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[jarlet-blog1]

35. Neither Here Nor There ~ by Scarlet

The brightness of the light that shone down over her confused Scarlet. She hadn’t connected that her dead father was kneeling over her body with her very alive ol’ man. Taking his hand she sat up, moving to her feet with her dark eyes locked on Otto. Questions ran in circles in her mind but she couldn’t find her words. Otto only smiled, letting her take her time. She turned back to where she had laid moments ago to see her body covered in blood, limply cradled into Jax���s chest as he weeped for her to stay. The entire scene played out in real time before her. With a quick shake of her head she turned yet again to face Otto to ask him what was happening to her but she lost her breath. Securely wrapped in his arms was a small baby boy; Otto held him with pride giving Scarlet a nod to come closer. She was torn, the bond she felt for the small child was overwhelming but the love she held for Jax was deeply rooted. All she could do was cry out for help. “Please help me! I don’t understand what is happening to me!” Chibs had ran right past her, he didn’t hear a word she said. Actually no one did, everyone hovered over her lifeless body as she stood watching trying to get the attention of just one of them.

“Sweetheart, I need you to come with me now. I need you to trust me. Cain needs you.” The sound of his name pulled at her heart. Scarlet shook her head by the mention of his name. She and Jax had found out the sex of the baby a few days ago but wanted to keep it a secret until he was born. His name was picked out by the by the couple as something only they shared together until it was time to welcome him to the world. The experience she was having with Otto seemingly having all the information she had shared with him while talking to his urn twisted her emotions. Did Otto really hear her? Would Jax be upset she shared the happy news with her dead father? Would she ever be able to tell Jax this unreal event had taken place. These were the questions she asked herself as her hand laid to grasp her rounded belly but all she touched was air. Glancing down her eyes widened in horror, still confused by the situation. “Everything is going to be alright, baby girl.” Otto again cooed to her, holding the child.

“I can’t..I don’t want to die. We can’t be dead.” She whimpered, walking over to her father calmly, taking the perfect child from him. Her eyes scanned her son for wounds but she quickly realized that he was full term. He was perfect and most importantly he seemed unharmed. Blonde like his Daddy. Cain’s eyes opened to her touch, flashing a smile that reminded her of Jax. “He is okay.” She spoke softly with Otto proudly standing behind her shoulder, gazing down at the little piece of her she held protectively in her arms.

“He is going to be fine, just like you are. Now come on. I want to talk to you for a minute. We don’t have much time.” When her eyes lifted up to find Otto she realized she was no longer at Teller-Morrow. She stood in the place Jax had taken her on their first ride. With her son still securely in her arms she began walking down the path nervously not seeing Otto. The memory she had of Jax leading her down the same path made a smile break through. It was their first raw moment together. The first time she saw the real Jax. Even if he only showed it for a moment.

Otto stood at the entrance with a smile, his arms crossed over his chest like he was watching his favorite movie. When Scarlet and her son made their way to him she saw Jax and her walking through the cave. She remembered the moment so clearly, each word spoken between the two. “Man oh man babydoll, when I first realized you went to Jax for help I about shit myself. I wanted to yell for you to stop. I knew when you found out the truth about my death it would destroy you. And if anyone was going to find it out for you it would be Jax. But then this moment. God this moment right here. I knew you would be in good hands as much as I wanted to punch the little shit.”

She looked to her father surprised until he nodded to the memory playing. She watched herself graze her fingertips over the carved words left behind by her old man, she solemnly read out the words. The memory paused mid sentence and Otto began walking into the

double sided cave. “Yup, this was it.” He began taking a few more steps closer. “He didn’t know it, you didn’t want it. But this moment I knew I may have failed you as your father but Jackson would love you until his last breath. I knew that look.” Otto said, taking in a breath as he observed Jax a little closer. She realized the sorrow in his tone, the sadness in his eyes. “That was the very look I had for my Luann. God, did I love her. This was the moment love was seeded. This was the moment that at the same time would lead to what has happened.”

Scarlet smiled, wanting to reach out and touch Jax but her hand waved through. She looked down at her sleeping child again torn between the two, choosing to turn away holding her son a little tightly to her. “What do you mean it led to this?” She questioned, following Otto out of the cave, her eyes falling to the baby in her arms who she swore was a perfect mixture of herself and his father.

“You hate yourself for my falling but you need to know that my death was coming. One way or another, sweetheart, I knew it was coming. It was why I gave you my secrets. It was why I made sure every visit to tell you how much I loved you. I know about Chris and I know what he did to you as well as what you did to him. My blood is not on your hands. Yes, Andy set it in motion because of what you did, but I couldn’t be prouder. You are strong and you did what had to be done only you shouldn’t have had to been the one to do it. When I was dying I smiled because the last thing I heard was your name, the last face I saw was yours. Your happiness is mine then and especially now.” Scarlet’s tears came out of nowhere. She sniffled listening to her father speak but it was not pain, it was relief. To hear him tell her he was okay, not angry with her, was everything she needed to hear.  

Cain looked up at his mother wiggling in her arms in what came off as a playful manner, catching her attention away from Otto. His eyes were crystal blue like Jax, the little bit of hair he had was a blonde again like his father, but his smile, that was breathtaking was just like Scarlet. It was that moment she knew she couldn’t be without him. Jax is the love of her life but their son needed her. Jax would have to understand that whatever the outcome of this strange experience was Scarlet needed to be with her Son.

“The moment I saw you changed my life, unfortunately for you it was already too late.” The tone in Otto’s voice shifted from pride to sufferance. Scarlet looked up to see they had been now standing in the hospital. Otto put a hand over the glass that looked into the nursery. Walking up next to him she saw her small clear cradle marked, Baby Girl Delaney. She gasped, having never seen herself as an infant. Joanna was never one to take pictures leaving Scarlet’s childhood unmarked. Which may have been for the best.

She watched Otto’s eyes staying locked on the infant girl who was a stunning split image of the child she now held in her arms. “I look like Cain,” She muttered, walking closer. Otto’s head dropped in a nod before he turned to face her.

“You wouldn’t believe the shock I felt first seeing my grandson. Scarlet, you are my daughter. But this little guy here, he is /your/ son.” Otto chuckled, tickling the side of Cain’s neck for a moment. “It seems your whole life I watched you behind glass. I always wanted to be there for you but the life I lived I was in too deep. I couldn’t save you from your mother, from Chris and now Andy.” Otto paused, giving Scarlet a small smile, putting a careful hand over Cain’s head. “I will make sure he has the perfect life. I will never leave his side. He will have everything you have dreamed of for him.”  

Scarlet smiled, assuming Otto meant he would be watching over them. She leaned against her father. The first real physical contact as father and daughter as she ever had. His arms wrapped around her shoulder, both watching Cain wiggling and cooing in her arms. The moment seemed to last a lifetime. Scarlet felt at peace; if that moment stood still she wouldn’t mind.  

That moment did not stand still however. Scarlet felt a dual pain come to life from her shoulder at first, lifting her head she tucked her chin in looking for a reason to be feeling the pain. I large breath was drawn in by Otto who reached out for Cain as the pain became increasingly intense joined by a sharp pain in her stomach that seemed to be ripped open. “DADDY?” She cried out feeling the warm liquid seep from the wounds. Otto took Cain from her who began to cry.

“It’s okay, you will be okay. Our time together is up. I am so sorry sweetheart just know you will be okay in the end..” A rush of confusion jolted through her. Looking down she was now standing in a pile of dark crimson blood. She looked to Otto as if he betrayed her, quickly her arms reached out for Cain but she was torn away in a swirl of pain, sucked back into the black emptiness.

Screaming out for her son Scarlet gasped for air, her eyes fluttering open to be blinded by bright hospital lights. “Shhh baby I am here, you are going to be fine. Please try not to move to much” Jax was hovering over her with swollen red eyes pleading with her. His hand carefully caressing the side of her face, his eyes swelled with tears, shaking his head trying to fight it off. “Christ I thought I would never see those gorgeous eyes again.” He placed kisses over her palm, careful not to touch the IV that was taped down to her hand.

Scarlet groaned, feeling the throbbing pain her body was encountering but something felt very different even with the pain. She tried to sit up to look at her belly but the pain forced her back to laying down, crying out in anguish. “Baby are you in pain?” He didn’t wait for an answer before he turned to Gemma. “Get a nurse, mom.”

Gemma looked at Scarlet in sorrow as she nodded, walking out. Scarlet's eyes searched Jax’s, a rush of emotion ripped through her. “Cain?” She mumbled, her hand reach for her bump coming up empty. Gritting her teeth she forced herself to sit up. Jax helped her up seeing she was about to lose all self control, something he couldn’t have her do in the state she was in.

For the first time in his life Jax felt helpless. With the the events from earlier that unfolded before him he couldn’t control the outcome like he was used to. It was his normalcy to take control with what was thrown in front of him. “Baby, please calm down. You are in bad shape, you need to stay calm or you will hurt yourself.” His eyes flashed to the door, praying the nurse or doctor would come in with Gemma soon.

Her eyes found his, he could see she was in not only physical pain but emotional. Jax sucked in a breath before forcing the words out. “Cain is here. He is with doctors. They are looking after him.” Trying to reassure her as the doctor ran in with Gemma. He began to check her vitals but she had demanded to see her son.

“Ms. Delaney we need you to lay back down. Nurse, she tore her stitches.” The nurse came over with a morphine drip to refill Scarlet’s IV and then began to overlook the several wounds over Scarlet’s body. Scarlet noticed Jax tears and finally laid back, looking to him. Her smaller hand reached out for his larger one which Jax took without hesitation. Her breathing was heavy with panic. She didn’t realize how critical of a state she was in.

“Cain is really here? I want to see him! Jax bring him to me?” She questioned, needing to hear it again. She again sat up, tearing more of her stitches from her critical surgery. Ignoring the pain she tried to look for her son.  Scarlet began to mumble, her eyes growing heavy.

Jax nodded with a half smile, fighting back the boulder sized tears. “He is here, baby. Cain’s here. You need to relax. You need to be stronger. Please.” Jax cleared his throat, begging her to not question him any further, not ready to explain to her the full situation when the monitors began to go off and Scarlet’s eyes once again fell closed.

More nurses and doctors rushed in while monitors beeped and people started yelling out.  “She is crashing! We need a crash cart in here! ” Someone yelled while an alert was sent over the P.A system. “Code. Blue. Room 223A Code. Blue Room 223A Code. Blue Room 223A...” Jax was pushed out the room though he tried to fight back to get to her.

“She needs me! I need her! I’m not leaving her!!” He screamed, fighting back against three nurses. Chibs, Hap and Tig all grabbed, fighting to pull him back. “Scarlet I love you! Don’t you dare leave me!!”

Tig looked back and saw the heart rate monitor flatline as the door slammed shut but he neglected to relay that info to his brother and his friend. Jax fell to his knees, collapsing to the floor as his palms found his face as he wept. The three brothers who had become strong male figures in Scarlet’s life tried without success to keep Jax to his feet. They held onto one another for support, trying to stay strong for Jax and each other but also feeling the heart breaking lost for their biker queen.

[jarlet-blog1]

34. Blue Angel ~ by Jax

The air around the broken down shell of a man was a flurry of activity yet his senses could not see nor hear anything except for what was right in front of him. The droplets of warm, salty tears fell at a steady pace from his whiskered cheeks as the wounds he was experiencing through her was ripping through his chest. He had not been penetrated by a bullet but he wished he would have been, prayed without words for the man upstairs to take him before he’d take what was laying in that pool of dark blood on the pavement in the middle of Teller-Morrow. Instead the pain he was enduring within himself was much worse. He held onto the only woman he could totally admit to himself that he loved with his entire being and she was now lying in his arms dying. If he lost her, he would not only lose the woman he adored but possibly the frail life she carried inside her. The massive amount of blood seeped from her extensive wounds and despite his efforts to stop them Jax knew he couldn’t. He was beyond helpless. For the first time in Jackson Teller’s life he didn’t have an answer for the problem he was now undoubtedly facing. All the shit he had experienced in his fucked up outlaw life he never once considered this could happen. Not to his ol’ lady. Not to the woman he someday wanted to once again take the plunge and marry. Even when he should have expected this kind of outcome for his family, he didn’t.

“Scarlet…” He whispered as his head fell against hers just after her empty eyes closed for the final time. Moments before her lids fell shut Jax felt an eerie chill pass over him. His palm clutched around the side of her head, burying his fingers into the long, caramel hair that flowed down over the forearm he was supporting her with. His hand shook, his fingers tightening around the strands he held tightly as he cried against her. “...please don’t go..”

________

“Shite!” Chibs yelled out as the scene in front of him unfolded. Everything stood still; the world was on pause for him and the men that surrounded him. His president’s ol’ lady gunned down on their own turf. How could they not have seen that shit coming? But as in a multitude of times prior they hadn’t and shit was once again crumbling around them in a matter of seconds.

Chibs quickly looked to the right, catching glimpse of Unser getting Abel to the ground, protecting Jax’s son as if he were his own grandson. He looked to the right; Juice, Tig and Hap rushing to the son of a bitch who fired the deadly shots. Then he looked straight ahead. There he saw the true magnitude of the situation. His brother, the man he almost looked at as a son, crumpled in a heap on the asphalt holding the woman he loved while she clung to life. Yet he was frozen to the spot he stood, unable to determine his place of greater need. Abel? The shooter? Jax and Scarlet?

After what had seemed like hours, the Scot finally was able to focus and realize everything had just happened in a rush of a few mere moments. The answer then became perfectly clear to him. Jax was the number one priority, for the good of the club, the life and the man, he was the obvious choice to Chibs.

__________

“Scarlet!” The dark crimson splattered onto Gemma’s face as the ear shattering eruption rang out, hitting its intended target. Gasping in fear, the matriarch struggled to come to grips with the situation unfolding around her, fighting the urges to panic. Thankfully, in some ways, she was unfortunately used to seeing people wounded in front of her; it wasn’t the first time and she was sure it wouldn’t be the last.

“Get an ambulance. Hurry!” Gemma screamed at the croeater that was crouched behind her, trying to protect herself from any further stray bullets. Making a quick bolt for the clubhouse, she disappeared to get the help needed to save Scarlet and her unborn baby.

The sight of her son weeping openly as he held Scarlet in his arms, clutching her seemingly lifeless body to his chest broke Gemma’s heart. He truly loved her; the son that had grown into a man that had a cold, dark and dreary heart just as hers truly loved Otto’s daughter more than life itself. Her aged hand covered her mouth as Gemma moved next to her son, wrapping a loving arm around his shoulders to comfort him in some small, meaningful way. She knew if Jackson were to lose Scarlet or the baby he hadn’t realized he wanted, she was afraid her son would once again fall further into a pit of darkness, but this time he may not recover.

_____________

“You son of a bitch!” The only words that left the Sgt at Arms, Happy, as his eyes darted to the direction in which the bullets were released from the barrel of a weapon. With not an ounce of hesitation the tattooed biker had Andy Avery tackled to the ground, the Smith & Wesson drifting across the blackened asphalt. Happy crouched over Avery and slammed his clenched fist hard into his jaw; once, twice, again. Blood poured from his busted lip and from his left nostril but the Sgt. didn’t stop. He was close to Scarlet, he loved her like a sister and to know she might have been now living her last moments in this life infuriated him into a madness he didn’t know he could yield. Only when Quinn and Bobby had forced him, pulling him back and holding him off the asshole that might have just taken two lives. Juice and Rat yanked the motherfucker off the ground, blood covering the front of his once clean tshirt as he stumbled to his feet.

“Keep that motherfucker bound and alive. We ain’t fuckin done…” Tig shouted, pointing a finger in the face of the shooter before running off to assist Jax and Scarlet in any way he could.

________________

The distant sound of sirens pierced Jax’s sense of hearing as he held Scarlet tight against his leather. The leather was the reason he was holding the woman he loved in his embrace as she bled out in the parking lot of the place they called their second home. The kutte he wore proudly on his back since he was eighteen would be a constant reminder of all that he had lost and was once again losing. What they all had lost. The death and the wreckage, the damage done by every decision the club made, every decision /he/ made. So many brothers fallen for the love of the brotherhood his fathe, JT, had created. And here laid one, possibly two more victims of the life they all chose to embark in. As he cried streaming tears, Jax’s mind rolled through all the times he considered leaving the Sons. No matter how bad things got there was always an excuse, a reason he couldn’t take his family and go. And now, laying on the ground in the middle of Teller-Morrow that was all he wished for. That he had taken Scarlett and Abel and got the fuck out of Charming. Now it was too late.

“Mr. Teller?” A strange voice flowed into his ears but he ignored it until he heard the familiar voice of his mother.

“Baby, let them help Scarlet.” Jax’s mother was carefully pulling at his arm, urging him to uncoil them from around his ol’ lady, allowing the paramedics to do what they were meant to do. Barely getting to his feet, Jax watched on as they quickly covered the gun shot wounds, took her vitals and loaded her onto the stretcher. Time was of the essence but Jax feared it was already too late. If he didn’t know better he would swear Scarlet’s soul left her body as he clung to her in an attempt to save her prior to the medics’ arrival. The last time he saw her pale blue eyes before they took a permanently closed state he could have swore she looked past him, hell even right through him to something he didn’t know was there. He already felt a sense of emptiness and loss but he hoped it was just because of the moment. Pushing away from Gemma as they loaded Scarlet’s still body into the back he attempted to get in with her only to be given a red light.

“We’re sorry Mr. Teller, but we need all the space we can get in here...if you want us to try and save her.” The short, brunette that Jax didn’t know relayed her message in a tone that was almost pleading for him not to object and make a scene. As much as he wanted to tell them to fuck off for denying him he knew he needed to not be a selfish asshole and let them try to save his ol’ lady. Wiping his swollen eyes with the heel of his hand, swallowing back the large lump lodged in his throat he made the decision to step back from the emergency vehicle as they quickly closed the doors. With sirens blaring and lights flashing, the woman that meant everything to him was gone. Whether he would see her again with a beating heart or a still one he just didn’t know.

[jarlet-blog1]

33. Kiss of Revenge ~ by Jax & Scarlet

Jax

The usual scent of oil and grease tickled the senses of Jax Teller as he knelt down beside the old Honda CT90, now laying in pieces, parts laid precisely out on the tool bench next to where he was working. Reaching for the impact wrench to loosen the screw locked on the aluminum crankcase, a steady stream of grey smoke billowed from his nose after inhaling a drag from the cigarette resting between the corner of his lips. His days usually left little time for actual ‘mechanic’ work so when shit was quiet Jax took advantage of the downtime and put his mechanic knowledge to use.

“Hey baby..” The biker lifted his head, a few lone strands of blond hair falling down over one eye as he looked up to find his mother hovering over him, hands perched on her hips perfectly, shifting her stance as she stood there waiting for Jax to obviously pay attention to her.

“Mornin’ ma. Ya need something?” He stood upright, placing the wrench back in its place before wringing an already dirty rag around his grease covered hands.

“Scarlet come over here with you? I want to talk to her about something.” Gemma stepped in, brushing a kiss over Jax’s rough cheek.

“Yeah, she’s in the clubhouse.” His brow lifted in obvious curiosity. When he mother wanted to talk about ‘something’ it was usually never good. “I mean it mom, no getting shit riled up. I’m just getting her settled after the shit that went down with the DA. I don’t need her wound up again. I mean it.”

“I swear baby. Just want to see how’s she’s doing...and maybe talk to her about a little party? Baby shower kinda party.” Gemma batted her lashes as if to gain her son’s approval.

A heavy sigh left Jax as he tossed the tattered rag back to the tool box. A baby shower wasn’t really something he considered a good idea, fuck knows they still had all the baby shit from Abel in the storage unit. His blue eyes lifted to meet his mother’s, his face expressionless.

“Ma, I don’t think…”

Gemma raised her hand in an attempt to stop her son from saying no.

“Jackson, that girl deserves some good in her life right now. Don’t tell me you don’t want that for her.” Shifting her stance Gemma continued to look at Jax causing him to release a half frustrated sigh.

“Fine. Plan a party. Keep it small. I mean it. But /only/ if Scarlet wants one.” Turning away from her he slipped over to the workbench, stubbing his finished smoke out in the overflowing ashtray as his mother sashayed her way back to the office, allowing him time to get back to what he was doing in peace.

[30 minutes later]

The high pitch squeal on the other side of the lot caught Jax’s attention as he tightened the last of the bolts on the old bike. His head lifted, watching his only son kicking his feet happily on the swingset with Unser. The last few months had been an adjustment for Abel as it had been for himself. He worried about his son becoming twisted up inside, not understanding the whys of the things that happened in their world. The young version of himself had experienced the sense of loss more than any boy his age should and it bothered Jax, ate him up inside. It was the sole reason for the thoughts that often invaded his mind about leaving the club behind. That option showed itself more and more the last few weeks, especially as the pregnancy became more real for him. He not only had one child to be responsible for but in a few short months he would have two and that scared Jax, more than he let on. He had tried to compile an exit strategy but anything he came up with just wasn’t an option. He knew nothing more than how to be an outlaw and that could very well cause his children to eventually live with the same turmoil and heartbreak he lived with everyday. He didn’t want that for them but he also didn’t know how to stop it. Maybe someday he would find a way, today, however, wasn’t that day.

Jax grabbed the carbon paper from the clipboard that corresponded with the bike he had just been working on. Filling in some part numbers and a little bit of time for labour he strolled up the step to the door that connected the office to the garage of Teller-Morrow. Finding the space empty he laid the paperwork in the top file on his mother’s desk. His mind drifted back to his mother’s earlier suggestion. Gemma was right, Scarlet deserved some good in her life, something to put a smile on her face. The pregnancy had been a shock to the both of them and it was in no way planned and even though Jax was still apprehensive about bringing another life into his world of chaos at the same time he embraced it. Jax Teller might be a criminal and an outlaw but when he loves he loves deep and there is none deeper than the love for his children. The only thing that could even come close to matching it was his growing love for Scarlet.

