Freedom to Ride (Ravens MC) Read online

  Deanna suddenly felt self-conscious standing there in her onesie pyjamas knowing her long red curly hair must look frightful. It always did in the morning which was why she had to use expensive chemicals to tame it. Lee had always hated her hair and it was the only time he’d spent money on her to make it as straight as possible.

  Deanna had made the decision as they’d left England to leave it naturally curly from now on. Her dad had always said she should be proud of her hair, it was the same as his and was part of his proud Scottish heritage. The memories of him made her heart squeeze painfully, she still missed him after all the years he’d been gone.

  “No, she’s still asleep. I thought I’d check in on you two,” Nate replied.

  Holly had again begun to wriggle in her arms wanting Nate to pick her up. He noticed and looked to Deanna as he asked, “do you want me to take Holly? If you want a shower I can look after her.”

  “Thanks, that would be great.”

  As Nate walked towards them her heart rate picked up the closer he got. She self-consciously ran a hand through her hair fearing that she looked like she’d had an electric shock. It was unfair, the man in front of her looked so gorgeous and together in his blue jeans, black jumper and club vest.

  She couldn’t believe that after her abusive ex, who had badly diminished her confidence and trust, she was already feeling something for another man. She wasn’t ready for any of this and knew she had to fight this magnetism they seemed to have. More than likely this man had left a string of broken hearts behind him and would have plenty of girlfriends hanging around. The thought made her feel surprisingly unhappy.

  As he took Holly out of her arms and turned to walk out of the room she noticed an insignia on the back of his vest that she hadn’t spotted earlier. It had a fabulous depiction of a black bird in flight. Over the bird were the words ‘RAVENS MOTORCYCLE CLUB’. When he turned back at the door she spotted a large badge on his right shoulder opposite the ‘President’ badge declaring ‘Freedom to Ride’ in bold lettering. Deanna guessed this was the club motto, which she thought was perfect.

  “Go have a shower and relax. I’ll look after this wee one,” Nate nodded to Holly as he walked out of the room smiling.

  Deanna was stunned. In the space of a few hours she’d been beaten to a bloody pulp by her boyfriend, run away from her home to start a new life in Scotland with her daughter, made new friends with some bikers and met a most spectacular and kind man who treated her daughter as the most precious thing in the world.

  Her life was changing and she was wondering what was to come next. The first contented smile spread over her face as she wandered into the bathroom.

  As Deanna left her bedroom to go in search of Holly and Nate she at last felt relaxed after a long fabulous shower. Her injuries looked improved, even though her eye was still quite swollen and her vision slightly blurred.

  Hearing laughter coming from the living room she walked in then stopped short. Nate was lying on the floor holding a dangling Holly in the air above him. Deanna should warn him that if Holly had just eaten there was a chance it would make a re-appearance, and she shuddered to think where it would land as Nate brought Holly down to blow raspberries on her cheeks.

  “Whatcha lookin’ at?” asked a voice behind her, making her jump.

  Deanna turned to see Megan with serious bed head, obviously just woken up. Deanna shushed her and pointed to Nate lying on the floor with Holly. Megan’s eyes went wide at the sight, just as Deanna’s had done. At that moment the front door opened as the red-haired man, who Deanna remembered was Fraser, entered the house. He stopped short when he saw his boss rolling around the floor with a giggling baby.

  Nate lifted his head on hearing the front door. “Alright mate, what’s up?” he said, completely unaffected by the other man’s shocked expression.

  Fraser glanced at Deanna and Megan standing in the opposite doorway and Nate looked their way, “Mornin’ Megan. Deanna you’re looking better after a shower, the swelling’s gone down. Do you girls want any breakfast?” Nate said, completely oblivious to the still shocked expressions on everyone’s faces, as he began to tickle a giggling Holly.

  “I need coffee. I can’t function ‘till I have a cup,” replied Megan, coming out of her trance. She headed into the kitchen with Fraser following closely behind.

  Deanna’s eyes followed the pair as they left the room and then looked back down to Nate, whose eyes were now fixed on her.

