I kept my gaze out the window, taking in all the 'sights' of the town as we drove through it. I'd never been here, but with a name like Pleasant Tree Ville, you'd expect it to be... well, pleasant. It looked like your typical, normal, run-of-the-mill place to live. No different than any other. At least... that's how it looked to an outsider like me, but this town clearly had its secrets. As soon as you got within 100 miles of it in any direction, you started hearing the talk.

The locally famous outlaw motorcycle club.

The Savage Scorpions.

They were the only reason I'd even come here... to California... to America even. I was born and raised in England, close to Birmingham, with my mother. Before now, I had never even left the UK, but after she passed away a few months ago, I found some old, unmailed letters that she had written... addressed to a guy named Ron Hale There were some for me too. Judging by what was in them, I'm guessing she wrote the ones for me after she decided not to post the others to him.

The main point: He never knew about me. I was the product of their seedy affair. He was married, my mum was married. It ended badly when they were found out. He stayed with his wife, but my mum's husband left her. When she found out she was pregnant with me, she left town.

She was born in England but had moved to Pleasant Tree Ville when she was a teenager. Apparently, she fell in love with a bad boy and he whisked her away. After finding out she was expecting, she decided to come back. Her family was still here.

"Are you sure you wanna get dropped off here?" I looked up at the cab driver, who was looking at me in the mirror.

"Yeah… why?"

"It's not the... safest of places. The guys here... they are into some... less-than-legit stuff, if you get my drift?" I smiled without amusement.

"Good to know. Thanks for the heads up." I looked away again. "Are we close?" I asked, staring back out the window.

"Yeah, just a few more minutes." I didn't answer him after that. I grabbed my bag and pulled it across the seat, rummaging around until I pulled out the first and only letter I had received from Ron.

At first, I wasn't sure if the address my mum had for him was even valid anymore. It wasn't a personal address, it was for some garage out in California called Turners. After a quick Google search, I found out it was still there, so it was a safe bet this Ron guy was too...

...and he was.

About a week after I sent the letter, I received a reply, which I was more than a little surprised by. We started video chatting as it was quicker and more direct than posting letters, but what was weird was... when I saw his face... he looked like my dad. I could see him in me. I had his nose.

I found out he was still married to his wife. Some woman named Jemma. I didn't know their personal business or what their relationship was, but I had spoken to her very, very briefly on video chat, and well, she seemed nice.

Scary and intimidating, but nice.

After communicating back and forth for a little while, me explaining a bit about myself, he wanted to meet me. He even bought me my plane ticket as I could never have afforded it myself...

So, here I was.

I reread the letter and smiled at his kind, understanding words, but then we turned the corner, and I looked up and saw the large sign announcing our arrival. I shoved the letter back in my bag, and for the first time since I got in the cab at the airport, nerves and butterflies started attacking my stomach.

"You'll have to walk from here. I don't go in there." I looked back at the driver and raised my eyebrow. Why was he so scared of whoever it was who worked here? Should I be scared too?

I didn't get that vibe from Ron when we spoke... But then again, I didn't know about 'The SS' then. That's what some people I had spoken to called them. I didn't understand any of it. I was only here to meet Ron and maybe Jemma, talk, and go home again.

"Ok." I passed him the money, grabbed my bag, and got out. I had barely even closed the door before he sped off and disappeared around another corner. "Fucking weird, man."

Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I walked into the lot and headed up the drive. I could already see the rows of Motorbikes lined up. Ok, well, Motorcycle Club means motorcycles I suppose. As I got closer, I could hear voices, laughing, and the butterflies in my stomach started getting worse. I had to stop for a minute and take a few deep breaths.

Why was I so nervous?! We had video chatted, it wasn't like I was just going in blind here. Getting a hold of myself, I took a few more deep breaths, thought "fuck it," and started walking again, quickening my pace, stopping myself from turning and running the other way.

The laughing and voices got louder. They were all male—probably the owner of the bikes—and then suddenly, I saw them all. At first, none of them saw me, so I got closer. As soon as one of them looked up and noticed me, pointing out my presence to the others, they all went silent.

"Hey... sorry to bother you. I'm looking for Ron Hale... is he here?" The guys all shared a look, but no one answered. "He's... um... sort of expecting me."

"Ron is in the office with his old lady. If you're one of his 'special friends,' I suggest you turn and walk away before she sees you." One of them, a young-ish guy with blonde hair, was the first and only one to speak.

"No, no, nothing like that. Can I go and see him or...?" Again, no answer. Ok, this is weird. "Ok, well... Is that his office?" I pointed at the small building next to the garages. Again, silence. Fine.

I started walking, but a few of the guys followed me and blocked my way.

"You really aren't listening, darlin'. Turn around and go home."

"My home is thousands of miles away. I'm going to speak to Ron Hale." I told them, standing up for myself, but when I went to step around them, I heard a clicking noise and looked down. While it wasn't pointed at me, One of them, an older guy with curly hair and a goatee, had a gun in his hand.

Shit.

These guys WERE dangerous.

"Look, I don't want any trouble. You can go and get him if you don't believe me." They obviously weren't going to take my word for it, so I did the only thing I could think of... I screamed, "RON?!!"

As soon as I did, a hand clamped down hard around my mouth and I was being pushed, shoved, and pulled back in the direction I came.

"What is going on out here?" I heard someone say. "Jesus Christ!" I looked up and saw both Ron and Jemma running towards me. They pushed their way into the group of men and pulled them away from me. "What the hell do you think y'all are doing?!"

When Ron started shouting, the guys seemed to back off. Jemma pulled me to her and asked if I was ok.

"She wouldn't say who she was, just that she was looking for you," the short, fat old one spoke for the first time.

"That's because it's none of your goddamn business who she is, but since y'all seem so damn curious, she's my daughter. Any of you lay a hand on her again, I'll kill ya." I noticed the shocked look on their faces, and both Jemma and Ron led me back to the office.

Well, that was a welcome and a half. I guess I was a big secret.

"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 giveaway." 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 moon, 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 apologize 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 traveling.

"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 rumors 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.