9. Isla
9
ISLA
I t’s been three days since Luke took me for a ride on the back of the bike and reminded me I’m a woman and not just a mom.
Every time he’s near me, my body tingles at the memory. I long for him to touch me again, but I don’t know how to ask.
Today I’m sitting in a corner of the restaurant with the laptop that Nate, or Bit Rate as the guys call him, set up for me to work from.
Although I’m not getting any work done today. Danni brought Cody through a little while ago. He’s fussy and won’t settle and wouldn’t stop crying until she handed him over to me.
I press my hand to his forehead, but there’s no temperature.
“What’s got you worked up, little guy?” I kiss the top of his downy head, and he nuzzles into me. I’ve been spending more time working recently, and maybe he just misses his mommy. I close the laptop lid. I can work later while he’s having his nap. For whatever reason Cody needs me today, and that’s fine by me.
He only fed an hour ago, but I undo my maternity top to see if he’s hungry. He finds my breast and latches on, and that seems to calm him. It still amazes me that I can nourish my baby and provide comfort for him through my boobs. I’ve learned a new appreciation for my body over the last several months.
I glance at the clock behind the bar, and my stomach flutters. It’s almost noon, which means Luke will come in from the garage soon, and we’ll eat together. It’s become our routine over the last few weeks, and I look forward to it. Conversation flows easily with Luke and he makes me laugh, which I hadn’t done a lot of before I got here.
I’m a different woman than the one who turned up here a few weeks ago, scared and embarrassed. Now I’ve got a job and a place to stay, and the women have become friends. And I’ve got Luke, although I have no idea what that means. He hasn’t kissed me again since we went out on the bike. I don’t know what he’s thinking or what he feels. I don’t know if he’s just being kind or if he has feelings for me.
Maybe he’s holding back to give me time, or maybe it’s something to do with his disability. But I don’t see the disability when I’m with Luke. I just see the man. Maybe it’s because he’s adapted so well. He’s patient with himself and never complains. The clubhouse has been adapted to be accessible. He’s at home here, and it’s starting to feel like my home too .
“For God’s sake, Isla, put your tits away.”
My head jerks up at the familiar voice. My blood turns cold as Ian strides across the room.
Cody senses the change in me, and he unlatches. My breast flops out of the bra, and I scramble to push it back into the fabric and re-fasten it. My cheeks heat under Ian’s look of disgust, and Cody starts to cry.
“What are you doing here?” I try to keep my voice steady, but seeing Ian again brings up memories of him smashing the glass above our heads, his grip on my wrist that left bruises, the disgusted look on his face that became a permanent feature once I became pregnant.
I thought he’d given up looking for me. But somehow he’s managed to track me down.
“What the fuck are you doing here is the real question.” He looks around the clubhouse, and the disgusted look on his face turns to a scowl as his gaze runs over the bike paraphernalia on the walls and the vintage Harley in the corner. “A fucking motorcycle club,” he hisses. “You’re not safe here.”
I bark out a laugh, and it’s high-pitched and hysterical. I’ve never felt so safe in my life.
“How did you find me?”
Ian smirks. “Your mother is concerned. Her and my mom want to know when we’re going to make up and get on with the wedding.”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Typical Mom. Ian’s managed to charm her around to his side.
“There won’t be a wedding, Ian. You must see we’re not suited to each other. You’ll be happier with someone else.”
He takes a step forward, so he’s towering over me. “I’ll be happy when you stop embarrassing me and come back home where you belong.” Cody cries, and I hold him close to my chest against my racing heart. My hands tremble as fear shoots through me. “And shut that fucking baby up.”
“You need to back the fuck up.”
Relief floods me at the sound of Luke’s voice. My eyes dart to the back of the restaurant as Luke maneuvers toward me. He’s moving as fast as he can and he knocks a table, sending a wine glass smashing to the floor.
Ian spins around and smirks when he sees Luke. “Who the fuck are you?”
