Freedom to Ride - Resolution (Raven's MC) (21 page)

CHAPTER 25

Deanna sat at her desk in the club office, their time in Loch Ness a few weeks behind them and it was now the middle of summer.

She was unable to concentrate as her mind wandered back to the events of the evening they’d returned home. That uneasy feeling still hadn’t left her and had only got worse the closer they’d got to home.

The particular group of friends had been relaxing at their home when Ethan had suddenly barged in, breathing hard.

“I need to speak to you all, urgently,” he’d said and Alice had quickly taken Holly into one of the bedrooms.

Nate, Deanna, Logan, Heather, Megan and Fraser gathered round, waiting for Ethan to explain.

“I don’t know where to start, so I’ll just get straight to the point - Shaun’s dead.”

“What?” Deanna, Megan and Logan shouted in astonishment. Deanna noticed that Nate hadn’t responded to the good news.

“He was killed in prison by a fellow inmate. On my way here I took the call and was told the suspect they caught for the attack was a man named Magnus Glenn. He’s Quinn’s uncle. He’s in prison for three counts of murder,” Ethan had explained and everyone, except Deanna and Nate, crowded around Ethan wanting more details.

“Quinn?” Deanna had said quietly, bewildered with the news.

She’d turned to Nate and looked closely at him as he hadn’t appeared at all surprised by the news. As they’d continued to stare at each other intently Deanna had finally understood.

“You . . ,” she’d whispered, unable to say the words.

“I made a promise to you Deanna,” he’d replied darkly, and in that moment Deanna realised that Nate would do anything for her, even if that involved killing.

The others had started cheering and clapping, thankful the prick was gone. None of them had seen the intense exchange between Nate and Deanna.

Deanna thanked God ever since that day that Shaun was no longer a problem but as she looked around the walls of the office, her thoughts were still troubled.

She was eternally grateful to both Nate and Quinn, but what bothered her most was that Shaun had been her half-brother and in some way she was distantly related to Lee as well. Members of her own family had planned and tried to kill her. In fact Shaun had actually succeeded. This is what hurt the most.

She needed to speak to Nate. He’d repeatedly asked about what was bothering her but she felt ashamed that her own family members despised her that much, even though she’d done nothing to deserve their hatred.

Deanna wandered out of the office in search of Nate and found him leaning over a motorbike in his work bay. She smiled as she watched his pert backside straining against his jeans and she let out a low whistle.

He turned with raised eyebrows, ready to tell the person to piss off when he saw Deanna stood watching him with a naughty smile.

“Wee minx. You okay?” he asked and Deanna immediately felt guilty by keeping him out over the past few weeks. She could see he was worried about her.

“Nate, I need to speak to you.”

“What’s up?” he asked, wiping his greasy hands on a towel.

“I need you,” she said as she walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, breathing in his delicious scent mixed in with the smell of grease and leather.

“Hey, what’s this? What’s really bothering you Deanna?”

“I . . er. . Jesus. My own family wanted me dead,” she blurted out.

“Babe, what do you mean?”

“My half-brother tried to kill me. In a distant way Lee is part of my family too and they both wanted me dead. All because of what my father did, even though I’d never blame him. But all that’s happened, including to you, your family and the MC, is all down to what happened years ago with my family. I feel so ashamed that I brought this to your doorstep.”

“Don’t you ever feel like that. I will never regret the day you walked into my life. Shaun was a seriously fucked up bloke and anything he or Lee decided to do is not your fault. They have to take responsibility for their own actions. In some way I’m thankful to Lee. I wouldn’t have you or Holly and that doesn’t bear thinking about.”

“Yeah, I do know. Thanks honey.”

“Is that what’s been bothering you? You can talk to me about anything. Don’t shut yourself away from me. Not after everything we’ve been through together.”

“I’m sorry Nate. I just didn’t know how to think about it and I feel so guilty.”

“I know all about that feeling. But enough, okay?”

Deanna smiled and was about to reply when they were surprised to see Cameron walk into Nate’s work bay. They hadn’t seen him recently as he’d been busy on an investigation.

“Alright mate. What’s up?” Nate asked as he greeted Cameron.

Cameron looked excited and also relieved. Deanna instantly noticed that he didn’t appear to be bringing them any bad news, on the contrary he seemed to be bursting to tell them something good.

“Deanna, Nate. I need to speak to you on something that’s very important. Deanna, we’ve finally recovered your father’s remains,” Cameron said as he watched Deanna’s shocked face.

“What?” she said, feeling like she’d been punched in the chest. She never thought she’d ever be able to put her father’s body to rest.

“How? What’s happened?” Nate said and Deanna was thankful he’d asked as she was unable to form any words.

“I don’t know if you remember but on the night you were attacked I was in England interviewing Lee’s father. He told me that he’d had no idea that his deceased wife had an affair or a child with someone else. Because Shaun and Lee looked so alike he believed them both to be his. He wasn’t happy when I told him the truth. He assured me he didn’t know anything about their plans. We also searched his home, Lee’s house and Shaun’s small flat but couldn’t find the letters that apparently his deceased wife wrote before she died. After the interview I returned home when I found out about your attack. I hadn’t done much since, feeling like the case had gone cold. I’m sorry,” Cameron said, feeling like he should have kept investigating.

“Cameron, I know you have other cases. Don’t be silly. My father isn’t in your jurisdiction anyway,” Deanna assured him and he smiled in gratitude.

