C2 Chapter Two

Chapter Two

''Sorry about the boys, We're having a few security issues at the minute''. Jemma explained. I tried to play it off and make out it was fine, but honestly... Jesus Christ, I had been here only minutes and shit had already hit the fan.

''I'm sorry, I should have called first, but, I just assumed that because you knew I was coming today, I just… well, I just didn't expect that''. I laughed nervously. ''That guy pulled a gun!''.

''Which guy?''

''The older one with curly hair''. Jemma laughed lightheartedly.

''Yeah, Alexander is a bit trigger happy sometimes''. Ron explained like it was obvious. Maybe to them, it was, but, in England, that wasn't the sort of welcome you got.. Even when you turn up unexpectedly. ''Don't worry, now they know, they won't bother you again''. I just nodded.

''Well, I'll leave you two to talk''. Jemma said before kissing Ron on the cheek and left the office, closing the door behind herself…

There was silence. A lot of silence. I didn't know what to say and he just stood there, staring at me.

''So, I guess I get my 'silent when speechless' thing from you, huh?'' I made a joke to lighten the mood. It took him a few seconds, but eventually, he cracked a smile and laughed. He walked over to me with open arms and I hugged him.

''It's good to meet you, kid''. I was starting to feel a bit emotional... which took me by surprise a little. I wasn't expecting that. Mum never remarried so I grew up without a father figure, She had boyfriends... But, they were never farther figures. All this was so new to me. I lost track of how long the hug lasted, but it was a while and It was nice.

Someone knocking at the door made us pull apart and we smiled at each other.

''Yeah?'' Ron shouted and the door opened to reveal the same blonde guy who had spoken to me before. He was followed in by Jemma and she shut the door behind herself again. I swallowed deeply, worried about what he was going to do or say.

Granted, I felt safe with the other two here but.. blondie didn't exactly give me the warmest welcome.

''Harley, This is my son, Jackson''. Her son? So, I guess... My step-brother?

''Harley?'' He asked, finding the clear amusement in my name. I shrugged.

''What can I say, I guess my mum loved bikes as much as she liked bikers''. He chuckled but I noticed Jemma seemed less impressed by my statement. I mentally kicked myself. This couldn't be easy for her.. Having me around... I was the result of her husband cheating on her...How can she not hate me anyway? ''I'm sorry Jemma... I didn't mean-''

''It's fine sweetheart''. She told me and went to sit down. Ron went and placed his hand on her shoulder. I'll have to talk to her one-on-one later and apologize.

''Well, Harley, I'm sorry about what happened out there.'' I just nodded. ''Nothing like that will happen again''. I nodded again.

''I hope not''.

I have to admit... he was really hot.. In the typical ''bad boy biker'' kind of way.

''So, how long are you around for?''

''I fly back home in two weeks''. He nodded.

''Yeah, the British accent is a dead give away''. I smiled.

''You ever been to England?'' He shook his head. ''I don't think you'd fit in. We don't really have the whole ‘’Hardcore Biker Gang’’ thing over there''. He laughed again.

''Jackson, call a meeting with the guys, I want to introduce them to Harley, properly''.

''And offer a not so friendly warning?'' Ron didn't reply so Jackson just left.

''Can you bring Harley over in a little bit?'' He asked his wife. She nodded and he kissed her cheek, then my forehead and left too.

Well, I guess I could just talk to her now. She looked up at me and gestured for me to sit down so I did.

''I wanna talk to you... If that's ok?''

''Ok?'' She seemed unsure.

''I don't know what you guy's relationship is, and I also know that's not my business''. She agreed. ''But I do want to say I am sorry for what happened and... how I came about. I'm sure that was very hard for you and I would feel awful if my being here made you feel any worse about it''. She smiled warmly.

''Honey, What Ron and your mother did years ago is old news. I'm not gonna bullshit you and tell you I'm over the mood, but you have nothing to be sorry for. It wasn't your fault. You being here isn't a problem for me and I know Ron is really excited about getting to know you''.

''Really?'' Oh, I was so glad about that. She nodded. ''Ok well... I also want to just apologise privately about my comment. I didn't mean Ron specifically. Growing up, most of my mum's boyfriends were bikers''.

''It's fine honestly, don't worry about it''. I thanked her for understanding and we just chatted back and forth, mainly about my flight and travelling.

''So, my cab driver was afraid to actually come into the lot, he dropped me off on the curb outside''. She laughed. ''And I've heard rumours about this place... What's the deal?'' She just looked at me. ''Don't get me wrong, I don't really care, I'm just here to get to know Ron and you, Call it curiosity... I did just have a gun pulled on me''. We shared a laugh.

''Officially, they are just a motorcycle group and this is just an Auto-repair shop''.

‘'And unofficially?''

''A conversation for a later time, sweetheart. Come on, Ron will be wanting you to join him''. I reluctantly agreed and we both stood up. I followed her out of the office and back down the car park, into another building. I just tried not to look too much, but it was clearly a private club. There was a long bar and stripper poles.

Wow.. ooookk...

The whole place was empty. Jemma walked over to some doors and knocked before entering. I just stood, waiting, wondering if I was meant to follow her. She called me over and I walked into the room, instantly feeling very intimidated when I saw all the guys sat around a table, staring at me.

Jemma left the room and I just stood there, not really knowing what to do.

''Harley, come here''. I walked over to Ron who was sitting at the head of the table. ''Harley, this is my crew. Guys, meet Harley, My daughter''. It felt like their eyes were burning holes in my face. I waved shyly and my eyes retreated downwards.

''I didn't know you had a daughter''. One of them, I'm not sure who spoke up.

''Yes well, neither did I until a few months ago. Newbie, go get her a chair''. Listening to the order, one of the guys got up and left the room returning seconds later with a chair for me. I thanked him and sat down.

''Introduce yourselves''. I looked up hearing Ron's words, not sure if it was for me or not. It wasn't. One by one, the men around the table told me their names;

''Alexander''.

''Tommy''.

''Harry''

''Eric''.

''Newbie''. I looked up, confused. That wasn’t his name. The confusion must have been clear because everyone around the table collectively laughed. ''Or you know... You can call me Kip''. I smiled, he seemed so sweet and innocent.

''His name's Newbie''. Jackson told me, and everyone laughed again.

''Pulp''. Again… what?! No one seemed to address it this time and the names continued.

''Jackson'' He reintroduced himself and I smiled at him.

''Right, now introductions are out of the way, I don’t really need to say it, but I will. If any of you lay a hand on her again, violently... Or otherwise, I'm looking at you, Alex, I'll rip your balls off''. They all started mocking this ''Alex'' guy and laughing more, which lightened the mood, but I had the impression they took Ron's threat quite seriously.

After that, they just started talking about other things and then the meeting quickly ended and they all got up and left. I wasn't really sure what to do, So, I waited for Ron to leave and just followed him out.

Well, that was... Intense.