The Shadows

My brother, Matt, and his best buddy Ryan are frantically circling around me, creating a dizzying commotion. The sound of zippers zipping and items being tossed into bags echoes through the room as they hastily pack. I feel the rush of their energy as they buzz around me, and their eyes darting back and forth, scanning the room for any missed items. Lights above flicker, casting a strobe-like effect on the frenzied scene.

The sound of fabric rustling mixes with the clinking of metal zippers and the thud of items hitting the floor. I’m frozen to the spot. Simultaneously, the room feels alive with their frantic movements. The smell of sweat and adrenaline is overpowering, and I feel a sense of urgency and excitement in the air. My brother’s voice cuts through the chaos, vital and breathless, as he urges me to leave.

“Soph, we have to leave now,” his voice laced with worry.

“I’ll start the truck.” Ryan hauls a bag he has onto his shoulder.

With the painful memory of mom’s passing still fresh, dad has been doing his best to raise us. However, now we face a daunting challenge. Dad, an Enforcer for the Scorpion Riders MC, has been apprehended. The sound of police sirens fills the air as they leave, adding to the chaos of the moment. My heart is racing as I hurry to pack our belongings. My brother’s urgency is palpable as he urges me to move quickly, warning of the looming threat of the Shadows MC. “Hurry, Soph! We can’t afford to be caught in the crossfire. Dad needs us to get out of here now!”

He warned us if things went south, Matt was to get me out. I always played Ryan’s girlfriend when I was old enough, so other guys from my dad’s club didn’t hit on me. Ryan was like another brother than anything, we never were romantically involved, but with the club, dad knew exactly what the guys are like.

My heart races as I realize that my life here is over, just like that. I hastily gather the last of my belongings, not even bothering to shut the door behind me. In the distance, the roar of motorbikes grows louder, a warning that we need to hurry. As I step outside, I feel the heat of the sun beating down on my skin. With a sense of urgency, I toss my bag into the back of the truck and climb in. My brother is up front with Ryan driving; he floors it out of there.

With the heat of the sun, I wind my window down, and let the wind whip through my hair as the adrenaline courses through my veins.

We lived just outside of Colorado, but after a huge fight within The Scorpion Riders’ dad made us promise to get the hell out of here. Matt wouldn’t tell me the reasons, except that he was protecting me.

“Where are we going?” I tame a few of the wild strands blowing in the wind.

“I’ve got a rental in Bakersfield just outside of California.” Matt turns in his seat and smiles at me. “Dad, might be an Enforcer for The Scorpion Riders, but Ryan and I were planning on opening up a motorcycle mechanic’s garage from the cash that we had stashed away. We found a really nice place to rent.”

“You mean you were going to up and leave me?” I glare at him.

“For the past five years, we’ve been quietly investing money since mom passed away. Dad was always adamant about keeping you away from the Scorpions when you got older. It always made me feel uneasy, like danger was lurking around every corner with the other MC club encroaching in on the Scorpions. But we persevered, searching for the right place amid the chaos.” He chuckles as I pout.

I must have drifted off, because Ryan was gently shaking me awake. “Hey kitten, we’re here.”

I blink and rub my eyes. It’s already getting dark, but I end up gawking at the house in front of me.

“Wow, this place is amazing!” I hop out and go to where Matt is getting things out the back of the truck.

“Three bedrooms, so we don’t have to fight over them.” Matt kisses the top of my head.

I’m not asking questions when he got the place, but I can’t wait to get inside and check it out. We both grab some things and find Ryan already inside and taking bags upstairs.

“Bagsie, the one with the ensuite.” I yell as I run up the stairs.

Matt laughs and yells back that they all have ensuite bathrooms. The first room on the right is in a charcoal gray, so I skip along to the next room. It is plain white and fresh, so I claim it as mine. They all have double beds and this one has a small walk-in cupboard for clothes.

It is better than my old home. I help get more things in and sort my room out. It has been a long day and after the boys stop so we can make some sandwiches to eat.

“What is going to happen to dad?” I ask as they crack open a beer.

“The only thing I can say is that they set him up, nothing else. Our top priority is to get him out, but before that can happen, I had to get us out of there. If you had stayed any longer, the President of the Scorpion Riders would have arrived. You know their dislike for me not joining. Mom never wanted either of us getting mixed up. The only reason I got away with things was because I was their mechanic.” He glares at me, not to ask any more questions.

Matt has always looked after me, and I’ve never questioned why he has done things in the past. I clear up things and he comes into the kitchen after me.

“We are all stressed out and tired. Why don’t you head upstairs, get some sleep. Tomorrow is a new day, and we can go do some shopping and find out what this place is like.” He ruffles the top of my head and I bat his hand away.

I was only half tired, but thought I’d chill in bed and do some browsing on my phone. “Night you two. Love you both.”

After a warm hug, I climb the stairs and enter my bedroom, greeted by the soothing scent of lavender from my essential oil diffuser. It is a must have wherever I go. The sound of my brother and Ryan chatter and rustle through bags fills the air as they finish unpacking in the living room below. I slip out of my clothes and jump in the shower to wash away the days traveling. As I slip into my cozy pajamas and settle into my bed, the smooth sheets are cool against my skin, and let out a contented sigh as I settle into bed.

I flicked my light out, but something drew me over to the window, which was partially open. In darkness I part the curtains and find Matt out at the truck with Ryan.

“I really hope this place is far enough away from trouble.” Matt runs his fingers through his hair.

“You’ve not told Sophie yet, have you?” Ryan leans against the truck.

“No. She turns 21 soon, and I’m sure he already knows. I mean, dad went away trying to protect her, and she doesn’t know.” Matt pauses. “I was just hoping that we would be far enough away that he won’t be able to find us.”

“What are you going to do if he turns up here wanting what they agreed before she was even born?”

“I’ll deal with that when it happens. She’s not getting married off to some biker gang dude.” My brother huffs out.

What the fuck are they talking about? My nerves are a wreck now and I can’t get my head around what they just said. The two guys finished emptying the truck and they went inside with the last of the stuff. I stay at my window, needing air as this changes everything.

As a low hum grows louder, a pack of bikers roars down the road, their engines rumbling like thunder. The sound reverberates through my chest, making my heart race. The group slows down as they approach us, obviously to check out the newcomers in town.

But it’s the leader of the pack who captures my attention. He’s at the front, his face illuminated by a flickering street lamp. I feel my breath hitch as I take in his chiseled features and piercing blue eyes. As his gaze locks onto mine, I swear I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks.

As they ride off into the night, the sound of their bikes gradually fading away, I’m left with a sinking feeling in my stomach. This town is clearly not going to be an escape from the biker lifestyle, and I can’t help but wonder what kind of trouble lies ahead.