“Anyway, I decided to interview Lee again last week and he mentioned something I thought was strange. When I questioned him about his relationship with his father he became angry, spouting off and saying he hated his dad, claiming his father cared more about his swimming pool than his own children. He let slip during one of his tantrums about them getting revenge on him and his beloved pool. When I asked him what he meant he shut down, realising he’d said something he shouldn’t have. I returned to the office and couldn’t forget his comment. When I looked into it, Lee’s father was having a swimming pool installed during the time of your father’s disappearance. When I contacted the pool installation company they provided me with copies of the work report that clearly showed that the foundations of the pool were put in the day after your father went missing.”

“So, you mean . . ,” but Deanna couldn’t say the words.

“Her father was buried in the foundations of the pool?” Nate asked disgusted.

“He was. I’ve worked with Yorkshire Police and we arranged excavation of the pool. It took some time to gain the approval to do this to Lee’s father’s home. Obviously he was beyond furious when we told him of our plans. Yesterday we found remains under the pool. Even though they’ve been sent off for identification, I have no doubt that they belong to your father. I believe in a strange way that Shaun and Lee put him there because of their mum’s drowning. Being placed under water was basically a continual ‘fuck you’ of revenge and also explains why Shaun attempted to drown you too. I’m so sorry Deanna.”

“Probably, they’re both sick monsters. But why are you sorry? This is what I’ve been waiting for. I’ve known my father has been dead for a long time and I accepted it. But to have him and to be able to bury him - you have no idea how thankful I am.”

“I’m glad. I’ve got to return to the office but I’ll contact you when we have identification confirmed and also when the remains can be released to you so you can give him a proper funeral.”

“Thank you Cameron,” she said, hugging him in gratitude. Cameron finally felt vindicated.

“Thanks mate,” Nate said, shaking his hand and they watched him walk back to his car and drive off the compound.

“Oh God, Nate,” she cried jumping up and hugging him close as he wrapped his arms around her.

The final piece of the puzzle had been found.

A fortnight later, Deanna stood over the grave of her father, content that he was now in his final resting place.

The whole club had turned up to show their respects, Cameron and one of his colleagues who had assisted him also attended the service.

She’d decided to buy a small plot in a beautiful scenic graveyard that overlooked the River Clyde, the urn with his ashes buried there. She’d had a small but meaningful plaque made for him. Deanna had wanted him close to her and somewhere she could often visit.

The members had walked away a few moments before to give her some privacy as she stared down at the stone.

“Bye Dad. I hope you and Mum are at peace together. I’ll see you both again one day, but hopefully not for many years. Please watch over Nate and Holly. Love you,” Deanna said as she knelt down, kissed her fingers and ran them across her father’s name on the stone.

“You okay?” Nate said quietly from behind her, trying not to startle her as he approached.

“Yeah,” she said as she rose to her feet and walked to his side. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.

“Finally everything is settled. Thank you for everything Nate.”

“You’re welcome. Come on, let’s go home. We could both do with a bit of peace from now on.”

“Nate, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“What? You feeling alright?” he asked, placing his hand on her forehead when he saw her pale face as she bit her lip nervously.

“Honey, I’m pregnant,” she said and watched his reaction. After a few seconds of silence she giggled when she saw that she’d utterly shocked Nate speechless again.

CHAPTER 26

EPILOGUE

“Push babe.”

“I am bloody pushing,” huffed Deanna at Nate, her face flushed and sweaty. Nate stroked her wild red curly hair away from her face.

“You’re doing great,” Nate encouraged, proud of her.

“Shut up. This is all your fault anyway. Keep your gigantic monster thing away from me or I’ll .. . aaahhhhh . . ,” Deanna cut off screaming as another contraction hit, stronger than the last.

“Nearly there Deanna. Take deep breaths and get ready for the next one,” the kindly midwife encouraged from somewhere between her legs.

Deanna flopped back against the pillows, exhausted after hours of strenuous labour. She looked over at Nate, who hadn’t left her side once, his face an amusing contrasting picture of excitement, terror and concern as he watched his wife in pain.

“Push Deanna,” the midwife said as another contraction hit and Deanna gritted her teeth at the pain.

“I can see the head. Rest Deanna and get ready to give one final big push,” the midwife said as Deanna leaned back again, panting hard.

As she rested she watched as Nate moved slightly away and looked down, a dazed look crossed his face as he continued to stare between her thighs.

“Bloody hell, you should see this,” he said, fascinated with the dark head of hair belonging to their baby that was about to come into the world.

“I can’t you numpty. I’m trying to get him out,” Deanna moaned as she felt another painful contraction approaching.

“Sorry,” he said sheepishly, holding her hand, amazed at the whole birthing process.

“Push now Deanna,” the midwife said and Deanna pushed with all her might, screaming and crushing Nate’s hand as he held onto her.

A loud lusty wail echoed around the room as Deanna felt the baby leave her body. She relaxed back into the bed, breathing hard, and the midwife moved away to clean and weigh the baby.

“You did good,” Nate said as he bent down and kissed her lips.

The midwife placed the baby in her arms, wrapped in a blue blanket, and Nate leaned over and gently stroked his son’s plump cheek. An instant protectiveness welled inside him as he gazed down at his wonderful wife with their newborn son.

“Thank you Deanna,” he whispered and Deanna smiled brightly, even though exhaustion consumed her she was also overwhelmed with happiness.

“Wow, he’s a big boy. Nine pounds eleven ounces. I see he’s going to take after his father in size. Have you decided on a name yet?” the midwife asked them.

“Anthony,” Deanna said and Nate grinned down at her, their baby named after her beloved father.

“A good Scottish name. Right, I’ll leave you to it but I’ll come back and check on you later,” the midwife said as she disappeared and left the couple to have some private time to bond with their child.

Deanna relaxed back into the bed slowly, feeling shattered and sore as Nate took Anthony from her and held him tightly. He stared down into his son’s wrinkled face, who had fallen asleep in his arms, and stroked his dark hair.