“I loved everything with wheels when I was a kid. I had a stack of toy cars and bikes. I got my first dirt bike when I was six years old and rode it every chance I got. It wasn’t long before I started tinkering with it, taking it apart and putting it back together.”
His eyes shine when he talks, and I get a glimpse of the carefree boy he once was.
“That’s why you’re a bike mechanic.” Luke already told me he works in the bike shop out the back of the Wild Riders compound. “How about the military?”
“My father was in the military; he served with Raiden.” Something dark flashes across his face. “That’s how I ended up here.”
I cock my head, wanting to know more. I think of the little boy on his lap this morning and how I’ve seen him reach for Luke with open arms like he was family. “You’re close to Raiden and his kids.”
“I look after them sometimes when he needs me to and if I’m not working in the garage.”
He swallows his mouthful and looks down at his plate, pushing some egg around with his fork.
“I was in a dark place after I came back from Afghanistan.” His brow furrows, and for a moment he’s back there again. Darkness and pain come into his eyes, and I feel the waves of loss emanating from him.
I lay my hand on his arm. “I’m so sorry. We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
He shakes his head as if clearing the memory. “Raiden found me when I was down. He offered me an opportunity here. I don’t know where I’d be if he hadn’t saved me. I’d do anything for that man.”
He says it simply, and I see the fierce loyalty in his statement. He stabs a piece of bacon with his fork and pops it in his mouth.
My heart goes out to this man who gave so much for his country and is still a military man at heart, protecting me and loyal to Raiden.
There are still good men in this world, and I’m being cared for by one of them. My heart flutters in my chest, and I wonder what it would be like to be loved by a man like Luke who’s protective and thoughtful, loyal and kind.
But he’s just doing his duty. It’s obvious he misses the military and having a purpose. Raiden must have told him to look after me, and he’s following orders. He said himself that he’d do anything for Raiden.
Besides, what does a single mom with no job and a possibly violent ex have to offer a man like Luke? I’m damaged and broken, and even if he saw me as something more, I’m not good enough for a good man like Luke.
5
ISLA
The next few days pass in the same steady routine. Danni or Maggie or Kendra take it in turns to stay at the clubhouse and come and get Cody for his early feed while I catch up on the sleep I missed during the night and take a shower. Every morning Luke makes me breakfast and we talk over bacon and eggs, which it turns out he knows how to cook to perfection every way you can think of: fried, poached, scrambled, and my favorite, dippy soldiers, which I haven’t had since I was a kid.
With three meals a day and six hours of sleep, I’ve noticed myself growing mentally and physically stronger. I’ve spent the last two days scanning job sites looking for marketing jobs that I’d be a good fit for. The problem is that they’re all based in Charlotte, and when I think about going back to where I’ve lived with Ian for the last two years, my gut tightens into a knot.
I don’t want to go back to the city where I could runinto his family or friends on every corner. He’s already started a pity campaign online, playing the victim and making me out to be a bad person for running away. He’s been posting all over social media saying he’s looking for me and Cody as if I’m some terrible woman who stole his son and not a mother protecting her child from a monster.
I’ll have to let him know where I am eventually, or it could turn ugly if the police get involved. But his texts have turned angry, and there’s no way I want to see him when he’s so volatile.
I’ve tried to tell him I’ll see him once he calms down, but that only adds fuel to the fire, and last night he left an angry voice message yelling at me about how calm he is.
Meanwhile I’ve broken the news to Mom that the wedding is off. After a lot of protesting and sticking up for Ian, she finally believed me. He’s unhinged. He needs help and therapy, and until that happens, I don’t want him near Cody.
Mom promised to have a conversation with Malorie, her best friend and Ian’s mother. It’ll be an awkward conversation, but Malorie has to know what her son’s really like. Although I suspect she probably does already.
I’m playing with Cody and some of the other kids in the playroom when Raiden stalks into the room.
His little boy wobbles over to him and he scoops him into his arms, a soft smile on his weatherbeaten face.
“I hear you’re looking for a job.”
I startle when I realize he’s talking to me. I find the thickset brooding club president a little intimidating. I’mnot sure if he’s hinting it’s time for me to leave. Perhaps I’ve overstayed my welcome.
“I’ve applied for fifteen in the last few days,” I tell him. “I can waitress here if you need help, or clean, or…or…” I search around, wondering what else I could do here. I would offer childcare, but that seems pretty much sewn up.
“Do you know anything about websites?”