“Jackie!” The biker prez was pulled from his thoughts when he heard his mc brother call out from the garage for him. Taking a few quick steps he joined the others in the open bays, a wide grin consuming his featured when he is offered a cold pint of beer and a freshly rolled joint.

“Five o’clock somewhere brotha.” Chibs winked, tossing back a generous gulp of the cold ale.

“Damn right.” Happy added, leaning himself back against one of the tool benches covered with engine parts from an old Chev that they were working on as he chugged his own bottle.

“Speaking of, we still got that buy goin’ down with Cacuzza at five, Jax?” The scruffy haired biker, Tig picked up one of the many bottles of beer that Chucky had obviously delivered from the clubhouse.

“Yeah, the day’s pretty clear till then boys. Was thinking I’ll probably take Scarlet and Abel out for a little family time before we head out. Think they could both use it.” With a slight shrug he patted down the ass pocket of his carpenter jeans, pulling free his zippo before lifting the flame to the end of the blunt perched between his dry lips.

“She’s turnin’ you right into a domesticated family man, boy.” Bobby teased, placing his brown bottle on the tool bench behind him, a deep chuckle rumbling from deep within.

“Fuck you Munson.” Jax’s own laugh broke out causing much of the same from the other guys. The laughter concealed the awareness that a vehicle had rolled into TM, almost right up to the open bay doors before Juice brought their attention to it. Just another piece of shit needing to be repaired.

Jax tapped out the cherry of his half smoked joint as the stranger stepped out of the rusty shitbox. Man, if he was hoping for that hunk of shit to be restored he needed a lot more than a few mediocre mechanics like them. Strutting out to get the details of what the guy was needing, Jax approached him, the sudden feeling when he got close that he knew the man standing only a few feet away, but from where he just couldn’t pinpoint it. Fuck, could have been anywhere in the past. After all, they deal with a lot of shit on any given day.

“Hey man, got some trouble with this ol’ beauty?” Jax dragged his fingertips over the hood of the ‘64 camaro. It could be a mint machine with a bit of TLC and a whole lot of labour. The owner didn’t look like he was made of money though; an everyday guy, jeans, tshirt...just an average Joe.

“Yeah, the old girl needs a good tune up. Just rolled into town and was told this was the spot to help make her purr again.” The dark haired stranger’s eyes moved from Jax to Chibs as the Scot stepped in behind his President.  Jax didn’t see it but Chibs’ mind was overhauling the image of the man before them as well, as if he had also recognized him from somewhere.

“Ya come to the right place man. Lemme grab a work order and get some info.” Usually Gemma did anything that had to do with the office shit but Jax assumed she had already set off to discuss baby shower plans with his ol’ lady. Just the thought of it made him huff in slight annoyance despite knowing his mother was right that it would be good for Scarlet. With a pat on the customer’s shoulder Jax turned on his heel of his clean, white Nikes and headed towards the empty office to retrieve what he needed to get the work started on the old camaro.

“No Gemma!” The high pitched yell that was quickly recognized as Scarlet bounced through the air as she bust through the back door of the clubhouse leading into the lot of Teller-Morrow. Gemma was quickly on her heels followed by one of the croeaters apparently on Gemma’s side where the baby shower was concerned. “I don’t want a party! I DON’T!”

“Scarlet! Jesus Christ listen to me...please!” Gemma chased after Scarlet as she stormed off, making her way to the garage where Jax had spent his morning. Obviously the party idea hadn’t gone off like Gemma had hoped.

With the clipboard in his hand Jax stepped quickly to the open office door, noticing his ol’ lady stalking through the yard, getting closer with each hasty footstep. He told Gemma it was a bad idea. He told her. With one step out the door to meet his angered woman, the metal clipboard suddenly fell, crashing to the asphalt below.

The yells coming from across the yard pricked at Andy Avery’s ears as he stood in the middle of the Teller-Morrow gated in lot. Little did the biker boys know he was not here to get his car looked at or fixed. He didn’t give two shits about the car but to scope out the place where he knew Scarlet Delaney would at some point be. But he didn’t realize his opportunity would come so quickly. With what seemed to be happening in slow motion Avery turned his head and got his first look at the woman who ended his only brother’s life. He’d never have a better chance than he had right now. His mind went quickly into overdrive as he reached to his back and pulled his Smith & Wesson from behind him and pulled back multiple times on the trigger.

The fury in Scarlet’s eyes and the anger consuming her expression from Gemma’s suggestion quickly turned to paralysing fear as she raised her eyes and saw the only man she now feared standing less than a hundred feet away. Her breathing went shallow and her heart began to pound uncontrollably in her chest. Her eyes widened as she started to shake in an uncontrollable way, her dark eyes meeting those of Andy Avery for the first time since she murdered his brother Chris. It was as if she knew, even before anything took place as she darted her eyes to Jax as he moved down the platform from the TM office unaware of what was actually happening. The man she had fallen deeply and madly in love with was so close yet so far away and even he couldn’t help her. She knew he wouldn’t be able to save her. Her eyes then turned to Abel as he played happily at the makeshift park Gemma had installed. The young, sweet boy she was growing to love as her own and once again she felt he would suffer the despair of losing yet another motherly figure in his life. She froze in her steps, both arms wrapping around the round belly that was the housing for their unborn child. Her life flashed before her like a movie, reliving the most horrible moments of her upbringing, to the joyous moments of meeting her father for the first time and being accepted by him and then his club and most of all Jax ending with the happiness she finally felt to have a precious life growing inside her. It all played out in slow motion moments before the stabbing pain consumed her and her petite body collapsed to the ground.

“NOOOOOOOOOOOO!” The sound of the gun going off ripped through Jax’s ears as if he was right next to a fireworks display, listening to it go off, with no protection. The echo of the ear-splitting "BANG" carried on for a good minute as he stood paralyzed, watching the metal fragments, spiraling through the air, pierced the stomach and chest of his pregnant other half. The bullets moved with more speed than the fastest of living things yet seemed to him to be moving in the slowest of movements. The wounds in Scarlet’s flesh leaked the dark blood much like the way crying eyes leak tears. Jax was stunned, the clipboard crashing to the ground as he watched helplessly as the woman he loved fell lifeless to the ground. The scene unfolded in slow motion, he couldn’t even focus on the man that pulled the trigger, his only conscious thought was to get to the woman he loved and save her, somehow keep her with him. He just found her and he needed her. She couldn’t leave him, she just couldn’t. He rushed to her, forcing his steps forward before falling to the ground to gather her in his strong arms, the pool of dark crimson painting the asphalt red in color.

“Scarlet! Scarlet, baby...no...you hang on. Don’t you leave me! Don’t…” He cradled her, pressing his bare hand to the open, seeping wound to her pregnant belly. The tears poured silently over Jax’s pale cheeks, falling to the leather that rested on his back now smothered in the blood of the woman that now held his heart. Her eyes were barely open as she began to turn cold to his touch, his surroundings swirling around him like a merry go round, one that he desperately want to get off. He screamed out in a desperate cry for help, not willing to let her slip into another world where he didn’t exist.

Scarlet

After dinner at Gemma’s Scarlet seemed at peace with Otto and the shit that came with it. It took a lot of soul searching in order for her to come to terms with the reason behind his death. Being around the whole family scarlet realized she was indeed home. It was finally seeing that Jax wasn’t trying to keep hr from anything but trying to make her understand she didn’t have to fend for herself anymore. He took the world off her shoulders and kicked it aside. In some ways she felt it made her weak to allow someone to take care of her. No one has ever taken care of her before and now she had all these people who just wanted to allow her to be happy. It made her head spin, she felt like she was floating even with the extra baby weight she had gained. There wa still guilt that sat on top of her heart, the need to go after Andy was always going to be there but when Jax and the rest of the MC promised Scarlet she would see a day when Andy Avery would pay for what he had done she believed them.

Scarlet began to enjoy the simpler things as in getting the nursery ready, helping out around the clubhouse with inventory and shopping. She had gotten an Email from her long time friend Adean who she hadn’t emailed back yet but only because she didn’t want to lie to him. She wasn’t sure how he would feel about her dating a SON let and be pregnant. There was a lot there that needed to be caught up on between the two but she didn’t want to do it thru email. The formality of it didn’t seem to fit all the news she needed to share along with what was going on with him. Her dream with Adean sometimes sparked concern but she knew if he was in trouble he would reach out.

“Where do you want the kegs lady?” A delivery driver with a dolly grunted out while she signed for the order. Her head nodded to the back room checking in the rest of the bar stock inventory to make sure all she ordered was in the delivery.

Her left hand rested behind her back that seemed to be bothering her a little over the past few days. With a quick rub she sat down deciding to take a small break before logging in the order parts that needed to be ordered.

A cold bottle of water was set down in front of her, she looked up to see Gemma  with a croeater standing next to her both with suspicious shit eating grins. “Hey Momma, you are glowing today you know that?” Gemma spoke out before Scarlet could open the water and ask what she wanted.

“It’s not glow it’s sweat. This damn clubhouse is so fuckin’ hot I keep turning down the air but it’s not helping” At the end tail of her sentence she noticed the ‘eater wearing a light jacket. Gemma chuckled placing the palm of her aged hand under Scarlets chin.

“It’s because you basically have a heater inside you. Body heat of the baby. You go ahead and keep it as cool in here as you need. You know I was talking to Jax out there.” Gemma sat down picking up a napkin she began to fold the paper in thought.

Scarlet watched confused looking towards the doors half expecting him to walk in. “Yeah..about what?” Her suspicions only grew with Gemma’s seemingly loss for words. The croeater that hung around Gemma like she was some sort of goddess.

“He loves you baby, so much. Jax wants to give you everything and more and we all would like to throw you a baby shower.” Scarlet's eyes suddenly widen without any words she already began to shake her head no in an answer.

“But it will be so much fun. We never had one for Wendy and you guys would get all the baby stuff you need.” The croeater piped in only aggravating Scarlet’s nerves.

“No. We are fine with Abel’s old baby stuff. I don’t want a shower. I am not the baby shower type of chick.” She picked up her bottle of water struggling to stand up only to be stopped by Gemma standing in front of her.

“It’s not just for you. Jax likes the idea. He wants this for you guys.” The reasoning coming from Gemma made Scarlet laugh, still shaking her head.

“Jax? The president of SOA the Motorcycle club wants a baby shower? Come on Gem, don’t use him to con me into this. I don’t like the spotlight on me. I am sorry but I don’t want one.” Scarlet walked past Gemma, her stomach brushing past her, making her way toward the outside of the club house.

“But Scar wait... we don’t have to do it like a real shower, just a small party to honor you and the new baby.” The heels of the soon to be grandmother to Scarlet’s baby echoed closely behind as she made her exit. The doors were abruptly shoved open, the words that followed loosely behind her irritated her to no extent. Scarlet has never had a party to celebrate her in anyway. She knew she would feel awkward and would hate people she hardly knew buying her gifts. With as loud and rambunctious as she was, she hated having all eyes on her. She was still figuring her new life out and just settling down the entire Andy and Chris ordeal. A party was the last thing she needed on her already full plate.

“NO GEMMA!” She finally snapped, not wanting to hear anything else about it. Her mood was ruined by the pressure of it, clearly Gemma wasn’t taking no for an answer. “I don’t want a party! I DON’T so stop!” She snapped almost running from the two trying to convince her it was a good idea.

Scarlet scanned the lot for Jax but her eyes fell on the terrifying face of a man she was shocked to see. She had frozen in place looking to the club who didn’t seem to take to much notice of him. Jax was filling out a clipboard of paperwork. It took her a second but it all became frighteningly clear. He was not here under the restraint of the club but of his own free will.

Everything inside her told her to scream but she was frozen solid. Abel was at the park, everyone she loved was in close range to Andy. There was no way she could save any of them, nor could they save her. Andy’s eyes locked on Scarlet, falling to her growing child. An eerie sadistic smile slowly tugged back on his lips. That moment she knew this was the end for her, but it wasn’t her that she was afraid for, it was her baby. For the first time in her life she loved something, someone so much more than her and she hasn’t even met the little person growing inside her. She didn’t care if she died but she couldn’t bare the thought of her child not being able to even have a chance. Her arm’s shielded the vulnerability of her child, her eyes never leaving his as he saw him pull out and fire in one swift movement.  No one was paying attention to the silent interaction between the two enemies. When the explosion of gun fire hit the ear drums of everyone around it was already too late. No one knew who or where it was coming from.  

The first shot fired lodged into her collar bone, forcing her scream to finally escape. She knew what he was after when she watched the aim lower in slow motion. There wasn’t anything she could do but crouch over her extended belly, shielding it with her hands trying to stop the bullets.   The barrel kicked back quicker than she could ever escape, knocking her to the pavement, screaming in agony. Her shaky hands pulled back to display a dark crimson liquid leaking from her body but due to the heart stopping pain she could not locate the second wound. All the screaming faded to a loud ringing in her ear. She could see the movements around her but unable to make out what was happening. The sun had her blinded; all she could see was blurred shadows.

Dropping down next to her Jax was already in tears as he gathered her in his arms,. His lips moved but she couldn’t make out anything he was saying. Her breath was harsh, ragged. All she could think about was the baby; it was all she kept trying to relay to Jax was to save the baby but she couldn’t hear her own voice. Scarlet cried out in pain, feeling little movement but at this point she wasn’t sure what she was feeling besides the warm blood running like water from her wounds and the thunderous pounding of her heart.  Her chest was tight, breathing became harder after each breath she was forcing herself to take. Her eyes fell heavy, fixed on Jax who was holding on to her begging her not to leave him.

The sound never returned, sure she watched everyone hoover around her. She could sense the panic but she didn’t hear a word. She didn’t know who else was hit or if Andy was taken down, all she knew was she wasn’t ready to go but she was less ready for a world without her baby. The sun suddenly shifted, blinding Scarlet into making her eyes squint. Struggling for breath, bleeding into the arms of the only man she ever truly loved she shook, shivering, now fighting to peel her eyelids open to look at Jax. Everything about the two of them that never made sense was perfectly clear to her at that moment. He was made for her. The term soulmate came to mind though it was never a word she believed in until meeting the King of Charming. All the times she fought against his protection she wanted to take back. She needed him to know how much she truly loved him but she couldn’t find the air to give her a voice.

A new familiar shadow knelt down beside Jax. She saw the image of a hand getting placed on his shoulder, making her look past her ol’ man to the one now offering him support. “Daddy?” She breathed out, finally seeing his face. He smiled at her, regretfully offering her his left hand with his right still on Jax’s grieving shoulder.

[jarlet-blog1]

32. Sunday Dessert ~ by Jax & Scarlet

Scarlet

Scarlet was beaming a smile as she got into the passenger side door of the car that Jax was patiently holding open for her. She couldn’t help but laugh as she leaned over and placed a kiss on his cheek before carefully sitting down. He watched as she pulled over the seat belt strap, tugging and shifting to find a comfortable place to lay it. “Shut it Teller.” She mumbled towards Jax after he shut the car door, jogging over to the driver side. Her eyes studied the house of her mother in law, wondering if years down the line she could be the one hosting a dinner for the family. A faint smile sparked at the thought of Abel coming home as an expecting father. She couldn’t help but snort a laugh grabbing Jax’s attention. “What are you laughing at?” His callous hand laced his fingers between Scarlet’s, bringing the tips of her fingers to his lips placing soft kisses.

She giggled, laying her head over his shoulder, lightly squeezing his hand. “One day I am going to be a grandmother. Our kids are going to come over for a family dinner. You’ll be grandpa. Do you think I am having a girl?” Looking up to Jax she watched the idea turn in his head, making  him chuckle as he brought the car to a stop at the light. They both glanced at each other and smiled. A family life was never something they aimed to have but it seemed to come to them, everything was falling into place.

Letting go of her hand Jax placed a protective palm over her extended baby bump. He thought hard for a long moment. “I only make boys, get used to it.” His tone was low and serious but it quickly broke when her hand swatted over his chest, both laughing as he made the final turn down the street to the house they had been sharing together. “But….we can always have fun trying for a girl.” He glanced to his right and wiggled his brows in a playful manner.

---------------------

After the short ride home from Gemma’s, Jax pulled into the paved drive and parked the car. As he turned and looked at the woman he was now sharing his life with the moonlight fell onto her face, accentuating her beautiful features. She was gorgeous to him in the pale lighting, her dark, silky strands fell perfectly around her cheeks and he couldn’t help himself as he reached over and brushed the back of his knuckles over her soft skin. It was often said that women had a certain glow to their skin when they were with child and Scarlet was no exception. For some uncertain reason Jax felt he needed to etch this particular moment in his mind, how she looked, how much in love with her he was becoming. It all felt so significant but he didn’t know why.

Prying his eyes away from her, he unbuckled himself and stepped from the car, making a quick whip around the back to help Scarlet. Jax was a lot of things but gentleman wasn’t always on that list but tonight he felt like she needed it. Hell maybe he needed it too. Just to be normal, do normal couple things. Wasn’t something he ever saw for himself but taking a timeout from the outlaw gig wasn’t a bad idea sometimes. When her hand found his, he led her to the front door of his house, the one they shared more times than not.

After allowing Scarlet to move inside before him, he closed the door and gave the deadbolt a turn. They were home for the night, hopefully not to be disturbed by anyone at least until morning. His eyes watched as Scarlet headed down the hall towards the bedroom, shrugging his kutte off to hang on the brass hook in the entryway. Her sudden departure away from him made him wonder, hoping it wasn’t because sleep was fastly overcoming her. An empty house, a perfect evening as a couple, he had big plans to end it with more than a cuddle and some snoring.

“Babe?” Jax questioned, scuffing his way down the hall in his now sock feet. His fingers plucked each button of his flannel shirt open allowing it to easily be pulled from his torso. His ab muscles flexed as he removed each sleeve, leaving only his jeans in place over his boxers. Making the turn into the dim lit room, the silhouette of his ol’ lady caught his attention as she undressed. He’d be totally denying it if he said the image didn’t make the front of his jeans go tight and the thought of getting them off and releasing the bit of now built of pressure was becoming more and more needed. It had been weeks since they’d had sex. Surprising as it was he hadn’t so much as let a croeater suck his cock in the meantime. That in itself told him and everyone that knew the club life Scarlet was /the/ one for the biker king.

“Baby, let me help you with that.” He shuffled his way over behind her, his head bowing to press soft, delicate kisses to her bare shoulder. Her shirt and pants were already gathered on the floor as she stood there in her matching bra and panties. He smoothed his fingers over the lacey straps as his lips continued to caress her silky flesh. Lowering his hands slowly he cupped the front of her breasts, moaning out ever so quietly from the firmness of them and the hardened nippled he could feel already protruding. His coarse whiskers added to the sensation of his kisses, pinching her nipples through the material, hoping the friction from the fabric was pleasing to her.

Scarlet

Wasting no time Scarlet waddled off to the bedroom, peeling off the tight clothing that she had bought only weeks ago. Since she had been showing more and the baby mostly sat on her bladder the hot ‘tear my clothes off and fuck me’ sex had come to a stop. Scarlet was entering a more self conscious stage of the pregnancy.

Dressing in tight leather or barely there teddy's didn’t exactly make her feel as sexy as it once did. She was undressing, reaching around behind,  trying to unhook the bra that seemed to be cutting of her blood supply when Jax walked in behind her. “Baby, let me help you with that.” The softness in his tone caught her by surprise.

Her eyes slowly lifted to the mirror watching his every move with curiosity. The way his hand barely glided over her smooth skin gave her instant goosebumps. The tips of his fingers traced ever so softly over the round of her nipple just as he pinched it between his overworked thumb and index fingers.  Scarlet let out a elongated, shallow breath leaning her plumped ass back into Jax. The familiar bulge that answered back made her warm center tingle with an aching need. Each delicate kiss he placed along her neckline sparked, sending heated trails of arousal throughout her entire body.

The way Jax touched her was different, needy, but she could feel the emotion behind it. He began to caress over her reversed curves. Scarlet shied away but Jax was quick to cup his hand under her belly and over her already damp panties. “You look beautiful darlin’. Call me crazy but it turns me on knowing you are having my baby.” The warmth of his husky breath murmured against her ear a moment before he sucked the lobe into his mouth.

Hesitantly Scarlet turned around, looking up through her long lashes at the one true love of her life. His hand refound her panties, running a finger between the clothed folds bringing a cocky smirk to his lips.

Scarlet’s hands roamed down his chest over his tight jeans following his lead, afraid he would change his mind in any moment. She would never actually ask the question that lingered over and over in her head. The wonder if Jax had been with a croeater since her rapid weight gain. She had never in her life weighed more than 125, during her last doctor’s visit she was at a whopping 133. Most of her weight was directly in her stomach where it should be but it still made her self conscious since it had been a couple weeks since they had fucked like rabbits. It would kill her to know he was with another woman but she didn’t blame him. The second her eyes met his, the way he looked at her with a passion so clear the moment of doubt quickly faded.

Jax

Staring down into Scarlet’s breathtaking eyes, Jax couldn’t help get lost in them. As much as he wanted that crazy, passionate, raw kind of sex tonight he felt different, like he wanted her to know that he didn’t take her for granted and he didn’t want her just for the amazing sex they had. He wanted, no, needed her to know how important she was to him. And he considered maybe she needed the reassurance that she was beautiful even while she was pregnant. Really, what kind of man wouldn’t find it truly mesmerizing to see the woman they love carrying a child they created together? Jax wished he could say their unborn child was made out of the love for each other but he would be wrong. The life Scarlet carried inside her was created out of a session of wild, unprotected, angry sex but at the same time there was still love very much developing between the two.