  “Mm . . mum,” babbled Holly, reaching her arms up.

  Deanna bent to pick her up for a cuddle, Nate jumping to his feet standing close to her side. As he stood near her he breathed in a delicious vanilla scent, the smell stirring his lust.

  “Thanks for looking after her. I feel ready for the day, even though my face could scare children. I look like I’ve gone ten rounds with Mike Tyson,” complained Deanna.

  “Nah don’t worry, you’re still gorgeous. Now, can I get you anythin’?”

  “I . . . I’d love a brew, but I need to get this little one dressed.” Deanna was reeling from him calling her gorgeous. She blushed, knowing her face was as red as her hair.

  “It’s fine. How do you like your tea and I’ll get it as you sort her out.”

  “White, no sugar, please.” He nodded and gave her a warm smile before walking into the kitchen.

  Leaving the room in a daze, Deanna walked into her bedroom gathering clothes for Holly to wear. Thankfully over the days of planning their escape she’d slowly hidden away clothes for both of them at Megan’s home. She’d had to risk sneaking them out of the house without Lee finding out as she didn’t want them to leave with nothing. Also, Logan had let her know that his and Megan’s niece, who was just a few months older than Holly, had outgrown most of her clothes, toys and other toddler items so Holly was welcome to them. Deanna had been happily surprised when she’d walked into the bedroom after they’d arrived to find a cot and highchair were already made up waiting for Holly. Also the items she had hidden at Megan’s had been brought in and were waiting to be unpacked.

  Deanna had to stop dressing Holly when her eyes filled with tears. She couldn’t believe the kindness of complete strangers and what they had given them. She felt a gentle touch on her shoulder and knew it was Megan. Turning into her best friend’s arms, they wrapped each other in an affectionate hug as Deanna started to cry.

  “Sshh, sweetie. You’re both safe now. I won’t let anything happen to you or Holly. I also know that none of these bad boys will either. Especially Nate,” she added slyly.

  This brought a watery giggle from Deanna as she stepped back to share a private smile with her friend.

  “I can’t believe how well you two hit it off, and wow he’s fantastic with Holly,” said Megan, smiling knowingly.

  “I know. I can’t believe it either. But I’m scared. After everything I’ve been through and I’m already drooling over another man. It’s crazy.”

  “You suffered a lot of grief from your ex but that doesn’t mean, given time, you can’t find someone else. Holly deserves a good role model in her life. You do too, and I have the feeling that Nate could be just the man you both need.”

  “It’s too soon to be thinking like that. I don’t know what this thing is between us but we can only be friends. I need to concentrate on Holly and try to get over the stuff Lee filled my head with. I mean . . . look at Nate and then me. He’s way out of my league.”

  “That’s a load of crap. You’re beautiful, he’s gorgeous and just think, you would have the most stunning babies,” Megan joked. “Don’t let Lee’s taunts and insults get to you, they aren’t true. I’m here to help and so are these blokes. We’ll get settled and eventually start looking for jobs. Alright?”

  “Yeah, I know. I just don’t want to feel like we’re imposing. They’ve got businesses to run and I want to be able to provide for Holly. But I am thankful for what everyone’s done.” She suddenly winced when Megan ran a hand over her sore back.
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  “Do you want me to take a look? I know you’re in pain with the way you’re walking,” Megan said sympathetically.

  “Yeah, if you don’t mind. I can’t see how bad it is.”

  Deanna lifted her top slowly, feeling the ache in her body, and gasped when Megan gently probed the bruises covering the side of her ribs.

  Just then there was a knock at the door and it swung open. Deanna looked over her shoulder and saw Nate standing frozen in the doorway with a horrified expression as he caught sight of her back.

  “What the hell?” He couldn’t take his eyes off the extensive bruising on Deanna’s body, disturbingly in the shape of a large boot print.

  “Jesus, Deanna. Are you okay?” Nate said, striding towards them as she hurriedly pulled her top back down, ashamed he’d seen her standing there in her bra.

  “I’m fine. Megan was just checking. It’s not really sore anymore,” she lied, not wanting his pity over the injuries covering her body.

