Chapter 2
LIZZY
Rochelle bounces Meli on her knee, and it's the most relaxed she's been since we left Darius. Meli wraps her finger around Rochelle's thumb and coos gently at her. She seems like such a natural that it surprises me she doesn't have children of her own. The one they all call ‘Pres' watches her attentively as he sits next to her.
"She's such a beauty, Lizzy." She smiles at me. "How old is she?"
"Six months. She's usually a nightmare and so clingy at the moment," I answer, and she gives me a sympathetic smile.
"Why don't you go take one of the rooms and get some rest?" I shake my head, even though I would do anything to have a hot shower and a soft bed to sleep in right now. Trying to sleep in the back seat of my little Ford has gotten a tiresome over the last couple weeks. "Meli is safe here, and you look like you could do with some sleep." I look around the roomful of big burly bikers, a place which shouldn't feel safe in the slightest but it's the safest I've felt in months. Even when I lived with Darius, I was never safe.
"Thank you, but I can't. I need to wait for my car and be on my way."
"Look, your car might take some time. Go get yourself a hot shower, some sleep, and we can get you a nice hot meal." She places my daughter back in her car seat, handing her the dummy and rocking her gently back and forth.
"I can't. Meli doesn't settle without me." I run my hands over my tired face and yawn, my body deceiving me. Rochelle places her hand on my knee, squeezing gently and bringing my attention to her.
"Go get some rest. You can't function on empty. No matter how much she creates, I've got it covered." I nod in agreement. I really could do with some rest, and I might not get the chance to sleep in a bed for a few weeks.
"I'll get Mumma Bear to set up a room for you," she says as she kisses the Pres on the head and walks away from the table to an older lady.
"She's good with kids," I say to the Pres, his presence making me feel uncomfortable.
"She is. She'll make a great mum." I notice his eyes light up when he talks about her and I crave a man who is in complete awe of me like that. He picks up his glass and takes a swig of his drink. "You can stay here as long as you need," he says, not taking his eyes off his woman.
"Thanks, but I'll be out of your hair as soon as my car's sorted."
"A woman and her daughter should not be living out of her car," he retorts, turning his attention to me.
My face burns with anger as I look across to the bar, where my saviour from the side of the road sits. "That's none of your business," I hiss. I've had enough of men controlling my every move. He places his hands up in defeat and smirks at me.
"I'm just saying it isn't safe out there. Should you want to stay here while you get on your feet, you're more than welcome." He stands, walking back across to the bar, and I feel like a bitch. These people have been nothing but nice to me and I repay them with my bitchy mouth. Rochelle saunters back over to me and frowns when she notices her man has left.
"I hope he's playing nice." She nods towards the bar. "He means well, just doesn't have the best way with words." She laughs.
"No, it was me," I admit with a smile. "I was being an ungrateful bitch . . . it's just been a long few weeks."
That sympathetic smile is back as she takes a seat next to me. "Mumma Bear is getting the room ready so you can go get some rest."
"Rochelle?" She looks up at me. "Thank you."
"No need to thank me. It's what we do."
"Maybe you could help a girl out." I smile at her. "Can you tell me everyone's names?" I laugh, realising it's been a crazy couple hours and the only person who's actually introduced themselves is Rochelle.
"So, that moody bastard at the end of the bar who helped you is Rock. My man next to him, that's Drifter. He's the President of the club." She points across the room to one of the booths where a bloke's got his tongue down a woman's throat. "That dirty fucker over there is the prospect who brought you back and his name's Slider. The little skank he's got his tongue in is Kira. She's a club whore." I look at her in horror, and she throws her head back and laughs at me. "They're here to keep the men happy. They're on tap to cater to any of their needs."
Wow, it really is a different world. I hope this is not how they want me to repay their generosity. As if sensing my inner turmoil, she says, "Don't worry, you're here as a guest." I let out an audible sigh. Thank fuck.
The older lady comes across to us. "This is Maggie, but the men all refer to her as Mumma Bear. She's Drifter's mum. She's been part of this club for years."
I reach across the table, offering my hand, but Maggie frowns at it. "You're not at a job interview, my love. Get your ass round this table and give me a hug." I grin, standing and giving her a hug. "We're all a family here," she adds as she holds me at arm's length, as if inspecting me. "You need feeding, you're all skin and bones. The room's ready. Go get some rest, then come eat. We'll fatten you up."
I offer her a weak smile as tears threaten to fall. Their kindness has me speechless, and I swallow hard, trying to compose myself. Reaching down for my change bag, I pass it over the table to Rochelle. "There're fresh nappies in here along with a couple bottles." I fidget nervously. I've never really left Meli with anyone. "And if she doesn't settle, please come get me."
"Go," Rochelle orders. "She will be fine. We've got this covered."