His roughened hands guided the straps of her bra off each of her shoulders, inching them down over her forearms until the lace fell away to abandon her firm breast. His palms cupped them, squeezing at just the right amount of pressure for her to enjoy. His head once more fell to the nape of her neck, nipping kisses along her throat as her head tilted back and he could hear the soft moans coming from within her. He gently inhaled, taking in the intoxicating scent of her. His hands released her breasts and drifted lower, his jeans drawing tighter now that she was touching him. There was more than just a want for her. Jax needed Scarlet. He needed to be connected to her fully in every way.

His fingertips traced along the waist of the light blue fabric of her panties. He pulled his head back from kissing her neck so his eyes could fall onto her once more. Her lips were so inviting, practically begging him to kiss her and who was he to not give his woman what she wanted. Lifting his hand back up he buried his fingers through the long dark locks of her head, giving her an urge forward. Her pouty lips glistened and he yearned to feel them on his along with other things he was eager to feel in other placed and the twitch behind his zipper was evident to that fact. Wanting to make sure she knew he loved her, he carefully pressed his lips to hers in a slow, sensual kiss.

“I love you Scarlet.” Jax relayed to her once their mouths parted and her hands seemed to pull him closer as they wrapped around his lower back. She didn’t have to say a word, he felt everything just in the way she kissed him and he could only hope she received the same message from him.

Scarlet

Her eyes caught Jax’s the moment those three words fell from his lips. It wasn’t the first time he had told her he loved her but it was the first time she heard the emotion behind it. The way they fell so effortless from his lips made her emotions quickly surface. Scarlet felt her eyes swell with unwanted tears. Mentally she cursed her pregnancy hormones, daring them to ruin this perfect moment. “Jackson.” She began using his full first name, something she had never spoke before. It did feel odd to her but also confessing her love using a childhood nickname felt wrong. Each finger tip from both hands lightly traveled up over the curves of his abs, tracing the scar he earned in prison. They found their way to his cheeks. “I love you, I have never loved another like I love you”

Jax’s eyes began to glisten as the moon peeked between the blinds, his own hand cupping Scarlet’s cheek. His free hand moved from her breast to her now wider hips guiding her back towards the bed. Scarlet’s eyes never left his as she sat down on the bed. Her hands tugging at his pants dropping them along with his boxers. She had never really explored the ripples of his dick. Every time they fucked it was fast, hard and filled with heated passion.

She looked up at him feeling his eyes on her. Scarlet’s thumb traced around the head, smearing the droplet of precum. He watched her every move with anticipation. Without using her lips she dipped down tracing the thick, sensitive head with only the tip of her tongue. There was a low grunt that rolled from deep in his chest as Scarlet’s tongue began to familiarise herself with every curve, each throbbing vein all the was down to his sack that became tight while the flat of her tongue licked back up to the tip. Her lips wrapped around the head using her wet tongue to swirl around the throbbing head. Without a warn she sucked his full length in down her throat in one swift move.

His knees buckled almost giving out from under him. His fingers made their way through her long black locks of hair, twisting them he held her head in place but still allowed her to explore him with her glorious mouth with a slow and steady pace.

Each one of his growled moans encouraged her to add a little more suction. Each twitch of his cock in her mouth made her grow damper, a pool of her sweet nectar gathered in her panties. The only thought on Scarlet’s mind was showing him just how much he meant to her. She meant it when she said she had never loved anyone in the way she had loved Jax. Her left hand gripped at the base of his engorged member, her hand twisted while pulling up to meet her wet lips. She kept his dick wet by not swallowing back her saliva but using it to keep him warm and wet, in hopes of mimicking her own wet core. Jax’s hand twisting in her hair grunting out her name while her mouth worked him over.

The tighter his hand twisted in her hair the more it turned her on, a soft muffled moan vibrated, rippling over the sensitive flesh in her mouth. Suddenly Jax pulled her head back forcing her to stop sucking his cock.  

Jax

He hadn’t expected Scarlet’s warm mouth around his cock when he guided her down on the bed. He expected to be feeling her from the inside but she had plans of her own that he couldn’t and wouldn’t deny. With a heavy moan he watched intently as she removed his engorged cock from the baggy jeans and boxers he had been wearing, allowing her tongue to tease him relentlessly. His fingers laced through her long dark mane until he could wrap it carefully around his wrist. Not to pull or be forceful but to let her know just what he liked despite him not even having to tell her. When it came to their sexual encounters it seemed they both knew what the other liked without them relaying a word.

Her name fell easily from his lips with each pleasurable suck on his shaft. The woman had a mouth like a porn star; she knew just how to use it to her advantage. She knew exactly how much it riled him up getting her the hard, rough fuck she was used to. But not tonight. Jax had other plans for his ol’ lady and it didn’t include him fucking her like a goddamn animal. Tonight felt different, like he needed one night to show her and prove just how much he did love her entirely. As sappy as the thought of it was, Jax was willing to make love to Scarlet the way every woman deserved at least once. Besides they were in the privacy of the room they shared, no club to judge him. He could be as gentle and tender as he wanted and who was going to judge him? He was sure, even if she wouldn’t admit it, Scarlet wanted to see that side of him too.

With a gentle motion, Jax guided Scarlet’s inviting mouth from his stiff cock. She looked up at him with her dark eyes and he could see them gleaming in the moonlight that was peeking through the window and he saw the beauty in the woman he was falling deeply in love with. He wasn’t exactly sure if he had ever really experience the feelings he was currently having with anyone in his life prior to her showing up unexpectantly.

Releasing his fingers from her silky strands he lowers them back to the mattress beneath them, eyeing her hair as it fans out under her. Bracing himself above her Jax dips his head to her breast, the tip of his tongue tracing the outline of the darkened area as it hardened beneath his touch. The way her body began to writhe under him urged him on even more, the soft, kitten like purrs emitting throughout the darkened room as he reached between them and hooked his rough fingers into the waist of her panties. Sliding them off, his mouth covered the nipple on her one breasts, kissing it gently as she pushed her chest upward in a sign of wanting more. After wiggling the fabric down her thighs they finally found their way to the floor. His hand traced up her thigh, dipping to the inside as it made a track upward. He could feel the heat radiating from her core as he got closer. The pads of his fingers barely swept over the lips of her most sensitive area, only touching her lightly, just enough to feel her begin to tremble under his muscular frame. His mouth kissed her breast on his way up along her neck, sucking on the skin just below her ear. She wanted more, he could feel it, the way she squirmed trying to get him to touch her in a more demanding way but he refused, keeping his touches featherlight over the folds of her smooth pussy.

Scarlet

Jax teased the outline of her moist lips in a gentle matter she has never felt. The experience he was giving to her was one that she had never been given. Sex was always empty, emotionless. The passion was always there, the heated need to get off burned through her core. But it was never slowed down like this, she was never the center of attention. Maybe the first time she had sex but not nearly as connected and pure as this was.

Her hips rose of the bed met with a whiny moan begging for her love to take it a step closer. The smirk presented on Jax lips filled the room, lacing in the air with Scarlet’s fire for more. He used the tip of his index to slip over her sensitive bud as light as a feather, making her chest fill with air, holding it in place without her even realizing it.

That very same tip traced the outline of her opening, slowly pushing inside her. Scarlet let out the rush of air she held followed by a moan. It was only a single digit that curled inside her, finding her weakest spot Scarlet moaned out this time with more of a need. Jax pulled the finger out, smearing she honey over her bud. Using his thumb he slid it down between her wet folds making her wetter.  

Each nipple of her breast had harden being teased by his careful lips. They had become increased in size thanks to the unborn child that grew quickly inside her. “Jaxxx..” she tried to breath out but Jax flicked her clit making her back arching off the bed followed by her hips bucking forward without her permission. Her mind was losing control to her body. Slowly Scarlet became undone due to Jax’s doing.

A hand let go of it’s grip on the wrinkled sheets she had grabbed onto down to his face. No words needed to be exchanged. Her hand guided him back to her. Both breathing shallow panted breaths letting their lips linger less than an inch away from each other. His hand still teasing her dipping folds making her pedicure toes curle under.

Just as she breathlessly moaned his lips caught her parted lips in a sensual kiss. Jax swiped his tongue over her lower lip in attempt to gain entrance. His fingers rubbing just between her lips with her clit pinched between them drove Scarlet crazy. Squirming under him gently rocking her hips in hopes he would slip and a finger would penetrate her.  

Jax

As their lips met in a heated kiss Jax could taste the gloss Scarlet used earlier when she had herself all dolled up for dinner. He couldn’t deny how beautiful she looked as his mind reeled back to the hours prior. That was one of the things that drew him to her; she had the rough cut look of a biker girl but at the same time was the most beautiful woman his eyes ever had the pleasure of falling onto. He realized in the moment his lips parted from tangling with hers that he was the luckiest son of a bitch in the world.

His fingers glided between her silky folds, coating his fingers in her sweet juices as she wiggled under his hold. It was obvious what she wanted. Only to give her a bit of what she wanted he slipped a single finger inside, feeling her walls contract around it. His mouth latched onto her neck as he retracted and rubbed the tip of his middle finger around her swollen clit. He could do so much to her; make her beg and plead with him to do everything she wanted. What they both wanted. But as Jax’s cock ached between his legs his body was yearning to be inside her, buried in the warmth and sensual pleasure only she could provide. Moving to the side of Scarlet, he positioned himself behind her, guiding her to her side. His stiff shaft rested against the curve of her ass as her head fell back against his shoulder only momentarily before guiding the head of his dick to her slippery center.

Lightly he pressed pleasurable kisses to the back of her neck and shoulder as he thrust his hips forward against her ass, entering her completely from behind. His hand found its way to the roundness of her pregnant belly, holding her against him as he started his movements, slow and steady, letting her feel just how much he loved every moment he spent with her. Nipping at her shoulder, he was sure he was chafing her shin with his coarse whiskers but he assumed it heightened the arousal from the way she moaned out his name. His shaft stiffened as he continually plunged in and out of the warmth of her parted lips, her honey making it more slippery with each thrust.

“Baby, you feel so fuckin’ good..” Jax groaned out against Scarlet’s ear, his hips finding a steady rhythm, her ass pushing back against him with each movement. His palm made a path from her stomach down to the front of her pelvis, his fingertips once more finding the bundle of nerve endings he sought, rubbing them in slow deliberate circles to help draw out the release he knew would be inevitable.  

Scarlet

Taking Jax’s direction Scarlet laid on her side, lifting her leg over Jax’s to open herself up to him from behind. Each touch he gave her confirmed his feelings towards her. Being able to be on her side was comfortable, it also gave her a chance to not be self cautious about the weight she had gained.

His arm hooked just under her belly, pulling her closer to him. She moaned out at the connected contact between the two. Her back pressed into his chest, their hips meeting in a timely passion.

“Oh god Jax please don’t stop.” The words came out in a whimper as Jax moved a hand behind her knee, lifting it higher, thrusting into her with a more needy approach. He was careful, every move was calculated to time with her pleasure. Jax knew exactly where she needed to be touched.

Scarlet’s hips began to sway back, letting her plump ass bounce off his toned pelvis. His lips left a warm, wet trail that made her quiver. Her head turned back to kiss him just as his lips met hers she moaned out, having a small but effective orgasam, leaving her to beg him not to stop, knowing a bigger, earth shattering one was now quickly building.

He was teasing her sensitive bud with his fingers, rolling and pinching it, trying to earn her moans. Jax’s forearm rested on her pregnant belly as he gently held her in place. Scarlet had been feeling the baby move but she had read when a woman sexual organs are stimulated making a woman happy, the growing child is happy as well.

Jax began to pull back after there was a very noticeable kick. “No please it’s fine, I swear.” Scarlet grabbed his hand, urging him to keep up the loving pace his hips had seemed to master.

Jax

He was in a state of mind that had him on a path to ecstasy as his movements stayed at a steady pace, his fingers working the sensitive bud that made his ol’ lady squirm. His scruffy whiskers skimmed over the back of her neck, lightly placing kisses on the delicate skin until he felt the trembles coming from within her. His moans echoed with hers as she became somewhat undone yet knowing that wasn’t all she had to offer.

As much as he loved the position of taking her from behind, he wanted to see her. Jax wanted to look at the woman that was growing more and more important to him. Stilling his movements he whispered huskily into her ear.

“Baby, I wanna watch you fuck me….” He didn’t use and metaphors, no fancy words, just straight to the point. He might have been being gentle with Scarlet but it all boiled down to one thing. He drew his hips back before shifting where he laid, his hand at all times caressing some part of her luscious body. Laying his head onto the pillow he guided her smaller body to the top of his, sliding his hands up and over her silky flesh as she straddled him. The warmth and wetness of her pussy made him suck in a breath as it came in contact once again with his rigid shaft. His palms continued their journey up her sides until the found the tantalizing curves of her breasts.

He drew in an elongated breath as Scarlet finally sank down on his throbbing cock, all but putting him in a hypnotic state. Squeezing each of her breasts, his fingers worked her taut nipples as she started to grind her hips against his. He made sure to keep his eyes open; he wanted to see every look, every expression she displayed as she rode him.

The pads of his fingers traced the natural curve of her body on his way down, palming her widened hips as she kept her bounces at a steady pace. His pale blue eyes gazed upon hers before lowering to the way her tits bounced, making his mouth water as he craved her deeper. Forcing himself in a sitting position, he guided her legs around his lower body, his arms tangling around her torso. Being face to face allowed their lips to meet in a passion filled, sensual kiss, their tongues intertwining with each others as Jax guided her up and down the length of his stiff shaft. Groaning heavily as the kiss parted Jax looked deep into Scarlet’s eyes yet didn’t say a word. He knew she felt everything he needed to replay to her because he felt it to from the look she was giving him.

Scarlet

The sensation Jax had brought over Scarlet had made her forget in the moment that she sported an extended round belly. Everything his tone spoke to her, he wanted her, he needed her. She moved over him with ease, leaning down teasing his lips with her wet tongue while her sticky, nectar covered pussy rested at the very base of his cock. Both throbbing with a needy frenzy to be connected as one. Her back arched letting her hips swirl in order to part her wet lips moaning out as her heated core laced with her own arousal.

Scarlet slowly dragged herself up the base of the rock hard member leaving a warm wet trail until the head of it snapped back giving her a light spank on her sensitive bud. Jax’s head fell back a deep growl from within his chest erupted making her core pulse trying to grab hold his thick cock but catching air making Scarlet shiver.

Placing her hands on his chest she pushed herself up letting the wet hole find the head pushing down over the tip of it slowly. A hissed moan fell from her lips to his ears it was like the first time she had felt him inside her. The world of chaos they lived settled in that moment. The deeper she allowed him to sink into her the more the world stopped spinning. There was no gravity holding them down, no heavy drama suffocated them. It was their love for one another that held them down both experiencing the feelings of true love for the first time. The past they once lived seemed to have drifted to another life, one they refused to admit they lived in.

Her clit was finally met by the brush of his unkempt pelvic whiskers causing her to call out tightening her hands that pressed firmly into his chest. Her bud was swollen with heightened senses. The rough brush of pubic hair made her quiver entirely.  

Jax

His head fell back against the plush pillow as he took in the gorgeous sight before him; nothing sexier than a woman, naked and on top of him. His eyes peered into hers as she kept her movements steady. Caressing her thighs his fingers clasped at her hips, once again guiding her over his aching shaft as it buried deep within her over and over.

In a single moment together everything that was wrong about them was now right; the two were meant to be together, she was the right to his wrong even as messed up as she was in the life she grew up in. They were both two broken and fucked up souls intertwining to make one. He knew without a doubt his life would be forever changed if he didn’t have the woman he had with him right now. Smoothing his tainted hands up over her torso Jax cupped her plentiful breasts as they bounced, his release drawing to the edge as Scarlet panted and moaned out his name. Sounded like fuckin’ some sappy shit but it was one of his favorite things about her. She made him feel good, in everything he did, Scarlet made him feel like there was some good left in him somewhere, even if it was buried deep in his fucked up self.

His chest began to heave as her pace increased, the sound of their wild breathing, heavy moans and their bodies connecting filling the confined space of their bedroom. The moonlight still radiated off her beautiful form allowing Jax to see all he needed to see and what a sight it was. His hips continued their upward motion to meet her, driving his cock deep within her swelled walls, feeling them tighten around his shaft that was on the verge of eruption.

“Shit Scarlet...fuck..” He muttered through clenched teeth. Once more he grabbed her hips, this time throwing the gentleness aside. Slamming himself against her, filling her with each glorious inch he had until she screamed out in sweet ecstasy, crying out his name in whimpered moans as his release peaked and he filled her with his, sticky load, feeling the sweat that had beaded on his chest and forehead cool  against his skin. With a ragged breath Jax stilled their bodies, reaching up to dive his hands in Scarlet’s dark waves of hair, guiding her to him for a kiss, needy yet satisfied. When the kiss broke he looked at the woman he loved in the dim light that surrounded them and spoke the three words that held more meaning than they ever had in his entire, fucked up life.

“I love you.”

[jarlet-blog1]

31. Sunday Dinner ~ by Jax & Scarlet

Scarlet

They say there is a first time for everything and this was certainly a first for her at least. The closest Scarlet had come to a family dinner was eating leftover take out with her mother passed out in the bathroom with the needle still in her arm. The concept of family took on a whole new meaning with her new Charming life. She felt like she was standing on a wobbling fence overlooking both sides. One being a sad lonely life where Scarlet had to be the adult since the age of 8, only god knows how she made it alive as a toddler on her own. Then the other side being one of unity, where family came first but was also held up on a pile of secrets only each time one was taken out and opened it seemed to pull the family closer together. Take Scarlet’s mother for example. With her brief visit, the secret of just how horrible her life had really been became clear to so many. It made something in Gemma snap, which annoyed Scarlet because she wasn’t used to the matriarch being kind. Joanna apparently woke up and went straight to the bar. Scarlet didn’t know the details but she was told Gemma took care of it.

“I don’t know if I can do a whole sit down dinner with your mom babe.” Scarlet walked up behind Jax in the restroom, kissing the middle of his back, earning a chuckle from him. His hands reached around giving her ass a light tap, looking at her from the reflection in the mirror.

“You can...you just don’t want to. Besides everyone will be there. It will be good for us all to have some time off from club shit.” Turning around his hand was placed on her hip and he lightly kissed her cheek, giving her stomach a gentle rub.

“I know it will be. I think I am just nervous because, well, this is new to me.” She turned the water on, wetting her toothbrush to start getting ready.

Jax

Jax was quite aware that this new found sense of family was very unfamiliar to Scarlet and he wanted nothing more than for her to feel wanted and loved. The sit down dinner Gemma had planned after Scarlet’s mother’s departure he thought to be a great idea and a way to show his ol’ lady just what family truly meant. Even in the life of disorder, loss, fear and hate there was still some good in their existence and the people that surrounded them, whether through the family they were given or the family they had chosen. Jax, for the first time in his adult life, wanted to give Scarlet the world, everything she was worthy of and more.

The woman completed him. When he was ready to crumble and give up under the weight of his responsibilities she was there to pick him up and force him to realize just who he was and what he needed to do. He didn’t have that with Wendy; his marriage to her was only to end the loneliness he felt despite the constant stream of female company that occupied his bed. The two didn’t know what it meant to be in love; Jax’s real love was the club while Wendy was having a love affair with the needle in her vein. Then there was Tara; his high school sweetheart, the fairytale that every teenager believes in but as much as he loved the young doctor, there was always a hesitation between them. Tara hated the MC, the part of him that made him whole and intact just as her love of medicine did for her. She wanted him but she did not want was the root of his last name and his legacy. She never learned to love the club just as she loved the man. He knew deep in his dark, troublesome soul that, had she not perished accidentally, their relationship would have eventually fizzled away. Through the failed relationships in the past, Jax had apprehension and the willingness to give up on the theory of love and the idea of two people spending their lives together. To grow old, watch the children they brought into the world become adults and move on with their own lives. After losing Tara to her own fate he had resorted to the realization that night after night with a different whore in his bed was what his life was meant to be outside of the duties of club president. That was until Scarlet Delaney was placed smack dab in front of him just waiting for him to love her.

“Nothin’ wrong with being nervous, babe. But remember, it’s /your/ family too.” With a flicker of his eye in a wink he sidestepped passed Scarlet as she leaned over the sink to brush her teeth. His eyes averted to the bump that was pressed against the porcelain making a smile tug his lips upwards in a smile. Even with all the doubts he still had with creating another life to attempt to bring up and mold into a decent human being, the thought of becoming a dad again still made him happy. There were few things in the biker’s life that brought happiness anymore but when he thought of Scarlet, Abel and the baby she was carrying he knew all the bad shit he did was worth it to have the good he had in his life.

Shuffling across the hall Jax entered the bedroom he and Scarlet now shared as their own. She had taken it upon herself to do a little decorating and he welcomed it; having the remnants of Tara removed was a breath of fresh air in a sense. He would never forget her and he often had his moments that he mourned his late wife, but the constant reminder wasn’t needed. Tara was right where she needed to be; embedded in one part of his heart where she would remain.

“Babe...you seen my blue hoodie?” He flipped through the multiple flannel shirts that hung in the closet, growing annoyed when the only thing he wanted was nowhere to be found. The towel clung to his waist as the small droplets of water fell from the ends of his hair to his shoulder and made a trail down over the ink of his son’s name etched in his skin. Exhaling a heavy breath he took one more look through the hanging garments as Scarlet entered the room.

“Jackson. Really? It’s a family dinner and you are planning on going in a hoodie?” The rough exterior Scarlet once displayed had taken a change once life began to grow inside her. Sometimes he liked that side of her, other times he just wanted the Scarlet she was when they first met. He was naive to the fact that as relationships evolved things changed and just like change for the MC, it was good in the union of him and his ol’ lady.

