Declan (7 page)

The mood in the clubhouse was sombre this morning, mainly due to the amount of alcohol consumed last night. Most of them were still in bed when I sneaked out. I need some fresh air. I’m tired of feeling trapped and cooped up.

The main street is quiet this early on a morning, and I breathe in the cool fresh air with relief. There’s no one watching over me. I call into the general store and pick up a magazine I probably won’t read, I’ll just flick through the pages, but it gives me something to do.

I’m shouting goodbye over my shoulder instead of looking where I’m going as I head out of the general store and find myself smacking into a brick wall. Well it feels like a brick wall. It’s a guy. I look up into those brilliant blue eyes and see that it’s Declan, the new owner from the bar.

“I’m so sorry.” I splutter, my hands on his chest for a moment too long. I see the smirk on his face as he spots them and pull them back quickly.

“That’s okay, Holly isn’t it?” He has a warm smile that lights up his face. I’ve heard the guys back at the clubhouse muttering about Declan. No one seems to know who he is or where he’s come from and that bothers them. He seems harmless enough to me.

“I was just popping in for a tin of coffee.” He tells me, and then seems to change his mind. “Don’t suppose you fancy joining me at the coffee shop for a decent latte do you? I hate drinking on my own.” His smile is so earnest and safe that I can’t help but accept.

“Sounds like a great idea.”

Declan walks by my side as we cross the street to the coffee shop, putting his hand on my arm to guide me through the door when he opens it for me. He pulls the chair out for me at a table in the back of the shop and then goes to the counter to order for us both, after asking me what I want. He’s a gentleman as well I note to myself, I’m pretty sure the Neanderthals back at the club wouldn’t have treated me this nicely. It’s not that they’re not good guys, they just seem to always take control of any situation involving me. I hate losing my identity like that.

When Declan returns he’s carrying a tray with our drinks and a couple of blueberry muffins as well.

“Hope you don’t mind sharing a muffin with me as well.” He smiles, offering one to me. “I missed breakfast and I hate eating alone.”

“They’re my favourite!” I grin.

We spend an hour in the coffee shop talking about everything and nothing. I get the impression he doesn’t want to talk about his past, and neither do I so we stay on safe subjects like music and movies that we love. I like this guy. We seem to have a lot of tastes in common, and he’s hot. What’s not to like?

Declan’s phone rings and he looks at the number curiously, obviously not recognising it.

“Hi, this is Declan.” He greets the caller in a formal tone. Ooh I like that voice, it sends shivers through me.

“Cowboy?” He questions. I look up then, wondering what Cowboy could be ringing Declan for. He laughs then at whatever’s said. “No problem, I’ll switch her shift with one of the guys and give her a call and let her know.” He’s still laughing when he hangs up.

“That was Cowboy. Odd choice of name, but he rang to say your friend Lucy isn’t feeling so hot this morning and won’t be able to maker her shift.” He gives me a warm smile. “I’m afraid I need to get back to the bar and sort it out.” He looks apologetic. “I enjoyed this,” he gestures to our now empty coffee cups. “Do you think we could do it again sometime?”

“I’d like that.” I answer coyly. I would like that, a lot, but I’m careful of showing too much interest in this guy. I’ve not got the best track record and I’m pretty sure the guys back at the clubhouse wont approve.

Declan swaps numbers with me before walking me back to my truck. He gives me a peck on the forehead as he says goodbye. Is it wrong that I wish it had been a kiss on the lips?

I turn the key in the ignition and set off back to the clubhouse. My plans for the magazine are now defunct. I’m going to go back, lie on my bed and think dirty thoughts about this new stranger instead.

The Sunday lunch crowd is keeping us busy today. Lucy seems to be over her hangover, but there’s something not quite right with her and I can’t figure it out until a couple of bikers walk in and Lucy glares at one of them before turning away. Man trouble. It’s not my place to interfere, but I’ll have a chat with her at the end of her shift and make sure she’s okay.

“Gentlemen, how can I help you? Table for two?” I walk over and greet them. One of the guys gives me the once over and doesn’t look pleased with what he sees. That’s fine by me; I’ve come up against worse. He’s the guy that Lucy was ignoring.

“Do you have a moment?” The other guy asks. “We’d like a little chat if you can spare the time?”

