Page 13 of Sam (Crow MC 2nd Generation #2)

ALLY

I’m not sure what I’m doing with Sam Crow, but I do know that this is the first time since my attack that I’ve felt like myself.

That I’d slept like the dead this morning was something in itself.

I didn’t sleep like that at home, surrounded by my family.

Family that would move heaven and earth to ensure I was safe.

I’d fallen asleep knowing in my heart that Sam would look after me.

I’m not stupid, though; I know catching feelings for him would be dangerous to my heart.

He’d been in love with Bella for years. He’d never made it a secret, even if Bella hadn’t seemed on board with it.

That’s how she’d come across, but I’d known that deep down she’d loved him.

I’d spent enough time with the Crow girls, and things that she more than likely would have kept to herself had been let slip on several occasions, especially when we’d celebrated our birthdays at the pub.

Bella was a lightweight and had loose lips when tipsy.

None of us could figure out why she’d put him off for so many years. Only she knows her reasons.

I’m not sure what had happened for them to break up, and I’m not sure I wanted to know. I knew from Jeanie, who was good friends with Ellie, that it had been a doozy of a breakup, and that Alec had taken Sam away, and Bella had vanished into the background. Supposedly, travelling.

I knew all this, and while my brain was cautioning me, my heart…

my heart was telling me something else entirely.

I’d been shocked, surprised, and elated all in one when he offered to take me for a ride this afternoon.

Excitement had thrummed through me as I’d worked into the afternoon, not even the fact that he’d invited some of the other MC with us had dulled that.

I knew they rarely rode alone, so I wasn’t surprised when he’d told me we’d be joined by some of the others.

I was looking forward to it. I’d messaged Aunt Maya and asked if she’d pack me a small bag with a change of clothes and bring that to the office, along with our riding gear.

Of all my aunts, I knew she would be the one who would ask the fewest questions. And I’d been right.

Abby had left after we’d had the pastries Sam brought and coffee.

She hadn’t mentioned me acting like a complete div earlier and didn’t seem to think it was strange that we were cutting out early to go for a ride.

In fact, she’d seemed perfectly giddy about it, telling me to have fun as she’d walked out.

Aunt Maya finally turns up around two-thirty, and I’m relieved. I was starting to get worried that she wouldn’t make the three o’clock deadline.

I finished work and am shutting down my computer when the door buzzes. Looking at the monitor, I see Aunt Maya and my sister Emy on the screen. Pressing the buzzer, I let them in, smiling as my sister throws her arms around me. “Missed you, Ally,” she beams at me.

“Hi, little sister. I missed you too, thanks for coming with your mum for a visit,” I tell her, hugging her tight and blowing a raspberry on her cheek, making her squeal with laughter and push me away as she wipes at her cheek and pretends to scowl at me.

At nearly thirteen, I make the most of teasing her because I know before long, she won’t want us messing around like this.

Maya smiles as she watches us. She has my leathers in one hand and a small bag in the other.

“I hope I got everything. Are you out tonight?” she asks curiously. “You know your uncles will want to know.”

“I’m not sure yet,” I tell her truthfully before explaining, “Sam’s taking me for a ride this afternoon, and I’m considering seeing if Ellie would mind if I spent the night at the Manor with her rather than driving home.”

“Okay,” Maya nods, hesitating a touch, and I can see she wants to say something. It’s not what she says next because she still looks a little worried after she tells me, “Let us know what you’ll be doing so that nobody worries and sends out the cavalry.”

“What’s wrong, Aunt Maya?”

She bites her lip, and her eyes flit to Emy. As usual, she’s got her nose stuck in a book, totally engrossed and not paying the least bit of attention to us. Not that I’m surprised; my little sister is a bookworm.

“It’s just,” Aunt Maya starts, then stops, muttering something that I don’t catch under her breath.

I’m amused. It’s not often that any of my aunts hold back if they think you need to know something.

She must come to a decision because she looks at me, and I can read the concern on her face when she warns, “It’s just, Sam Crow is lovely, and I know he’s a good man, but he was also in love with another woman not even a year ago.

One he’s been in love with most of his life.

I don’t want to see you hurt. You’ve been hurt enough.

I want you to be careful. I’m not sure we’ll be able to hold the O’Sheas back if he hurts you. ”

Wrapping my arms around my aunt, I once again realise how lucky I am in the family I’ve found myself in.

“Love you, Aunt Maya.” Gripping her shoulders, I lean back slightly and tell her, “You’re not telling me anything I haven’t said to myself.

The thing is, I feel safe with him, and for now, we’re friends.

If it evolves from there, I guess I’ll deal with it then.

I’m going into this with my eyes wide open, and I’m guarding my heart, but it’s hard to do that when he makes me feel safe and beautiful all at the same time. ”

Aunt Maya’s gaze softens as she looks at me. Cupping my cheek, she tells me, “You are beautiful, baby. I’ll keep the faith for you, lovely. I’m glad to see you looking more like your old self. Whatever happens, know that you have a family that loves you.

“Now,” she steps back, “go get dressed and enjoy the ride. I’ll wait to hear from you about where you’re staying tonight.”

“Thank you,” I tell her and wave goodbye after she calls Emy to her and they leave.

Grabbing up my leathers, I hurry to the bathroom and get dressed.

I plait my long hair that’s now so long it hits the top of my thighs when it hangs loose.

I wonder if I should have it cut. The last time was just before the attack, which is why it’s so long.

Those first few months, it was hard enough getting out of bed, never mind worrying about my hair.

I’ll make an appointment for next week at Bren’s spa.

I’m ready and waiting for Sam when he walks in from outside, and I can’t help the thrill that runs through me when I notice the look he gives me when he sees me in my leathers.

I’m not sure what the look is, but I know for certain it’s not a look a man gives a woman that he has no interest in.

After my pep talk earlier, I’d decided to take this one step at a time and see what happens.

For now, I’m going to grab life by the horns. Nearly dying has you realising that life’s a fleeting and fragile thing. I’m going to start by enjoying a ride on the back of a hot boy’s bike. What more could a girl like me want?

It doesn’t take us long to get going. I tuck myself behind Sam, wrapping my arms around him and relax into the ride, surrounded by his closest friends.

With a smile gracing my face and happiness in my heart, I realise that for the first time in what feels like forever, I’m living, and it’s a good feeling to have.