ROCK
Rochelle bounces Meli on her hip, pacing back and forth in the bar, but she just doesn't seem to want to settle. Meli has spent the last hour and a half unsettled, and nothing Rochelle can do will settle her. Red was right—she really doesn't want anyone but her mum.
I place my drink on the bar and make my way over to Rochelle, who's looking a little restless herself. "Pass her here," I offer.
Rochelle frowns at me but hands over Meli. She settles almost instantly, snuggling into my kutte.
Rochelle stares at me in shock. "What the fuck, Rock?"
I grin at her. "Must have the magic touch. Pass me her bottle, I'll see if she'll take it." Rochelle hands me the bottle, and I walk over to the booth by the windows before placing it into her mouth. She suckles gently on the bottle, resting her tiny hand over the top of mine, and my heart swells, making me wonder how her dad could walk away.
"It suits you," Rochelle whispers as she sits beside me. I offer her a smile, not wanting to speak in case I disturb Meli. "Dinner will be ready soon. I'll go get Lizzy."
I arch a brow. "Who?" I whisper, and a small laugh escapes her.
"Meli's mum." She smirks at me. "You know, the woman you picked up on the side of the motorway."
Then it dawns on me she's talking about Red and I realise I didn't get her name. "Red?"
"You've already given her a pet name, Rock?" She laughs as she stands. "You're fallin' hard." I can't fall for her. I don't even know the woman, and she'll be on her way before I know it.
She gives me a knowing smile. "Don't worry, I'll get her."
After giving Meli her bottle, she sleeps soundly in my arms, so I make my way up to Red's room. I knock faintly, and when there's no answer, I push the door open. She's fast asleep in the centre of the bed, the sheets falling from her form showing the slight swell of her breasts. I move across the room quietly and pull the sheets up around her before sitting in the little lounge chair in the corner. Resting Meli on my shoulder, I softly tap her on the back as she nuzzles into my neck. "Let's let your mum get some more rest, princess. I think she needs it."
I sit quietly, watching her sleep. Her little bundle rests on me, and for the first time ever, I feel at peace.
I startle awake and look around the room, trying to get my bearings. The room is in darkness, and I realise I must have fallen asleep watching Red. Meli stirs then snuggles back into my chest when I place my hand on her back.
I look over to the bed, now illuminated by the moonlight glaring through the window, to find Red thrashing around. She's muttering in her sleep, but I can't make out what she's saying. The sheets are twisted around her, and suddenly, she lets out the loudest scream, startling Meli, who then begins to wail.
The door bursts open and Drifter and Rochelle stand in the doorway, looking alarmed.
"What the fuck?" Drifter shouts, setting off another round of wails from Meli.
Rochelle rushes over to the bed, shaking Red gently. "Lizzy. Lizzy, wake up. It's just a dream."
I get to my feet, bouncing Meli calmly until her cries subside. Red's eyes dart open, surveying the room as she runs her hands through her hair.
"Lizzy, you okay?" Rochelle asks, rubbing her back.
"Oh my god," she covers her face with her hands, "I'm so sorry."
"Don't worry, we all have nightmares," Rochelle reassures her while reaching and turning on the bedside light.
"Not that wake the entire fucking clubhouse, we don't," Drifter grunts before turning and leaving.
"Don't mind him, he's just a miserable fucker when he doesn't get his beauty sleep." Rochelle laughs. Red looks across at me and her eyes soften when she finds Meli settled in my arms, then she throws herself back on the bed.
"What time is it?" she asks, her voice gravelly from sleep.
I pull out my phone from my back pocket to check and am surprised that it's four in the morning. I haven't slept like that for as long as I can remember. "Four," I answer, handing over Meli to her mum. "She's due a bottle. I'll go make one up."
Rochelle gets up from the bed and pats me on the shoulder. "I'll grab it. You've done your fair share tonight."
Once she's gone, Red turns to me, looking surprised. "You've had Meli all night?"
"She's easy," I answer, and she arches a doubtful brow at me.
"She's many things, but easy is not the choice of words I would use," she says as she looks down at her daughter in her arms.
I watch her, drinking in her beauty. Even without makeup, she has an almost angel-like appearance. She looks up and her ice-blue eyes find mine. I can't look away. "She's slept through since her last bottle at teatime. I'd say that's pretty easy."
"Thank you, Rock." Her voice is barely audible. "You should've woken me."
"You must've needed it. You okay?" She visibly swallows and her eyes fill with unshed tears. I lower myself to sit on the bed and reach over, stroking one of her auburn curls away from her face. The vulnerability I see on her face is there for a split second before her hard exterior falls back into place and she gives me a weak smile.
"Of course. Thanks again, Rock." The way my name sounds rolling off her tongue makes me itch to hear her scream it in the heights of ecstasy.
"I'm in the room next door if you need anything," I offer as I stand, making my way to the door.
"Rock . . ." I stop at the threshold and turn to face her. Her eyes are glistening in the soft glow of the bedside light. "Thank you . . . for everything." I nod before leaving.