Freedom to Ride - Resolution (Raven's MC) (13 page)

“But there is a big chance that it is,” Quinn said.

“Oh, this is terrible. I’m so sorry for what you’ve gone through,” Olivia said, concerned about Deanna.

“What I’ve been through? I can’t imagine what you have just suffered and you’re worried about me? I’m so sorry about the baby,” Deanna said as she reached for Olivia’s hand.

Olivia smiled sadly but held onto Deanna’s hand and the women smiled at each other, an instant friendship created between them.

“Nate, how about we leave the ladies in peace. I’ve got some business I’d like to speak to you about,” Quinn said, as the two men left the women alone to talk privately.

Quinn hoped that the friendship of another woman would help his wife cope with their loss. He was about to fall apart so he needed something to take his mind off the child they would never meet.

CHAPTER 17

Deanna sat curled up on the couch in her home later that day, her hand shaking as she lifted the glass and drank her rose wine, sighing as it soothed her shattered nerves.

She and Olivia had talked for a long time in the hospital as Olivia had wanted to know more details about Deanna’s past and how she’d come to marry Nate. Olivia needed to take her mind off everything that had happened and was genuinely interested in her new friends’ lives. Deanna had jokingly asked where Olivia had bought her shoes from and both of them had giggled as they’d realised that they both had a shoe addiction.

Nate had also spent some time getting to know Quinn better, excited that Quinn was interested in working with McKnights for providing security in his nightclubs. Deanna and Nate both knew the couple was talking about other business prospects to take their minds off their loss, and the four of them had agreed to get together at the weekend for a meal.

Ethan had visited the scene of the accident but there was no way to trace the mysterious black car. Nate hadn’t been able to take notice of the make or model of the vehicle before he’d crashed to the ground. Thankfully he’d only ended up with a few bruises from the fall and had no serious injuries.

It was late evening and Holly was already tucked up fast asleep in bed. When Deanna and Nate had returned from the hospital they’d both held her tightly, thankful that they had Holly in their lives.

Deanna’s thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the front door. Nate was over at the clubhouse holding an emergency meeting and Ethan had joined them. She knew that Nate would tell her later what had been discussed and decided.

As she opened the door she was happily surprised to see Jamie standing on the doorstep.

“Hi Deanna. I’m sorry it’s so late. But I wanted to check to see how you are,” Jamie said.

“Thanks Jamie, come in,” she said and offered him a drink as he sat down.

“Scotch is great, thanks,” he replied as she handed him a glass and then brought in the rest of her wine bottle, filling up her glass as Jamie raised his eyebrows.

“You’re drinking a lot tonight? That bad is it?” he asked.

“You know me. I’m a magnet for trouble. You said that I’m coping with everything that’s happened, but I’m not today. A woman’s innocent unborn baby died today and I know it’s because of me,” she said as tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Hey, no it’s not. You didn’t ask for the bastard to do that. Never blame yourself. Only the person driving that car is at fault,” he said adamantly as she sniffled.

He looked at the woman he had come to admire and he also had a deep respect for her husband, and was happy for them as the pair was perfectly matched. Jamie was lucky to have them both as his friends.

“I was abused by my step-father,” he suddenly blurted out.

Deanna sat straight in her chair and looked at him in shock.

“What . . er . . ,” she was speechless.

“Shit. That just came out totally wrong,” he said laughing.
             

“You’re telling me,” she giggled as Jamie looked sheepish.

“I want to take your mind of what happened today.”

“Well you certainly did that. All joking aside, what happened Jamie?”

“I feel I can talk to you now. It happened after my mum died. I told you that she was a beautiful woman. Well, I later discovered that Steven had married her only to try get rid of his urges. He did love her but when she was gone his attention fell on me.”

“Jesus, I’m so sorry, that’s sick. Do you think she knew?”

“No. He hoped that if he married someone so lovely it would change him. It did until she died and then there was nothing to stop him. It went on for years. There was no one I could talk to. I ran away from his house so many times, but I was always brought back by the Polis. Then Steven would beat me and lock me in my room as punishment. I wouldn’t eat for days, which is why it’s sort of become habit for me to eat all the food I can get. He never . . you know . . but as I grew into my teens he would touch me inappropriately . . .” Jamie trailed off, bowing his head in humiliation.

“Jamie, you have nothing to be ashamed of. That horrible man was supposed to be your guardian and he took advantage of his position. He should have protected you, not hurt you. You are a strong, intelligent young man. One thing I have learnt is to not let your past experiences shape your future. All the MC think highly of you and Nate is very impressed. You’ve fitted right in and I know any of us would fight to keep you here,” she said and Jamie smiled in gratitude.

“Thank you,” he said so heartfelt that Deanna instantly wrapped her arms around him and he tentatively hugged her back, the first embrace he’d had in years.

“Hey, what’s this? Nate, you have some competition, mate. The young pup is moving in on your missus,” Logan joked as he walked into the house without knocking.

When Deanna had first moved to Scotland the house had actually belonged to both Nate and Logan. Megan had also lived there at first but moved in with Fraser a few months after arriving. After Deanna’s attack Nate had bought out Logan’s share, who was more than happy as he’d moved in with Heather. However occasionally Logan would just walk in, forgetting it wasn’t his home anymore. It had caused a few uncomfortable situations in the past when he’d walked in unannounced and caught Nate and Deanna in an intimate position.

Nate walked into the house behind Logan, talking with Ethan, and he raised his eyebrows playfully when he heard Logan’s comment. But he became worried when he noticed that Deanna had been recently crying and Jamie also looked upset.

“Everything alright here?” Nate asked as he walked over to her.

Logan, Ethan, Fraser and Bruce joined them sitting on the couches around the room. Ethan told Jamie to stay and listen to what they had come to say.

