Chapter 1

LIZZY

Ikick the wheel of my shitty little Ford with my boot and cringe as the pain radiates up my leg. My week seems to have gone from bad to worse. I'm now sitting on the side of the motorway with a car that just doesn't want to play ball and my daughter in her car seat, screaming at the top of her lungs as if she's possessed. It started raining the minute my car shuddered to a stop, as if sensing my already shit mood. The water soaked through my shirt and I groan out loud, running my hands through my sodden hair.

I couldn't even call for a breakdown given the fact I walked out on Darius two weeks ago and he most certainly would have cancelled it.

Amelia screeched out, she wasn't in pain, she was just at that really clingy stage at the moment where I couldn't even get a few seconds of peace to myself. I slump down on the grassy verge, my head resting in my hands. I couldn't even think straight with her constant screams.

The cars flew by us, nobody stopping to check on us and it reminded me of why I hated people. Everyone was out for themselves. It's then that a motorbike comes to a stop behind my car, and I stand cautiously, wary that you can't trust just anyone these days, especially a biker stopping for a single woman on the motorway.

He kicks the stand down and removes his helmet and then two things happen. My heart almost stops, like seriously. The man has chiselled features, almost as if he's out of some Vogue magazine. He runs his hands through his dishevelled hair, which is dark, almost black, and I know I'm staring as he makes his way over.

His leathers cling to him as he walks towards me, and I notice he has a patch stating he's part of The Broken Iron Demons. I should be apprehensive. Over the years, I've heard so much about them given I grew up on the estate they run, but for some reason, this giant of a man doesn't intimidate me in the slightest.

"Alright, love?" he shouts over the traffic as he approaches. His voice is gravelly, and my skin breaks out in goosebumps, though I'm not sure if it's from his voice or the fact I'm standing on the motorway soaked through and freezing cold.

"Car trouble," I shout back as a way of explanation because words seem to be escaping me. He lets out a throaty laugh, and I smirk at him.

"Gathered that." He smiles as he reaches me. "Pop the hood and I'll take a look."

Amelia's wails continue, and I sigh. Perfect timing, Meli. "Sorry, she's being a nightmare at the moment. I don't know who told me these early days were easy, but they were bloody lying." I laugh as I open the backdoor, scrambling around in her car seat, looking for her dummy.

He peers in the window, and I cringe at the state of my car. My entire life was packed into two suitcases as everything I owned apart from clothes belonged to Darius, and since I left, I've been living out of my car. I attend all the local playgroups just trying to keep warm, making the most of their offering of free tea and biscuits. Every penny from Amelia's Child Benefit has been spent on things for her. I don't even remember the last time I had a hot meal.

I stroke Amelia's head softly while she suckles on her dummy, her little whimpers evident behind her angry growls. I gently close the door and make my way round to the driver's side as he eyes me suspiciously.

"Off on holiday?" he asks, eyeing me for my reaction.

I smile, knowing it doesn't quite reach my eyes as I climb into the car, ignoring his question and popping the hood. He makes his way round to the front of the car, and I find myself staring at his perfect arse.

"It looks like it needs towing to a garage, love," he shouts with his head in the engine. "I can get someone from my club to come tow it and take it to our garage," he suggests as he appears back at the driver's side door.

I rest my head on the steering wheel. I can't afford the damn repairs, and I certainly can't afford anywhere to stay the night. Tears prick at my eyes just as Meli lets out a fresh set of screams, causing me to growl out loud in frustration.

The hunk of a man makes his way round to her, opening the door and gently stroking her face as I'd done moments ago. "You giving your mumma a hard time, princess?" he coos, and she begins to settle instantly.

I look over the centre console at this big, burly man calming down the only thing I have left. "She likes you," I say as I wipe away the stray tears falling down my face. "She doesn't like many, you're privileged." I let out a small laugh.

"Let's get you outta here. You can wait at the club while we fix your car, and you can get dry."

"I . . . I can't afford the repairs." I look away, embarrassed that at twenty-eight years old, I don't have my shit together. "Sorry, but thank you for stopping for me."

"You can't just stay here, love. It's not safe on the side of the road. Where's her dad?" He nods down at my little bundle in her car seat.

"He's no longer on the scene. It's just me and Meli now."

"Well, let me at least get you towed to safety. Maybe we can come to some sort of arrangement." He gently shuts the car door so as not to startle Meli, and panic suddenly overtakes me.

I rush out the driver's side as he makes his way back to his bike, grabbing hold of his arm. "It's okay, you don't need to do that." He frowns.

"You can't stay here, Red." I scowl at the name he's chosen for me.

"I don't need an arrangement," I spit. I've heard all about The Broken Iron Demons. I'm already running from one raving lunatic. I don't need to add these to my list.

"Listen up, Red. I would not be doing my bit for society leaving you and your daughter on the side of the motorway to be barrelled into by a lorry driver." He reaches into the saddlebag on the back of his bike, pulling out a mobile phone.

I scoff at this man's audacity. He clearly doesn't get told no very often. "Your bit for society? Are you for real?" I laugh. "I grew up around here, so I've heard the stories. I won't become one of your sex slaves in order to have my car repaired."

