Freedom to Ride (Ravens MC) (5 page)

“
My situation wasn’t as bad as some other people’s. Thankfully I saw sense and got out of the relationship after he’d beaten me twice . ,” she said, but Nate interrupted her.

“
Once is too many Deanna.”

“
I know. But there are women who stay for years, too frightened to leave. It was months after Holly was born that he started drinking and losing his temper, which would make him attack me. After the second beating I decided I had to get out before it got worse. I knew it would. Lee’s anger terrified me. The things he’d say . . ,” she paused, swallowing thickly as she remembered his harsh insults.

“
Like what Deanna?” he encouraged, knowing she was recalling some horrific memories.

“
He insulted me every day to make me feel inferior. At first he just called me a bitch, but it was his words when he attacked that scared me the most. He threatened that one day I’d piss him off so much that he’d slice me into pieces. When Lee assaulted me I noticed he . . ,” she couldn’t say the words, feeling ashamed and embarrassed.

“
Deanna. You can tell me anythin’.”

“
He. . .  erm . . . he became aroused when he beat me. I realised that hitting me brought him pleasure.” She knew her cheeks were red and she buried her face in her hands.

“
Shit, Deanna. The fucker is obviously sick in the head.” He wanted to comfort her but was unsure how she would react.

She got herself under control and continued.
“I knew there was something seriously wrong with him and I couldn’t stay any longer. I worried constantly what would happen to me, but more importantly to Holly. The final days before we left were terrifying. I tried to ignore him whenever he was in the house but he’d follow me. He’d grab me and push me up against the wall by my throat. When he saw I was afraid he’d let me go. It was like he was fuelled by my fear and it made him feel powerful.” Deanna paused. “I hope to hell he just forgets about us. We’re moving on and starting a new life here.”

“
I’m sorry you had to go through that Deanna. Nobody deserves that. I hope the bastard gets what’s comin’ to him. But it’s great having you and Holly here.”

Deanna noticed that as they
’d talked she had unconsciously shifted sideways to look at Nate, their legs pressing together as they looked into each other eyes.

“
Thank you Nate. I really mean it. I’m so grateful for what you’ve all done,” she said, her lip trembling with emotion.

“
Come here,” he said softly, not being able to hold back any longer. Holding his arm out Deanna leaned in and snuggled into his side, Nate wrapping his arm around her shoulder and holding her close.

They stayed that way to the end of the programme, Deanna struggling to keep her eyes open as she cuddled into the warmth of Nate
’s large body. As she tried to stand she felt herself being lifted in the air and wrapped her arms around Nate’s neck as he carried her quietly into her bedroom, careful not to wake Holly. He gently lowered her onto the bed and pulled the covers over her.

“
Thanks for listening Nate,” she said sleepily.

“
Anytime Deanna,” he replied, pushing her curly hair from her face as her eyes fluttered closed. He ran his thumb down her soft cheek as she released a sigh and smiled contently.

Standing watching her for a few moments, Nate had to force himself to walk out the room, not wanting to leave her.

When the girls had been living in Scotland for a couple of weeks Nate surprised them by announcing that he was taking them to meet Ethan. He explained that Ethan ran a self-defence class for women and the brothers and Logan had agreed that Deanna and Megan would benefit from learning some defensive skills. Deanna jumped at the chance as she hated to feel like a helpless female and no longer wanted to be a victim. 

Holly was left with Bruce and his wife who were thrilled to have her as they could get in some much needed practice for their forthcoming ‘happy event’.

Deanna hadn
’t met Ethan but believed him to be an easygoing kind of guy. As Nate drove the girls to the McKnights headquarters in Glasgow city centre she was practically bouncing in her seat with excitement.

They arrived outside an impressive building with bold lettering over the door displaying
McKnights
and as the car stopped at the kerb a tall man walked through the front doors. Nate got out of the car and the two men greeted each other warmly, Deanna assessing Nate’s brother. They both had similar facial features but Ethan had brown hair and blue eyes and Nate was much taller and broader.

She got out and rounded the car to greet him, Nate introducing them.
“Ethan, this is Deanna. Deanna, my pain in the arse big brother.”

Deanna smiled politely as Ethan turned and pulled her into his arms for a hug, surprising her.

“Hi Deanna. My brother hasn’t shut up about you for days. How you doin’? Is the big guy treating you alright?” Ethan said as he appraised the beauty before him and understanding his brother’s infatuation with her.

“
Yes he is. He’s been wonderful. It’s nice to meet you,” Deanna said, smiling at each of the brothers before Ethan greeted Megan.

“
Right, come on girls. Let’s get inside. I can see you’re already dressed for the part,” Ethan said as he sized up Deanna and Megan who were both dressed in similar black jogging bottoms, t-shirts and trainers.

The building was light and airy with plenty of windows, Ethan greeting a blonde woman at the reception desk as they passed. He led them to a ground floor room at the back of the building where there were large mats laid out in the centre of the floor and different types of gym equipment around the edges.

“This is our training room. I’m going to show you some defence moves for women and then we’ll pair up and practice on each other. Megan you’re with me, Nate with Deanna,” Ethan announced. Deanna felt a little nervous flutter but as she looked at Nate she saw him smile and wink, putting her at ease.

They all stood and watched as Ethan demonstrated some of the most common ways women were attacked and how best to fight off an assailant. After a few minutes he signalled for them to pair up and as Deanna moved to stand in front of Nate, her back to his chest, she felt his arms wrap around her body, one hand covering her mouth loosely in the agreed pose.

“Right. Try to disable,” Ethan called. Deanna tried to copy the defence move Ethan had just shown them but she was struggling against such a large, strong body as Nate’s and enjoying it a bit too much.