Luke stops in front of Ian. “I’m the guy who’s going to kick your ass if you don’t back the fuck away from Isla and Cody.”
Ian laughs, a hollow sound. “You?” He steps back and makes a show of checking out Luke and the wheelchair. “What you gonna do, cripple? Run me over?”
Luke’s breathing hard and a vein pulses in his neck. “Try me, motherfucker.”
He slides off his Wild Riders MC leather jacket and folds it over the back of a chair. He’s wearing a black tank top underneath, and he flexes his muscles, but Ian’s too stupid to notice. All he sees is a man in a wheelchair. He can’t see past that to the determination and the grit that fuels Luke. He can’t see what I see, the loyal, protective, and devoted man who will do anything for me and Cody. Suddenly the only person I’m scared for is Ian, and that fucker deserves everything that’s coming to him.
There’s movement in the back of the restaurant as Arlo, Davis, and some of the other guys come into the room.
“You need a hand with this, Luke?” Arlo asks.
Without taking his eyes off Ian, Luke shakes his head. “I got this.”
Ian narrows his eyes and chuckles. “You should take the help from your buddies cripple; I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Isla,” Luke speaks slowly through gritted teeth. “Take Cody and go out back.”
I push my chair back, and Ian reaches out a hand to grab me. I dodge out of the way and the chair falls to the floor, making Cody howl louder.
“You make a move Isla, and I swear to god I’ll hurt this cripple.”
I pause as blood thunders in my ears. Ian is mean, and he’s a bully. He could hurt Luke badly, and I don’t want to be the cause of that. I’m frozen on the spot, unsure what to do.
I glance at Luke, and he gives me a small nod. “I can handle myself. Go stand with Arlo.”
Our eyes lock and I see determination there, and I understand. He needs to do this. Even if he gets hurt, he needs to protect me, to know he tried.
I clutch the wailing Cody to my chest and scurry to the back of the restaurant. Arlo puts a protective hand on my shoulder and guides me behind him. But I’m not going to miss whatever happens next. I stand with the line of men, feeling confident knowing they’re here for me.
“Isla,” Ian thunders, “you’re responsible for this. I’m going to fuck up your cripple boyfriend.”
Luke grabs the edges of his chair so tight his knuckles turn white. “You get one shot, motherfucker. You better make it a good one.”
Ian chuckles then lunges forward. At the same time, Luke pushes himself out of the chair and uses the momentum to throw himself at Ian. There’s a look of surprise on Ian’s face, and then they tumble to the ground in a flurry of grunts and punches.
Ian should have the advantage, but within seconds Luke has him pinned to the ground. Ian kicks wildly, trying to shake him off with his legs. But Luke clings on and then head butts Ian in the face.
Ian screams as blood spurts out of his nose. He clutches it and starts crying, begging for Luke to stop. But Luke doesn’t stop. His hand grips Ian’s throat, and the muscles in his arms bulge as he applies pressure.
I start forward, certain Luke’s going to kill him. But Arlo and Davis get there first. It takes both of them to pull Luke off.
Ian scrambles backward, clutching his nose as blood spurts onto his crisp white shirt. “You fucker.”
Luke grins at him. “You better run, motherfucker, before I get back in my chair to chase you.”
Ian scrambles to his feet, his eyes wide with terror. He looks around wildly until he sees me. “Fuck this, Isla. You’re not worth it. You had your chance. The wedding’s off.”
He turns to Luke, who even from the floor manages to look menacing. “You’re welcome to her and the fucking kid.”
I hand Cody over to Danni and step forward.
“You’re damn right the wedding’s off. I don’t want you near my son. If you try to come here again, I’ll get a restraining order.”
“You think I want that screaming baby? It’s probably not even mine. You and the cripple are welcome to him.”
My eyes are on Luke, and I see him wince at the words. He just kicked Ian’s ass in a fight, and Ian still only sees a guy in a wheelchair.
“Happy fucking families. Enjoy life with half a man.” The words make me gasp. Luke looks like he’s been punched in the guts, and I know that hit home.