Freedom to Ride (Ravens MC) Read online

  “Hi you two. I’m feeling okay, thanks to the drugs pumping through me. Thank you for what you did. All of you,” she said as she looked from Ethan to Cameron and then finally settling on Nate, who squeezed her hand in reply.

  “We’ve just spoken to the doctor who told us your injuries aren’t too serious. Hopefully you’ll be out of here in no time,” Cameron said.

  “Great. How’s Holly?”

  “Missing her mummy. I’ve just spoken to ma. She’s desperate to come and see for herself that you’re okay. Megan is climbin’ the walls. She’s dying to get hold of Lee. Apparently he ruined her Ann Summers party,” Ethan said making Deanna smile.

  “She can get in line,” Nate growled, still consumed with anger at the fucker.

  “Actually, I’ve come to let you know,” Cameron interrupted. “I interviewed Lee Walker this morning. That man is a total nutcase and not happy he was interrupted. He’s been ranting and raving, causing problems down at the station. He mentioned something about your dad, Deanna, that I couldn’t understand though,” Cameron said puzzled.

  “I was just about to tell Nate. Lee explained why he came after me in the first place. Apparently my dad had an affair with his mother. He said that when my dad met my mum he dumped Lee’s mother, leaving her heartbroken. She committed suicide. He planned his revenge for years and claims he eventually confronted my dad. That’s why he disappeared. He knew things about my dad that makes me believe him. You have to find . . . I need to know what happened.”

  “It’s alright Deanna, I’ll question him further. You deserve closure after everything he’s done. Are you ready to tell me what happened?” Cameron said.

  Deanna nodded and started to explain everything that occurred after Nate had left the compound, including all the details that Lee had spoken of. She also made sure they were aware that Lee had known about their night out and also that he had followed Vanessa to Glasgow. When she got to the part of Lee ripping her dress off, she could see the internal struggle in Nate as his whole body tensed with anger. Ethan placed his hand on Nate’s shoulder, trying to provide him with some support.

  When she finished, Cameron thanked her. “I’ve got to get back to the station. I’ll also contact Yorkshire Police and request details on your father’s disappearance. I promise I’ll do everything I can to get answers for you.”

  “Thanks Cameron,” she said as he left, the men shaking his hand.

  “You up for some more visitors? I know all the lads are desperate to see you,” Ethan said, concerned with how still his brother was. He knew Nate was struggling and filled with guilt.

  “I’d love that. Thanks Ethan.” He smiled as he left to make a phone call. She looked to Nate whose eyes were swirling with emotion.

  “Honey. Can you help me into the bathroom? I’m desperate for a wee.”

  “Sure baby,” he smiled, thankful to be doing something for her, as he gently lifted her from the bed and walked her into the bathroom.

  After she finished she stood with Nate’s help to wash her hands and caught sight of herself in the mirror over the sink, what she saw making her gasp.

  She looked hideous, like something from a horror movie. Her face was covered in loads of small cuts, her nose and eyes were swollen and blue, which explained why her eyes were sore and blurred. But it was her cheekbone that looked worst as it stood out prominently in her face. Her lips were also swollen to twice their normal size with the bottom lip split open. Thankfully she’d worried about her hair but it didn’t look too bad. She’d imagined it to be hacked to pieces.

  Tears ran down her face as she continued to look at herself, stinging her cuts as she started to sob, her mind filling with awful memories. Nate wrapped his arms around her waist as he held her trembling body.

  “Sshhhh baby. You’ll heal and everything will be back to the way things should be. Together, with the club and family around you. This doesn’t change anything.”

  She eventually managed to calm down and breathe deeply. “Thanks honey. But I still look like something from a Chucky film,” she grumbled, trying to make light of the situation.

  He laughed as he picked her up and carried her back into the room, carefully laying her back on the bed and arranging the covers around her.

  “I’m so tired,” she said yawning.

  “Get some sleep babe. I’m sure you’ll wake up when the whole club arrive,” his voice was lighter, making her feel that things would be okay.