I catch the non-speaker watching Lucy closely. I can see he has feelings for her.

“She’s a good worker.” I inform him. “I’d hate to see her get hurt.” He doesn’t like that and his colleague has to hold him back slightly.

“I’d never hurt her.” He growls at me.

“She’s family.” His friend tells me. “We take care of ours.” I can hear the unspoken threat.

I nod in understanding and lead the guys back to my office. I get the impression this isn’t a conversation about the merits of roast pork versus roast beef somehow.

I sit on the edge of my desk facing them and ask how I can help.

The guy who’s done most of the talking introduces himself as Angel, Vice President of the local MC club. The other guy with him is Cowboy, the one who rang me to tell me Lucy was ill yesterday. Angel looks me straight in the eye when he tells me how they keep an eye on the town and the people here, and that recently a bad element has come into town.

I take a deep breath before I reply, getting a hold on my anger. “And you think I’m that bad element?”

“I didn’t say that.” Angel replies. He goes on to ask me what I’m doing in Severed. My answers are brief and clipped. It’s none of their business, but I don’t want to rub these guys up the wrong way.

I lose it when they tell me they don’t’ allow drugs in Severed.

“I don’t allow drugs in my bar.” Angel continues to probe, but I’m not answering his questions. I think it’s pretty obvious I’m against drugs, but that’s as much as I’m prepared to let on. I came her to escape my past, not be reminded of it.

I tell them about the dealer I found in the bar on opening night, and that he won’t be returning any time soon. I don’t tell them that I left him a bloodied mess out back, but I think they can tell that it wasn’t just an idle threat in conversation that he left with.

The conversation gets a little easier from then, and I can see that the club are really concerned about drugs being dealt in Severed. I’ve got contacts that I can call on to help the situation and allude to that, without giving away who they are. I don’t want them to know about my military history, or the contacts I still have outside of that.

I’ve just moved here. I can’t watch anyone else I care about, or become close to kill themselves because of drugs. I won’t.

By the time the guys leave my office we’ve reached an agreement. We’re not going to be best buddies, but we understand and respect each other.

I let Cowboy know that I’ll make sure Lucy gets home safely after her shift. “From the look she gave you when you walked in I’m guessing you’re not in her good books at the moment.” I laugh.

Lucy makes a point of waving at Angel as they leave, but turns her back on Cowboy. I’m going to have to find out what the poor guy did to deserve that treatment, but right now I’ve got some calls to make.

I need to find out what the hell is going on in Severed.

I hang up the phone and sigh. This is not good. I contacted an ex-army buddy Chris, who runs his own security firm out of Melbourne, to ask him about the drug problems we’re having in Severed. From everything he’s seen so far he seems to think that this is more than some random drug dealer we’re dealing with, but a large organised gang.

He’s asked me to give him a few more days to look into it. I don’t want this shit on my doorstep. I don’t need this shit.

What I do want is to see that gorgeous blonde Holly again. I pick up my phone and send her a text.

DECLAN: How do you fancy an evening picnic with me tonight?

HOLLY: Sounds fun, meet you at yours at 8 with my truck?

DECLAN: I look forward to it :- )

I know I need to concentrate on the drug problem in Severed, but for one night I’m going to allow myself to lead a normal, civilian life. I need it.

I’m glad Holly’s bringing her pick up, I don’t think a picnic basket would fit on the bike. Who am I kidding? I’ve travelled half way around Australia on this bike; it’s got more than enough storage. But, I can’t lay a blanket out on the top of a bike in the same way I can in the back of a pick up truck. I foresee some stargazing laid out next to Holly this evening.

I put the phone back in my pocket, a silly grin on my face. Eve gives me a questioning look.

“Nothing, just going to see a friend later.” I tell her. Eve’s look turns into a knowing smirk. That girl is too switched on for her own good. When she sees the panic on my face she reassures me.

“Don’t worry, Holly. I won’t say anything to the guys. I’ve seen how they’ve been treating you like a fragile doll these past few months. I can’t stand it when they do it to me.” I reach over and hug Eve. She’s a breath of fresh air in the club, and I love her and her friend Elle. They help keep me grounded and sane. They’re strong characters; they’ve survived some pretty bad shit since they became involved in the club and they’ve not let it beat them. If anything it’s made them stronger.

