Chapter 73

Origins of the Renegades

Ace and Raider met in basic training. They trained together and fought together. They became best friends and even stuck together after they got out of the service. When they got home they tried to figure out the next step with their lives. Neither had family waiting on them. Ace’s dad died just before he joined the service.His mom died when he was a kid.Raider was raised in foster care and aged out of the system so he had no one waiting on him.

They couldn’t stand the thought of working a nine to five job with suits and button down shirts. They stuck together through odd jobs in construction, and auto shops. They were good at their jobs but it isn’t what they wanted to do for the rest of their lives. They rode their bikes around the country doing odd jobs looking for a place to settle. Finally one night while sitting in a dingy bar have a few beers after work. “ I’m tired of moving all the time. And working for other people.” Raider said. “ What do you want to do then? We haven’t found a place to settle that felt right.” Ace said.

“ So how about we do what we have been talking about since basic. We open a garage and a club for people like us. We pick a spot that feels good and lay down roots.” Raider said. “ Yea. That is a good idea. But where.?” Ace asked. “ We will know when we find it.” Raider said. They made plans and set out, finally landing in a small town in Minnesota. As they went they came across several people like them. Looking for a place that accepted them. They were all a little rough around the edges but overall good guys.A few followed them to Minnesota to be part of Ace and Raiders dream. The town wasn’t much but they liked it. It had a diner, ice rink, several stores, a library, an old warehouse that had seen better days. What it didn’t have was an auto shop.

After a group discussion they decided this is where they would settle. They pooled their money and bought the warehouse. They completely renovated it and turned it into their clubhouse. They did auto repairs out of it until they could save up the money to build a bigger garage away from the clubhouse. As they built the club up and gained a reputation they took on some jobs that were risky but the money was good. They transported guns and provided security for some people that ran drugs. They even helped sell some lower level drugs to earn money. They didn’t want to do it forever, they wanted more legit business, but it brought money in. That was enough for now.

As they got bigger they brought in more members. Some didn’t stay long. Free pussy came to them. So they took on the skanks. They took care of them and they took care of the brothers. Even though they were a biker club they had a strict code of conduct. Rule one: Never hit a woman. Rule two: If you claim a woman you never disrespect or cheat on her. You put her above all overs. Rule three: We don’t deal in trafficking. If you do, you are out and we turn your ass over to the cops to deal with. Rule four: Ol’e ladies are off limits. Rule Five: What happens in the club stays in the club. Rule six: we don’t tolerate sexual assulat. No means No. Even with the skanks. If we find out you will be lucky to make it out of here alive. Rule seven: We protect our town. Rule eight: Always have your brothers six. Rule nine: Family first. Rule ten: don’t steal from the club.

Over time more rules were added as things came up but the original ten could not be broken. Once the auto shop was up and running they slowly added other business. A tattoo shop, a dispency when majiuanan became legal and a small strip club on the outskirts of town. Before they knew it the club had over one hundred members and were making alliances with clubs in neighboring towns to keep the towns safe from drugs, and guns. Life was good for the club. Ace and Raider were proud of what they built.

Five years after the club started Raider started seeing a woman named Stefani . They were together six months when she told him she was pregnant. He stepped up to be there for his kid. He moved Stefani in with him. The birth of his son Ethan was the greatest day of his life. But life wasn’t easy. He had to balance his girlfriend, son and club. And it caused problems. Stefani wanted Raider to claim and marry her. Raider wouldn’t. He cared for Stefani but didn’t love her. And he would only claim someone he loved. And that pissed Stefani off. It was one of their biggest fights. They did their best to keep it from Ethan and never fought in front of him.

Unfortunately Stefani died from a stroke when Ethan was six. It was sudden and it was hard on Ethan and Raider. He was now a single father and didn’t know much about raising kids. He did have many positive father figures in his life. Ace and his club stepped up to help. A few ol’e ladies stepped up to watch Ethan when Raider had to work or do things for the club. But Raider knew Ethan needed someone consistent in his life so he hired a nanny for Ethan. That is when Anna came into their lives. She was exactly what Ethan needed and as it turned out the club.

Anna didn’t care that they were rough bikers and could sometimes be scary. She didn’t get into their business. As long as they treated her with respect she was fine. She adored Ethan and the other kids that came along. She became friends with everyone but was closer with Ace and Raider. Especially Raider. They were each other's best friend and confidant. As the years went on they developed a friends with benefits relationship but nothing more. They did love each other just not enough to get married. They like what they have. Ethan was raised by the club for the most part. You know how they say it takes a village. The club was there for all the kids. Birthday parties, games, school plays, graduations, all of it. They shielded the kids from most of the club things like the late night parties and their illegal ventures. That is until they were in their late teens. They didn’t just sit them down and tell them but if a kid asked they told them truthfully.

Raider was grateful to his club for having his back. He didn’t think he would have been able to raise Ethan on his own. Turns out he didn’t have to. Things were going well in all their lives. Their business was doing well and was profitable. The kids were happy and growing like crazy. The town had mixed emotions towards them. Some were terrified of them so respected them. They knew the Renegades helped keep the town safe. They kept rival clubs from trying to take over and bring their shit in. The renegades wanted to keep this town safe. Where you could let your kids play outside without worries. Where they could walk down the street with no worries. They wanted the town to be a good place to raise a family. Not just theirs but for other families too.

They didn’t want crackheads and guns running through. When the Renegades did help out with stuff like that they kept it as far away from town as possible. And they did a good job at it. One day a letter arrived for Raider turning his life upside down. The letter was simple. He has a daughter. Merigold Raider Stevens. And a picture but nothing else. Raider had a fling with Crystal a year ago. She was an easy piece of ass. She wanted to fuck a biker. Saw it as exciting. When Raider found out she was married he dropped her. He didn’t fuck around with taken women. He thought that was the end of it. Until he looked at his daughter’s face.

With the help of his brothers he set out to find his little girl. No one was going to keep his kid from him. She deserved to know her family. They didn’t have much to go on but her date of birth and the return address on the envelope. But that didn’t stop him from trying. He tried searching on his own but didn’t get anywhere. He even went as far as going to the address. They weren’t there anymore. Raider finally decided he needed more experienced help and hired a lawyer and private investigator.

Raider told Ethan about his sister and when Ethan got old enough he did what he could to help find her. Ethan wanted to meet his sister just as bad as Raider did. Seriously what kind of person tells you that you have a kid, sends a picture but nothing else. Was she trying to torment Raider? Why would she keep her child from her father? That was all kinds of wrong. Raider often wondered if Merigold knew about him. Did Crystal tell her about him? And if she did what did Crystal tell her? Raider and Ethan wondered what kind of childhood Merigold had. Was she happy? Was she safe? Did she have friends? Did she go to school? Did she have hobbies? They even wanted to know her favorite color. Everything they can about her.

Who does she look like? Does she have any of Raider’s features? Each year on her birthday he puts money into an account he set up for her. He also sends up a silent prayer that he will meet her soon and says that he loves her. He keeps her picture in his wallet so she is always with him.