  “Thank you Nate. I love you . . .”

  “I love you too Deana. I always will,” he said, kissing her forehead as her eyes drifted sleepily shut with a gentle smile on her lips.

  CHAPTER 23

  Chaos descended on the hospital. The whole club arrived, causing outrage among the nursing staff. Thankfully they all came to an agreement as each member came into her room individually giving her kisses and hugs telling her to get better and then leaving.

  Megan broke down sobbing when she saw her best friend so injured, screaming and shouting that she wanted to kill the bastard. Alice was also shocked and broke down when she saw her daughter-in-law to be, she hoped, so beaten. Deanna thanked her for helping to save her life.

  However what did stay in Deanna’s mind was a comment Alice made. Alice had sworn that just before the police arrived she thought she’d seen the man escape from the compound, but when she saw the same man brought out in handcuffs later she realised it couldn’t be true. Alice believed that her terrified mind was playing tricks with her as it was so dark. Deanna mentioned Alice’s comment to Nate who shook it off telling her not to worry. But deep inside, he couldn’t forget it.

  Before Alice brought Holly in the next day Megan helped Deanna cover up some of the worst injuries on her face. Deanna hugged Holly fiercely, finding it hard to believe that the biological father of her gentle daughter was such a monster. However when she looked at Nate, who was watching the reunion with a tender expression on his face, she knew Holly had the most perfect daddy she would ever need.

  Deanna was healing fast, the doctor announcing she was strong as an ox, declaring that she could leave the hospital very soon. They had all been thrilled and decided to plan a welcome home party at the clubhouse with all the families invited.

  Nate spent as much time with Deanna in hospital as possible, Logan taking over running the club temporarily. Deanna secretly believed that Nate was filled with regret and guilt, not wanting her out of his sight, and no matter what she told him she knew he had to fight his own demons in the way he thought best.

  Finally, the day arrived when she was to be discharged from hospital and she stood excitedly waiting for Nate to arrive, her doctor just having left after checking her injuries which were healing quickly.

  Her body was still sore and she had an appointment to see a plastic surgeon for the cheekbone fracture, but when she looked in the mirror she wasn’t as horrified as when she’d first seen her face. Nate had been right, time would heal, but she knew it would take longer for the scars inside to mend. Deanna still struggled to comprehend that her daughter’s biological father had killed her own beloved dad.

  Deanna had got angry when she’d spoken with Nate, angry and confused as to why Lee’s mother would selfishly commit suicide because she was heartbroken, leaving her child alone. Nate had actually managed to calm her down explaining that some people were just not as strong and maternal as her.

  She’d also confided in Nate that Lee had purposely got her pregnant by drugging her and damaging the condoms, ensuring he had her trapped. But she really couldn’t feel too much anger at this as she wouldn’t have had Holly, and that didn’t bear thinking about.

  “Mornin’ baby,” Nate said as he walked in carrying a bag of clothes for her to change into.

  “Hi honey,” she replied, kissing him and then walking slowly into the bathroom to get dressed, Nate following closely behind.

  “Can I help you?” she asked playfully as he tried to take her gown off.

  �
��I thought you’d need a hand, babe.”

  “Yeah right. You just want a quick grope, don’t you?”

  “No. How could you think I would take advantage of you in your state?” he said, trying to act outraged, but a smile was playing around the corners of his mouth.

  Deanna giggled as she lifted her arms and Nate pulled off her hospital gown carefully, but when she tried to wrap her arms around her waist hiding the wounds Nate stopped her.

  “No, baby. Let me have a look.”

  She felt self-conscious standing there in her underwear with all the livid cuts and a bandage covering her stomach. She’d noticed the last time the nurse removed the bandage that the stab wound had thankfully just missed her tattoo. She was happy Lee hadn’t taken that away from her.