  “Alright, if you’re sure. I was after Megan. Logan’s lookin’ for you,” his eyes flicking from Megan to Deanna, whose face he noticed was red and swollen from crying.

  “Thanks Nate. Come on, I’m starving,” Megan replied as she dragged an embarrassed Deanna out of the room to the kitchen with Holly in her arms. Nate, who was still picturing the shocking bruises on her body, followed closely behind trying to contain his anger.

  Deanna collected her cup of tea from the kitchen and sat down on one of the sofas in the front room. As she watched her daughter crawling around the floor playing with her new toys, she decided to speak to Nate about finding a job.

  “Nate? Megan and I were just saying that we wanted to start looking for jobs. I was wondering if you know of anything available?”

  “Well, Logan did mention that you would both need work and had waitressing experience. One of my dad’s mates has a hotel not far from here. He’s just extended and built a restaurant. It’ll be open in a few weeks and I mentioned you two when I last saw him. It’s quiet at this time of year, as it’s just a few weeks after Christmas, but soon the weather will get better and more tourists will pass through. I’ll contact him and try to get somethin’ sorted. Is that alright?” Nate said.

  “That’s great. Thank you.” Deanna smiled gratefully at him.

  “Thanks Nate. Right, I’d better get dressed and find Logan. We’ve got some catching up to do,” Megan said as she left the room. Fraser also headed out saying he would see Nate over at the garage later.

  She turned to find Nate staring at her. “How you doin’?” he asked quietly.

  “I’m fine,” was Deanna’s automatic response to Nate’s question.

  “Really? Seriously?” he said raising his eyebrows, knowing she couldn’t be telling the truth, especially after seeing the extent of her injuries.

  “Seriously?” she said and he nodded in response. “Okay, I’m scared. I’m worried but I’m also happy. It’s hard to explain. I checked my phone not long ago and there’s nothing. No messages, no missed calls. I don’t know if that means Lee hasn’t woken yet to find us missing. Or . . . I don’t know what else it could mean. I always thought that once he discovered us gone he would go crazy ringing me non-stop to find out where we were. His silence is worrying me.”

  “He’ll never find you. You’ve nothin’ to worry about with us lot around. Don’t worry about money or trying to find somewhere else to live. You’re all more than welcome to stay as long as you need. Plus Logan’s just got his sister back so he’s in no hurry to see her leave. He’s completely with me on this. You’re also best gettin’ rid of your sim card so you don’t have to worry about him trying to contact you again.”

  Deanna smiled her thanks and made a mental note to destroy it as soon as she went back into the bedroom. Trying to take her mind of everything, she asked Nate something that she had been wondering for some time.

  “So . . . can you tell me a bit about the club? I don’t really know much about what you do other than what Megan’s told me.”

  He smiled. “What do you wanna know?”

  “Well. I know that a few MC clubs are into some dangerous or dodgy dealings. Megan explained that you’re not that kind of club though.”

  “She’s right. My dad and his mates created this MC. They were all bike lovers, getting together for beers and long rides around the country. Always tinkering with their bikes and driving their wives crazy. So they decided to build a garage where they could go, which then turned into building a club next door for them to relax in at weekends. That’s how the club was created. Nothin’ illegal. But you can imagine now and again fights broke out, usually over women, when some of the members were steamin’. When my dad fell ill I was his first choice to take over from him as President. I was a bit of a hellion at the time so I decided it was time to grow up, accept his decision and think about the club’s best interests. He knew I had a strong head on my shoulders and I wasn’t as temperamental as some of the other members. By the time he passed I was ready.” Nate paused, obviously thinking about his father.

  “As the club and garage thrived me and my older brother Ethan decided to go into partnership. He isn’t really into bikes but loves anythin’ physical. He’s a martial arts expert - karate, judo, tae kwon do, you name it. So we decided to open a security company and named it after our mum’s side of the family. Best move we ever made. It pushed the club in another legal direction, and got our name broadcast more widely across the country. As our customer numbers grew so did our reputation. We’re now one of the most popular custom bike garages around. We’ve had people in the past approach us for help, mistaking us for vigilantes, but we’ve kept out of trouble and stayed legal. We’ve passed any serious problems to Ethan for him and his team to deal with. The rest is history.”