“
Come on Deanna. I’m a really bad man. You need to do better than that,” Nate whispered into her ear, his words bringing a startled squeak from her. However, after a few more minutes of struggling she heard him groan and realised she was unconsciously rubbing her backside against his groin. She instantly froze as his arms tightened.

“
Hmm. . . I think that’s cheating,” he teased. She felt his hot breath against her neck as he lowered his head to breathe in her vanilla scent. Feeling his arms loosen Deanna saw her chance and caught him off guard when she finally performed the defence move and disabled Nate.

“
Good Deanna. Though you took a hell of a lot longer than Megan,” Ethan called. Deanna’s face reddened when she realised that both Ethan and Megan had been watching them for some time.

“
Right,” Ethan continued after winking at Deanna. “We’ll try another move. Girls lie on the floor.” Deanna’s eyes widened at this and looked to Megan and saw her smile sneakily at her, Megan knowing her friend was embarrassed.

After a few moments of hesitation Deanna lay on the floor, looking up as Nate loomed over her smiling naughtily, awaiting Ethan
’s next instructions.

“
Nate, kneel between her legs and hold her hands above her head, pinning them to the floor.” This made Deanna groan internally as she watched Nate crouch down and shuffle forward as she opened her legs, feeling her face burn.

“
This is a common position most confrontations will end in for a woman. You’ll be happy to know that I’m going to ask you to throw us off in whatever way you want. If you ever get in this position don’t hold back and do whatever you can to escape,” Ethan called as he knelt in front of Megan, who seemed to be enjoying herself immensely.

As Nate leaned over Deanna, his hips resting between her thighs, she looked up into his face as he came closer, her breathing becoming heavy. Grabbing her wrists gently and then pinning them to the floor above her head brought his body flush against hers, his face inches from her and she couldn
’t stop a gasp.

“
Time to fight me,” he whispered. Deanna noticed for the first time that his dark brown eyes were flecked with gold, which were glowing down at her and filled with excitement.

He leaned even further putting more of his weight on her to keep her still, a cheeky smile filling his face as he stared down at her. For a few seconds she lay there, soaking up his playfulness before she started to wriggle, pulling on her wrists but not getting anywhere.

“Whenever you’re ready Deanna,” he baited whilst chuckling, causing her to groan in frustration.

She stopped suddenly when her previous fear of being restrained by Lee crept up and filled her, causing her breathing to quicken. Gasping for breath, she closed her eyes to fight the panic paralysing her but couldn
’t stop the tears leaking from the corners of her eyes. She felt Nate loosen his hold immediately when he saw her reaction.

“
Shit, Deanna. I’m so sorry. Did I hurt you?” he said panicking.

“
Just give me a second,” she panted, trying to get her breathing under control, her whole body shivering uncontrollably.

“
Is everything alright?” Ethan called, still holding a struggling Megan. However when she noticed his distraction she pounced and finally dislodged him, accidentally catching him in the privates.

“
Ahhhh. . . Fuck. You do that again and I’ll never give my ma grandbabies,” Ethan moaned, cupping his delicate area.

Megan laughed at him as she jumped up in triumph but caught sight of her best friend. Deanna was still lying on the floor with Nate sitting helplessly at the side of her, gently stroking her cheek as tears rolled down her face. Megan immediately understood what had happened.

“Deanna, are you okay sweetie? Shit, don’t let your ex prick get to you,” Megan said as she rushed to Deanna’s side.

“
I know. It just brought back a bad memory and I panicked. I don’t like feeling helpless. I’m sorry Nate. Let’s try again,” Deanna assured him as she looked up and saw the concern on his face.

“
I’m not sure . . ,” he trailed off, Deanna’s tears and fear causing an uncomfortable ache in his chest.

“
No honestly, I’m fine. I need to learn these moves so I’ll never have to feel like this again.”

Attempting to persuade him she willingly raised her arms and took the position again. She knew she was being silly, knowing instinctively that even though Nate was easily twice her size he would never use his immense strength or intimidating presence against her.

“Alright then, if you’re sure Deanna. Megan, you cheated because I was concerned about Deanna. Again,” Ethan called as the pairs got back in position.

As Nate looked into Deanna
’s determined face he leaned back over her grasping her wrists more tenderly than he had before. Raising his eyebrows in question she nodded for him to continue, his concern filling her with happiness.

“
Spread those beautiful legs baby,” he whispered. She slowly moved her knees either side of his waist. Her body flushed with heat at his words, her previous panic attack now completely forgotten.

“
You tell me if you feel like that again and I’ll let you go straight away. Alright? Promise me.”

“
I promise. You ready hulk?”

“
Aye, I am.”

After a few minutes of struggling she was seriously getting fed up, her whole body tired as sweat trickled down her back. She tried wiggling from under his chest but her actions caused her to rub her large breasts against his solid chest. She stilled when she saw Nate lean even closer so he was practically lying on top of her, his breathing shallow and his eyes fiery.

“You’re cheatin’ again Deanna. I’ll have to teach you what happens to naughty girls,” he smiled suggestively as he leant his face further down, their lips almost touching.

“
Oi. Are you two gonna stay down there all day or are you goin’ to do any work?” Ethan called.

He could see the sparks crackling between his brother and Deanna and thought that they would be good for each other, but could also see they were both fighting their mutual attraction for their own reasons. Ethan understood Deanna was apprehensive around men because of her abusive ex and Nate didn
’t want to make a move that might scare her away. Resolving himself to do something to help the pair, Ethan made a note to call Logan later and get him to help out too. Ethan could appreciate Nate’s attraction to Deanna as, looking into her eyes her deep sadness and suffering were apparent, but she also had lots of fight in her which would earn Nate’s admiration and respect.