Renegade Riders:Forbidden Flame

3-Crow

As the clock ticked closer to midnight, the door to the bar swung open, letting in a gust of cool, salty air. A group of Serpents strutted in, their leather jackets glinting under the neon lights.

"Well, well, well," Rouger said, his eyes on the newcomers. "Looks like we've got ourselves a party."

A long-haired man walked over to the bar. "Crow in?" he asked, his voice a taunt. His gaze lingered on me.

"He's busy," Rouger growled.

The man leaned closer, his gaze still locked on me. "I think he'll make an exception for me." His voice was a sneer, and I could feel the malice rolling off him in waves. "Isn't that right, sweetheart?"

I stiffened, my grip on the bar tightening. "What do you want?" I ground out.

The Serpent gave a twisted smile. "Just passing along a message from Snake to you. He wants to know how your brother's doing."

I felt a cold fist clench in my stomach. "Tell him to leave my family alone," I spat.

The man's smile grew wider. "Oh, I will. But Snake's got a real soft spot for families, you see." Then, with a wink, he turned and left, the rest of his gang following him like shadows.

The bar erupted into chatter once again, but the mood had shifted. The Serpents had thrown down the gauntlet, and the Renegades were ready to pick it up.

I glanced at Rouger, seeing the tightness of his jaw "What the hell was that?" I whispered.

"A warning," he snarled.

The Serpents had made their point. They knew where to hit, and they weren't afraid to twist the knife. But I wasn't about to let fear rule me. Leo's life was on the line, and if that meant mixing it up with the enemy, then so be it.

"You okay?" Mel slid up beside me, her eyes on the retreating backs of the rival gang members.

"Yeah," I said, my voice tight. "Just pissed."

"They're just trying to get under your skin," she murmured, placing a comforting hand on my arm.

"It's working,” I admitted, then asked, "What the heck went down between Snake, Crow, and my dad?"

Mel sighed heavily and just shrugged.

"What could be so bad that it’s turned everyone into enemies?" I pressed, my curiosity piqued.

Mel leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Phoenix did something...something that betrayed the Serpents. And Snake's never forgotten—or forgiven. He’s formed a hatred for all of the Renegades."

“But, I don’t get it. Why would whatever Phoenix did, get everyone so riled up?” I questioned.

Mel looked at me, her eyes widening. “You don’t know who your dad was, do you?” she gasped.

I just gazed at her, confused.

“Honey, your dad was the son of the former Renegades president,” she stated.

The words hit me like a brick wall. The son of the president? That meant I was... “What are you saying?” I stuttered.

“You’re the heir, Oceano. And now you’re working in the heart of enemy territory,” she said, her voice filled with a mix of awe and concern.

The realization set my heart to racing, and suddenly the whispers and glances made sense. They weren’t just looking at the new girl; they were eyeing the daughter of a traitor, and possibly the new president of the Renegades, if I wanted to pick up the handle. But I had Leo to think about, so I shrugged it all off and focused on the task at hand. I had to keep working here, no matter what the cost.

The following nights at the bar grew more tense with every tick of the clock. The Renegades were on high alert, their eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of the Serpents. Crow remained stoic, but I could see the strain in his eyes, the lines around his mouth deeper than before. He was a man holding onto his empire by a thread, and that thread was me.

One evening, as I was stocking the fridge with beer, Crow called me into his office. The room was small, cluttered with files and photos of a life I didn’t know. A life with Mel, her mother, and a younger, less burdened version of Crow.

He closed the door, his eyes searching mine. “You need to be careful, Oceano. This isn’t a game."

“I can handle it,” I assured him, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice. But the truth was, I didn’t know if I could. The world of motorcycles and mayhem was as alien to me as a shark navigating a cornfield.

Crow leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “You’ve unknowingly stirred up a pit of vipers, literally.”

I felt a spark of anger. “My dad is dead, and so is whatever he did. I’m here for Leo, and that's it! I’m not here to become the new president of the Renegades!”

He nodded. “All right. But the past has a way of being resurrected, doesn’t it? Coming back when you least expect it.”

I took a deep breath, squaring my shoulders. “Look, Crow, I’m not afraid of Snake, or the Serpents. I’ll do what I have to for Leo.”

Crow’s expression softened, and for a moment, I saw a glimpse of the man beneath the leader. “You’re your father’s daughter, all right. Stubborn as a mule and just as fiery.”

The silence grew between us, filled with the unspoken understanding of the dance we were both performing. I was playing a dangerous game, but it was one I had to play. For Leo.

"I appreciate your concern," I began, my voice steady despite the turmoil in my chest. "But I've been taking care of Leo on my own just fine. This is just another hurdle."

Crow leaned forward, his elbows on the desk. "You're not on your own anymore, Oceano. You're part of the Renegades' family. Their president if you choose to be."

The words sent a warm rush through me, and I found myself smiling despite the gravity of the situation. "Thanks," I murmured, looking down at the worn floorboards. “But it’s not a position I want.

As the days turned into weeks, I became a permanent fixture at the Murder of Crows. The regulars grew accustomed to my sassy mouth and quick pour, and even the toughest Renegades started to see me as one of their own and not a threat to Crow’s leadership.

One night, as I was cleaning up after a particularly hectic shift, Crow's hand gently rested on my shoulder. "You're doing good, kid," he encouraged, his eyes reflecting a softness that was rarely seen. "Real good."

I nodded, swiping a strand of hair from my face. "Thanks, Crow."

He squeezed my shoulder, and for a moment, the weight of the world felt a little lighter.

But the reprieve was short-lived. The next day, as I was running errands for the bar, a shadow fell over me. I looked up to see Snake leaning against the alley wall, his serpentine smile spreading across his face.