Freedom to Ride - Resolution (Raven's MC) (7 page)

“I know it wasn’t Lee but his voice was the same. He said that he’s always watching and would kill me this time. But as I’ve been sat here thinking about it I remembered that this man and the other one I saw are both much taller than Lee,” she replied quietly.

Nate closed his eyes, unbelieving of the nightmare that someone was after her yet again.

“Wow, there’s another one,” Fiona interrupted, startled when another gorgeous enraged man strode in, similar in appearance to Deanna’s husband, but not quite as huge and with lighter coloured hair. He was dressed differently, in fact he wore a suit, so he obviously wasn’t part of the MC. Fiona had noticed from the badge on his cut that Deanna’s husband was in fact the President of the powerful MC and was even more impressed.

Ethan immediately strode over to them as one of his operatives disappeared with the restaurant Manager.

“Fuck. Deanna, look what the bastard did to your gorgeous face,” Ethan said looking at her. Even though he’d seen her in a worse state after her ex’s attack, it was still a shock to see her beaten.

Ethan put a hand on Nate’s shoulder, trying to offer him some comfort, Nate’s gaze fixed firmly on Deanna’s as they looked deeply into each other’s eyes. Every time Ethan saw their passion he always felt envious that he had no relationship like that in his life. 

Ethan looked up when Kaden, one of his best computer operative’s at McKnights, jogged over and pulled him to one side.

As Deanna cuddled into the warmth and safety of Nate’s arms, Ethan interrupted them.

“I’ve got some good news. The Manager’s just told us they have CCTV. Apparently, they’ve had a few break-ins recently via the back entrance and he secretly installed cameras. He’s gone with Kaden to get the tape ready so hopefully we’ll catch the bastard who did it,” Ethan said.

“What the fuck happened?” Nate asked Deanna after finally getting himself under control.

“I haven’t introduced you. This is Fiona, she saved me. You should have seen her, she was amazing,” Deanna said as she introduced her to Nate and then Ethan, who both thanked her wholeheartedly.

Deanna noticed Ethan and Fiona eyeing each other with interest as they shook hands, and Deanna thought that at least something good might come out of the situation.

The other club members who’d been stood to one side left to go back to the garage now they knew there wasn’t any immediate danger and the others, including two Police Officers, followed the Manager into his office, where they’d set up to view the recording.

Nate sat with his arms wrapped around Deanna, tremors running through his body and he was in agony knowing he was about to watch her being assaulted.

As the tape played Deanna came into view on the screen, being dragged forcibly and then pushed to the floor. Looking down at her knees she noticed that they were scraped and bleeding.

The camera angle only caught the back of the figure stood over her, Deanna’s wide frightened eyes clear on the recording.

Ethan stopped the tape and asked her to state exactly what the man had said. When she repeated his words she felt Nate’s arms tighten and Ethan glanced over and looked at his brother with concern.

Ethan started the tape again and they saw the man punch her hard in the face and Nate couldn’t take anymore. He leapt to his feet and walked to the nearest wall, smashing his fist into the plaster and roaring in rage, unable to see his wife being beaten.

“I can’t fuckin’ watch this,” Nate panted as he walked out of the office, slamming the door behind him.

Deanna quickly got up and followed him. Unable to see Nate anywhere in the restaurant she ran outside and was worried when she couldn’t find him, jogging over to his gleaming monstrous black and chrome motorbike parked haphazardly on the road.

“Nate,” she shouted but didn’t hear any answer. She walked down the street and round the corner and she realised where he’d gone.

Deanna slowed as she walked to the edge of the alley where she’d been assaulted and found Nate leaning against a wall, his hands covering his face as his whole body shook.

Her high heels clicked on the pavement as she ran over to him and Nate lifted his head when he heard her and she could see tears shining in his eyes.

“Oh, Nate . . ,” she said as she wrapped her arms around his waist, Nate burying his face in her hair, holding each other tight.