  She sucked in a gasp as Nate crouched down in front of her and leaned forward to kiss each wound tenderly, kissing her tattoo last. He lifted his glistening eyes up to her as they filled with misery, before burrowing his face in her stomach, his whole body shaking. Deanna reached down, running her fingers through his hair soothingly.

  “Are you okay Nate?”

  “I . . . Let’s get you changed and take you home. Everyone’s waitin’,” he said gruffly, trying to clear his clogged throat. After a few moments he jumped to his feet to help her dress.

  Arriving at the compound, Nate came round to help her out of the car when she heard cheering and whistling, and turning she saw a crowd gathered outside the clubhouse welcoming her home, making her smile broadly.

  As she walked around the familiar compound memories of her assault were pushed to the back of her mind as she was gently hugged by her friends, before being wrapped in Nate’s big arms.

  She held onto Holly who was hugging her tightly, afraid her mum might disappear again. When all the noise died down Nate whistled for attention.

  “Alright everyone. I know you’re all here to welcome my beautiful woman home. I’ve just got somethin’ I need to say.”

  He turned to Deanna with a serious expression as he bent down to rest on one knee in front of her. Deanna’s eyes widened, wondering what he was doing.

  “Nate, what . . ,” she said confused.

  “Shush babe. I need you to know that I fell in love with you the first time I saw you. It’s strange that the first time we met is exactly how you stand before me now, beaten but still gorgeous. No matter what happens you will always be beautiful to me. I cannot live my life without you being a part of it and I ask that you become my wife so that, with Holly, we can be a proper family. Will you marry me Deanna?”

  Deanna stood shocked with tears rolling down her face throughout his speech, but the growing happiness inside her had her shouting out “Yes” and he jumped up and wrapped her in his arms, kissing her passionately as everyone clapped and cheered.

  He slid onto her finger a beautiful diamond ring with a thick white gold band studded with smaller diamonds running around a larger middle stone. It was stunning.

  Deanna was hugged and congratulated by all the members, Ethan welcoming his new sister into the family. Alice grasped her warmly and told her that she already thought of her as a daughter.

  As she stood with a beaming smile on her face, happiness radiating from her, she looked around the clubhouse surrounded by the affection of such wonderful people. Deanna had a proper family at last.

  CHAPTER 24

  The day had finally arrived. It had taken weeks for the court case to be set up at the High Court in Glasgow. The police, Procurator Fiscal and prosecution gathering all the evidence they needed for a guilty verdict, as well as collating all the witness statements.

  It had also been delayed due to Lee and his defence team initially trying to claim insanity, so that Lee wouldn’t have to be tried in court. When the plea had been thrown out, deniability mainly due to Lee’s meticulous plans for revenge, Lee’s team of lawyers changed his statement to ‘not guilty’. Most people involved thought that it was ridiculous idea, due to the amount of overwhelming evidence against him.

  All this was why Deanna was now waiting her turn in court to stand in the witness box and give her statement.

  Prior to the days of her testimony she’d been updated on the proceedings of the trial. Ethan had already testified on a professional basis with the details of McKnights involvement, as well as Cameron’s testimony as the lead investigating and arresting officer. After that Gavyn had given his statement of what he remembered of his assault and even Alice had been called in to state what she witnessed on the night of Deanna’s attack.

  As Deanna sat nervously outside the courtroom, Holly safe at home with Alice looking after her as she waited impatiently for news, Nate was gripping her hand tightly as he sat quietly next to her. He had refused to leave her side during the weeks following the attack, their love growing even stronger, the connection between them was nearly feral in intensity.

  “You alright babe?” Nate said, breaking the silence.

  “Yeah, just nervous,” she replied, squeezing his hand.

  “Baby, just remember. You ever feel scared or nervous just look at me. Do not look at that prick and make him feel like he’s winning. You cannot show any weakness. The bastard’s defence team will try anythin’ to trip you up. Stick to your statement and keep calm.”

  Deanna turned and smiled at him, leaning forward to place her forehead against his. Breathing in his scent filled her with his strength and she knew she could do anything with him by her side.

