- Who are the People of Brair's Stories.

Ever wanted to know more about the characters in Brair Lake's Book and their stories. This is your chance to find out just how the characters tick. What makes them good and bad

Dust

Rayven

At the front of the crowded club room, surrounded by their bond brothers, and the women of Devil’s Comfort who have come to witness the occasion, Linc and Cassie stood close together ready to reaffirm their vows. This was one party anyone was unwilling to miss. The renewing of Linc and Cassie’s vows was vastly different to when they eloped three years ago. Cassie looked stunning in the red retro wedding dress chosen by Baby Blu. In the background, Mama, I’m Coming Home, played as Linc swore on the club’s bible that he will love Cassie forever. For the couple, the affair was a joyous occasion.

For me, it was somber with just a hint of joy for the couple. After his attack by another biker club, my brother, Kent, a prospect for Devil’s Comfort, remains in a coma. Twiggy and Trax, two other members of the club, were still on the road. And my personal antagonist has never left my side since Kent’s attack. The people involved still to be found.

I was delighted for Cassie. Life had not been easy for her over the past year. However, she quietly forgave Linc for the pain he caused her. When Linc turned, and kissed Cassie, my heart clenched. I wanted a fairy tale ending. However, I was unsure I would find it here. I wondered if I was strong enough to forgive Tabby for his misdemeanor to me while speculating if Devil’s Comfort had beaten me and would leave Comfort Springs as originally planned.

Once the swapping of vows was over, someone pumped the music up, and the party vamped up. As I turned to offer my congratulations to Linc and Cassie, Tabby followed me without touching me. It was his lack of touch I noticed more than anything. The emptiness that swamped me at his lack of physical contact. When we reached the happy couple; Inferno and Baby Blu joined us. My fingers tightened on the champagne glass as the gaiety of the room, which eluded me, weighed down on me. The way Inferno held Baby Blu in a similar familiar manner Linc held Cassie. Their arms loose around their waist. Their shoulders touching. At their joint happiness in their smiles, a twinge of jealousy assailed me because I knew I would never have that bond with my soulmate.

My ride to this moment had been euphoric and heartbreaking. In my journey, I fell in love with a man. A man whore who saw me as nothing more than a chattel. The day I ran over his bike should have been my omen to stay away from Connor ‘Tabby’ Gallagher. It’s just a pity he was not on the bike at the time.

From beneath lowered lashes, I glanced at the wild red hair giant with startling clear green eyes. The laughter, which was once there, hidden behind the pity I see in them whenever he looks at me.

‘Time to throw the bouquet, Cassie,’ Baby Blu said. Her laughter contagious, and as my laughter blended with hers, we watched the men take a wide berth.

‘Okay, ladies. Stand back and catch,’ Cassie said.

I had no intentions of catching the fabulous bouquet of roses and orchids. Standing as far away as possible from the crowd, I watched in amazement as the flowers made a slow arc in my direction. It was with a will of their own, my arms rose, and I caught the flowers, smelling their fragrance.

My gaze drifted across the room to Tabby. As the blood drained from his face, turning his cheeks pale, I was unable to take anymore, and accepting this as my cue to leave, I dropped the flowers onto the table next to me. Then ran from the hall. As soon as the fresh air hit my nose, my stomach heaved, and vomit flew from my mouth.

‘You okay, Rayven?’ Tabby asked.

Shit, why the hell had he followed me outside? Hormones, I could blame my hormones for my reaction. ‘No, Tabby. I’m not okay. For the last eighteen months, you’ve used me as your personal slave. I have done every shitty job you’ve thrown at me. I have put up with your crap and with your women. Well, not anymore.’

My throat was sore, and I was in desperate need of a drink. It never occurred to me there could be vomit lingering on my chin as I continued with my tirade. ‘It was a fucking accident, Tabby. I didn’t mean to leave the brake off the car. I forgot it was faulty. And I’m done paying for it.’

To ease the cramp in my stomach, and to give myself time, I drew in a deep breath. ‘My brother’s in hospital. He’s in a fucking coma because of this stupid club. And who knows when or if he’ll ever wake.’ 

Without giving him time or a chance to reply. Now my mouth was running wild, I did not care whether I hurt him or not. ‘Cassie and Linc have been trying for years to have a baby without any luck. You fuck me once, Tabby. Fucking once, and I end up pregnant. And you ask me if I’m okay.’

Tabby may have been pale before. However, his skin turned gray. If I did not know the man better. I would swear he was about to puke. Great, that’s all we need. More vomit on the porch.

‘That baby’s not mine, Rayven,’ he said.

