Savage (Demented Souls #15)

21. 21

21

S avage had hated seeing the wariness in Donna’s eyes as she’d scanned the area at every stop. He hadn’t seen the harm in letting her know that he and his brothers were watching for people they didn’t recognize to be following them or paying the group too much attention. And while telling her they were all previous military hadn’t been a lie, it also hadn’t been the entire truth either.

The relief in her eyes was worth the tiny bit of guilt he felt at not being entirely truthful. Besides, if she stayed around, he’d have to get used to that because he had no plans to tell her about the Souls and what they were really into. Either what they lead others to believe or the truth. He didn’t know how she’d take either bit of information, and on top of that, he wasn’t willing to put his brothers’ lives at risk.

He noticed that she hadn’t flinched or stiffened when he’d put his arm around her neck and was glad she was getting used to his casual touches. He hoped it wouldn’t be too long until she would welcome more from him, but he would take those cues from her.

They mingled with the other couples for a bit longer before it was time to mount up again and head to the next stop. Together, he and Donna went to his bike, where he pulled the helmets from one saddle bag and handed her hers. She’d gotten pretty good at putting it on, so he didn’t have to fasten it for her and this morning he’d shown her how to turn on the radio between the two so she could talk to him if she wanted, or he could warn her about some upcoming hazard. He wasn’t expecting her to use it once the group was back on the road.

“Can you hear me?” Donna’s voice came over the in-helmet radio loud and clear.

“Perfectly, babe. What’s up?”

“I wanted to say thank you.”

“For what?” He couldn’t help but scowl, even though he knew she couldn’t see it.

“For letting me know you and your brothers have my back. I know you won’t know their faces, but knowing that all of you are looking for people who might be following or watching too close, is a big relief for me. It means I don’t have to know every face. I don’t have to be constantly on the lookout.” She paused a moment and Savage wondered if that was all she was going to say or if there was more. “I don’t even care if you told them about the commune and Noah. I am just so relieved that someone other than me cares if they try to take me back.”

He took one hand off the handlebars, reached down and patted her hands where they sat almost folded around his waist.

“I haven’t told them, not yet. But now that I know you don’t mind, I will. I won’t go into too much detail, but it won’t hurt to have everyone watching for his face specifically. Though in order to get that, it will probably mean we need to get some information from you.”

“I don’t have any pictures or anything.” Her voice sounded as if she wasn’t sure what else she could do.

“That’s okay. I don’t expect you to. It will likely be things you already know like his full name, date of birth, that kind of thing.” She hadn’t had a phone after all, how would she have had a picture of him? Still, with his name, Gizmo would be able to find something with his photo, whether on some kind of social media or from his driver’s license. Savage didn’t care, he just wanted them all on the lookout for the fucker.

“Oh, I can do that.” Her arms shifted around his middle, telling him she’d shrugged, as if the information he’d suggested they would need was no big deal.

“Good. But I won’t tell them until we’re back at the ranch so you can relax about it. No one will ask you while we’re out and about. We can enjoy the rest of the run and maybe win a little cash.” He didn’t know what kind of hand she was holding, but his wouldn’t be a winner, of that he had no doubt. Still, he’d spent the day so far on his bike, with his brothers and the one woman who made him want more than he’d found to date. He couldn’t think of another day that had felt this good in a long, long time.

S everal hours later, he pulled into the yard at the ranch along with the rest of his brothers. He stopped and had Donna climb off before parking the bike in the barn with the others. Once he’d killed the engine and stepped off, she approached him and gave him back her helmet.

“Thanks, babe,” he said and without thinking about it, bent to drop a peck of a kiss on her lips. It wasn’t until she stood staring up at him with wide eyes that he realized what he’d done. “You okay?” he said turning away to plug in both helmets, so the radios would be charged for their next ride.

“Yeah. I’m a little stiff, but nothing that moving around a little won’t cure. What’s the plan for tonight?”

“Not sure. Probably dinner then I don’t know what. We’ve got a club meeting tonight. That’s when I’ll tell them about your issue. You have your phone on you right?” At her nod, he continued. “Good. I may call or message you later so you can answer some questions for Giz, but it will probably be a laid back evening if you want to call it a night early.”

He didn’t know about her, but most of the day off and on the bike had left him more tired than you would think, not that he’d let that affect him. He’d be at the meeting and do whatever the rest of his brothers needed him to do. No doubt something to do with dinner would be on that list, since the men were doing most of the cooking this trip.

“Hey,” he said as an afterthought, stopping Donna as she’d already turned and was walking away.

“Yes?” She turned around to look at him.

“Have you ever ridden a horse?”

She frowned back at him. “Yeah, but it’s been a while.”

“Interested in maybe taking a ride with me tomorrow? They said we’re welcome to take any of the horses out.”

She smiled, sending an odd flutter through his chest that made him want to press his hand against his chest to see if he could feel it from the outside, but he resisted.

“I’d like that. If you think it’s safe.” She lifted one hand to briefly cover her belly, letting him know what she meant, and it wasn’t that she was worried about the horse.

“I’ll find out and let you know.”

“Okay. I’ve got to find a restroom. You be around for a bit?”

“I’ll be around somewhere. I’m not sure the plan but I’m not going anywhere. If you need me and can’t find me, call or text.”

“Oh. I’ll do that.” She shook her head, turned and hurried off.

Savage reminded himself that she wasn’t used to the instant availability that most of the world took for granted. Sure, she’d had it before going into the commune, but she’d given it up when she’d joined. It would take time for her to get used to it again.

Thinking of it, he pulled his phone from his pocket and sent Kinard a text, asking if horse riding would be safe for her. Message sent, he shoved the phone back in his pocket and went in search of Lurch to find out what they wanted him to do next. He had no doubt there would be something needing done.