Page 1 of Mercenary's Redemption

Chapter 1 - Holly

I stand outside the grimy door of the biker bar, my heart pounding like a jackhammer against my ribs. The neon "Open" sign buzzes and flickers, casting an eerie red glow over the cracked pavement.

I gaze at the rusty metal door covered in dents and peeled paint. Is this really where my son has been spending his nights?

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to block out the horrible scenarios playing through my mind. Drunken fights, drugs, gangs - the dangers seem endless.

I told Jayden, again and again, to stay away from here, that these bikers are nothing but trouble. But he never listens to me anymore, not since his father walked out on us years ago.

He craves the acceptance of those rough men and yearns for the family he lost. And I? I've failed miserably at keeping him from going down this risky path.

I draw in a shaky breath and clench my fists, mustering every ounce of courage. My son's well-being outweighs any apprehension I feel towards this sinister bar. I must go in there and drag him out, by force if necessary. Squaring my shoulders, I grasp the dented metal handle and pull…

A waft of stale beer and cigarette smoke hits me square in the face. I cough, waving a hand in front of my face as my eyes water.

The dim bar is packed with burly, leather-clad bikers. Loud rock music blares from a jukebox in the corner. Pool tables line one wall, where several bikers are gathered, slamming balls around and hooting.

My gaze darts around the cramped space, searching for any sign of Jayden. I spot him near the back with a couple of older, bearded bikers. A cold dread settles in my stomach as I watch him take a long drag from a cigarette and laugh at something one of the men says.

I march towards him, pushing through the crowd of tough bikers. A few of them leer at me, their eyes roaming in a way that makes my skin crawl. One biker lets out a low whistle as I pass. I hug my arms tighter around myself, keeping my head down.

Finally, I reach him and grab his shoulder, spinning him around to face me.

"Jayden Knox, just what do you think you're doing here?"

He blinks at me with bloodshot eyes, clearly drunk.

"Mom? Whaddya doin' here?" he slurs.

"What do you think you're doing here?" I hiss, giving his shoulder a hard shake. "Drinking? Smoking? With these...these people?"

Jayden scowls and shrugs off my grip.

"Relax, mom. I'm just hanging out with the guys." He gestures lazily to the two bikers beside him, who are eyeing me with raised eyebrows.

"Yeah, the kid's alright with us," one of them rumbles and takes a long drag from his cigarette. "Why don't you join us for a drink, sweetheart?"

My stomach turns at the leer in his eyes as he looks me over. I grab Jayden's arm and yank him off the barstool.

"We're leaving. Now."

"Aw, c'mon mom!" Jayden whines, stumbling drunkenly.

He tries to pull away, but I tighten my grip.

The other biker leans across the bar, eyes narrowed, "The kid wants to stay. Why don't you mind your own business?"

My heart is pounding in my ears as I glare at the two bikers. Part of me wants to shrink back under their intimidating gazes. But the bigger part, the mom part, stands my ground.

"He's sixteen years old!" I snap, pulling Jayden towards the exit. "So, unless you want the cops involved, back off!"

The two bikers burst out laughing.

"You hear that, Rog?" one of them sneers. "The little lady thinks she can just waltz in here and take our drinking buddy."

Rog shakes his head, still chuckling.

"I don't think so, sweetheart. The way I see it, your brat's old enough to make his own choices. And he chose to stay with us." He leans across the bar, cold eyes locking on mine. "So why don't you fuck off before you and your kid get your asses kicked?"

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