Freedom to Ride - Resolution (Raven's MC) (11 page)

CHAPTER 14

“It’s a shame you didn’t start working at the MC before the wedding. You’d have had a great time. I’m surprised the lads didn’t get thrown out of Stirling Castle before the end of the party. But it was a good day,” Nate said as he winked at his wife across the table.

Deanna, Nate, Holly, Alice, Ethan and Jamie were sat around the large kitchen table in their home enjoying an evening meal later that day.

Jamie had been hesitant at first but had relaxed as the evening went on, Alice mothering him which made him a little embarrassed but also pleased to have someone fuss over him. He hadn’t had a lot of that during his childhood.

“Keep going on the same path and you’re likely to become a Raven one day. If that’s something you’d be interested in?” Nate asked Jamie, curious about his reply as Jamie had settled in so well and was popular with everyone.

The expression on Jamie’s face was filled with so much happiness that it was obvious to all those around what his answer would be.

“I’d like that very much. Thank you Nate,” Jamie said.

“You’re alright lad. After what you did for Deanna I’d give you anything. You’ve proved yourself more than once and we all like having you around. How about tomorrow you can help out fixing the bike I’m working on. I’ll teach you a few things if you want to learn?”

“Thank you,” Jamie said quietly, secretly thrilled. Deanna and Alice smiled at Nate, knowing he was giving the boy something which had been sadly lacking in his life.

“Right, I’d better get cleaned up,” Deanna said as she stood up and started to clear the plates away.

Nate kissed her and lifted Holly out of her high chair cuddling her as the men left to sit in the living room.

“Alice, go put your feet up, love. I’ll clear away. You look exhausted,” Deanna said as Alice was about to help her tidy up.

“Thanks, hen. That wee one is a terror. I can understand what they mean by the terrible two’s. I need eyes in the back of my head with her,” Alice said fondly, tired after a day running around after her adorable granddaughter.

Alice sank into one of the couches in the living room, smiling as she watched Nate, Ethan and surprisingly Jamie playing with Holly. Holly had a sweet gentle disposition, very unlike her biological father, and seemed to draw people to her.

Jamie had smiled pleased when Holly had toddled over to him and wrapped her arms around his legs as soon as he walked through the door earlier that night. It had been the first time he’d met the little girl and he could tell that she was very much loved by all of them and was the spitting image of her beautiful mother.

After loading the dishwasher Deanna joined Nate on the couch, snuggling into his side as Holly climbed onto her knee and wrapped her arms around her, Alice snoring softly from the opposite couch.

They settled in to watch an action movie on television when a few minutes later a very unladylike snore from Alice echoed around the room and Holly burst out giggling as Nate and Ethan sniggered. Deanna and Jamie tried to keep a straight face as all the noise actually woke Alice up who looked around the room in confusion.

“What was that noise?” Alice asked sleepily and they all descended into laughter.

“What?” she asked again.

“Nothing Ma. Come on, bed time,” Ethan said as he walked over to his mum and helped her up.

“Good night all,” Alice yawned as Holly jumped up and hugged her grandma, a happy smile on Alice’s face as she wandered down the corridor, Ethan following.

“I’ll get this wee one to sleep,” Nate said as he held a sleepy Holly in his large arms and walked out of the room, carrying her like the precious bundle she was.

Deanna turned back and smiled at Jamie who had a contented look on his face.

“Was the food alright?” she asked him. She’d watched in amazement as he’d guzzled his food down like he was starving, his appetite nearly as big as Nate’s.

“It was great. Cheers Deanna.”

“I’m glad. I’ve never actually asked, but how old are you? You seem very young to be allowed to work behind the bar at the clubhouse.”

“I just turned eighteen. It was why my granddad got me the job at the club.”

“Still a baby,” she joked.

“Nate was good enough to offer me the job and I like hanging out with the MC. It’s nice being here too.”

“You know you’re welcome anytime you want. Holly has a new friend now so she’ll never stop pestering to see you.”

“She’s a real cutie. Nate obviously thinks the world of her.”

“Holly is his daughter in the most important ways and she loves her daddy.”

“Can I ask? What’s happened with her biological father?”

“After Lee attacked me he was sent to prison. He won’t be getting out anytime soon. He never showed the slightest bit of interest in Holly since the day she was born. He’ll never have any contact with her. He isn’t her father, Nate is. We’ve actually started adoption proceedings and it’s looking hopeful.”

“That’s good. Keep him far away from that wee girl. Some men should never be allowed near children,” he ended harshly and Deanna turned to see his face twisted in hatred.

“Jamie, what is it?” she asked as she reached over and he jumped as she touched his arm.

“Sorry. Shit, I should go,” he said, about to get to his feet.

“Jamie, wait. I’m sorry if I said something to upset you.”

“No Deanna, it’s okay. You never said anything wrong. I know I need to speak to someone. My granddad is the only family I have left and I’m no’ that close to him. I know about some of the things you experienced and I thought maybe you would understand.”

“I’ll try. What’s happened to your family? Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

“I’m an only child, like you. I never knew my dad and grew up with just my mum. When I was eight she met Steven.” Jamie said the name in a harsh whisper.

“What happened Jamie?”

“Everything was alright for a few years, just the three of us. But then she became ill. I begged and pleaded for her to go to the doctor’s but she would say it’ll pass, it was nothing to worry about. But when she became too ill to leave the house I called the doctor’s and arranged a home visit. The doctor arrived and immediately called for an ambulance. Turned out she had cervical cancer and it couldn’t be treated. She was such a beautiful woman. Looked just like me with dark hair and blue eyes. I’ve never seen anyone deteriorate so quickly. She looked like a skeleton within days. She never left hospital and died two months after being diagnosed.”