  “Wow. You should be proud of what you’ve accomplished. I . . . I’m sorry about your dad. I lost my mum a few years ago, heart attack. Don’t know what happened to my dad.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s . . . erm . . . well it’s complicated. He just went to work one day and never came home. Everyone accused him of running away with another woman. But mum and me knew something had to have happened to him, he just wouldn’t have left. He and my mum were so happy. He was a doctor at the local clinic and mum had been transferred there when they’d needed an extra nurse. They fell in love, got married immediately and then I came along not long after. The three of us were really close.” Deanna stopped as her throat clogged with tears from the memories of her parents.

  “The police investigated but found nothing. Mum never recovered and I know she died of a broken heart. She couldn’t cope without him and I was left picking up the pieces after losing them both,” she ended sadly.

  “I’m sorry that happened. My dad was great until cancer took him. Mum struggled for a while but with me, Ethan and the club she’s okay now. We all miss him but I make sure I put everything into making his - and now my - club successful.”

  “By the sound of it, you’re doing just that. I’m sure he’d be proud of you. Erm . . . can I ask a personal question?” He seemed surprised with her compliment, but smiled nodding his head laughing gently at her tentative question.

  “How old are you? It’s just that you seem so young to be a club President. I always picture them being old, fat with a big bushy beard.”

  He laughed harder. “You watch too much TV. I’m thirty seven. Might be young but I done a lot and had to grow up quick. What about you?”

  “I’ve just turned thirty. I know what you mean. I feel a lot older than I am. My dad disappeared when I was fifteen, mum passed a few years later. After that I wandered for years going from job to job, unsure what to do with my life. Then one day I met a man who said all the things I needed to hear. I was lonely and vulnerable and he saw it, exploited it. If it wasn’t for Holly I would regret meeting him,” Deanna ended, the horrible memories of her ex’s violent behaviour filling her mind.

  Nate
reached his hand across and held hers comfortingly.

  The horrors she had endured caused an ache in his chest. He’d lost his dad but his upbringing had been filled with loving parents and an extended family with the club. Things had come quite easily to him and it was only now he could fully appreciate it.

  In that moment he made a promise that he would do all in his power for this fantastic woman and her adorable daughter. He looked down at the wee girl in question to see her playing with his shoelaces.

  Deanna looked up when the front door opened and Logan walked in, wiping his greasy hands on his jeans, obviously just been working on a bike across at the garage.

  “Nate, we need you. The Bitch is on the war path lookin’ for you everywhere. Please come and deal with it before one of us strangles her. Mornin’ Deanna,” Logan said.

  “Morning,” replied Deanna as Nate stood ready to leave, giving her hand one last squeeze.

  “Aye, alright I’m comin’. I’ll see you later Deanna. If you need anything just come across the road.”

  “Okay, thanks. See you later.” Deanna waved as she sat on the floor next to Holly, playing with the toys together. Nate looked back at the pair before walking out the door.

  Deanna was surprised at how easy it was to open up to Nate, their conversation had been so natural and she had felt completely at ease and comfortable talking to him. She did wonder, however, who it was that Logan was referring to as a bitch.

  As she sat playing with Holly she thought about how she, Holly and Megan were now at last surrounded by decent hardworking men. Deanna had never felt safer.

  CHAPTER 4

  “Deanna. Where the hell are you?” Lee screeched, his voice echoing through the spacious cold house.

  He’d woken to a pounding head and, wiping the drool from his mouth, he staggered to his feet. As he stood rubbing his sore knuckles he saw dried blood caked between his fingers, the sight bringing a satisfied smile to his face.

  The stupid bitch deserved it, whimpering on the floor as she curled into a ball. She absolutely repulsed him. Lee thought back to the night before. He couldn’t believe the nerve of the slag burning his dinner. She knew that everything she did for him had to be perfect, he hated carelessness.