“We’re going to Gemma’s. I’m not meetin’ the damn queen babe.” He laughed, the corner of his eyes catching the handsome young boy that mirrored him as a child. “Hey buddy…”

“Daddy, can I take my bear to gramma’s?” Abel had the raggedy old bear squeezed in his arms, the stuffed animal that Jax himself had as a kid. The poor toy was way past it’s prime but it was still his son’s favorite comfort toy just like some children need a blanket to pacify them.

“Of course ya can little man. You look very handsome, you all ready to go?” Jax reached out to ruffle his hair as he usually would only to get a look from Scarlet that said ‘Make me brush his hair again I’ll stab you’. He pulled his hand back and replaced it with one of his signature smiles.

“Mhmmm daddy. Scarlet, can I watch some cartoons?” Abel turned to his new mother figure and asked politely.

“Just until your father gets ready.” She offered the little boy one of her own pleasant smiles before he ran off down the hall with his bear.

“Sure, make it seem like I’m the slow one, babe.” He said in his deep, gravelly voice as he yanked one of the dark blue flannel shirts from the hanger and pulled a clean pair of jeans from the dresser drawer. Making sure the door was closed he dropped the towel and started to get dressed while his ol’ lady did the same.

[One hour later, Gemma’s house]

With a mad dash, Abel ran full force up the walkway lined with colorful flowers and forever green bushes, busting through the door before Jax and Scarlet’s feet had even left the inside of the car. It wasn’t very often Jax went anywhere that wasn’t on his Harley but in some cases an exception needed to be made. Reaching out his fingers linked with the beautiful, glowing brunette as he led her up the same path his son had just taken. The driveway was lined with bikes, a few vehicles scattered at the edges of the road Gemma lived on. They didn’t have many gatherings away from the clubhouse but as he and Scarlet neared the glass paned front door, it felt right and it felt needed. A small piece of normalcy for a change and he was going to welcome and embrace it.

“There’s my favorite grandson!” Abel leaped into Gemma’s arms just as Jax released Scarlet’s hand and held the door open for her to enter his mother’s house.

“I’m your only grandson, gramma.” Abel countered.

Stepping in behind his ol’ lady his eyes took a quick inventory of who was there; Bobby, Juice, Unser, Chibs...to the left stood Nero leaning against the dark oak cupboards. Already at the table sat Tig, ready and waiting for the meal to be served. Rat appeared with Brooke in tow, Jax guessed he had been out giving the azaleas cancer. Lyla, Piper, even Kenny and Ellie were in attendance. Jax’s thoughts drifted back to when they had done this when Opie and Donna were alive and it caused a sudden lump to lodge in his throat that he fought to swallow it down.

“Hey baby.” Gemma kissed Jax’s cheek as she held Abel in her arms, his bear not leaving his side. It was only when he discovered the other children that Abel wiggled his way free so he could run off to play before they were rounded up for dinner.

“Hey ma. Smells fuckin’ good in here.” With a slow inhale Jax took in the delicious scent of turkey baking in the oven that was consuming the entire inside of the house.

“You think I was cooking some kind of shit Jackson? Of course it smells good.” Gemma chuckled a soft laugh as she moved to Scarlet and cupped her warm cheeks in her aged hands and placed a kiss to her forehead. “Hey sweetheart. How you feeling today?” Before moving completely away, the matriarch made sure to use both hands to give Scarlet’s now very pregnant belly a generous rub. “And how’s our newest little biker or biker princess doing in there?”

Scarlet

“Using Mommy's insides like a playground. Doctor says the baby is as healthy as can be expected” Scarlet’s tone rang proudly walking into the house, her eyes scanning around the house nervously. She was used to seeing everyone around the clubhouse but all at once in a house made her skittish. Gemma smiled leading the way to the kitchen where everyone was gathered laughing and talking.

Jax was greeting everyone with Scarlet in tow, one hand placed lovingly on her stomach. One by one each person cheerfully brought Scarlet into a welcoming hug, hands touched and teased her extended belly. Each one relaxing her more and more. The air was filled with love. She paused for a moment to take in the surroundings of the house. This was something she never had, an experience she desperately wanted to be passed on to her unborn son or daughter.

Scarlet followed Gemma into the kitchen where a turkey was pulled out from the oven. She stood leaned against the frame of the hallway, watching all the ol’ ladies help in the kitchen. A sudden realization came over the young mother to be. She has never had a proper thanksgiving dinner. She wouldn’t know the head from the ass of a turkey let alone be able to cook one. Her eyes found Gemma who was finishing up a cranberry sauce.

“Come here sweetheart.” Gemma smiled warmly at Scarlet. Assuming there was a task for her to be done as her part of the ol’ lady duties but when she approached Gemma, an arm draped over her shoulder, a soft kiss was placed on the top of Scarlet’s head by the original old lady. “You’re home baby. Now go find a seat. We got this. There will be plenty of time for you to help out in this kitchen.”

Scarlet felt a pinch in her chest. She was slightly overwhelmed, appreciative but overwhelmed. Watching Gemma stir the sauce for a moment she did something she never thought she would do. She turned to Gemma and kissed her cheek. “Thanks Mom.” Gemma paused, shocked by the gesture but Scarlet walked away before she could react.

When Scarlet turned she caught Jax grinning, watching the moment between Scarlet and his mother unfold. He seemed relieved by it. Her eyes rolled at him walking up to him the both laughing as if there was some sort of inside joke between the two. His hands roamed down her sides looking down into her eyes, each of them consumed in their love.

Jax’s hand rubbed Scarlet’s very round belly, his other brushing the loose strands of hair from her face tucking them behind her ear. Suddenly his eyes widen and he took a shocked step back. Jax glanced down at her stomach then to her. “Our baby wants to say hello to you.”

Scarlet softly laughed at his realization that he was feeling his youngest child move. Both hands placed back on her stomach as he took in the special moment.

Jax

The rustling of chairs moving as people took a seat at the table and kids playfully laughing at the smaller table off to the side consumed the dining area of his mother’s house. But in that moment Jax was actually consumed by the realization that there was in fact a growing child inside of his ol’ lady. His eyes welled up with emotion but he fought it back. He never had these special moments with Wendy when she was carrying Abel; he hated her for getting pregnant, wanted nothing to do with the pregnancy and that was selfish on his part. He now regretted not having these moments with his oldest son and and as he looked to the little blond haired boy he felt an overwhelming sense of guilt for not being the father he needed to be before Abel even emerged into this realm we call life.

“Holy shit, you feel that?” His palm pressed firmly into the side of Scarlet’s rounded belly, asking the stupid question he already knew the answer to. But his excitement trumped his stupidity. Scarlet, along with some of the guys standing in close proximity, began to laugh.

“Fuck you guys.” The expectant father joined them in the laughter before prying his hand away from his ol’ lady’s belly to lead her to the table to eat.

The table was filled with food, turkey, all the trimmings, hell you’d think it was Christmas or some shit. The smell was enough to make your stomach growl and Jax’s did, just waiting to dig in. But before he could he knew his mother would have something to say just like she always did.

“Before we eat…” Gemma glanced to her left and smiled at Scarlet. “..I just want to say one thing. Scarlet, thank you for being part of our family, you have been since before you even knew us. Your ol’ man would be proud to see the woman you have become and embracing this way of life, sort of your own legacy. And thank you, from the bottom of my, sometimes dreary heart…” Everyone chuckled and tried not to laugh too hard, Gemma giving a look of daggers to the boys. “...As I was saying...thank you for making my son so happy. And of course...for giving me another grandchild!” Gemma clapped her hands together as if that was the best part of her entire speech and to her it probably was. “Now you can dig in!”

After finishing his meal Jax leaned back in his seat, his arm draped over the back of Scarlet’s chair, the other hand laid on his stomach almost mimicking where Scarlet’s was perched on her own, even if hers was due to the baby not from eating like a pig. “Damn ma, you outdid yourself. That was amazing.”

“We’re not finished yet, Jackson. Apple pie for dessert and…”She looked over at Abel as his eyes got big and round, hoping his grandmother was going to say something better than pie. “...chocolate cake!” Abel leaped from his seat in excitement. “I want cake gramma!”

“Wonderful, he’ll never sleep tonight, ma.” Jax chuckled, moving his hand to Scarlet’s belly for a quick rub, maybe secretly hoping to feel another kick.

“Well, why don’t you leave him here tonight? You and Scarlet could use some time together I’m sure.” The matriarch winked at her son as his mouth curled up in a smile. Scarlet had been taking on the motherly role for most of their new relationship and a break just the two of them would be refreshing.

“You sure, mom?”

“Jackson, do you really need to ask me that? Yes, I’m, sure. Now….let’s get dessert Abel.” She pushed away from her seat, Abel right behind her as he followed to the kitchen.

The boys began excusing themselves, needing their own dessert that didn’t require chocolate frosting or ice cream but a good ol’ dose of nicotine. Jax pushed away from his chair just as he felt a tug on his hand. His head turned and he looked down to Scarlet, her eyes flashing a sexy, seductive look that made him quickly realize a cigarette with the guys could wait. Taking her hand he helped her from her seat, her baby belly now making it a bit more difficult.

“I think we are going to call it a night then mom.” Jax leaned over and kissed the right side of his mother’s cheek. “Scarlet’s tired and I think I should take her home.”

“Alright baby.” Gemma returned Jax’s kiss before sidestepping to Scarlet. Her hands found their place on the pregnant belly as Scarlet received her own kiss to the cheek. “Thanks for coming sweetheart. Keep this little one safe and happy for us.” With a sincere smile Gemma stood back upright and once again looked at her son who had just given Abel his own hug and kiss goodnight. “Get them home safe Jackson, I’ll hold your ass responsible if anything happens to them.” Gemma’s tone went stern and Jax knew she meant every word she spoke.

“I will, mom. Goodnight.” He squeezed his hand around Scarlet’s as he lead them out of the house and to her car, ready to spend a relaxing night alone with his ol’ lady.

[jarlet-blog1]

30. Freedom for a Felon ~ by Jax

[Stockton State Penitentiary - Andy Avery POV]

Time. Thoughts. Rage and Anger. It’s all you have when you are locked up, away from society, away from friends, family, people you love and people you hate. The world keeps on turning but to you the entire world is standing still. The hate for the outside world begins to consume you and take over any piece of your soul that had any sense of good. There was no more good in Andy Avery. That part of him died with the realization that his brother, Chris, had been murdered. There was no question in his mind who his brother’s killer was. He was consumed by the name since the district attorney relayed the news to him in the empty, claustrophobic room inside Stockton State Penitentiary. The face haunted his subconscious, his dreams and his nightmares. Whether awake or asleep the sight of the one person he knew, without the shadow of a doubt killed his brother, invaded his mind. The name might as well been etched into his skin because it would never go away. Not until she rested in the cold, damp earth where his brother now laid. She needed to pay for what she did, the way she took life from the only sibling Andy Avery had, his best friend, she would someday feel the pain he was now feeling. He would make sure Scarlet Delaney and anyone she loved suffered the agony he felt in his heart because of the annihilation of his only brother. If it was the last thing he accomplished in his miserable life, he would make sure that bitch would pay.

Staring up at the concrete ceiling Andy folded his hands over his chest, the rhythmic thump of his heart beated against his palms. The noise around him was just a muffled song, one that he wanted no part in, at least not today. Usually he was the big player in the game, but Andy had been content keeping a low profile since the member of the Sons had been taken down . Part one of his plan was complete. Little did Ms. Delaney realize that her actions would result in such grave consequences but what goes around comes around and Andy Avery was coming for her.

“Let’s go Avery.” After tossing in the extra large ziplock bag with Andy’s belongings, the brawny prison guard unlocked the door to his cell, the hell hole he had called home for the last year. Sliding the iron bars across, Andy sat up in his bunk, scrubbing a hand over his stubbled face, giving it a shove upwards to push his now longer hair from his face. He couldn’t wait to get that shit cut although it could be an asset to him when making his venture into Charming to find the bitch that murdered his brother. Finally standing to his feet he rolled up his bedding and tucked it under his arm, grabbed for the bag that held his personal shit and he exited the jail cell, making a mental promise to himself never to see the inside again. Not that he had any plans not to do illegal shit, it just meant never getting caught.

He walked through the rows of square concrete boxes that held men that had done worse shit than him but he knew how the game was played, aligning himself with the right people on the inside, making the right moves at the right time. The name Andy Avery would be remembered in Stockton, he made sure of that. Killing Otto Delaney was sealing that reputation.

“Suit up..” The officer led him to a holding area, allowing him to redress into his own clothes and shed the orange jumpsuit. He’s never wanted to be in a pair of Levi’s so much in his goddamn life. Shoving his wallet in his ass pocket and his sunglasses over his eyes he was given the final bits of paperwork to sign and he would be free. Scribbling his name on the dotted line he placed the pen down on it, flashing the woman behind the plated glass a charming smile and a wink. Another part of being on the outside, he couldn’t wait to use his flattery on a woman again. Scarlet Delaney might be the only woman on his mind but before he dealt with her there might have to be a suck and fuck from someone else. Yeah, being locked up took a toll on that shit, forearm tends to get quite the workout.

With the sound of a buzzer the heavy steel door began to open, Avery squinting even behind the tinted lenses as he took in the first taste of the outside as a free man. Clutching the plastic bag at his side, he was escorted the rest of the way out by two men, both packed to the gills with shit that could put him down if he was to try anything. They had no worries of that, he was saving all that for his friend, Scarlet. And he knew just where to look first.

“Hey asshole!” The voice traveled through the warm California air as Avery stepped through the last door before embracing his freedom. Sean Bales, long time childhood friend to both Andy and Chris, called out from the open window of the midnight blue Ford F150. Rushing up to the door, Andy hopped in the passenger’s side, tossing the bag he was holding in the back.

“Jesus, it’s nice to see you on this side, man.” Sean looked over his old friend, a smile curling upwards as he peeled away from the prison. Andy grinned back, his hand out the window flipping Stockton Penitintary the middle finger in a goodbye salute.

“Yeah, you and me both. Thanks for the lift. I owe ya.” Taking a quick glance around the front cab, he searched desperately for a pack of smokes he hoped Sean had been smart enough to bring.

“Glove box.” Sean nodded towards it, Andy letting out a sigh of relief as he pulled the unopened pack out, quickly unwrapping it from the plastic. It was nice to take in a nice, deep breath on the outside but would be even better with nicotine consuming his lungs. “So, I got a place over on the west side of Charming. I’m guessing ya wanna crash for a while till ya get back on ya feet?”

The mention of Charming pricked at Andy’s ears, causing a slow, devious grin to consume his features. How convenient that the only person he considered staying with now resided in the quaint little town where he expected to find Scarlet Delaney. After seeing her enter the DA’s office only a few weeks back escorted by a man in leather sporting the reaper and the SOA rocker, he was almost positive where is first stop needed to be.

“Yeah man, that would be great.” Andy drew back a drag from his cigarette, the swirl of smoke leaving his nostrils and billowing out the open truck window. His mind was rolling with ideas to take out the woman who murdered his brother, there were so many options. And he would consider each one before making a final decision on how she should die. But first, booze, weed and a little pussy was calling his name. Andy Avery was back and he was ready to play.

[jarlet-blog1]

