"
"Ja." Peer's brows lowered. "He's been fussy ever since I took him to the doctor and he got his shots."
"Ah, poor little guy." She let the customers coming in know she'd be right with them and walked to
