"Speaking of Elling..." She half turned in the seat so that she could look at Brage without turning her head. "Have you ever noticed how he starts to say something and then stops halfway through?"
Brage chuckled silently. "He's been like that ever since I've known him."
"I wonder what that's about?"
He shrugged. "Norwegian men don't make small talk just to hear themselves speak. He usually sticks to what's important."
Not knowing Elling as well as some of the other Slag members, she chose to keep the conversation about his past to herself and not share or question Brage about him.
"I'm scared," she whispered.
"I know you are, babe."
"I have no memory of my parents. I always thought that was strange since Brad and Tony told me our parents died when I was seven. I doubt they even have parents or any contact with them. There was never any pictures or proof that they existed."
"I want to ask you something, and I need you to be honest with me." Brage waited for her to nod. "Did the Reed brothers abuse you?"
"Wh—?" She frowned. "Why would you ask that?"
"Because I'm trying to figure out their motive behind taking a child, a young girl, and raising her to believe she was their sister. They alienated you from having a normal childhood." He looked out the windshield, but the only thing outside was the brick wall of the back of the bar. "Then, I'm going to kill them."
She opened the door, stormed around the vehicle, and stood at the passenger side beside Brage. Fury wrapped around her brittle heart. "Get this straight. I don't give a damn about Brad and Tony. For all I care, I hope I never see them again in my life. But, if you kill them, I will never forgive you. I will be gone, and you'll never see me again."
Brage's eyes narrowed. "You still care about them."
"No, you idiot." She fisted his vest and shook him. "I care about you. I love you."
His gaze intensified as his mouth softened. The fight in her waned. She threw her arms around him and held him tight. If she had to glue herself to his side, she would. She wouldn't allow him to do anything that would take him away from her.
After having a dream about him leaving her, the conversation shook her to the core.
"I can promise you a lot. But, I won't make promises that have to do with protecting and honoring you." He palmed her head. "You're going to have to accept that. That's what love is built on."
She closed her eyes, expecting nothing less from him. She knew him well enough to know he stood behind what he said.
"Are we going to survive the next couple of days?" She straightened. "What if—?"
"We'll make it." He brushed her hair away from her face. "I'll make sure we do."
Her chest squeezed and tomorrow's meeting rushed to the forefront. There was a lot depending on the outcome.
She hoped they were strong enough to survive.
Chapter 34
The blanket covering Dinah 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