“Are you going to tell me who this friend is?” Eve enquires.

“Not yet,” I hesitate. “It’s early days. If it looks like it’s going to turn into anything then I’ll let you know.” I promise.

“Okay, but make sure you’ve got your phone with you, and if you need anything promise me you’ll ring me.” She smiles.

“Absolutely.”

“You’d best go check out that wardrobe of yours and let me know if you need to borrow any short skirts.” Eve offers.

“It’s okay,” I smile. “I think I’ve got this one covered.”

The chef has made us up a picnic that could probably feed the five thousand. Okay, I may be exaggerating, but there’s plenty of food. I remembered to go over to the bakery and buy blueberry muffins for Holly, as I know she loves them.

I pack the last of the bottles of coke and beer in the cooler, and check my watch for the fifth time in as many minutes. It’s almost eight. I’m grinning like a schoolboy, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by Lucy.

“What are you up to?” She teases me. I offer to tell her if she spills the beans on her and Cowboy and that soon shuts her up. There’s definitely something between them judging from the blush she gets on her face whenever I mention his name. I’m just grateful she didn’t call me on my bluff. I’m not ready to tell anyone about Holly yet.

I grab the cooler and head out of the back door of the kitchen to sit and wait on the stoop. I’ve barely sat down when Holly’s truck pulls into the yard.

I motion for her to stay in the drivers seat as I load the cooler and blankets into the bed of the truck, before pulling myself up into the passenger seat. I almost draw in a breath as I see her long bare legs peeping out of the almost not there denim skirt. She’s wearing a cotton check shirt that’s tied around the waist and shows off her cleavage under the tight white vest top. Shit. I I’ve got a hard on already just from looking at her.

She smirks as she sees me trying to adjust my jeans, pulling out of the yard and asking me if I have a destination in mind.

“I’ve not been here long enough to know where’s where.” I confess. “You got any back roads next to an old creek or something?”

“How cliché.” She giggles. “I know just the spot.” She heads out of town and takes a side road. Pretty soon we’re on a dirt track lined with trees. It’s peaceful out here, no noise from passing vehicles, just the buzz of the odd insect and the quiet burble of the water in the creek as it flows around some small rocks.

Holly parks the truck, and before I can get round to open her door for her she’s jumped down and standing at the side of the water.

“I love it here. My brother and I used to play here when we were little and visiting my Uncle.” I can see she’s lost in a good memory. I stand behind her and enclose her in my arms, not wanting to disturb the moment.

“I have a creek like that back on my Gran’s farm.” I tell her about playing there with my friends on hot summers days. They’re good memories.

“Won’t you miss your Gran, living this far away from her?”

“No, I’m used to not seeing much of her. I used to travel a lot. Besides, she’s only a plane ride away. I’ll probably see more of her than before.” I know that I’ll make the effort to see my Gran.

Holly sinks further back into my arms. This feels comfortable and right. “Why did you used to travel?” I knew she’d want to know more of my past, I’m just not sure if I want to tell her it, and if I do, how much I want to share.

“Work.” I try and escape the conversation. “Tell me about you first?” I encourage her. “Then I’ll share my deep, dark secrets with you.” She begins to laugh, but something stops her. It’s a memory. I can see the smile fall from her face. “Let’s get this picnic set up, and you can tell me what you feel like sharing.” I offer.

Holly looks a little more comfortable once we’ve got the picnic laid out on the blanket. Slowly, over the next couple of hours she tells me about her ex, about her brother Justice, and how she lost him and her friend recently. I can sense the guilt in her.

I don’t tell Holly everything, but I do tell her that I used to be in the Army, and that I lost a friend as a result of an IED on our last patrol. I can’t bring myself to tell her about killing the young boy, or sleeping with Georgia, or about Max taking his own life. It’s not much, but it’s the first time I’ve shared any of my feelings.

From the sound of it both of our nightmares share the same timescale. It’s spooky. If I believed in fate I’d say we’d been thrown together to heal each other.

The food was finished and the rubbish packed away a while ago, meaning we’re just laid on our backs, side by side on the blanket. The stars have come out now. The sky is perfectly clear, lit by a thousand white lights. Just laying here like this is calming. It’s odd but I feel comfortable with Holly. We don’t need conversation; both happy just to lay here in each other’s company and contemplate the night sky.