29. Placing the Blame ~ by Jax & Scarlet

Jax The lingering cloud of smoke hovered above the members heads as they waited for Jax to arrive for church. There was no doubting why it was called; they recently had a huge load of shit dropped in their laps. Wrapping their heads around chaos and disorder wasn’t something they weren’t used to; they were consumed with that almost on a daily basis. But to know their President’s ol’ lady had been through not only physical and sexual abuse but had murdered the man in cold blood with her own two hands was even more than they were prepared for. And to top off the whole string of events to find out that Scarlet’s old man was murdered because of her actions was a lot to take in, even for the leather clad men wearing the reaper patch proudly. The room fell eerily silent when Jax finally pushed open the heavy doors padded in leather. The expression on the biker’s face was evident he had been through hell and back in his own mind after leaving the other night with Scarlet, his ol’ lady. Each one of the members took a good hard look at the king of Charming as he pulled out his chair at the head of the table and sat down slowly, dragging it in towards the varnished carved surface. Both forearms rested on the edge, his right hand playing with the wooden handle of the gavel that had been used by the men before him; his old man JT and his stepfather Clay Morrow. His eyes had yet to lift and look the men of mayhem that sat before him in waiting. Inhaling slow and steady, Jax finally allowed his head to raise and one by one he looked at the men that were like brothers; without a doubt they were all there to support and retaliate in any way he needed. But the trouble was, the president of SAMCRO, the man with all the answers was suddenly without any. He didn’t really have a clue where to start. His anger usually led him in situations like this, drove him most times to do the unthinkable but that had already been done. Scarlet took care of her problem herself and that in itself made Jax feel helpless and that was a very unfamiliar feeling for the biker king. “Brotha, we’re really sorry, but you know we are here for you and Scarlet. For Otto..” Tig paused a moment as it seemed he got a bit choked up. “Anything you need…” “He’s righ’ Jackie. We’re ‘ere fer ya brotha. Tell us wha’ ya need.” Chibs reached out and rested a hand on Jax’s left forearm, causing the young president to turn his head to look at his brother with glossy eyes. He needed to get it together and focus on what he needed to do for his club, for his late brother and for his family. After a few moments of silence, Jax began to speak. “The DA has no idea Scarlet murdered that guy. They haven’t made that connection and we need to keep it that way.” The blond biker took a breath, slipping his fresh pack of smokes from his kutte even though his urges would have been better curbed with some fine weed. “I was with her for that other dude she…” Tig piped up suddenly pausing his words as Jax lifted a brow at his brother’s words. “She what, Tig?” Jax hesitated lighting his Marlboro as he awaited an answer. Tig’s eyes went wide when he realized that Jax possibly didn’t know about the fucker Scarlet had put down when she first arrived in Charming and approached the club. “She...fucked up another guy right after she got here, boss. Some guy that fucked with David, I think? I didn’t ask questions when I saw what she did to the poor bastard. But Scarlet don’t leave no evidence, not from what I saw.” It was obvious Tig was having a hard time swallowing after spilling that info to the club president and the rest of the MC. The sound of Jax’s molars grinding in the back was no doubt loud enough for the other members to hear as he narrowed his gleaming blue eyes in Trager’s direction. Obviously Scarlet was more used to this kind of life than Jax was aware. In that second it was pretty obvious to him just how much of Otto lingered in her bones. There wasn’t going to be any changing of that fact; Scarlet was who she was, an outlaw of sorts just as he was. He couldn’t fault her for the things she had to do growing up. Hell, he did shit he regretted but at the time was necessary to keep him, his club or his family safe just as he knew Scarlet was doing the same. He couldn’t be angry; after all where would that get them? Another fight to cause stress she didn’t need? Instead Jax needed to focus on keeping her and their unborn baby safe and out of harms way when it came to the law. “Juice….I need any intel on this Andy Avery. Release date, we need that shit. Find out anything you can find out on him or his dead brother.” “On it Jax.” Without any other prompting Juice had the laptop on top of the reaper table and fired up. “I want that motherfucker dead. But I want him brought to me. Alive. He’s going to know just how Otto felt in his last moments. That bastard that hurt Scarlet, he’s lucky he’s in the cocksuckin’ ground. Unfortunately, there ain’t more we can do when it comes to him. It’s just a waiting game on the brother.” Jax finally pinched his cigarette between his lips, flicking the end lit with his cheap ass lighter. Chibs leaned back in his chair, rubbing his hand down over his salt and pepper goatee. “Ye t’ink we need ta reach out ta Janowitz, Jackie? Git some intel dat way?” The Scot then mimicking his president with a smoke. “Nah we’ll see what Juice digs up on the bastard first. If we’re lucky the fuckhead gets released soon. Wouldn’t want him to have the protection of the inside for too long.” Jax’s mouth finally took on the shape of a wry grin. The thoughts of torturing the asshole that killed his brother danced pleasantly in his head. He truly was a monster; only a true savage like Jax Teller would draw pleasure from gutting a man like a motherfuckin’ fish. His smirk widened as he drew back his second drag from his cigarette. “I call dibs on burying the asshole.” Hap chimed in, the toothpick he has propped in the corner of his mouth shifting to the other side in one swift movement. “You got it brotha.” The members that were gathered around the familiar table roared out in a laugh just as a faint knock came to the door and it creaked open, a tired looking Scarlet peeking her head into the room. “Sorry baby..I’ll wait..” His ol’ lady had obviously been crying and not sleeping from the red swollen eyes she displayed. “No, babe..it’s alright..we’re done.” Jax waved her in before looking to each of the guys and giving a nod of his head. One by one they lifted and pushed back from their seats and headed out of the room. Scarlet silently walked towards Jax as he crooked his finger for her to come closer. “Sweetheart, you look like shit. No offense but...did you sleep? At all?” Scarlet For the past few nights Scarlet laid awake as Jax slept beside her peacefully, a hand always remaining on some part of her, mostly her small rounded belly. When he would shift and begin to wake she would shut her eyes, faking she was sound asleep. The truth was the Queen to Jax Teller was deathly tired but when she would close her eyes her brain kicked into overdrive and would play out Otto’s death on a constant loop. Each time she would imagine words spoken to him by the murderer. She could feel his disappointment when gaining knowledge that she the treasured daughter was his downfall. After all the shit Otto pulled in his life for the club, all the murders he had gotten away with...Scarlet could not get over the fact that it was her murder that caused his heart to stop beating. Jax had made mention of a church meeting this morning with some other usual runs. Once Jax had left her behind in the house she got up in her now normal state of numbness. She forced herself to eat for the sake of her child, along with keeping up with the house so Jax wouldn’t question her state of mind by coming home to an untouched house. What was eating away at Scarlet was the fact she couldn’t go after Andy. She wanted to walk into that prison and show him just who he fucked with but for more than one reason, besides the obvious, Scarlet was stuck. She felt helpless and useless. Was this really the life she now succumb to taking on the boring life of an Ol’ lady that Gemma had glorified as some high honor? Yes, Scarlet was happy to be with Jax, proud she was his old lady but keeping house and raising babies couldn’t be all she was capable of for the club. She may never wear a kutte and sit at the table but surely she could be of more help than housewife chores. Sitting on the couch in silence for the better part of an hour Scarlet finally stroked the tears away from her eyes and decided she needed to be part of everything. She knew the club would be making moves on Andy and possibly the other men who took advantage of her. It was her right to be involved, or so she thought, as she walked out the door into her car with the mind set she was going to demand to be in the loop of this now club business. When she got to the club she didn’t even realize she was there until she parked. Scarlet was in a constant absent minded demeanor. She would forget mid sentence what she was even talking about, or she would walk into a room and forget why she was even there. She blamed it on the pregnancy but in actuality it was a mixture of that along with not sleeping and being emotionally drained day after day. She would take puking a few times a day over the constant battle she was having with herself. She was the only woman ballsy enough to knock and walk in the church doors without an actual invite. She looked up seeing all the men turn with serious faces when she stepped in. “Sorry baby...I’ll wait.” She didn’t want to make Jax look bad in front of the men, wanting to take back walking in but Jax stopped her before she could walk back out. “No, babe..it’s alright..we’re done.” Each of the men in leather gave her a small hug as they exited the room after Jax had dismissed them leaving the king and queen alone in the room they had conceived their unborn child. “Sweetheart, you look like shit. No offense but...did you sleep? At all?” Scarlet looked up at Jax mortified by his comment. Her hand smoothing down over her hair trying to quickly fix herself, mentally cursing herself for forgetting to get fully ready before making an entrance. “I..I haven’t Jax. I can’t. I try but I can’t stop thinking about this whole mess. I don’t do well with just sitting at home and not doing anything Jax. I wish I could for the baby but my mind won’t stop turning. I can’t stop seeing Otto. I don’t know what is happening to me. I don’t feel like me.” She stepped closer to Jax whose arms had been open for her to come sit in his lap. Before her ass even sat back down over his lap she began to cry which seemed like all she did these past few days. Jax closed his arms securely around Scarlet, his silence was only due to his compilation of whether or not her feelings were related to the pregnancy or having to adjust to the life of an ol’ lady. He didn’t know what else to say to her other then what he had already said. He knew as much as he tried to sympathize with the mother to his second born child he had no idea how it felt to know without doubt that your parent was killed due to a direct cause of one of your actions. Scarlet relaxed, leaning into him, shutting her eyes. He didn’t need to say anything, in fact him not saying anything spoke to her. Something about the club house was calming to her. She could never fully relax in the house where her old man’s dead ex wife seemed to still be present. It wasn’t long until Jax noticed a change in Scarlet’s breathing putting together his ol’ Lady was falling asleep. He lightly kissed her temple not wanting to move although he knew she would not be able to really rest the way she would need to in his lap in a worn on leather chair. Jax The change in Scarlet’s breathing as her body relaxed against his chest made him aware she had finally drifted off for some much needed sleep. It ripped him apart inside knowing the battle she was enduring within herself he could do nothing about. No amount of reassuring from him, or anyone for that matter, was going to let her rest with the fact that Otto’s death was directly connected to the crime she committed. He wished he could take that from her, take all the guilt that was now plaguing her inside and take it all on for himself to endure. If it was only that simple. Running his rough, calloused hand up along Scarlet’s side, his whiskered jaw rested on top of her dark locks as she slept. He didn’t want to move her; she needed the rest more than he did. He hadn’t slept well since all the information they all now knew came to light but he was aware Scarlet had slept even less. He wasn’t naive to the fact she had been faking her slumber over the past few nights just to make sure he didn’t worry. It was a typical ol’ lady move, taking care of the man she loved, even if it meant doing without for herself. He realized she was changing. Everything wasn’t all about herself anymore, not like it had been when he first met her. Change was sometimes good, even he knew that. But it was a hard commitment to make, especially for someone like her. He knew because she was just like him, the female version of Jax Teller. But for the good of their unborn child and for him, Scarlet Delaney was taking the form of another kind of woman. One that would become deadlier than the one before. Jax slipped his forearm under Scarlet’s knees and held her bridal style against his chest as he forced himself to his feet. He wasn’t sure just how much time had passed with her snoozing peacefully in his arms but he knew it was long enough to make his ass start to go to sleep. Careful not to wake her, he reached for the door and left the room to take her to the apartment in the back to rest. He laid her down into the bed before pulling the blankets up around her as she curled up on her side and slipped her hands under her head. Jax stepped back and just stared down at the woman he was falling in love with more everyday. She looked so peaceful, and he hoped that maybe her mind finally was going to shut off the never ending guilt cycle to allow her to sleep and get some much needed rest. Once he broke his gaze away from Scarlet he glanced at the clock on the old nightstand. He still had a few hours before him and a few of the other guys had to make a run to the warehouse to check on the newest stock and meet Cacuzza. Stepping over to the opposite side of the bed Jax kicked off his sneakers and quietly slipped onto the bed with his ol’ lady, laying his head on the pillow next to her as he watched her sleep. Maybe a little more rest wouldn’t hurt for him too, he thought, as his eye became heavy and darkness overtook him. Scarlet “Scarlet!” Her name echoed in the hall to the club apartment. Scarlet was in such a trance she didn’t know if she was dreaming or awake since it felt the same to her due to the lack of sleep. It was mostly Jax deciding she needed a nap and knowing the only way to keep her asleep would be if he laid down with her. The syllables in the tone that was screaming out were not familiar with anyone in the clubhouse. She had thought she was in mid dream when Jax shot up in bed to his feet, landing on the plush carpet before Scarlet’s eyes even had a chance to flutter open. “Stay here.” Jax demanded just as there was a knock on the door. He practically ripped the door off the hinges being met by Gemma who was pushed out his way before she could even speak. “Scarlet you little /slut/. I know you are in here. Get out here!” The voice again called out. She sat up looking to Gemma who gave her a knowing look. One that said ‘What kind of shit did you bring here now?’. With an annoyed sigh she put her shirt back on walking out to the main entrance. Jax was yelling at the intruder but getting nowhere. She was being held back by the MC but was frantically yelling out a slur of ugly words. Scarlet stood calmly behind Jax watching as her mother tried to fight her way in. “It’s fine.” Scarlet finally spoke out earning a quick glance from Jax. “She is my mother.” The words fell exhaustedly from her lips while her hand rank down her hair like she was trying to brush out the disappointments her mother had generously given her over the years. “That is right now get your disgusting hands off me.” Joanna had finally shoved her way through, giving Scarlet a spiteful glare. “Look who is the cheap croeater now. Funny how you always hated me for having Otto as a father and here you are knocked up by one of these losers just like I was. You think you will be loved by him.. You are pathetic.“ “HEY! You do not get to come into /my/ club and talk to /my/ ol’ lady that way. I don’t give a fuck who you are!” Jax was quick to step in between the two. Scarlet’s mother laughed, stumbling to the side almost tripping over herself but Tig reluctantly caught her, helping her to stand up right. Scarlet inhaled a deep breath letting the flush of embarrassment wash over her that she was all too familiar with. “How much have you had to drink Ma?” Taking a step forward, coming face to face with Joanna, her tone suddenly changed as Scarlet had expected. “Baby I missed you, I just wanted to see you. You always loved him more then me and he was never around. I’ve been taking my meds. I swear, baby, I have.” Joanna began to force a sob. All Scarlet could do was drape an arm over her shoulder, nodding for Tig and the others to step back and let her take over. “I know Ma. But you are not supposed to drink with them, remember? You have to be sober if you take them.” She guided her mother away from the club to the back apartment for some privacy. She prayed as she walked away that this was a dream and that Joanna was not really in Charming. Once they made their way into the apartment Scarlet kicked the door shut with her boot now faced with the monster she called mom. Joanna sat down on the edge of the bed still sobbing and muttering inaudible. Scarlet didn’t know where to even begin. She just stood there watching the mess unfold like the thousands of times she had witnessed before. She wanted her to leave but she also wanted to know how and why she had found her. “Mom what are you doing here?” She finally asked, keeping a distance between them. Joanna looked up drying her eyes only to break down before she even had a clear moment to think. “Okay, okay mom. You are fine. You’re safe. Why don’t you lay down? Let’s sleep it off huh?” With more hesitation than compassion Scarlet helped her lay down in bed, covering with the faded worn blankets. Within minutes Joanna had passed out cold and Scarlet began her usual routine by walking to the mini fridge taking out the beers and the bottle of Jack Daniels Jax had kept in there. She did a quick sweep for any drugs or items that may cause harm to anyone before making her way out the room. When Scarlet opened the door with her hands full, Jax was leaning against the wall. He didn’t need to say anything to her because his eyes said it all as he gathered the beers from her arms. “Babe, what can we do to help her?” He asked in a low rustling tone. She shook her head, walking away and shutting the door behind her. “She can’t be helped. She will sleep it off and when she wakes up she will take off.” Scarlet spoke like her mother was a broken record player, walking past Gemma who watched the whole thing unfold. The look Gemma gave Scar was one of understanding. It was almost like Gemma seen Scarlet for why she was the way she was. It didn’t change the opinion of Scarlet on Gemma or Gemma on Scarlet but it did show some insight as to why Scarlet felt a need to push Gemma out and away. Mommy Issues. “Babe she is your /mother/ You can’t.” Jax began only cut off by Scarlet. “She is not Gemma Jax. Joanna has and never will be motherly. She is here for herself not me. She is drunk and wants something. Please do not stand there and tell me how to handle her. I have done this thousands of times. I want her gone when I come back. I need her gone Jax.” Grabbing her car keys she began to walk to the door only to turn on her heel, hightailing it towards the church doors where Otto’s remains had been put on display. She clearly didn’t want her mother to have anything to do with Otto. The thought of her discovering his ashes only added a deep rage inside the mother to be. She knew if her mom found out his remains were there she would somehow turn it into all about Joanna. Otto didn’t deserve that and Scarlet wasn’t about to risk it. Gathering the urn and walking back out past Jax and the rest of the club without another word Scarlet left the clubhouse to take out the trash as Gemma would say. 

[jarlet-blog1]

28. Secrets Unlocked ~ by Jax & Scarlet

Jax fished in his front jeans pocket for his burner as he jogged down the concrete steps leading out of the San Joaquin Sheriff Department. Flipping it open his thumb swiftly punched in the numbers needed to get him one of the Prospects. Someone had to pick his ass up since his Harley was still sitting back at the lot. It was probably a good thing; he was in no mood to be driving. He’d have his Dyna punched down at a hundred miles an hour headed back to TM. The thoughts raced through his mind, recalling everything Jarry had just enlightened him with. He knew Scarlet had a dark past, they had touched briefly on it nights they spent lying in bed, just talking usually after a long, hard fuck. She wasn’t the kind of girl to just spill her entire life to someone, that was perfectly clear to him. But bits at a time he was pulling the real Scarlet to the surface, at least the one she had to been in the past.

“Itchy, bring the van and come pick my ass up. Pronto. I need to get back and now.” Jax relayed his demands only to get an ‘Okay boss’ on the other end of the line. He was silently thankful Itchy had answered back at the clubhouse, at least he was a potential for a full patch. The nickname was a bit off; Jax couldn’t help think the kid had fuckin’ crabs or some kinda STD shit the way the motherfucker always was scratching his junk. Really wasn’t his problem though as long as the fucker did what Jax needed.

Slapping the phone closed Jax slipped it back to the pocket it came from before reaching to his inner pocket for his smokes. It would be a wait before the Prospect arrived. Finding a vacant park bench just outside the station Jax took a seat and waited while he enjoyed his Marlboro. With each inhale the biker thought about the images he saw. The names Chris and Andy Avery now etched in his mind for future reference.

Kicking his feet out in front of himself Jax crossed his ankles and leaned back on the wooden bench, his arms resting on either side of the back of it. His cigarette pinched between his fingers, taking one drag at a time as he considered the discussion him and Scarlet were now going to have. He was sure the conversation was not going to be an easy one, especially when he had to tell her they now knew who had been the mastermind behind Otto’s murder. She would, without a doubt, go off the rails and Jax wasn’t taking that chance. Not with her carrying his baby.

Pulling back on the final drag of his smoke just as the vibration began in his denim pocket, he retrieved  it quickly. He was sure the boys had made their way to meet the Irish and with Chibs heading the meet he knew things should go over smooth. Once again flipping open his burner he placed it to his ear.

“Yeah?” Jax replied, not expecting to hear Chibs on the other end. The urgency in his voice made Jax sit up straighter, dropping his finished cigarette to the ground beneath his feet.

“Jackie..I.. ahh...we need ta meet at TM.” The Scot had a tone that wasn’t sitting well with the biker prez.

“What the hell? Shit go down with the Irish? Where the hell are you?” Pushing off the seat where he had been perched, Jax rose to his feet and began to pace.

“I’m wit’ Scarlet brotha. She’s okay jus’....she needs ta talk to ya.”

“What the fuck? What happened? Is she alright?” The pounding of Jax’s heart against his chest was now throbbing in his ears.

“She’s a’right, but she needs ya. That fuckin’ DA called ‘er in. Gave ‘er Otto’s remains fer her time. It was a setup Jackie…”

“WHAT?” The growl that followed he was sure rumbled in Chibs’ ear. Fuckin’ bitch calling Scarlet in while distracting him with the bullshit he had just been pulled in for. He turned his head, eyes narrowed on the window that lead straight to Althea Jarry’s office. A bullet right through, he thought, just one. “Get her to the fuckin’ clubhouse. NOW.”

“Jackie…” Chibs paused, almost as if he didn’t know how to relay the next part of his sentence. “Scarlet….committed murder, brotha. A guy..Chris Avery. Ye know dat name, Jackie?”

Suddenly Jax couldn’t breathe. The dismembered body he had earlier seen pictures of flashed in his mind. And the name. The name was on a constant loop in his brain and now he felt like he was fighting for air. How? He knew Scarlet was a wild one, knew she could handle her own shit but that? The way that fucker was mutilated it was hard for Jax to believe she was able to pull that kind of shit off. That was something he would do if needed but not his Scarlet. Grabbing the neck of his flannel shirt he tugged it forward, trying to somehow get some air into his lungs before answering his VP.

“Yeah, I know that name. Get her home. Now please.” His voice was diminished to a softened tone. All kinds of different scenarios now danced around in his fucked up mind. Why did Scarlet kill this fucker? Did she do it because of Otto? Had she known information about Otto’s killer that she kept to herself and didn’t tell him or the club? And most of all, did she perform this act when she was pregnant? The mere thought of her putting herself and the life she carried inside her in that kind of danger ground his gears. He was sure the more he thought about it the vein near his temple was pulsing in anger. Mixed emotions. That’s what he was experiencing in that moment. He wanted and needed to keep her and his baby safe but at the same time he wanted to yell and scream at her for being so stupid and not trusting him to help her.

As Jax closed his cell, the black van pulled up alongside of him with Itchy in the driver’s seat. Hopping in, he took a sideways glance at the Prospect.

“Get me back to TM. And fuckin’ fast.”

Scarlet

Scarlet was escorted inside with Chibs close to her side. There was a thickness to the air as he walked her to the sacred room. She felt the eyes of the club follow her as they normally did upon her entrance. It was clear something with the MC was going on and like numerous times before it had to do with Scarlet. The thoughts of all the reality shows that made their way on TV somehow now made sense to her, everyone wanted to know her every move. It became somewhat of an annoyance for her. To be so closely watched; had the feds watched her like the club did she would have been put to death long ago.

“Jackie is on ‘is way. Ya need ta tell ‘im ev’rything.” Chibs said as the tall black padded doors shut behind him. He pulled out a seat next to the head of the table for her to sit down. A soft sigh fell as she sat back in the seat looking down at her bump. “I don’t want to fight with him, he is going to come in here guns blazing and I am not ready.”

“Aye, ye let me deal wit’ ‘im. We will git this sorted an’ fixed” Chibs sat next to her, putting a strong arm around her shoulder, tugging her into his embrace.

They sat in silence in the room while one by one the other members filed in. Otto’s remains had been placed on the center of the table. Not a word was said as they took their seats, eyes on the box and not a clue of what kind of bombshell Scarlet was about to drop on the club.

Her hands stayed folded over her stomach while she waited to hear the church doors fly open. Normally she would be ready for a fight, normally she would be wanting it. Not today. Today she wanted no raised voices, no rude heartbreaking comments. All she wanted was to make it all go away and have some time alone with Otto but that wasn’t going to happen.

The room was deafening quiet as she watched as each member of SAMCRO eyes would find Otto and become emotionally filled. Sitting there was torture to her, the tears that fell were not for the lost of her father but the lost of the brother of the men before her. How would she sit there and tell them that a man they knew by far better than her was now a pile of ash due to her behavior?

She began to wonder what his last few moments had been like; was he told he was dying because his only daughter couldn’t walk away from the abuse without getting even? Could it have been a surprise to him? Did Otto die not knowing why it was happening to him? And finally how did Andy know she was related to him? Searching her brain she tried to figure out if maybe she had seen him but not register it was in fact Andy. His mugshot seemed like he had changed and she never spent a whole lot of time with her ex’s brother.

Clearly there were more questions then answers. Scarlet had always thought putting a name to the act would somehow heal her but all it had done was tear her open, filling her heart with more sadness.

She was brought back to reality when she felt more then one hand on her shoulders. She hadn’t realized the tears turned into boulders rolling freely down her cheeks. The club had gathered around her for support, the very same support she knew she didn’t deserve. She was about to tell them she was okay when the doors opened and Jax walked in clearly looking for her. His anger was evident until he took in the scene of his brothers gathered around Scarlet with Otto’s remains before them on the table.  

Jax

By the time Jax had arrived back at TM his blood was boiling. He found it hard to keep that shit contained, especially as of late. Slamming the van door after jumping out, he strode towards the clubhouse doors, his stride definitely relaying he was pissed.

“Jackson?” The sound of his mother’s voice combined with the heels of her boots on the pavement made his molars grind in the back. He had enough shit on his plate at the moment, he didn’t need her need to feel worshiped and loved today. Without even turning back he continued on his trek to the door.

“Jax!” Gemma once again called out from behind him.

“Jesus Christ. What?!” Jax snapped, his body turning to take in his mother now right behind him.

“What’s happened? Why was Chibs with Scarlet? Where were you? What the hell is going on?” Gemma’s questions were coming at him faster than bullets leaving one of the AK’s they purchased from the Irish.

“Mom, I ain’t got time to deal with your worry, right now I got more important shit goin’ on. Just stay out of it.” Turning back to the door, he knew anything he just said would go in one ear and out through the other.

Stomping through the hall leading to the room behind the closed padded doors, Jax clenched his teeth more as his arms swung, making his way to where he could only assume Scarlet was waiting. The problem was he was now at his boiling point after letting the information simmer all the way back to TM.

Pounding the door open Jax forced his way into church where he found his brothers gathered around Scarlet. He hadn’t even noticed the small, unmarked box placed in the middle of the reaper table. He had one thing on his mind. How she could do such a thing when she could have gotten herself and their unborn child killed? And now, if shit went sour, he could be planning on meeting his child for the first time with his ol’ lady behind fuckin’ bars.

“Get out!” The MC president snapped, meaning all the leather clad men. Everyone except Scarlet.

“Jackie…”

“GET OUT!” His temper now flared even more, his eyes narrowing in on Chibs as he stepped up in front of him to contain him if needed. Jax’s fists clenched turning his knuckles white.

Before Jax knew it, Chibs had grabbed his kutte by the opening and pushed his back against the wall, the rest of the members rushing to the scene unfolding. His blond hair fell into his face as he stared down his VP and his nostrils flared as he narrowed his now dark blue eyes across from him, his mouth curling in a snarl. Grabbing his left bicep, the Scot gave Jax no choice and pushed him back outside of the room. The last thing Jax heard was Scarlet’s soft whimpers of a cry.  

“Wha’ the feck is yer prob’em Jackie?! Tha’ woman in d’ere is cryin’ ‘er eyes out cause ‘er father is layin’ in a feckin’ cardboard box. An’ ya come in here like a raggin’ bull seein’ red ye feckin’ gobshite!” Chibs then clasped Jax’s face laced with coarse whiskers between his thumb and fingers, giving him no choice but to breathe and calm down before once again approaching the woman he apparently loved.

Jax pushed his brother’s hand from his face, exhaling a heavy breath as he pushed his straggly hair back from his face. Shrugging his shoulders to adjust his kutte he nodded his head towards Chibs, his expression now more calm and at ease. Patting his VP’s shoulder he brushed past him and re-entered the room where his ol’ lady sat waiting.

Scarlet

The moment Jax burst through the door Scarlet stood up with actual fear in her eyes. Chibs had caught the look she flashed over towards Jax and took charge of the situation. The room was echoed with Jax’s back slamming into the wall, making Scarlet step towards him, only to be pushed back and behind Tig who shook his head telling her to stay out of it. She watched in panic as the two vanished from the room. It wasn’t her intentions to create even deeper drama for anyone in the club. She only wanted Jax to hear her out and understand how much this is taking over her soul. The guilt from the information that was shot at her today was eating her alive.

“He is only mad because, like us, he doesn’t know what is going on. So sweetheart what /is/ going on?” Tig had turned to face Scarlet when the two left the room. Her eyes were fixed on the door, Chibs anger cracked through the opening of the door making her worried for the safety of both men.

