Chapter Three
The Harley growled along the road like a demonic hog as he parted the traffic. The wind against his skin and riding the monster between his legs was just the freedom he had craved, for almost seven years. He had missed his Harley almost as much as he missed his girl -- 'Don't think about Ellie!' he berated himself. That's why he was out here, dangerously riding alone without his club jacket or any of his brothers around him. She made him feel out of control and weak. He had struggled to resist urges he shouldn't even have. He needed a release.
Jarrod pulled his motorbike into a little pub just off the highway. He and the boys had often stopped here when he was just moving up the ranks, growing his reputation as he went. It had a nice old timer feel, with plenty of parking out the front for the bikes, a great jukebox and the regulars were all old bikkies who loved to share a tale or two.
He dropped his kicker, took off his old WWII helmet he wore when riding casually and slung his leg over the side of the bike. There were other bikes there but they were all Japanese shit. Jarrod grew concerned. Where were all the real bikes?
He strode towards the entrance of the bar, opened the door and ducked his head to enter. The bar was just how he remembered it. Plenty of old-time memorabilia of Sammy's time as a boxer and some of the other famous boxers in mid punch. The jukebox was there too and one table had a few truckies enjoying a meal while they played a game of pool on the well-worn billiards table. The only thing that dampened the feel was the overloud techno music thumping in the function room next door. But when he looked behind the bar, the music was instantly forgotten. The man himself was there - Sammy.
Sammy was chatting to a young buck, debating the chances the Saints had in the next game against the Demons when he saw Jarrod.
"Well fuck me dead! If it isn't young Jarrod Molloy!" He reached his age-spotted arm over the bench and Jarrod took it firm in greeting.
"Nice to see you again Sammy!" He smiled warmly at the old-timer.
"Ooww!" Sammy said, shaking his hand with a grin, "Shit, have you gotten stronger boy! You were already a gorilla! Now look at you"
"Turn it up, Sam!" Jarrod laughed finding a barstool.
"Sam. This is Bob. He's a Saints supporter but otherwise, he's a decent bloke"
Jarrod took his hand in greeting. "Bloody hell Sam! You weren't wrong about his grip either Sammy. Nice to meet you Jarrod" Bob chuckled.
"So, when did you get out Jarrod and where are the rest of the crew?" Sammy said, fishing out a glass, adding some ice and holding up a bottle of Bourbon.
Jarrod nodded, "Today. I haven't seen the boys yet. Tomorrow. Just wanted to see the girl first"
"Girl? Didn't she... Oh, you mean the LITTLE girl? How'd it go?" Sammy said while pouring.
"Not so little anymore Sam. That's why I'm here!" Jarrod grumbled
"Yes. I said earlier this year. Not little at all!" Bob stated somewhat sympathetically.
"I think I'm in trouble Sammy. Real trouble." and he downed the drink in one hit, tapping on it for a refill.
The music was suddenly pumped up further from within the adjoining function room. The whole bar felt like it was vibrating from the beats. Amidst the electronic noise, Jarrod could hear men yelling and singing shrilly.
"Fuck Sammy! What the hell is that?!" Jarrod yelled, pointing to the function room door and the lights playing across the frosted glass.
"That, my boy, is the Polar. A group of drugged-up kids playing at being a gang. They are here far too often for my liking and seem to be scaring off all my other clientele."
"They even took a shot at Sammy the other night for telling them it was closing time" Bob stated pointing towards the bruise beneath Sammy's eye and cutting on his lip.
"Not as tough as I once was Jarrod!" Sammy said sullenly.
"Those Fuckers!" Jarrod growled, looking towards the door.
As if on key, the music suddenly increased and Jarrod and the old-timers at the bar observed two girls slip through the function door and into the room. They stood arm in arm, high heels and clutch bags in hand, timidly looking around the bar as if expecting to be attacked at any second.
"It's all right girls. Come in. Would you like a drink?" Sammy called, waving them forward.
"Yes please", one of the girls managed to say in little more than a whisper.
Sammy raised his eyebrow at Jarrod as the girls approached slowly. "Do you have any mixed drinks?" Sammy nodded and brought a few out for them to choose from.
Jarrod had a better look at the girls. One had long red hair with her fringe plaited. She wore a tight blue, low cut top that revealed plenty of cleavage. She wore tight skinny black jeans and smiled shyly at him revealing light green eyes. The other girl was Asian with long dark hair that she wore in two long plaits. She wore a white top that left her midriff bare revealing a lovely flat stomach and a belly button ring. She wore a tiny little black skirt that clung to her pouted ass pleasingly. Perhaps tonight these girls would be just what he needed...
The girls began to search for their purses from their tiny handbags to pay for the drinks.
"I'll pay for them Nikki" Jarrod pipped in. Nikki gave him the thumbs up and a cheeky wink and then busily occupied himself at the other end of the bar, signalling Bob to follow.