“Jamie, I’m so sorry,” she said clasping his hand and he squeezed it tightly.

“Thanks. I know what it’s like to grow up without parents.”

“Did you stay with Steven?”

“I . . shit . . ,” but Jamie couldn’t carry on, afraid that Deanna would be repulsed by him.

“Jamie, what is it?”

“I . . I need to go. It’s getting late anyway,” he replied. He was desperate to confide in someone but he just couldn’t speak the words he needed to say.

“Jamie, please talk to me. It’s alright.”

“I can’t. No’ just yet. It’s been a great night, thanks,” he said as he shakily got to his feet and hurriedly left as Deanna followed him to the door.

“Remember, you’re welcome anytime,” she said.

“Thanks,” he said and smiled tentatively as he walked away and she closed the door behind him.

“So, is the big guy treating you alright?” Deanna teased as she stood watching Nate instructing Jamie on how to repair the large custom bike he was working on in his work bay in the garage.

As she looked over at Jamie she could see he was still embarrassed with just running out the previous night, not even having said goodbye to Nate. She’d explained to Nate what had happened and he’d promised to keep an eye on the lad, both understanding that the boy had some serious issues he needed to sort out.

“He’s amazing. Nate works so fast. He sure knows what he’s doing,” Jamie said in awe of him.

Deanna giggled at the comment. Even though Jamie meant it in a purely platonic way, Deanna’s mind pictured all the erotic things that Nate had taught her and he definitely knew what he was doing.

When they’d first got together she had been extremely hesitant and not at all sexually experienced. The sexual encounters with her ex had always been brief and painful. Nate had made her appreciate how thrilling the act of love making could be and the connection that sizzled between them only added to their passionate intimacy.

Nate watched her with a smirk, knowing exactly what she was thinking as her eyes dropped down to his jeans.

“Eyes up Babe. We’re at work. I don’t think Jamie would appreciate me standing here with a hard-on. If you keep looking at me like that you’re gonna have to run fast,” Nate challenged, smiling wolfishly as his eyes glowed with lust.

Jamie laughed and slapped Nate on the back.

“Don’t worry. I’ve been warned by all the guys about what you two are like,” Jamie joked as the pair stared at each other.

“Right, I think I’ll get out of your way,” Jamie continued as he went to move away, not wanting to witness anything x-rated.

“No Jamie, stay. I was just coming to check on you two. I’ve got work to do anyway,” Deanna smiled at Jamie and then turned back to Nate.

“You can spank me later, honey, for being a naughty girl,” she whispered into Nate’s ear as she passed him.

“I’ll hold you to that,” he said quietly with a sinful grin. She laughed, knowing he would do just that.

Nate finally took a day off work and decided to treat Deanna to a day out shopping in Glasgow. It was something he despised but he would do anything for her and knew it was something she enjoyed.

The events of the past few weeks had taken their toll but they were working it out between them with the support of their family and the whole club behind them.

They walked down the street holding hands and she looked over at him dressed all in black with his Raven MC cut. The only times she’d seen him without it were in bed and at their wedding. He looked even more gorgeous wearing his sunglasses and tight t-shirt showing off his muscular build and he caught the eye of numerous passing women. She felt giddy as a teenager again to know he was all hers and she felt safe with him by her side.

“I love her shoes. Do you think I could ask her where she bought them from?” Deanna said to Nate.

She stared at the lady with glossy short brown hair walking a few feet in front of them who wore a fantastic pair of spiked stiletto shoes, which was something Deanna was addicted to buying.

“You and shoes. I don’t think we can fit anymore in the wardrobe. I’ll have to build a separate one just for them,” Nate grumbled good-naturedly.

“Really? Would you?” she asked seriously.

“I was only joking. But now I see that it’s something you would love I might consider it. Depends on what you’ll do for me. After all, you promised to serve me,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

He wrapped his arms around her waist as she linked her hands behind his neck and pulled him down for a kiss.

The sound of screeching tyres made Nate suddenly fully conscious of their surroundings and he spun around. His stomach dropped when he saw a black car barreling towards their side of the road, mounting the pavement and heading straight towards them.

Nate quickly grabbed Deanna and pushed her out of the way of the path of the vehicle. He caught sight of the lady who had been walking in front of them, who had now stopped and was busy talking on her mobile phone and hadn’t seen the danger.

As he moved to grab the woman the car clipped his side and then the woman’s, the impact knocking them both over and they crashed to the pavement.

The smell of burning tyres stung his nose as he lay protectively across Deanna, both of them panting heavily as the sound of the revving engine faded away.

“Deanna, are you okay?” he asked panicked, his breathing ragged.

“I’m fine. Jesus, the car hit you. Are you alright?” she asked, terrified he’d been hurt.

He rolled off her and lay on his back on the ground, struggling to breathe from the force of the car and hitting the ground.

“Aye, it just knocked the wind out of me,” he replied shakily as she frantically crawled over to him on her knees and checked him over. She was thankful when she couldn’t find any obvious broken bones or cuts.

A groan came from the woman lying on the ground not far from them, who was cradling her stomach and moaning.

“Oh no,” Deanna said after she helped Nate stagger to his feet and she ran over to help the woman.

“My stomach . . . it hurts,” the woman cried out as Deanna sat on the floor next to her.

“It’s okay. Keep calm. Nate, call an ambulance,” she said to him as he knelt by her side and took his mobile out to call for help.

“What’s your name, love?” Deanna asked the woman.

“Olivia,” she replied weakly.

“Hi Olivia. I’m Deanna. Help is on the way. Here, just hold my hand if you need to,” Deanna offered and the woman grabbed it and squeezed painfully.