“Scar...” Happy spoke up grabbing her hand to gain her attention. “How did you get Otto’s remains?”

“I.. the... I... I did this. Otto is in a cheap box because of me. I didn’t know you guys. I didn’t know that Andy would somehow find Otto.” She paused taking a deep breath. All the men seemed to step back horrified by her confession.

“Before I came here I was involved with a man named Chris. We dated for about 2 years. The first 3 months I thought we were falling in love. I thought I found..My prince. Then one night he got drunk and slapped me for dropping his glass and breaking it. After that for a year and nine months it was a nightmare. He was so much stronger than me, I didn’t have have anyone but him. Aedan had left for Ireland, I know you don’t know about him but he is a good friend of mine and David was in New York and dealing with a lot of shit for his club.”

The doors opened as a much calmer Jax walked in with Chibs falling behind. She continued even though she was afraid she would be seen in a light that would change her image to the club but most of all the feelings for Jax.

“I became more of a slave to him, cooking, cleaning, doing whatever he said to avoid a trip to the hospital. Then there was a night that Chris.. he brought some friends over. I knew from the start of the night it felt weird. There were no other females. It was a bit quiet to start. I knew it was different but I never thought....” She again paused, fighting back an endless supply of tears she seemed to be having today.

Her eyes dropped away from all the men staring at her. She had the room’s full, undivided attention. What she was about to say was something she had buried deep down inside. Her secret was locked away never to be visited again until today. “Chris called me into the livingroom. Had me sit on his lap and began saying how beautiful I was, the other agreeing. He started to kiss my neck and I went to stand, becoming uncomfortable. It pissed him off. I was thrown to the floor stripped, he um….he raped me in front of them and when he was done he spit at me and told them to have fun. They all took turns. I couldn’t look myself in the mirror for months. He wouldn’t look at me. He started to bring other girls home. One day I woke up and thought, this is not who I am. This is not the life I wanted. I was raped at 16 and I killed that man. Well, Aedan did most the work, I took my anger out then Aedan did the rest. Something snapped, I didn’t plan. I had gotten so mad. I went to his job and I was just going to break up with him. We argued and he dragged me home and I lost it. So yes it true, I murdered him. They found his body and somehow his brother must know because he had Otto killed. Imagine that? My whole life Otto was afraid he would bring me pain or this life would get me hurt and I was the one to hurt him.”

She covered her face, turning away from everyone. The guilt she held onto was evident everyone in the room felt her pain and not a single one could do anything to take it from her. No one even moved, no one even let out of breath as they stood there taking it all in.  

Jax

As Jax stepped back inside the room where Scarlet and the rest of the MC were gathered he heard her voice shaky and low and his eyes fixated on the woman he was falling madly in love with even if some of the shit she did pissed him off to no end. But as he stood there and listened to the words that spilled out of her, his heart was now falling to the pit of his own dark soul. His eyes scanned her flushed cheeks, watching as one by one the tears rolled down and fell from her chin and landed in her lap. Each word driving a knife deeper and deeper into Jax Teller’s heart and in that moment he knew just what a pompous asshole he truly was.

His steps carried him to Scarlet as she sat shaking in the leather chair that was usually filled by Chibs, the one man that had thankfully brought her back where she was safe and where she belonged. Her hands clasped together laid precisely in her lap as she replayed her story to the brothers. How could he have been such a jerk, barging in like a fuckin’ animal when all he had was assumptions? He sucked his lower lip into his mouth when the mention of what her ex did to her, allowing other men to do the unthinkable to the woman he now loved.

The palm of his hand smashed down on the carved mahogany table to release some of the anger he was feeling, causing Scarlet to jump as he dropped to one knee in front of her. His head bowed as she continued, not willing to let her see the emotion that was now consuming his expression. The tears welled behind his lids as he took her smaller, dainty hands in his and pressed the back of them to his face, just needing to in some way relay to her that she would never endure that again. Not ever. He’d spend his last breath making sure of that fact. He pressed multiple kisses to the back of her soft hands, the ones that were tainted with blood just as his were. He didn’t want that kind of life for her. Not anymore. That was his job, not hers. To protect her and never let her feel hurt again. Placing her hands back in her lap he reached out, resting each of her palms on her belly where their unborn child was growing. Finally he allowed himself to look up into her swollen, tear filled eyes.

As their eyes met, the rest of the MC began to exit the room, each one showing Scarlet a small, yet significant sign of affection, whether a squeeze to her shoulder or a kiss to the top of her dark hair. She was quickly making her mark in the life they knew as the queen to their king. As the double doors fell closed Jax reached up and brushed the back of his knuckles against her warm cheek. In a low, husky voice the silence was finally broke as Jax told Scarlet something very important.

“Baby, we will figure it out. Your old man loved you and this isn’t your fault. It’s not. And I’ll be damned if you are going to let yourself think otherwise. Your old man is damn proud of you, how could he not be? He’d never blame you for this shit ever.” Raising to his feet, her hands back in his he guided her to her own feet. He allowed his body to wrap her up in a tight hug, flattening his palm to the middle of her back as she molded against his chest, and what he could only assume to be soft sobs against his flannel.

“I love you Scarlet.’ Jax held her tighter, whispering softly and tenderly in her ear. His eyes finally averted to the center of the carved table, taking in his first glance of the box resting in the center. Silently in his head he made a vow to Scarlet’s old man and his former MC brother.

‘We’ll get them, brotha. We’ll make them pay.’

[jarlet-blog1]

27. Mangled Truths ~ by Jax

The half smoked cigarette tumbled across the pavement of the driveway, sinders bouncing as the cherry fell from the filter just before being crushed under the toe of the trademark Nikes.  Jax and Happy strode confidently across the yard of the house he now occupied part time with Scarlet and his young son, Abel. He couldn’t deny it was nice to be back under that roof, even if the goddamn place was tainted with more shit that he wished to recall. Sometimes he wondered if it was a magnet for misery but it was still his home. At least away from TM.

“Need me to call the others, boss? Have ‘em meet us?” Happy questioned as he reached his bike, swinging a leg over the leather saddle.

“Nah, quick ride to TM. Gather ‘em while we wait for Chibs. Fucker better not plug up my shitter neither.” Jax chuckled as he did the same as Hap, lifting his leg over the seat before plopping his ass in it.

“Fun job for the Prospect, man.” Happy’s eerie chuckle echoed across to the MC Prez as both men positioned their helmets securely on their heads.

“Be a shitty job, but someone’s gotta do it. No pun of course.” With a cocky smirk Jax flipped up the kickstand as he turned the ignition, bringing one of his most prized possessions to life. Without another word, just a nod towards his brother he pulled away from the house, leaving Chibs behind with his ol’ lady.

Rolling up to the gates of TM Jax waited for the two knucklehead Prospects to push them open. Why, he wondered, were the fuckin gates closed in the middle of the goddamn day when they obviously weren’t in lockdown mode or closed. Made him wonder sometimes about  the idiots that prospected for the club. Luckily only the ones with head smarts and enough balls made the cut. Giving a sideways glance to the tall, lanky son of a bitch as he drove past, Jax made mental notes to give that one a closer watch. After Hap rolled through, the gate began to move closed once again, causing Jax to lower his feet to the ground and give out a yell.

“Leave that fuckin’ thing open shithead. We’re tryin’ to run a fuckin’ business here.” Lowering his eyes, the kid that was barely twenty looked away from the biker president, stiffening his stance. Yeah, the kid sure didn’t have a head on his shoulders. Finding the right guys was a hard gig; most just wanted the leather for the partying and the pussy. The right ones made the cut, the wrong ones usually cried when they realized they didn’t have enough balls to wear the SAMCRO rocker.

Backing his bike in against the railing in the center of the parking lot, Jax quickly took inventory of who was already there. Tig, Bobby, Juice, Rat. Even Quinn and Montez were there. Only one missing was Chibs and he hoped he’d be along soon. They had another scheduled meet with O’Shay and as much as Jax would prefer to skip that ‘friendly gathering’ he knew it was something that needed to happen if he wanted to keep shit off his doorstep. Luckily they had a little time to kill.

Jax made his normal stride across the lot, arms swinging as he caught sight of two blondes exiting the clubhouse door. Fresh meat, he thought, as he eyed them up, giving them a pompous brow waggle causing them to giggle. Yeah, definitely virgins to the croeater scene. Just as his brain began to file them away for future inventory he recalled he was now, once again, a taken man. That shit didn’t happen in Charming, not when you had an ol’ lady. At least not if you wanted to keep your cock and not have it detached from your body and rammed up your own ass. At least that’s what Jax considered could happen if Scarlet ever found out that kind of pertinent information. He knew the things that woman was capable of, and he truly liked his dick where it was.

Just as his hand reached out for the handle of the door, the blare of sirens ripped through the air, causing his brows to furrow as the San Joaquin sheriff pulled up along the side of the building. Althea Jarry, the new head honcho in town and continuously riding his ass about bullshit. He couldn’t help but wonder what the fuck she was coming in TM with guns a blazing for. Shit had been quiet, hell in the eyes of most people they were perfect law abiding citizens lately. The MC king couldn’t help but roll his eyes as Jarry stepped out of the car, followed by a few of her deputies. Seemed they were coming full force for some fucked up reason.

“We got a problem sheriff?” Jax released his hand from the door handle he had been gripping taking a few non cautious steps towards the woman who obviously wore her shiny new badge proudly. “I don’t think you bring in the whole calvary just to say hello.”

Jarry’s eyes rolled and it was obvious she didn’t find his words to be as comical as he intended them to be. Bracing her hands on her duty belt she walked slowly towards him, causing him to once again radiate a confused look.

“We need you to come down to the station, Mr. Teller. We have a….situation we need your cooperation with. You can come with me peacefully or we can take you in cuffs. You choose. Hard way or easy way.”

“Jesus Christ.” Jax turned slightly to look at Happy who was chewing on the end of his toothpick a bit harder than usually. It wasn’t hard to tell the officer bitch was grinding his gears as well as Jax’s. “Make this shit quick. I got a lot of work to do today….in the garage. Got alot of broken down vehicles”

“It won’t take much of your time, Teller. We wouldn’t want to keep you from your...livelihood.” Jarry flashed her own smirk back at Jax.

“Hap, when Chibs gets back you guys head out for those new parts. I’ll meet ya later after I deal with this shit.” With a nod of his chin towards the Tacoma killer, Jax stepped up to the police cruiser. “I’m guessing I’m getting an escorted ride, sheriff?”

“Just get in the back Mr. Teller.” Opening the door, Jarry waited for Jax to climb in, closing it when the blond biker takes a seat. Wasn’t the first time he saw the backseat of police car and most likely not the last.

[San Joaquin Sheriff Department, 30 minutes later]

Leaning back in the uncomfortable seat across from the sheriff’s, Jax eyed the engraved name plate that rested on the mahogany holder. Jax had to admit, he liked this one more than Roosevelt. Shame the poor fucker got taken down a few months ago. How Unser ever survived to make it to retirement was beyond him. Only thing Jax could figure? He aligned himself with the Sons.

“I’m sure you’re wondering why you are here Mr. Teller.” Jarry circled her desk, rounding it to take a seat in the high back leather chair opposite him after closing her office door.

Jax steepled his fingers in front of his face, his elbows resting on each arm of the chair as he spoke. “Well I’m thinking I ain’t here cause you missed my pretty face. But can you get to the point? I got a busy day.”

Straightening the manilla folders laying on top of the desk surface, Jarry displayed a cold glare at the pretty boy biker causing Jax to tilt his head, waiting for her to relay whatever bullshit she was trying to pin on him and his MC.

“Well Mr. Teller...does the name Chris Avery mean anything to you?” The officer sat up straighter in her seat, hands folded and placed on top of the files.

“Should it? Cause I can’t say it’s a name that rings a bell, sheriff.”

Before he was sure she even processed his words she had the top folder flipped open and a spread of photos out on display in front of him. Jax leaned forward in his chair, examining the bloody, mangled body in pictures that spoke volumes. It was a damn good thing he didn’t have a weak stomach, poor fucker was a mess. Whoever this shithead was, someone did a damn job on them. Made him wonder what the asshole must have done to deserve that kind of grueling death.

“You’re sure about that Mr. Teller? That sort of...death doesn’t look familiar? At all?” Her voice dripped with annoyance as she pointed down at the photos once more.

“Yeah, I’m sure. Ain’t seen the kid in my life, never heard the name...ain’t got a clue who the poor fucker was. We done?” As Jax prepared to lift from his seat, Jarry blurted out words that quickly caught his attention.

“Otto Delaney. /That/ name ring a bell?” Her eyes fixated on Jax’s as his obviously widened at the mention of his recently fallen brother.

“What about him?” Yeah, the name sure caught his attention, had his heart pumping hard against his chiseled chest. Whatever that dismembered body had to do with Otto, the head of the MC was now suddenly interested. He slowly sat back down in his seat.

“Are you aware, Mr. Teller, that your girlfriend…”

Jax quickly corrected her. “Ol’ lady.”

“Sorry, old lady.” She cleared her throat before continuing. “....dated this young man. This..Chris Avery. I assume it was before she made her way to Charming and associated herself with your MC.”

A single brow lifted as Jax attempted to put the pieces together because at the moment she was doing a piss poor job of doing so.

“And...what’s this got to do with me, Otto or my club, sheriff?” Jax was beginning to grow impatient; the mention of Scarlet with a punk that was now chopped into little pieces wasn’t sitting well with him by any means. But losing his cool, sitting there with Sheriff High and Mighty wasn’t going to earn him any brownie points and get him back to the shit he was supposed to be doing today.

“What it has to do with your club, Mr. Teller, is obviously this young man was murdered. And your..old lady dated him prior to coming to Charming. And she is also the only daughter of Mr. Delaney that has been locked up in Stockton State Prison due to charges because of /your/ club. You keeping up with me?”

Grinding his molars, Jax nodded in an answer.

“And this…” She quickly pulls out a mug shot of a guy he also had never seen before. “This is Andy Avery. The brother to the man that /your/ old lady dated and….the man that ordered the hit on your MC brother, none other than Mr. Otto Delaney.” She paused for a moment to let Jax process everything she was spewing at him. “DA Patterson has reason to believe Scarlet Delaney was abused by Chris Avery. Now why would his brother put out a hit on the man that is not only her father but /also/ a member of the Sons of Anarchy? Can you tell me that, Mr. Teller? Because I’m thinking that mangled body we have there has your club’s name all over it.”

The accusations Jarry was now throwing was not sitting well with the SAMCRO president and the anger was ready to rush over but he contained it. He needed to get his head wrapped around the shit that was being thrown at him and in order to do that he needed to speak to Scarlet.

“I don’t know what you /think/ you know Sheriff, but if you ever come at me and my club again without some goddamn hard evidence, you’re body could be the next one having pictures taken like that.” Without anymore hesitation Jax rose from his seat, turning his brawny body to leave.

“Mr. Teller…” Jarry moved around to the front of her desk, leaning back against it with the neat pile of folders in her arms. “We’re going to be digging in on this. I suggest if your club is an innocent party, you get on board.”

“Yeah, thanks for the tip /sheriff/.” Pulling open the closed wooden door before even given instruction to leave, Jax exited the station without so much as a word or a look at another person. His mind was rolling around with questions for his ol’ lady. But most of all, and the most important information in his eyes, they now had a name to avenge Otto’s murder. And that fucker could be guaranteed Jackson Teller was coming for him.

[jarlet-blog1]

26. A Lie for a Lie ~ by Scarlet

Upon arrival Scarlet got chills that ran deep into her bones. She hadn’t been to the prison since she had discovered Otto’s passing. The DA’s office was just across the street from state penitentiary. She emerged from her car, instantly turning staring at the bricked cage for men who lived a more dangerous life.Chibs walked up next to her placing his hand over Scarlets shoulder clasping it over in a light soothing squeeze. She couldn’t acknowledge him if she wanted to; she was frozen in time. A reel of different encounters played in her mind, each smile Otto gave her, the laughs they shared. The secrets he had entrusted her with all played like some sort of movie trailer that should have had an happy ending or at the very least not such a bloody one. “I miss ‘im too darlin’.” The Scots voice barely broke through to her. There was a single lingering tear that fell from the corner of her left eye. Quickly swiping it away she cleared her throat offering Chibs a small smile pushing her palm off the car door to let it shut.

Walking up the steps of the office building she began to wonder if she would ever be able to move on from the loss of Otto Delaney. Once they reached the door Chibs held it open for her giving her a stern glance that told her to say nothing. Of course she already knew better than to share info but with Otto’s remains on the line and the clear emotion in her eyes it was assumed that she could easily break. This worried the VP of SAMCRO. “ I am here for...”

“Ms. Delaney, I see you brought a friend.” Patterson cut Scarlet off, walking out of the office over to her and Chibs who nodded once to the DA before taking a seat in the waiting area. Scarlet smiled but it quickly faded when she was approached by two men in uniform. “You’ll have to excuse them, it’s all a formality when getting brought in for questions. Since you came in on your own there won’t be a need for cuffs.” Patterson had stepped aside while the two men quickly escorted Scarlet to the back room.

“Wha’ is dis shit?” She heard Chibs yell out as the door shut behind her. Both men stood on each side of the door awaiting the bitch DA to make her way back in the room. Scarlet stood confused; she knew there was more to what was said on the phone and she walked right into the trap. Jax was going to kill her, then Chibs for letting this happen.

“Chris Avery” The door had opened and shut quickly, the dark skinned woman walked in with a thick file making her way to the table dropping it down. “You are familiar with that name aren’t you Ms.Delaney?”  The woman sat down waving her hand out for Scarlet to join her. Taking a seat Scarlet’s mind quickly began to run back on details, sure she left no trace of her behind.

“Yes. Unfortunately.” The DA smiled at her response as she opened the file, appearing to read the first page, pursing her lips out as if she was reading something interesting.

DA Patterson looked up at Scarlet with a sly smile, drumming her fingers along the wooden table. “There is eye witnesses that say you were the last person seen with Mr. Avery in what appeared to be a heated discussion before he went missing.”

Scarlet watched her fingers drum a bit harder in some attempt to trip Scarlet up over her words but if there was one person in the world who kept grounded during intense moments, it was Scarlet. It was something that always in some ways scared the tattooed beauty. Her ability to turn off her emotion connected to what was going on and use the once needed to keep her calm. “The last time I was with him yes we fought. If you read my hospital records you would see many visits from me, with many accidents I had while dating him. I left him in the middle of the night. I ran from him, he has tried to follow me. What does this have to do with Otto?”  

“Everything, actually. You would have known that had you not attacked a guard upon your discovery of Otto’s death. You lost those rights when you pulled a gun on the guard and was held on the 72 hour psych hold.” She paused knowing she now had Scarlet’s full attention. Patterson leaned back in her chair as if she was winning some sort of fight before she continued. “Chris Avery’s body was discovered, badly deteriorated, mutilated in fact. It was ruled a homicide.” She looked to Scarlet for a reaction, and as if on cue Scarlet began to cry just a second before pictures were pushed out in front of her. She was trying to show an emotional connection to Chris. Scarlet knew if she showed no emotional ties to the man that held close ties to her it would raise some flags. “Now maybe you can help me out here. Did Otto know Chris? Or did Chris and his family know Otto?”

Scarlet’s head shook trying to put the pieces together, not understanding what one had to do with the other. She looked at the pictures and knew by the sweatshirt he was wearing that is was Chris. “No. Otto never knew any one I knew and Chris never really asked about my father. What does any of this have to do with me or Otto? I had nothing to do with Chris dying.”  

“Maybe not. But answer me this.” She again paused searching the file for a picture, she slide it out over the pictures of Chris tapping the image. “Who is this”

A mugshot was placed in front of Scarlet, she picked it up confused. Scarlet looked at the DA then the picture becoming short of breath. “Um. That’s. Andy. Chris’ brother.”

“Yes it is Scarlet. Do you know what he has to do with all this?” The DA was clearly playing a mind game with Scarlet.  She smiled, pulling the picture away from her, looking it over herself. “I can see your confusion. Let me help you try to put this together and then maybe you will do yourself a favor and fill in the blanks. You see, Andy here is currently residing in Stockton State Penitentiary. He has quickly made a name for himself and would appear to have a lot of pull. It has come to my attention Andy had a hit put out on your father. Andy is the reason Otto died. Now...why would Andy do that to you unless he had some sort of need for vengeance?”

“What?” Scarlet pushed back in her seat standing up. The air in the room suddenly becoming stale and unbreathable. Both her hands made way over her stomach giving away she was with child when the molding of her loose fitting shirt material shaped over the small bump. “But why? How… I don’t understand.” Scarlet rambled on, none of the pieces laid out before her making any sense.

“That is what we are wanting to know, we assume it has something to do with the murder of Chris but we only found his body a week ago. Why did Andy Avery have your father killed before Chris Avery was even found. What is the connection Scarlet? How are the SONS involved? Did Otto know he hurt you?”

The words falling like threats of poison by a snake from the woman across from Scarlet only made her fit the pieces together that the DA’s office in fact had no idea what really happened between Scarlet and Chris. She wasn’t a suspect, Actually, they had no real lead or name of a suspect. The only connection being Andy had Otto killed but judging by the throbbing vein in the side of the DA’s temple, there was no solid evidence. “I want my father's’ remains. You told me I could have them if I gave you a few minutes. And I have. I don’t know anything else.”

Patterson nodded to the officer who walked out the room, she began picking up the photo’s putting the file back together sighing heavily annoyed. “I do feel bad for you Ms. Delaney, I know being born into this sort of life must have had it’s toll on you. Your mother seems to think you are a lot like your father.” Scarlet’s eyes darted up in shock at the woman. “Yes, we spoke to your mother. She seems to think you are capable of most things your father had done in his life. I sincerely hope otherwise. For your sake and what I assume to be your child.”  

