Savage (Demented Souls #15)

6. 6

6

D onna studied the man standing in sweats and running shoes and nothing else from the looks of it. Well, other than tattoos. That alone let her know he wasn’t here looking for her specifically. The group she’d fled was very outspoken about tattoos, and not in a complementary manner.

He was coated with sweat, but looked at her, his eyes filled with concern. Could she trust him? Her gut said yes, but she’d trusted herself before and look at where that had gotten her.

Sleeping on the streets, looking over her shoulder and having to rely on someone else for her next meal. But had she made that decision with what seemed right or had she trusted her instinct? She couldn’t be sure.

“You said we. Who’s we?” She narrowed her eyes as she watched him.

“Me and some of my brothers. Well, my brothers and their wives,” he amended. “Look, if nothing else, let me take you for some food. You said you had enough money for food last night, but not enough for somewhere to stay. Let me at least get you some breakfast.”

She stared at him a moment, then knew she had to have something to eat so she agreed.

“Okay. Where were you planning to eat?” She let her gaze roll down his body, hoping he got the hint that he wasn’t dressed for a restaurant.

“Crap,” he said, scrubbing one hand over his face. “Come on back to the motel with me. I’ll grab a quick shower and get dressed then we can get some food. Maybe some of the women will be around and you’ll feel a little safer around them. I promise I’m not going to hurt you.” He held out one hand, motioning for her to join him as he walked in the direction he’d been coming from.

“You said you’re here with your family. How many of you are there?” She glanced at him when he was quiet for a moment, and found his eyes rolled back toward the top of his skull and his head nodding as if he was counting.

“Fourteen, including me, I think,” he finally said after a moment.

“Wow, fourteen and no kids with you?”

“No, the ones with kids stayed behind.”

She frowned. “If there are fourteen, and not all of your family is here, then how many siblings do you have?”

The stranger chuckled. “They’re not my siblings, they’re my brothers.”

Donna stopped. The men of the group she’d just escaped had called each other brother. The women were sisters. Was she walking back into another situation like what she’d just gotten away from?

It took him a couple of steps to realize she wasn’t with him. He stopped and looked back the hurried back to her side.

“What is it? Are you all right?” The concerned look on his face would be hard to fake but still, she had to know.

“Ho—How can they be brothers but not siblings?” Her voice was barely more than a whisper.

The stranger tilted his head and watched her for a moment as if trying to figure out what she was thinking or what might be wrong with her.

“I think of them as brothers of choice. You can be blood with anyone but what matters is the ones who look out for you, who treat you like they care. We’re an MC. They’re my brothers.”

She must have looked confused because he continued.

“Motorcycle club. I’m part of a motorcycle club.” He looked at her like he wasn’t sure what else she could be thinking but he hadn’t been through what she had.

Relief washed through her. If he was part of a motorcycle club, then the group she’d just escaped from hadn’t sent him. They thought bikers were part of what they called the unholy and misguided. But weren’t bikers supposed to treat women horribly? She’d been through enough of that to last her a lifetime.

“I don’t know what’s going through your head, but it doesn’t look good. I can promise you we’re not what you probably think. We’re a little rough, but we don’t hurt women. If you come with me, you can meet us then decide. If after breakfast, you still want to find a shelter, I’ll help you find one.”

Donna stared at him for a moment, trying to decide what would be the best option. Her stomach rumbled, reminding her she needed to eat and just because she was hungry wasn’t her only reason.

“All right. I’ll go for breakfast, then decide,” she said, straightened her back and resumed walking.

“Good. I’m glad to hear it. I’m Savage by the way?”

“Savage?” Donna couldn’t help the way her voice squeaked, and only hoped he didn’t notice. Maybe this wasn’t her best decision after all. He winced. No, he’d definitely caught her squeak.

“It’s my last name. I got used to it when I was in the service.” He lifted one shoulder and let it drop. “Now it’s just normal to me.”

She continued walking, wondering if she should give him her name, she needed to tell him something, but should it be her real name or a fake one? The fake name would make it easier if she decided to go to a shelter here, but what if she decided to take him up on his offer to get farther away? Then it would become awkward.

“I’m Donna.” She wondered if she should offer her hand but decided he hadn’t so there was no reason she should. And now he had a name. Yes, it was her real name, but it was just her first name and Donna was common enough. Well, it used to be. It wasn’t so common for people her age as maybe for her mother’s age.

She wondered what her mother would think about her now? She used to think about her mother every day, but she’d lost her so long ago, and more recently, she’d struggled just to get through every day. Donna couldn’t remember the last time she’d thought about her mom.

“It’s nice to meet you, Donna. When we get to the motel, I’ll see if any of the women are around. We’ve got five along on the trip. I’m sure they’ll be happy to meet you.”

She nodded but didn’t say anything as they continued to walk.

“There’s the motel. We’re almost there.” His voice made her look ahead. There was a large chain motel about a quarter of a mile ahead of them. Good, she could keep walking for a bit longer, but she was starting to get tired. That happened more often than it used to. She’d been working hard to hide it, but Savage wouldn’t know any different. Still, she could make it to the motel without trouble. But it would be hard to get much farther without at least resting a bit. Even better if she could get something to eat soon.