the butterflies in her stomach going wild as the bike vibrates between her legs.
She squeals as they take off, the cool wind blowing around her ponytail as she rests her face against his back.
Alia feels a roughness on her cheek and opens her eyes to look at the large embroidered patch on the back of Leon’s jacket.
“The Rebel Keepers…” She whispers to herself as she brushes her fingers over the block lettering, her eyes locked on the threaded skull. “Who are they?”
Chapter 6
She holds on tightly as Leon swerves back and forth over the pothole covered street, their momentum the only thing keeping them upright as the wind blows through their hair.
“Where are we going?” He asks, raising her voice over the noise as Leon turns onto a canopy covered street in an old neighbourhood.
“The club house.” He says, leaning his head back and turning his neck slightly to speak to her. “But don’t worry. Most of the guys should be gone by now.”
“The guys?” Alia asks, her stomach turning as Leon speeds up down the street.
“They won’t bother you.” He says, shifting gears and making the engine rumble as he slows in front of a little shack, parking his bike on the street.
Alia slides off of Leon’s bike, stepping down onto the sidewalk as he watches him kick down his kickstand before stepping onto the street.
She looks over to the house as she hears the rickety front door creek open and watches an old man with a long, grey beard step outside onto the front porch, his hand wrapped around a silver can of beer as he places a cigarette between his lips.
He looks over to them, nodding his head hello as he sits down on an orange and white canvas folding lawn chair before kicking his feet up and resting them on the rotting deck rails.
“Quiet night?” Leon calls as he steps up onto the sidewalk and walks up the crumbling front path to the porch.
“Marko is sleeping on the couch, so no.” The old, bearded man says as he takes a swig of his beer. “His snoring is loud as hell.”
“Anyone in the bedroom?” Leon asks, chuckling as he steps up on the step.
“Nah, all yours, I’m leavin’ soon. My old lady has shit for me to do in the morning.” The old man says, leaning his head against the paint chipped siding. “You kids have fun.”
Alia blushes nervously as the old man winks at her as she follows Leon up the porch. She hesitates as he opens up the front door, glancing over at the man’s sleeveless black shirt, her eyes trailing over the very same logo that’s embroidered on the back of Leon’s jacket.
“Have a good night, sweetheart.” She hears him say as they enter the house.
“Shhh….” Leon hushes, his eyes smiling as he turns around to bring his finger up to his mouth as he listens to the man on the couch. “Hopefully we won’t have to hear that all night…”
Alia giggles, covering her mouth as she follows Leon up a set of beige, carpeted stairs before reaching the second floor.
“A bedroom?” Alia says, squinting playfully as he pushes open a white painted door.
“Hey, we’re just relaxin’ not a big deal.” Leon says, smirking, as he steps inside the room before kicking his boots off into the corner.
Alia enters the room, walking over to the low sitting bed in the middle of the floor before sinking down onto the mattress. She turns towards Leon, watching as he slides off his leather jacket before tossing it to the ground to rest on top of his boots.
“What’s that patch mean?” Alia asks as she watches him turn around to face her as he pulls his shirt over his head, her breath hitching as she gazes over his tight, deeply defined abs, dark short hair trailing down the center of his V shaped Adonis belt, his jeans low on his waist. “The one on the back of your jacket. That man had the same picture on his shirt.”
“The