  “Okay honey. How you doing?”

  “I’m just peachy,” he replied sarcastically. “I haven’t been inside the courtroom yet because I feel like jumping the stand and rippin’ the fucker’s head off,” Nate growled, knowing his emotions were running high as he was finally about to come face to face with Deanna’s tormentor.

  After the attack they had both struggled, Deanna regularly waking screaming after terrifying nightmares. However as the weeks went by and knowing Lee couldn’t hurt them again the nightmares thankfully finally stopped. She knew that Nate was tormented with what had happened, he often sought her out throughout the day just to make sure she was safe. Their sex life had become very intense, Nate often being overwhelmed by his emotions as he fought the images of her being attacked and understanding how close he had come to losing her.

  Most of her injuries had healed. She had been left with a scar from the stab wound and also a thin scar from one of the deeper wounds when Lee had cut into her. Her nose had healed straight and thankfully she hadn’t needed surgery for the cheekbone fracture. Deanna planned on getting another tattoo to cover the stab wound, turning something ugly into something beautiful.

  Nate had shocked Deanna a few days after being released from hospital. He had disappeared for hours, no one telling her where he was. He suddenly showed up at the house late at night, walking straight up to Deanna and stripping off his t-shirt.

  Before Deanna could ask what he was doing she caught sight of his chest and had stopped breathing. Nate had got a new tattoo covering one side of his immense chest. It was stunning. There was a huge ferocious looking raven in the centre with its wings raised, similar in design to Deanna’s, but above this and in a protective position inside the wings was a slightly smaller beautiful raven and a baby raven. As Deanna stepped closer to get a better look, tears rolled down her cheeks when she saw the names “Deanna” and “Holly” tattooed into the feather detail of the two smaller birds.

  “What . . . when . . ,” she said breathlessly.

  “This is me,” Nate said pointing to the largest raven. “I will always protect you and Holly with everything I have and by any means possible. What happened to you haunts me every day and this is a reminder to everyone that it’ll never happen again. I’ve also left space for the rest of the children we’re gonna have.” Nate ended, cupping Deanna’s cheeks as tears slid down her face.

  “It’s absolutely beautiful. I love you so much,” she said throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him passionately,
pouring all of her feelings of love and gratitude into the kiss.

  “Deanna Grace,” Deanna was pulled from her memories when she heard a man announce her name. Standing, she followed the court attendant towards the court room. Stopping outside the doors she breathed in deeply as she hugged Nate one last time. Reluctantly releasing him she followed the attendant, knowing that Nate was going to go and sit in the stands and watch the proceedings with the others already inside.

  Deanna had been left till last to testify, her statement being the most damning against Lee and she wasn’t allowed in court until then. Nate had refused to watch the proceedings until after Deanna’s testimony, but a Court Officer, Ethan and Cameron had kept them fully informed.

  Deanna finally entered and glancing around she spotted her friends sitting at the back of the courtroom including Ethan, Cameron, Logan, Megan, Fraser and now Nate entering through the main door and going to sit next to his brother. The rest of the men were working in the garage but had wanted to be there for her. She also noticed quite a few “old ladies”, MC bike regular’s and people from the local media. She knew the case had hit the local headlines, detailing the brutal attack and because the victim was closely linked to a famous motorcycle club.

  Deanna nervously settled in her seat as the Advocate Depute for the prosecution asked her to recount her statement in detail. They then asked questions sympathetically and showed various photos of her injuries to the judge and the fifteen members of the jury and courtroom. She was also asked to speak in detail of her past involvement with the accused, including all the details as to why she ran away with her daughter.

  Deanna remained strong throughout, her steady voice echoing throughout the packed courtroom. Regularly she looked to Nate and each time he either nodded or smiled, his support pushing her forward.

  However she felt apprehensive when the prosecution finally rested and Lee’s defence team preened themselves. Deanna readied for their questions, knowing they would try to unsettle her.