“Yeah. We just both needed to get a few things off our chests. The alcohol helped,” she said, her words slightly slurred. She held the nearly empty wine bottle up and stared at it puzzled, not understanding how she’d drunk that much.

“Baby, you been on the sauce again? Good, I know what it does to you,” he said naughtily and winked as he sat on the couch next to her and she snuggled into his side.

She buried her face in his chest, breathing in his yummy masculine smell and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, his thumb tracing the back of her neck. She closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation and didn’t notice she’d moaned loudly in pleasure until Nate tensed under her.

“Babe, as much as I love that noise you just made, now isn’t the time,” Nate said quietly, his voice strained as he adjusted himself.

“Hmm . . ,”  her mind was happily fuzzy as she stared up into Nate’s sinfully handsome face.

“I want you,” she whispered, not realising that the others were watching them and everyone burst out laughing.

“Jesus. They were watching and listening, weren’t they?” she asked Nate.

“Aye, they were. They know what a lucky bastard I am. I’ll make love to you all night long but there’s something we need to speak to you about first.” The serious tone of his voice made her slightly apprehensive.

“What is it?” she asked nervously.

“We’ve talked about everything that’s been going on, especially the fact that you recognised a similarity to Lee in the men that threatened you. Ethan has been speaking to Cameron and they’ve decided to both go and interview Lee in prison to see if he is somehow behind any of it, or knows who is,” Nate said.

Deanna was now fully alert and stared in shock and worry at Nate’s comment, not wanting anyone she cared about anywhere near her psychotic ex.

“Is that wise?” she asked.

“Not really. Cameron has kept me updated on Lee and by all accounts he’s a complete headcase. He’s worse than ever and has already been moved into the dangerous criminal section of the prison. Cameron is arranging the visit in a couple of days,” Ethan explained.

“Well, that just killed my buzz. I don’t want you anywhere near that nutter. He won’t tell you anything you want to hear anyway. He’ll just lie and try to wind you up,” Deanna said to Ethan.

“Probably. He’s been trying to give Cameron the run around and won’t tell him anything about your father. But I’m gonna do it. I love you Sis. I can’t just sit back and watch all that’s been going on. Especially with how it’s affecting you and my brother,” Ethan said.

“Thank you, but please be careful,” Deanna relented.

“I will. Don’t worry, I’ll have Cameron with me as well. He’s used to Lee,” Ethan said reassuringly.

The men all got up to leave a few minutes later. It was late evening and they all wanted to get home to their own families, the houses in the close surrounding area all owned by the members.

Nate said goodnight to Ethan, who was staying in one of their spare bedrooms, and Nate locked the front door after the others left and turned back to Deanna.

“Are you sure about this Deanna?” he asked her.

“No. I hate to think of Ethan anywhere near that poisonous monster. But I won’t stop him from doing it if he believes it’s the right thing to do. What do you think?”

“I think it’s the best option we’ve got at the moment. A couple of the members suggested I go too but I’d end up strangling the fucker.”

“Probably. I’d pay good money to see that,” she smiled as he walked up and kissed her softly.

“Come on. I think I promised to make love to you all night long,” Nate whispered.

“I knew there was a reason I loved you,” she said as she happily followed him into their bedroom.

CHAPTER 18

Ethan sat in the secure interview room in HMP Glenochil, his arms folded across his chest, trying to hide his anxiety. He was uncomfortable in places like this and hated to think that the person he was about to come face to face with inflicted so much pain and torment on his family.

“Remember what I said, Ethan. He’ll taunt and tease you to try and make you lose your temper. He wants a reaction from you. If he asks about Deanna don’t let him know anything. Any information he gains could be used against her if he is somehow behind what’s been occurring,” Cameron said quietly just before the large steel door opposite bleeped and slowly opened.

Ethan was startled to see a scruffy, hunched-over man walking in between two large male guards, his hands cuffed together, enter the room. When Ethan had last seen Lee he had short blonde hair and looked quite respectable, however the man stood before him had long greasy hair, straggly facial hair, his face hollowed out and his normal blue eyes were the coldest dead eyes he’d ever seen on a living person.

As he was seated and handcuffed to the table, Lee sneered when he saw Cameron waiting for him again, wondering what the silly prick wanted now. He’d visited him numerous times over the past few months but he wouldn’t tell him anything. He’d never give the disgusting slut the satisfaction of finding her bastard father’s body.

After securing him, the two guards moved away and stood on either side of the closed door, keeping a close eye on the prisoner, knowing he was an unpredictable and deranged individual.

“My old friend. Can’t get enough of me, eh?” Lee taunted.

He leaned forward and scratched his head with his cuffed fingers, Ethan cringing when he saw the dark brown dirt caked under his nails.

The mixture of sweat, vomit, urine and faeces that Lee always smelled of drifted over to Ethan’s and Cameron’s noses, making them both gag. Ethan’s gaze flew back to Lee’s nails and he recognised where part of the smell was coming from and he felt sick as the stink filled the room.

Cameron had to cough to clear his throat before he could speak.

“Hello Lee. I’ve brought a friend with me this time. This is Ethan,” Cameron introduced politely, knowing Lee appreciated being spoken to in a formal way, as it kept his madness and anger at bay.

Growing up, Lee had been sent to all the best schools and well educated. Unfortunately this was only for appearances sake as Lee’s father was a cold, distant man who didn’t care about his son. Lee used to work for his father’s property development business and would have actually been an intelligent man if he hadn’t turned crazy after his mother’s death and then left to be brought up by his unfeeling father.

Cameron was relieved as he noticed that Lee appeared lucid for this interview. It was hard to foresee what state he would be in during his visits and hopefully they might be able get some useful information out of him this time.