Now, it's his turn to laugh as he throws his head back. "Red, that's not how I roll. I can get plenty of pussy without dragging single mums into my bed."

"My name's Lizzy, not fucking Red," I growl. I get back into my car with his words about being a single mum stinging. I'm not used to that title just yet, and the thought of having to do this all on my own is really beginning to take its toll. No man will ever want me again.

I watch him in the rearview mirror as he makes a call on his phone. Wanker.

"Meli," I say with a sigh, "your mum's a fool."

ROCK

"Pres, got a bit of a situation here." I have to clear it with Pres before I bring her back, especially considering there is no way she's going to be able to pay for the repairs.

"What's up, Rock?"

"I'm with a young woman who's broken down on the side of the motorway."

"And?" he answers, sounding bored, like I'm bothering him with something so trivial when the club's currently struggling with another MC broaching on our patch.

"Pres," I run my hands through my hair, "she's living out of her car. Got a young kid in the back and can't afford the repairs." I hear him sigh and I know I've won. He and his ol' lady are trying for a kid at the minute and there's no way they'll let this little one suffer.

"I'll get Joker to send the tow truck and send a prospect in the car for her and the baby. Ping us the location. And Rock?" Here it comes . . . the condition. I roll my eyes, knowing he can't see me else it would earn me a slap round the head.

"Yeah, Drifter?"

"We're gonna have to find a way for her to pay the club back. We can't just pick up strays on the side of the motorway."

I disconnect the call without responding, walking over to her car and tapping gently on the window. "Tow truck's on the way, along with a car," I shout over the traffic. Her eyes are puffy, and I know she's been crying. "We'll go back to the clubhouse, get you warmed up." She nods, looking defeated.

We pull into the clubhouse after I followed the prospect's car back here. I park up my bike next to the car and find her staring out the back window into space. She looks troubled, like she's a million miles away. Pulling my helmet off and resting it on the seat, I make my way to the car and open the door for her. She frowns at me, her brows pinched together before stepping from the car. "Since when do bikers show any ounce of chivalry?" She laughs, making her way to get her daughter out the back.

"Oi, I'll have you know we aren't animals, so don't believe everything you hear," I say as I wink across the roof of the car at her. I notice a slight flush to her cheeks before she reaches in and it stirs my cock to life. I might not be an animal, but I could be. I give my head a wobble. Pres is right about me—I go out for a ride and end up picking up strays on the side of the road, and now, all I can think about is my cock buried deep inside her.

She pulls out the car seat and makes her way to the entrance of the clubhouse. I follow closely behind, taking in her slender figure. She could certainly do with a couple of meals, but the way her arse taunts me as she balances the car seat on her hip has me itching to have her auburn hair tightly wrapped around my fist while I dive my cock deep into her pussy.

Slider comes up beside me, slapping me on the shoulder, bringing my attention away from the broken beauty in front of me. "Fine bit of arse you found today, Rock." He laughs, wiggling his eyebrows in her direction. "Mind if I take her out for a test drive?"

I place my hands out to stop him, those words stirring something feral inside me. Something I've never felt before. I smooth out the jealousy coursing through me before I say the next words. "You're a prospect, know your place. If anyone's sampling her first, it's definitely not gonna be you."

He storms off, flipping me the bird as he goes inside. Little fucker.

As I enter, Kitten comes across to me, wearing barely anything. She drags her long, manicured nails across my kutte. "Hey, sugar, I've missed you," she drawls. I see Red watching me from across the room, and when she notices me watching her, she blushes again and turns back to face Pres's ol' lady, Rochelle.

I sigh. "Not now, Kitten." Usually, I would be up for a quick fuck, but ever since this morning, Red has captured my attention. Surely, it's just the challenge she presents. I've never been a one-woman man.

I sit at the end of the bar in the lounge, watching from a distance as she chats comfortably with Rochelle. She has her daughter in her arms, who seems to have finally settled.

"Rock, what can I get ya?" Hazel asks.

"Whiskey, please."

"Make that two," Drifter adds, as he takes a seat beside me.

"Thanks, man," I say, nodding in Red's direction.

"No worries," he says as he looks over at his ol' lady cooing over the little girl. He runs his hands through his hair, his expression pained.

"All good, Pres?" He nods as Hazel places down two whiskeys in front of us. "She looks good with a baby." I indicate across the room with my glass.

"She does. She's getting frustrated. We've been trying for a few months now and nothing." He takes a sip of his drink. "So, you picking up strays now?" he questions, quickly changing the subject, and I roll my eyes.

"She was broken down, just needed some help." I smirk at him.

"Yeah, yeah. Rock doesn't do anything without an ulterior motive." He laughs, picking his glass back up and taking another swig.

"She's living out of her car, Pres. With a bloody baby. That's not right," I pick up my own glass, taking a drink. "I think she's on the run."

He pats me on my shoulder as he stands. "She can stay here." He squeezes my shoulder. "But," I turn to look at him, "she's your responsibility."

I nod, and he walks across the lounge, taking a seat next to his ol' lady. I'm sure as hell she won't want to stay here, but it's not safe for her to be sleeping in her car with her daughter.