‘Well, it certainly isn’t the turkey baster’s!’

 Disgusted with the giant, and needing to escape, I turned and bumped into the iron wall of Crabby’s chest, who had come outside, and joined us on the porch. His arms wrapped around my shaking body. For the first time that day, I felt safe and wanted.

‘Come on, Ray. Let’s get you home,’ the young biker said.

Crabby’s offer of comfort confirmed he overheard our conversation and the barrier holding back my tears broke.

‘Rayven,’ Tabby said.

Without looking back, I ignored the biker, allowing Crabby to guide me down the steps towards the club’s SUV.

Tabby

Pregnant. The words echoed through my mind over and over, and the sweat began to gather on my forehead. There was no chance the baby could be mine. I never had unprotected sex. Shit, it was too risky. Too much was at stake.

My stomach clenched. Then clenched tighter as Raven walked away with Crabby. The woman has been a pain in my side since she drove over and smashed my baby. My bike, two years ago. She had stood in the middle of the garage parking lot and glared at me. She barged into my life. Sent my thoughts down a road I had no right to for two years. I watched her. Flirted with her. Teased her, but never touched her in the way I often fantasize about. Not until the night of her birthday.

I had been angry. Crabby had been hanging around her. Shit, he kissed her. My frown deepened. Crabby was always by her side. Her Unicorn. Keeping her away from me. And he was doing it again. She always ran to him when she was in trouble. How could Rayven be pregnant? No, the baby was another mans. Not that whelp, Crabby’s though. Shit, I never have sex without protection. Children were something I never wanted. They were not a part of my life. The pain that came with them was too much. As I watched the SUV with Rayven inside, leave the compound, my hand slipped into my jacket pocket and curled around my bike keys. The conversation was not over. How could she just leave? When the SUV was no longer in sight, instead of following them, I returned to the party. I was going to get drunk. Then I was going hook up with a couple of the club's women and have my own party. Forget about the dark-haired beauty who haunts my dreams. Promising me the things I was unable to have.

The party was loud. Music blared. Couples danced and laughed as they celebrated Linc and Cassie’s union. There was no laughter in me, and ignoring the party revelers, I strolled over to the bar, and collected a beer. Drinking it in one. Then collected another bottle. A shiver passed through me as my mind went to the past and to a face which fought me to be seen. But I shook the image away before it came into focus. Before the pain took its fiercest hold on me.

“I love a great party. Don't you?” Inferno said, coming to stand beside me.

I nodded as I turned towards the dance floor. This was not a show I was interested in. “Yeah,” I said. Then glancing at my watch, I finished the second beer, placing the empty bottle on the bar counter. “And as much as I’d love to stay and help celebrate. I have a job to do.” I smiled. “Tie Me Down won't run by itself.”

Inferno looked at me. Then nodded. The man saw too much. “I'll drop by later,” he said.

It was late afternoon when I arrived at Tie Me Down. The place was not busy, but there were a few punters enjoying the afternoon show. Instead of going to the VIP corner, I made my way to the bar and helped myself to a beer. As I settled on the barstool, I turned to watch the show. A couple of women were performing. Dropping items of clothing as they gyrated their bodies to the music which filled the room. As I watched them, my thoughts turned to Rayven. They often did. If she was not around, as soon as she entered a room, I knew where she was. When she was working at the club, in the cloak kiosk, I often watched her. She was complex. Some of her smiles were genuine for the punters she liked. Most often she wore a fake smile. This was for the punters who left a bad distaste in her mouth. The ones she was happy to complain about. My frown grew. She was unfriendly with the women who worked at the club, making enemies out of them which caused me problems.

I thought about the day she smashed my bike. It was the fire in her eyes which had me telling her reparation for the bike was to work at ‘Tie Me Down.’

Shit, I should have kept my mouth shut. I should have walked away from that fire. But the light in her eyes had tempted me. Pulled me into her. I took a mouthful of my beer. I should have fucked her then and walked away. Told her to go. That she was no longer required at the club. But there was something about her which made it impossible for me to give her up. I tried to forget about her as I partied hard with other women. Flirting with them in front of Rayven. But she was always there. Watching me, judging me. I waited. Then made a mistake by taking her to bed. That night continues to taunt me. Especially as we never repeated it, and I had wanted to.

My smile slipped. We were never going to repeat that night. Not now. She was pregnant and no longer a part of my life. The woman was trouble. Crabby was welcomed to her.

©Brair Lake August 2024

You've had a brief glimpse into Tabby's and Rayven's life - Now read their story.

To Catch a Rayven