CHAPTER 9

They sat together around the enormous glass table, dance music pounding in the background as they drank their shots and slammed the empty glasses down on the table.

“I win,” shouted Fiona gleefully.

“Bitch. I think I’ve found someone who can drink me under the table,” Megan complained as she tossed her empty glass in defeat.

“Where does it all go? You’re so tiny,” Deanna asked as she finished her drink, feeling the effects of the many shots she’d drunk tonight.

She looked to Fiona who’d had as many as her but she was still sitting straight, whereas Deanna was leaning into Megan as they giggled drunkenly.

Deanna, Megan, Heather and Fiona were in one of the popular nightclubs in the city, the security of the nightclub controlled by employees of McKnights, so they felt totally safe. It was the weekend after Deanna’s attack and her face was mostly healed.

Since that day she’d kept in contact with Fiona and they’d invited her out with them tonight, Megan insisting that they all needed a girl’s night away from the MC. Fiona had instantly fit in and the four of them acted like they’d been friends forever.

“Shit, I’m so hammered,” Megan complained, wrapping her arms affectionately round Deanna, who was sat next to her on a couch, Heather and Fiona sat on the one opposite.

Megan had been so shaken when she’d seen Deanna beaten - she had only left her alone for a few minutes before she’d been attacked. Megan blamed herself and she now understood how Nate felt.

“I love you Meg’s,” Deanna slurred looking at her best friend.

“I love you too sweetie. Nate’s a lucky bastard to have you. I don’t think I could have gone through everything you have and come out sane. I’m so proud of you. But you’re also lucky having a man like Nate. Oi Fiona, did you hear what happened to their bed at the wedding?” shouted Megan, causing Deanna and Heather to giggle.

“No, what?” Fiona asked curiously.

“They broke a two hundred year old bed. Apparently they got a bit carried away,” chuckled Megan as the others burst out laughing.

“Wouldn’t you if you were married to Nate?” asked Heather, blushing when she realised what she’d said.

“Have you got something for my husband?” Deanna asked Heather playfully.

“Haven’t we all? He’s such an alpha male and sexy as hell and he absolutely adores you. We’ve all watched him struggle with what happened with your tosser of an ex and now this. You’re so strong together. I love Fraser but what you and Nate have is so powerful. You’re very lucky to have found each other,” Megan finished, slouching further down on the couch.

“Right, enough booze for you. We’re cutting you off,” Deanna said and smiled as she moved Megan’s drink away from her.

“She’s right though Deanna. You and Nate have something special,” Heather added.

“Aye, you have. When he walked into the restaurant I nearly peed my pants. Nate sure knows how to leave a memorable first impression.” Fiona’s comment made all the girls erupt into laughter.

Deanna’s thoughts drifted back to the day she’d first met Nate. Megan had helped her and Holly escape from Lee in the middle of the night after another drink fuelled attack by him. She’d stood outside the strange compound, her face and body beaten, as he pulled up on his huge thundering motorbike. He’d stood to his full height and taken off his helmet and the instant she saw him smile in greeting she’d fallen hard for him. There had been an instant magnetism between them and he’d generously welcomed her and Holly into his home and life.

“You haven’t shown me your tattoo yet. How did it go yesterday?” Megan asked as Deanna lifted her top.

She’d had the first half of the tattoo done. A large raven finally covered the horrible stab wound scar and part of the vine wrapped around her stomach and ribs. She needed to go back in a few days to get the vine finished and a red rose for Holly. She was getting addicted to being tattooed.

“Wow, that looks really nice and sexy. What does Nate think?” Heather asked.

“He loves it. It’s important that the large raven represents Nate and it covers what Lee did. I can’t wait till it’s finished,” Deanna replied excitedly.

“It’s lovely Deanna. Where is he tonight? You mentioned that the men were getting together,” Fiona asked.

