Home > Rex : Seattle

Rex : Seattle
Author: Hope Stone

One

 

 

Rex

 

 

The acrid smell of cigarette smoke assaulted me as I pushed open the door to the Blue Dog Saloon. There wasn’t a lot to do on this side of La Playa. Located in Southern California, La Playa was host to spectacular beaches and a vibrant tourist lifestyle. But that was on the coast. Those people unfortunate enough to live inland lived a lifestyle of poverty and violence.

I was lucky enough to be the first cousin to Ryder Hernandez, the president of the motorcycle club that ruled the area—Outlaw Souls. There was no question that once I came of age, I would join the Outlaw Souls as a patched member. So, that is what I did. I tied myself to this area and to my brothers with the strongest bond that existed. Only I knew how much those ties chafed.

Walking over to the bar, I nodded at Connie as she poured me a Washington Apple—my drink of choice. As she expertly mixed the concoction to perfection, I took a look at myself in the mirror behind the bar and suppressed a grimace.

My green eyes were shining in the dim lighting, enhanced by the black t-shirt I was wearing that showed off the thorn tattoo wrapping itself around my left bicep. It wasn’t my only tattoo. The other one was splayed across my chest. It was an intricate drawing of a skull that peeked out at my collar bone but was otherwise hidden under my shirt. My black hair was messy and wild. I had a nasty habit of running my hand through my curls and messing my hair up, and today my nerves were making me do it more than usual.

I was nervous about the meeting that was about to take place, but thankfully, it didn’t show. That was one thing I learned very early on in life—never let people see your emotions. A relaxed and confident stature would unnerve those who were trying to intimidate you and reassure those you were trying to help.

Sighing, I glanced at the door. Ryder was late. He was supposed to meet me here five minutes ago. It was unlike him to be late, although to be fair, his wife did just have a baby, and Ryder’s devotion to her and their new son was no secret in the club or the community.

As if my thoughts had conjured him, Ryder banged noisily through the door, stopping three feet inside and glancing around. His green eyes met mine, and he nodded before walking to his customary seat in the back of the bar.

Connie handed me my drink with a small smile, and I downed it in one gulp before pushing myself up and walking toward Ryder. Sliding into the seat across from him, I clasped his arm in greeting.

“How’s the baby?” I asked, meeting his gaze.

“Perfect,” Ryder answered, a small grin tugging at his mouth. “Just like his mother.”

I chuckled. Family life suited Ryder. And yet, anyone who thought he had gone soft from it would be making a terrible and final mistake. Ryder was more dangerous than he had ever been because now he had something to live for.

“What did you want to talk about, Rex?” Ryder asked, absently tapping his jade ring on the table.

I took a deep breath to give myself time to think.

“You know I love my brothers and the club,” I began, trying to ignore the tap, tap, tap of Ryder’s ring on the table. “I would do anything for you and the club, but well…” I paused, trying to find the right words.

“I hate La Playa,” I finally burst out. “There is nothing here for me. Nothing worth fighting for. I’d like to become a nomad for Outlaw souls.”

Ryder sighed and stopped tapping his ring on the table. He gave me a thoughtful look.

“Before Padre completely lost his mind,” he began, leaning closer, “he and I had discussed increasing the club’s territory.”

Padre had been the last president of Outlaw Souls. Several months back, he had started to lose his mind to Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, before anyone had completely caught on to his deteriorating mind, he had paid a visit to our rival gang, Las Balas, to kidnap Ryder’s sister, Lily. Padre had convinced himself that Ryder was stealing from the club and had wanted to scare him. But the president of Las Balas was not trustworthy at all and had tried to sell Lily and her friend Bailey to a sex trafficking ring. Ryder lost his shit and chased after the girls, saving them just in the nick of time. He also saved his wife, Paige, who had gone after the girls due to Bailey being her sister.

It had been a mess. Not long after Ryder took over the presidency and with the president of Las Balas on the run, Outlaw Souls became the leading club in the community. With all the confusion, club meetings had been about cleaning up and helping the community of La Playa heal from Las Balas and their disgusting practices. It was understandable that this would be the first any of us heard about expansion.

“I had no idea Padre was considering that,” I answered.

“Well, shit hit the fan before we could bring any of it up,” Ryder said, shrugging. He still hated talking about Padre.

“Where do you want to expand?” I asked, leading the conversation away from our old president and Ryder’s mentor.

“The northwest,” Ryder answered. “There is a…market…for vehicle parts and an opportunity to make some extra money. You still part of that band?”

“Uh, yeah,” I answered, taken aback at the swift change of subject.

“Good,” Ryder said. “If you can get your bandmates to agree to the Nomad life, I can send all of you up to Seattle to do business for the club. We have a contact up there that will be waiting for you. You think your band would do it?”

I thought for a moment before shrugging. “It is worth asking,” I answered.

Ryder smiled and nodded. “Let me know your answer after church in three days.”

I nodded, knowing that church meant our weekly club meeting on Sunday. Sighing, Ryder stood up, and nodding to Connie, left the way he had come. My mind was racing with excitement and worry. I hadn’t expected that talk to go so well. I was halfway out of this depressing town. All I needed to do was convince the rest of the band to come along with me. Stretching my arms over my head, I nodded to Connie before kicking my seat out and leaving the bar.

I knew exactly where to find all the members of my band, and I didn’t want to waste another second before asking them. My mind drifted to Seattle as I threw my leg over my bike and kicked it into a roar. It was time for my life to change. It was time for me to feel the freedom every biker was supposed to feel. It was time to get out of this hellhole town.

My bandmates and I rented out an old fire station to practice our music and hang out together. I would bet my bike that was where they were now. Turning down a particularly rough street, I made my way slowly toward the fire station, going over what I wanted to say to my mates. They just had to agree to come with me.

I locked my bike outside the big bay doors that once upon a time housed the giant fire engines. I could hear the slow and steady thrum of a bass guitar, so I knew that at least Coyote was here.

Christopher Johnson, known to the club as Coyote, was the best bass guitar player for miles. He was holed up here at the fire station while his mother’s newest boyfriend crashed at their trailer. He never really got along with his mother’s men since most were picked up at seedy bars and clubs, but this one was by far the worst. Not a member of any of the clubs around here, Steve was a real criminal and treated Coyote’s mother like shit. But she refused to get rid of him, so Coyote came here to stay at Ryder’s orders. Ryder didn’t have any use for Coyote if he was locked up for domestic violence or murder.

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