The door opened again, the officer walked in with a plain box handing it over to Scarlet. She had nothing else to say, holding the box to her chest Scarlet fought back tears. With a tap of the folder and paperwork making sure it all aligned properly, Scarlet was dismissed. “You’re free to go but for now I do advise you stay close.”

Walking out the door, tears streamed down her face, clutching the box to her chest. “Jesus Christ wha’ da hell happened in dere?” Chibs jumped to his feet when Scarlet walked out to the lobby. She walked past him, needing to get to her car. She didn’t even realize she was holding her breath. Chibs followed her out, concerned, but didn’t say another word, his only focus now being get her home safe.

Scarlet seemed to be on autopilot as she backed out of parking spot. The events from only moments ago rang in her ears. Otto’s death was related to her. The more it sank in the more panicked she became. The air she was breathing in seemed empty and dry. Scarlet had blamed the club for Otto’s passing and with a blink of an eye the ugly truth was told. It wasn’t about Samcro, it was about Scarlet. Andy never liked her to begin with, mainly because he had asked her out months before she met and fell for Chris. Had she actually gone out with Andy the situation she was in would be entirely different. Her hands shook as she drove, glancing to the box she placed in the passenger seat, her eyes went out of focus. Everything blurred making it hard to see the road ahead of her. It wasn’t long before she blinked seeing Otto’s bloody body standing in the intersection, making her slam on the brakes. He was gone before she could take a second look. It was in that moment Scarlet fully let the fact that Otto was killed because of her sink in. His blood was on her hands.

She was stopped in the intersection in the middle of a green light. Cars honked and people began to yell. Scarlet screamed, pushing her car door open, stumbling out, grabbing her chest unable to breath. Chibs ran over, grabbing her, leading her out of traffic to the side of the road. “What de hell is goin’ on?” Chibs yelled out of his own panic, sitting her down on the side of the road. Scarlet couldn’t speak, she just harshly sobbed, rocking back and forth.”Scarlet you need ta breathe. Deep breaths in an’ out. I need ta move ya car, stay ‘ere.”

He jumped up running over to the still running car, pulling it over to the side of the road to unblock the traffic. Chibs hustled back over to Scarlet who couldn’t help but blurt it out.

“I killed him, It’s my fault. Otto was killed because of me. I fucked up. I killed my Dad”

[jarlet-blog1]

25. Lies That Burn ~ by Scarlet

The sun had barely peeked over the mountain passage when the sound of Jax’s alarm had buzzed the sleeping couple awake. Jax rolled to his side lightly kissing Scarlet’s cheek. “Mornin’ darlin’.” His voice cracked with sleep while he peeled back the sheets, getting out of bed. Scarlet laid there listening to the shower turn on. The air that morning felt different to her, it was more crisp than normal. Everything felt different although it all was the same. Placing a hand over her small bump she inhaled the chilling air as she climbed out of bed. She wore Jax’s boxers and one of her tank tops just to make sure she was decent in case Abel woke up and popped into the kitchen like he did most mornings.

The daily routine began for the first lady of Samcro, making a fresh pot of coffee making sure there was enough for any unexpected visits of other club members. If she didn’t force him to eat Jax would leave every morning without food in his stomach so this became a priority to her. Perhaps it was the motherly nature pregnancy has somehow come to life from her.

She made Jax and Abel some quick french toast with eggs just as Jax finished getting ready for the day of dealing with whatever shit would come his way from the day before. Scarlet was learning to refrain from asking to many questions, she found it easier to live in ignorance while she was with child.  

Jax walked in placing a hand on Scarlets hip giving her a lone kiss while she finished up breakfast when both of their phones rang simultaneously. Each of them both ganced at each other before answering. Jax stepped out the kitchen while Scarlet brought the phone to her ear. “Hello?” She questioned, plating the food.

Abel walked in climbing up into his seat rubbing his eyes. She placed the plate down leaving the young boy to pour his own syrup. “Ms. Delaney, This is DA Patterson. I was wondering if I could speak to you pertaining information about your father Otto Delaney.”

Scarlet’s mouth opened then quickly closed; she wasn’t sure what to think. “What about him?” she questioned looking outside the window putting her hand over her small bump.

“It was brought to my attention you never received his remains. I’d like to make that arrangement for you, in exchange for a few moments of your time.” Scarlet wasn’t naive, she knew this was going to be more than about Otto. “If you are interested you can come by my office today at noon.” The DA hung up leaving Scarlet in a struggle over what to do or if she should mention it to Jax.

“Scarrr…” Abel called out making her turn around to see syrup dripping from the table to the floor.

“Shit.” She mumbled grabbing a towel trying to clean up the mess seeing Abel’s pancakes were floating in syrup.

“What happened?” Jax walked in picking up Abel to avoid him getting covered in the sticky mess.

“I turned around while on the phone, I wasn’t watching.” Her eyes never looked up while cleaning on her hands and knees. Trying to wrap her mind around the phone call she started to scrub the floor.

“Baby?” Jax tone broke her thoughts kneeling down next to her taking the rag. “Baby It’s clean. Who called?” Jax seemed to slouch down to look up into her dark eyes, Scarlet was far away in her mind, the words of her beloved didn’t even register. “Hey Scar…” He sat down gathering her in his arms pulling her to him making sure she was securely in his arms. Scarlet knew she couldn’t keep a secret from him but she also knew he would most likely make the choice to go or not for her.

“It’s fine, I um. I think I have a case of pregnancy brain?” For the first time blatantly lying to Jax. There was a breath of air pushed out from between his lips clearly forcing the worry out. He didn’t know what to think or say, he has never really been around a pregnant woman before so he spoke by kissing her temple as the back door opened.

“Holy shit.” Happy was standing over them both blinking rapidly. Jax helped Scarlet up then pushed himself from the floor with a chuckle. “I thought you were dead or doing it.” Happy laughed, making Scarlet smack his chest.

“Is that all you think about, Hap? Fucking and killing?” Scarlet was trying to come off as playful but her nerves were caught by the men now standing in the kitchen.

“Aye, fuckin’ and stabbin’. Tis all men think ‘bout darlin’.” Chibs chimed in, putting an arm around her neck, tucking her into his side, leaning his head over hers. “Ye alrigh’ love?” Chibs whispered letting Scarlet know she could talk to him.

She looked up at him saying with her eyes she was lost, with a simple nod Chibs took in a short breath calling out to Jax. “Jackie boy, ye an’ Hap run ahead yah? I need ta borra’ da shitter.”

Jax walked in adjusting his belt with a light chuckle. Making his way to Scarlet he kissed her cheek. “Ya, sure brother. You sure you’re ok?” Jax seemed concerned. It was unlike the V.P to ever want to really leave his side on runs.

“Aye, t’ink I ate some bad food.” Chibs rubbed his stomach walking away to the restroom.

Jax laughed, glancing apologetically to Scarlet. She smiled, shrugging back her shoulders. She hated not being honest with him but before she was willing to lay it out she needed advice on the matter. “Alright baby, I’ll be back later tonight.” Jax kissed her cheek a last time before walking out of the house with Happy behind him. Hap had turned to face Scarlet, giving her a narrowed glance. Clearly he thought she was up to something but he never spoke on it just shutting the door following behind the president of Samcro.

“A’right, wha’s up love?” Scarlet’s eyes were met by the Scot who was now helping himself to the fresh pot of coffee. She wasn’t sure what to do or how to say it. This was a new action for her. Scarlet was never one to ask for help or advice. She stood there realizing this was out of her normal routes. She was changing, that alone scared her shitless. Her hand found it’s way over her small bump, becoming silent for what seemed the first time in her life.

Chibs set the pot down, walking over to her concerned. He had no idea what she was about to confess to him. Part of him wasn’t sure he was ready for whatever may fall from her red painted lips. “I want to be able to make my own choices. I don’t want everything decided for me the way Jax tries to do. I know he means well but I need to have options when stuff like this comes up. Not a final say.” She finally spoke in no way making sense of the matter.

Letting out a confused breath of air Chibs brought a hand to his unshaven face scratching the scruff while he took in her words. “Wha’ choices do ye wan’ ta make?” His eyes studied her hand movement over her baby bump. She quickly shook her head horrified that he would assume she was speaking of her child.

“The DA from Stockton called. Patterson? She wants me to go have a chat with her. She said if I did she would give me Otto’s remains. I want my dad. But I know Jax wouldn’t let me go.” Taking a seat she finally let out the dark cloud hanging over her. Chibs leaned back on the counter crossing his arms in thought before answering her.

“Jax loves ya, darlin’. So many people he has loved has been hurt by shite. It will kill ‘im ta see ya get taken down ‘cause yer his ol’ lady. But I see wha’ ya mean. Yer strong, stubborn. Yer a lot like Otto. Loyal to a fault, jus’ like Jackie. We will go to da DA gash. Ye say nothin’ ‘bout  da club. You get yer Da. An’ we give ‘im da proper respect he deserves. But, I’m goin’ wit’ ya.”  There was a long moment of silence between the two of them while the thoughts turned over from the discussion between the two.

Chibs reached out without warning pulling Scarlet into a warm embrace. “Ya let me deal wit’ Jax. When he asks why ye didn’t tell ‘im ya say ya got da call afte’ he left. I was here. We decided ta go.” Scarlet nodded tightening her arms around Chibs ready to go. She didn’t want to waste more time. Otto needed to be brought home.

Nothing else needed to be said. Scarlet gathered Abel’s things to drop him off at TM on their way out. She sent a text to Gemma that she had an appointment to go to. She wasn’t lying. Once they were in the car Chibs followed behind on his bike. Scarlet wondered if She was picking up a body or ashes as she drove the car the short distance to TM. When she pulled up Chibs didn’t bother to get off his bike. Abel took off running the second he was out of the car. Watching him run over to Gemma she let out a sigh. “Good Morning, Gemma.” Handing over his backpack Gemma didn’t say a word. She turned her focus on Abel, only adding to Scarlet’s frustrations with the soon to be grandmother of her baby. Maybe no talk was better, the less questions the less suspicious it would seem that Chibs was the one on babysitting duty when it was normally a prospect.

Scarlet and Chibs made their way down the highway into Stockton, both unaware of what would be really waiting for them upon arrival.  

[jarlet-blog1]

24. Truth vs Lies ~ by Jax

The sun was slowly setting over the horizon as Jax and his crew rode past the old, carved wooden sign of announcing one’s arrival to Charming. The warm breeze was hitting the biker president’s scruffy cheeks, blowing the ends of his light hair from under the helmet that sat securely on his head. Another day was behind them and he was looking forward to rolling back into TM to conclude the long hours that made up that day. He would be lying to himself if he expected life as he normally knew it to stay as quiet and as peaceful as it had in previous weeks. Their time was normally filled with chaos not calm filled business transactions. As much as he enjoyed settling into what some would call the domesticated life with Scarlet and his son, he knew that shit would be short lived. He would be naive and a complete moron not to expect it and at the same time be ready for it. The days of their lives were better known to be filled with chaos and turmoil and Jax knew better than to think that shit wasn’t coming.

His foot quickly downshifted his Dyna as he rounded the next turn, his hand easing on the throttle as they rolled into the place they all called home. It was true that most of the MC considered the clubhouse more their home than their actual place of residence. Their lives were spent around that reaper table and not one of them would ever choose differently or regret a single moment. Jax could recall only a few times he had ever thought seriously about walking away from the club. He wasn’t exactly sure if it had been a blessing or not that he hadn’t decided to leave. The legacy of the gavel he held daily was in his blood; it was meant to be held by a Teller and he was the only hope for that to happen when he forced Clay Morrow to step down. It was a choice his ex wife had accepted but he knew deep down she hated it. She wanted the white picket fence, kids, dog and him as a normal working man. It was something that would have never happened which was exactly why it didn’t. He was merely a mediocre mechanic with a GED. An outlaw was the only thing he knew and did well. Jax Teller was a smart man, but his smarts didn’t take him to a corporate office, his took him to the streets where he was a CEO in his own right. And in recent days his ‘office’ was exceptionally calm.

His feet lowered to the asphalt as he walked his Harley back into its normal resting spot at the head of the line. With a flick of his ankle the kickstand found its way down to be the support for his mechanical beast. His eyes darted rapidly around the lot, taking in the usual surroundings as his brothers mimicked his recent actions. Swinging his leg over the saddle, both feet once again made contact with the pavement below as he pulled each finger from his leather gloves. His blue eyes peered through his riding glasses, finding the matriarch herself sauntering out of the garage office headed straight for the gang of brothers.

“Hey baby. Good day?” Gemma placed both of her aged hands against her son’s chest where his signature leather rested. Without a moment of hesitation in his actions, Jax brushed a kiss over his mother’s still smooth cheek. The woman that birthed him surprisingly still didn’t show her true age. She was still a fox, now just a fox in her prime. He really couldn’t have been prouder of his mother and the sacrifices she had made for him and the club not to mention the ol’ lady that every woman behind her would ever stride to be. That also included his ol’ lady, Scarlet.

“Quiet day, ma. How’s shit around here? Scar gone home with Abel?” Jax questioned as he plucked the leather strap open from under his chin, placing the helmet on the custom T-bars. Taking a single step away from his Harley he slipped his glasses from his eyes and stuffed them to the inner pocket of his kutte. As Jax strutted his normal stride towards the clubhouse door, he turned his head to study his mother’s expression as she followed, his steps in time with the clicking of her high heels boots as they fell upon the pavement.

“She’s already gone. Abel was resistant, baby. Are you sure..” Gemma questioned as Jax quickly ended his mother’s words, already privy to what she was about to spew.

“Mom, he has to get used to Scarlet being around. He’s fine with the other damn girls, with Unser, Chucky...what the fuck is the problem with Scarlet?” Jax’s tone dripped with annoyance; he was aware his young son was still processing Tara’s death but he was convinced Abel needed a more stable woman in his life other than Gemma. Scarlet was now pregnant with his child, she wasn’t some random croeater he dipped his cock in once in awhile. She wasn’t going anywhere, as long as he had something to say about it.

“I know Jackson but are you sure about her? For Abel? For you?” Gemma halted her steps and grabbed at her son’s elbow, causing him to turn to face her.

The tone of Jax’s earlier annoyance was now evident on his expression. His mother loved to stick her nose in his shit, especially when it concerned a woman. And while he understood her concern, she also needed to know when to back the fuck off.

“Jesus Christ. Are you fuckin’ kidding me right now? She’s carrying /my/ baby. She’s /trying/ with Abel. What the fuck is wrong with you?” The anger displayed on Jax’s face was clear; he was done with this bullshit when it came to the women in his life. It had nothing to do with Scarlet but it had everything to do with his mother’s own insecurities.

Since Jackson was a teenager Gemma made sure to know everything about any girl he ever dated. Tara Knowles being the first. There was always something wrong with /anyone/ he crushed on, dated or even fucked. Wendy faced the same ridicule that Tara did, even though his mother pushed for the marriage between them only for her own selfish wants of a grandchild. And now Scarlet was going to be reprimanded the same as the other women in his past life. And he wasn’t about to let that shit continue.

“Baby, I know you think you love her. I love her. She’s Otto’s daughter but..” His mother hesitated and did her famous lip bite when she seemed nervous or hiding something.

“But what?” His breathing became deeper as Jax attempted to control the anger that was now boiling in his gut.

Gemma took a step closer to her son, fixing the edges of his kutte before dancing her hands down over the chest of it, running her fingertips over the President’s flash that was sewn securely to the leather as her dark eyes lifted to his. He wasn’t stupid, she was trying to smooth him over like she always did. What she didn’t know was whatever she was about to say to him wasn’t going to change anything. Nothing at all. But Gemma being the manipulative woman she could be would use any means necessary to get her way, lying or otherwise.

“Are you aware how close she is with David?” His mother batted her long lashes as she tried to drop a bomb he didn’t want to consider. The thought had entered his mind the night Scarlet spilled the truth about her being pregnant. For all he knew she was carrying David’s child; he didn’t know just how close they were but it was an accusation he wasn’t willing to bring up to Scarlet, not now and probably not ever. In all honestly he felt it was just his own insecurities causing those lingering thoughts no matter how hard he fought to keep that shit at bay. Truth was they hadn’t known each other long before she showed up throwing the pregnancy in his face. He’s be pretty stupid to /not/ think there could be other alternatives even when he didn’t want to.

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” He pulled away from Gemma, turning his brawny body back to her, making another step towards the clubhouse door.

With a sense of panic Gemma’s eyes shifted as she watched her only son walk away, blurting out before thinking. “I caught her with him!”

The words fell from Gemma’s mouth before she had time to think. The lie erupted from her painted lips before she had time to even consider the possible damage she could cause. The words hit Jax’s ears, unable to be fully processed before he caught his lips curling in a snarl.

“You what?!”

Luckily Gemma was the queen of weaving deception and thinking swiftly on her feet.

“I went to your house. He was there. They were..umm..baby, just trust me, she’s not the one for you.” Gemma frantically brushed her bangs from her eyes before they scanned the pained and angered expression on her son’s face. After Scarlet’s prissy, almighty attitude with Gemma a few days before, as much as Gemma wanted another grandchild, the matriarch was prepared to do whatever it took to put her in her place. Otto's kid or not.

“You know what mom? I don’t wanna hear it! Stay the fuck out of my shit! You got that? I ain’t tellin’ you again.” Jax’s finger was pointed sternly in his mother’s face. He was getting tired of her butting her nose in where it didn’t belong but at the same time he couldn’t help be curious after hearing her accusation.

“I’m just looking out for you and Abel, Jax.” Gemma took a quick, deliberate step forward, gaining a sense that her plan was going to backfire.

“Just leave me deal with it. She’s my ol’ lady goddamnit!” Without another look at his mother he turned, making his way inside, moving straight for the head of the reaper table only to be stopped by Chibs.

“Brotha, everythin’ a’right?” Chibs grasped Jax by the elbow, stopping him in his tracks. The VP was very in tune with his young president’s emotions, especially when the anger radiated off of him as it was in that moment.

“I’m fuckin’ fine. Cancel the meet with Collette. I ain’t in the mood to deal with a bunch of whores today.” Clenching his back teeth the blond biker never looked at another member before taking wide strides to the room they would normally all gather in, slamming the double doors behind him.

Harshly Jax gripped the back of the leather chair and tugged it back, spinning it just enough to flop his ass into it. Leaning back he scrubbed his rough, tainted hands over his tired face. If it wasn’t club business he was dealing with it was his fucked up personal life. Never a dull day, not in the life of Jackson Teller.

He noticed his hands were shaking as he reached into his kutte and grabbed the case he kept his Marlboros in. With a quick flick the top opened before he brought it up to his mouth to slip one out, holding the filter with his teeth until his lips firmly tightened around it. Lifting his ass from the seat he eased the cheap lighter from his pocket, swiftly igniting the end, watching it burn bright red as he inhaled. Plucking the smoke from his lips he stared at the wall across from where he sat, twirling the lighter in his fingers. His thoughts drifted to Scarlet and the look David had given him before they peeled out of TM the day Scarlet told him about the life she was carrying inside her that supposedly belonged to the King of Charming. Before the full image could form in his mind Jax drew back and whipped the cheap ass lighter across the room. The strength of the throw caused plastic and metal to slam into the wall, shattering upon impact. The smell of lighter fluid quickly consumed the room along with the loud snap of the thing exploding. Within seconds there was a knock at the door.

“Boss?” Tig’s head peeked in through the cracked open door.

“I’m fine. I just need to be left the hell alone alright?” Jax turned the chair so his back was to the entrance to the room, removing the cigarette from his mouth as a steady stream drifted into the air, the sense of the doors once again being closed behind him. His head rested against the high back as his eyes flickered to a close. He felt like his life was a fuckin’ mess at yet another particular point in time. Club shit was good, easy, quiet. But the other half of his life was in turmoil, or so it felt like. Nothing was ever easy for Jax in that sense. Any time he tried to balance the life of being a father, husband and outlaw, one or all went to shit. And here sat another of those times. He wondered if it was all worth it; it felt like he had to be all in or all out. Was that the answer? With a new child coming into his life that he silently swore to himself was his until proven differently, was that what he needed to do? Give up the outlaw life? Become a domesticated man like an animal in a cage? The mere rationalizing of it made his stomach turn in knots. Him, a normal man. He knew it wasn’t in the cards but was it truly time to give up the only life he knew, put the club that he loved so much behind him and concentrate on his family? Tara had all but begged him to take Abel and leave Charming with her only a few years prior and he had contemplated it but the decision remained the same as he assumed it would now. But was it time to finally make the difficult choice he knew was there but regretted? His children deserved a life outside of the disarray of his outlaw life. And Scarlet. She deserved more than the life she had been handed. He imagined Abel going down the same path she did; growing up with the violence and hatred, chaos and wreckage, growing up to know nothing more than killing or be killed. The contemplation of it made him cringe and his skin crawl. He wanted more for his son, he didn’t need the anguish and torment that came with the mc life. He knew even at Abel’s young age the tendencies were there; he was a miniature mirror image of Jax. Abel was demonstrating more tantrums and chaotic behavior as time went on. Jax couldn’t be sure if that was because he was twisted up from Tara’s death or if it was actually parts of him rubbing off on his young son. Either way it was a life he didn’t want for Abel, whether the gavel was someday his destiny or not. But at the same time he contemplated the decision to leave his heart and mind wandered to his brothers, the family that he had chosen. It tore him in two to even consider making a decision between the family he was given and the family he has chosen.