“They’re working late but agreed to meet us here for a few drinks later. They should be here soon actually,” Heather said as she looked at her watch, the night had gone by quickly.

“Ethan should be with them too,” Deanna said, staring at Fiona who looked away smiling.

“It would be nice to see him again,” Fiona said quietly.

“I believe he was very impressed with how you handled the situation,” Deanna continued, trying to wheedle some information out of her embarrassed friend.

After running out of the restaurant, Deanna and Nate had stayed in the alley for a few minutes before Nate recovered and led them away, not wanting her to spend any more time in that horrid place. They’d sat on Nate’s bike as they’d waited for the others to leave the restaurant.

Ethan later updated Nate on everything he’d watched, unfortunately not being able to see the assailant clearly as he’d had his hood up and his back to the camera.

Megan had explained everything to Deanna, including how Ethan and Fiona talked at length about her past and the self-defence classes she used to teach and gave him her phone number.

“We’ve actually talked a few times since that day,” Fiona admitted.

“You’ve never mentioned anything before. How’s it been going?” Deanna asked, wondering if there was a chance the pair of them might get together. Deanna thought they would be a good match.

“He knows I’m looking for a job and he asked if I’d be interested in working at McKnights. I’m thinking of accepting his offer. He’s seems really nice,” Fiona finished shyly.

“He’s a great bloke and he’s single,” Megan goaded and Fiona smiled in response but didn’t answer.

“Hey girls. Can we buy you a drink?” asked a man’s voice nearby, interrupting them.

Each of them turned to see a group of lairy men stood next to their table, blocking their view of the rest of the club.

“No thanks. Now fuck off,” Megan replied, the girls laughing at her abrupt response.

“That’s not nice. We’re only being polite,” the man at the front continued.

“We’re all good, thanks lads. We’re enjoying a girl’s night,” Deanna said trying to diffuse the awkward situation. She noticed that a couple of the men’s faces had turned hostile with Megan’s frank refusal.

“You’re fuckin’ hot. What’s your name?” the ring leader said speaking directly to Deanna, stepping closer to her side of the couch.

“I said fuck off. We aren’t interested,” Megan continued, getting seriously annoyed now.

“I’m no’ talking to you, blonde bitch. I’m talking to your red-headed friend with the fantastic tits,” the man smirked, his friends laughing and slapping him on the back.

“That’s enough,” Fiona said, the situation beginning to get a little out of hand.

“What’s a wee gobby shite like you going to do about it?” another of his friends barked at Fiona who glowered back at him but remained silent.

“Just give us a blow job and we’ll leave you alone,” the man said and winked at Deanna as his friends cheered drunkenly. Leaning down he tried to touch her face but she jerked out of his grasp.

“Please leave. We were having a good night before you turned up. There’s plenty of women in this club, so go and try your luck with them. We’re all happily married and in relationships, so we’re not interested,” Deanna tried again to calm things down.

“Yeah right, you lying slag. So where’s your husband?”

“Right behind you,” a deep voice growled.

The man’s face instantly dropped on hearing the threatening tone, but his cocky expression quickly returned, thinking his friends would back him up and could easily take on one man.

As he turned he found himself staring at a man’s enormous chest. He looked up uneasily into the face of a man glaring murderously down at him and he swallowed audibly.

He glanced around and saw that his mates were retreating fast, the fierce giant in front of him had nine friends with him. Panic shot through him when he saw that they were all wearing matching leather tops and he almost wet himself when he caught sight of a Raven, immediately recognising the ‘Ravens Motorcycle Club’ emblem. His insides quivered, knowing his big mouth had got him into serious trouble this time.

“Listen mate, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any harm,” he said, his voice shaky.

“I’m no’ your mate, dickhead. You better move away from my wife or your so called friends will be scraping your brains off the dancefloor. I believe the ladies told you to fuck off. I suggest you do that now before I change my mind,” Nate said, his eyes glowing fiercely.