After taking in a deep, ragged breath Jax blew the last of the bluish grey smoke up into the air, filling the space where he sat secluded and alone. The room was dim which led him to believe it was later than he cared to realize. Scarlet would probably be sending her usual text wanting to know where he was and if he was okay and with the hidden message wondering when he would return home. He was conflicted about so much but unable to rectify any of it. What if what his mother said was true and she had in fact caught his ol’ lady with the man that was supposed to be there for club business but most of all his long time friend? For all Jax knew David and Scarlet had been together or even friends with benefits. How the fuck could he know that what his mother blurted out wasn’t the truth? He felt the vein in his temple throb the more he considered it a possibility despite wanting to. Does he question her or let it slide? After all it wasn’t like he had much room to talk; he dipped his dick in whore pussy many times while on runs when he was married so he had no right to question her sex life before or hell even after him. Deep in his heart he felt that Scarlet would never lie to him but how could he be sure? He’d only known her a few months, there was a strong possibility she could be pinning the baby on him for obvious reasons. He was a Teller, head of the Sons of Anarchy and able to take care of her and her child almost better than anyone.

“Jackie?” The accent that could only be Chibs echoed into the room as the door once again pushed open. As annoyed as Jax was he expected it; having time alone was a rare commodity. Still leaned back in his chair he turned, locking eyes with his vice president.

“Yeah?”

“Ye a’right brotha? Been in here a long time.” Chibs urged forward and took his seat at the table without asking Jax’s permission.

“Just thinkin’ ya know? All this shit with Scarlet and the baby. Is it wrong of me to think there’s a chance it ain’ mine?” Jax slipped another cigarette from his pack, slowly placing it to the corner of his lips.

“Nah brotha. Ya just met the gal. But shite happens ya know? But I don’ t’ink she’s lyin’ to ya, Jackie.” Chibs offered Jax a light, guessing he needed one after Tig relayed what the sound was from earlier.

The prez’s blue eyes raised with Chib’s words. Jax knew his brother would never lie to him. He’d always lay it out whether the truth was good or bad and Jax actually at that moment felt confident that Scarlet was in fact telling him the truth about the baby she was carrying. But why would Gemma spew the lie she had earlier? From anything Jax had saw with any interaction between the two shit seemed fine, that the two had actually been getting along. But when it came to his mother, there could be any number or reasons she was pulling shit. Question was, was it worth the headache it would cause to confront her with it any further? Right now, Jax had no energy or interest to address the bullshit with Gemma. If she had a beef with Scarlet, they’d have to work that shit out on their own, he had enough on his own plate on a daily basis.

“Thanks brotha. You’re right. Scarlet got no reason to lie. But Gemma…” Once again he felt his teeth clench after resting the fresh Marlboro on the edge of the ashtray.

“She’s jus’ tryin’ ta protect her baby boy, Jackie.” The grin creased the Scot’s face as his hand clapped on Jax’s shoulder. Sometimes all he needed was a little reassurance from the men that cared more about him than if they were blood relation.

“Yeah, I know.” Retrieving the cigarette, Jax took another inhale as Chibs turned to exit.

“By the way, Scarlet called. Was worried she hadn’ heard from ya. Might wanna call ‘er soon.” With a reassuring smile Chibs left the room, leaving him to himself again.

Fishing in his pocket he pulled his burner out, his brows furrowing in wonder as to why she hadn’t called him if she was worried. It was odd that he hadn’t heard from her. Flipping it open he sighed heavily, tossing it on the table. Dead. No wonder he hadn’t received so much as a text. He took another pull from the filter of his cigarette, quickly stubbing it out as he raised from his seat. It was time to go home. To his son and his ol’ lady. Decisions hadn’t been made but in hindsight they were. He was the President of SAMCRO, he couldn’t turn his back on his brothers and at the same time he couldn’t turn his back on his family. The saga of meshing father, husband and outlaw would have to continue into another day.

[jarlet-blog1]

23. Our Three Kings ~ by Scarlet

The past few days had been strangely peaceful. Scarlet and Jax had done a lot of talking and a lot of planning. The club has been overwhelmingly supportive; Scarlet teased all members about their hovering. The only one who seemed supportive but rather distant was none other than Gemma.  

She would smile and keep peaceful, so to speak, with Scarlet but there was some clear undertone tension between the two women. With Scarlet now having Jax’s baby and Gemma not being an ol’ lady of the club it was fair to say Gemma felt threatened. Scarlet could sense it, she breathed it in and fed off the energy of it. Gemma would have to learn that Scarlet was his Queen now.

Gemma was still taking care of the books for Teller Morrow but Scarlet was moving in on handling clubhouse orders and giving out task to the ‘eaters. The way Gemma watched Scarlet’s every move wasn’t unnoticed by the new expecting mother but for the sake of Jax it was ignored.

Jax knew if he didn’t keep Scarlet busy with clubhouse crap the soon to be mother would be bored and out running around getting into trouble that he didn’t need her to be in right now. Scarlet knew it was all mostly busy work but she agreed it to because she knew she would be off doing things she shouldn’t be either. This was proven to be hard for her, the pregnancy hadn’t fully became real to her. She still had a flat stomach, her morning sickness was not as up front as it was the first few weeks, the ultrasound she had as emotionally overwhelmed as she was to see her baby, she only recognized it as a chicken nugget.

If Scarlet was being honest she was afraid the expected excitement that comes with a new child would never reach her. At times she felt Jax was more animated about the whole thing then her but she was always good at hiding her true emotions through her smile. Something she picked up at an early age.

Doubts over doubts ran constant through her mind everyday. What would she do when there was a baby here? Would she know what to do when it cried? What if it got sick? How would that be handled? Would Jax come home to a mess everyday? Would she lose herself in the midst of it all?  On top of a new baby, could she juggle a six year old on top of it.

The thoughts rolled around faster each time, more clear, more upfront. Becoming light headed she leaned her hands on the bar table, shutting her eyes, telling herself to breath. She knew if she would move she would hit the floor like a ton of bricks but she refused to do so; Scarlet was to stubborn to pass out by her deluge thoughts.

“You okay there, sweetheart” Gemma came up next to her leaning confidently with her back towards the bar. Scarlet didn’t acknowledge the mature woman while she brought herself back down to reality. “You oughta be home resting. Taking care of that baby.”

Scarlet pushed off the counter top, lifting her eyes to Gemma in a daring matter. “I don’t need you telling me how to take care of mine. I see how you still try to get Jax to suck your tit.”

Gemma scoffed a laugh, looking down at Scarlet unamused by the undercutted joke. “You know you should really learn your place and fast. Make no mistake, you might be sucking the king’s cock but I run this shit. Jax wants you to stay busy? Fine. But I am Queen around here and I will take out the trash if I need to.”

Scarlet smiled at the threat, unphased by it. “Gemma, both your kings are dead. Let me make something clear, you can take out the trash as you so call it, but I have probably had more bodies disappear then Our Three Kings put together. You are grandma, that is all.” With that said Scarlet walked away from the aged woman who eyed her like a lion watching its prey.

Gemma grabbed Scarlet by the elbow, flipping her to face her, glaring down deep into the eyes of her son’s new found love. “What Jax said to you, about it not being his? You have to know he meant some truth to that. You show up and turn /my/ family upside down, needing to find your answers and now suddenly knocked up by the one man who can give you the most.  You are walking on thin ice with me, sweetheart.”

Scarlet shrugged her arm free, balling her fist, wanting to deck the mother of all of Charming. She knew that what Jax said the other day about the baby came from some sort of truth. With as much as Jax was trying to heal the wound he tore open inside her it would always somewhat be open. It would always sit in the back of her head wondering if that would be in the back of his own. Scarlet knew it was his, there was no other person it could be but until she gave birth it would be a question everyone would silently be asking. Iit will be the darkness that she will have to walk in until she could provide the proof she knew Jax would never formally ask for.

“What’s going on here?” Jax had walked up to both of the ladies of his life. He looked between them truly concerned, picking up on the thick air circling around them.

Scarlet smiled at Gemma as she naturally moved into Jax’s arms. His eyes stayed on Gemma placing a kiss on top of the dark haired beauty's hair. “Yeah, I had a bit of a morning sickness spell and Ma was just making sure I was ok. It was over before it began, baby.”

Both his strong arms wrapped around Scarlet, giving her a quick squeeze. “Baby, why don’t you go to the back apartment. Go lay down I’ll come in and lay down with you until we have to take back off.” Scarlet smirked at Gemma, kissing Jax cheek as his hand lightly swatted her ass.

Walking back to the room she was stopped by Tig who pulled her into a hug. He had caught more of the show down between Gemma and Scarlet then his President brother had. “Everything between you and mama bear all good?” He whispered, kissing her temple. Scarlet smiled nodding; she was never one to hand out her issues to anyone but herself. “She is just testing you, making sure you can handle the life. We all know you can, hell I seen that you can. She’ll warm up to you.”

“Yeah the thing about that is I tend to be a bit cold hearted. She might warm up to me but it’s me warming up to her ya’ll should be worried about Tiggy. Just being honest.” Tig erupted in a low chuckle as Scarlet walked away, heading back into the apartment letting out a tired breath she pulled back the sheets crawling into bed just as the door cracked open. Scarlet sighed looking up as Jax walked in shrugging off his kutte shooting her a wink. He got into bed gathering her in his arms, holding her close to him. It was one of those moments words didn’t need to be said. They could feel each other's thoughts.

“Don’t worry about my mother. I will deal with whatever she has going on in her twisted head.” Jax finally spoke just as Scarlet was falling asleep. Her tired eyes opened partly, turning so she was now face to face with Jax who also looked tired but seemed to be fighting sleep off.

“I am not worried about her, retirement of an old lady, slash queen, must be a hard adjustment. Don’t you worry baby, I’ll help her adjust, be comfortable.” Jax chuckled at Scarlet’s words, brushing the loose strands of hair from her face. He smiled locking his lips over hers in a loving kiss. When Jax pulled back their eyes met, both amused with the light hearted conversation but the love they felt for one another was what took precedence. It was quick, it was hard, and it was messy but it was real.

[jarlet-blog1]

22. No Mistakes Unnoticed ~ by Jax & Scarlet

Jax

In more times than not Jackson Nathaniel Teller erupted when he should have listened. Take in all the information before passing judgement. This had been one of those times. His world was in a constant uproar of pandemonium that it was hard to focus on one crisis at a time when they seemed to be constantly coming at him fast and furious from all sides, closing in around him till there would be no air left to breathe. He barely had chance to get one situation averted before he was balls deep in another. And as he stood there, seemingly nailed to the spot on the laminate floor in the apartment that had been rebuilt exactly how his father had designed it all those years ago, he felt like he couldn’t get any air to his lungs no matter how deep of a breath he took. His world was closing in on him but only he could decide whether he was going to make a move to redeem himself.

How disappointed in himself he was in those few moments he stood there, recalling the words he had shouted at Scarlet. The vision of her watery eyes blurred his own, knowing what he had said was unfair and uncalled for. In his defense he hadn’t been thinking nor expecting her to tell him what she had. His concentration had been on Abel, calming that situation before diving head first into another. But in reality, what defense did Jax really have? It wasn’t unusual for him to push away the women he loved. The ones that were more to him at least than great tits and a piece of ass. He’d did it to Wendy, leaving her alone when she was with child, sending her straight into the loaded path of becoming a crank shooting junkie. Despite Tara returning to Charming and giving him a second chance to do right he still pushed her away. Jax knew deep down in his dark, monstrous soul if Tara hadn’t passed away she would have eventually left his sorry ass. It was difficult to balance the weight of being a father, a husband and an outlaw. There were times the decisions you made affected more than just that moment in time. They affected deeply and  forever. And as he shoved his roughened, dirty hands through his unruly blonde mane the undaunting awareness of what he had done overcame him. He might have yet again, pushed the one good thing in his life away. The one individual that could keep him grounded when he so very much needed it. He could have very well lost the woman he had truly started to fall in love with.

“Jesus Christ..” Finally a spark of life came to Jax, forcing him into realizing what he needed to do. All the words that leaked from his mouth earlier was bullshit. Scarlet was right, he hadn’t been as careful as he thought and there was a true possibility she was in fact carrying his child. How he felt about that he was unsure but what he did know was that he couldn’t let her walk out of his life. He needed her, deep down in the pit of his being he knew he needed this woman to be at his side, take on all the man that he was and all the bullshit that came along with him. But in order for her to do that he needed to be that man she needed, not one full of himself; the arrogant cunt he had recently become. He could use all the excuses in the world but reality was Jax Teller had changed. He was not the man his once was. But with Scarlet by his side he realized he could once again be the man he wanted to be.

Without allowing another thought to enter his fucked up mind, he rushed from the back room, running from the narrowed hall in an attempt to catch Scarlet before she could leave. The main room of the clubhouse was filled with people and Jax knew all eyes were on him as he brushed past, not hearing a single word anyone said, including his mother trying to gain access to his thoughts. He didn’t have time for her nosey bullshit or anyone else’s. He needed to get to Scarlet before she peeled out of the parking lot with a chance he’d never see her again.

He flung the door open just in time to see his tattooed beauty climbing on the back of a Harley, one drove by none other than her longtime friend and his, David Archer. He had arrived in Charming, to his knowledge at least, a few days back, looking to hook up an agreement on a gun trade in LA. With most of the shit Jax currently had piled in his fuckin’ lap he hadn’t made time to sit down properly with the President of the Head Hunters NY. But Jax was aware of his friendship with Scarlet; it had been established long before Jax had ever known the guy. It was only recently Scarlet had made mention of their ‘best friend’ status in a conversation upon David’s arrival. Despite the idea invading his mind, it was suddenly there front and center.

“Scarlet!” He shouted, only gaining a glare from David as the woman he considered his ol’ lady kept her head turned from him. Jax wasn’t quite sure if the rejection broke his heart or fueled his anger more. Taking a few more rushed steps forward he halted as the roar of the Harley sped out of the iron gates of his surroundings.

“Fuck!” Raising his leg his still perfectly white sneaker smashed into the clubhouse door, slamming it back against the doorframe. His hair fell into his face as he thrashed about and hastily he pushed that shit back before his balled up fist made contact with the brick wall of the building. Dark red blood quickly consumed the fresh wound, dripping from his knuckles to leave splatters on the pavement below. His face contorted with anger as the members of the MC, ‘eaters and last but not least, his mother filed out of the exit he had just kicked in.

“Jackson!” Gemma yelled, rushing to him in an attempt to calm him down. It wasn’t the first time she, or anyone else, had seen him lose control of himself. He pulled away as she reached out to grab him, only to be quickly contained by Chibs and Tig. Even then it took both men with all their strength to calm Jax down. There was no doubting Scarlet had her hooks in him. And deep.

“I’m good! I’m fine!” Jax snarled, attempting to break free from his brothers’ grip. Reluctantly Tig and Chibs let go but ready to react if they needed to. The blood now ran freely down over his fingers but there was no pain. Jax felt numb. The words swirling around in his head as Scarlet screamed at him. How could he be such a fuckin’ douche to her? What the fuck was wrong with him?

“Baby, let me see..” Gemma rushed one of the girls back inside for something to wrap Jax’s bashed in knuckles. He didn’t give two sweet shits about his hand or the fact his mother was trying her best to calm him.

“It’s fuckin’ fine mom!” Jackson snapped back.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” His mother, being the woman that she is, wasn’t long now forcing her hand. Taking her son’s face in her aged hands she gave him no choice but to look at her. Biting angrily at his lower lip, Jax gave in and stared his mother square in the eyes.

“She’s pregnant. Scarlet’s fuckin’ pregnant.” The tone now softened as he spoke. Releasing a heavy breath he backed up, lowering himself to the seat of the picnic table. His torso fell forward, his hands covering his face as the words he had just spoke started to sink in and become a reality. After his goddamn outburst he’d be lucky if she ever forgave him, let alone want to be with him.

Gemma took Jax’s wounded hand in hers, securely wrapping it at least. She knew there was no way in that moment her son was going to worry about cleaning himself up. Keeping it bandaged was all she was going to get. The middle aged woman took a seat next to her son, placing her palm on the middle of his back.

“It’s yours baby? I mean, from your reaction I assume…” Before she could speak anything further Jax nodded out never lifted his eyes from the ground.

“It’s mine. But…” With a heavy sigh and a pause, Jax recalled his words to Scarlet once again. “...I told her it wasn’t mine. I accused her of carrying someone else’s baby, ma…” Dropping his head again, Gemma quickly glanced around at the remaining figures gathered around them, motioning for them to leave her have a moment with her only son. Jax didn’t look up, just continued to stare at the ground under his feet.

“Jackson, you need to go to that girl. If she’s carrying your…” Gemma pressed her palm softly against the cool leather of Jax’s kutte, trying to comfort and speak reason with him. With a slow, drawn in breathe he turned to look at the woman that gave life to him.

“You don’t think I know that mom? How? How does she forgive me for that kind of shit. She wouldn’t even look at me for Christ sakes. Climbed on the back of that bike and didn’t look back. She ain’t supposed to be on someone else’s bike ma. She’s mine.” The confirmation Jax just gave was what he truly felt. From the moment she first walked in on their church meeting, making her demands about her father, he knew from that very moment that she was special and would become a very special fixture in his life. And in a matter of months, before it even had chance to get started, he had fucked. Royally.

“Just go to her, baby. She needs you. She needs to know she’s worth is.” His mother’s hand now moved from his back to his thigh, giving it a motherly squeeze. Why did she always have to be fuckin’ right? He couldn’t just st there, crying about it like a fuckin’ baby. He needed to get off his ass and do something about it, just as he did with any other shit that happened in his fucked up life. With a quick glance towards his mom, he pushed to his feet.

“Thank you.” He reached out and took his mother’s hands and pressed kisses to the back of each of them. He really didn’t know where he would be without her always back him in his corner. She was and always would be his biggest supporter.

Without another word Jax strode across the lot with a quick step. Pulling his riding gloves from his ass pocket he slipped them on, pulling his dark shades over his eyes after snapping his helmet in place. With his heel he kicked up the stand and roared the Harley to life. He gave the throttle a firm twist and rode his way out of Teller-Morrow, hoping like hell he could convince Scarlet not to hate him.

The anxiousness overtook Jax as he rode closer to the house Scarlet had been left by Otto. The moment the old fixture came into view his mouth went dry and a lump lodged in his throat. There wasn’t many times that Jax allowed a woman to get to him like this; Tara Knowles had really been the only exception when he was a teen. As Jax shifted down, his eyes fixated on the bike parked in the spot where his would normally sit when he was here with Scarlet. He could only assume David would be pissed about this situation; fuck knows what Scarlet had told him. Not that he could blame the guy, Jax had acted like a number one fuckin’ asshole. And he knew it once it was too late. Slowing his Dyna he pulled up along side David’s Harley, lowering his clean white Nike’s to the loose gravel below. Dog the usual ritual he removed KDs, gloves and helmet and climbed off one of his most prized possessions.

Jax didn’t give much thought when he strode up to the front door and barged in, after all it wasn’t like he hadn’t done it on numerous occasions in the last few months. His eyes took a quick scan of the place only to be met by David standing in the living room doorway when he enter.

“Where’s Scarlet?” Jax questioned, not really waiting for much of an answer as he lifted a foot to begin his climb up the stairs.

“Ain’ real sure she wants to fuckin’ see you Jax.” His tone was firm and dominant. And as much as that tone was immediately grinding his gears, Jax kept himself calm for the sake of his woman, if that’s what she in fact was anymore.

“Ain’ really asking your permission brotha.” Jax replied calmly, turning his back to Scarlet’s best friend, taking the stairs two at a time, calling out for her when he reached the top. “Babe?”

Scarlet

Without even a second thought Scarlet grabbed the bag she came into town with and began shoving clothes into it. Tears streaming steady down her cheeks, Scarlet had never felt as dismantled as she did in that moment. Scarlet was many things, more bad than good but a whore was not one of them; it didn’t matter if the relationship was defined or not Scarlet would never sleep with more than one man at a time. She was not her mother. Many have called her god awful names but she never blinked because, much to her dislike, they were true. But the ugly words Jax Teller spat at her was everything she prided herself on not being. The moment she allowed the handsome biker to slide in between her legs was the very same moment all other dicks never stood a chance.

Growing up with a mom who slept with different men nightly, sometimes for cash, other times for the hell of it. Scarlet had promised herself to never be that way. Most people, when asked what their earliest memory is in childhood, would say learning to ride a bike or playing dress up with daddy. Not Scarlet. Her first memory was when she was about four. She remembers living in a studio apartment with her mother and two men walking in the door. Scarlet watched cartoons sitting on the floor while her mother fucked the men behind her openly. She wasn’t scared, she didn’t think anything of it because that was normal for her. She didn’t know better until after they were done, one of the men walked over to Scarlet and knelt down next to her. “Don’t be your mother’s daughter sweetheart.” He then tossed money at her mom and called her pathetic, telling her to get a sitter next time and walked out. That was when she started to realize what happened was not okay, that was when she promised to never grow up a slut.  

She betrayed her father by losing sight on what she even showed face in Charming for. As heartbroken as she was she also felt it was karma for letting her guard with Otto down and falling for the head of the reaper table and now to be pregnant by that very same man.

She grabbed the box of letters Otto had wrote to her shoving them into the duffle bag. The old tattered letters being the only thing she owned of value to her. She stood placing the strap from the bag over her head, giving the room a last glance, bringing her hands to her heart fully giving into her emotions, dropping to her knees sobbing. Her hands protectively clutched over her flat stomach mentally swearing she would never do anything to hurt her unborn child. She may not have planned for this but she would do whatever she needed to give this baby a better life then she was given. Even if she felt as if all the years of fighting off becoming the daughter of her mother had, in a blink of an eye she was in her same shoes.

In love with a member of SAMCRO who bluntly and without hesitation denied the growing child inside her. She was labeled in his words a whore, he looked at her with as much disgust as an ‘eater. The sudden realization of the truth set her into a blind rage. Screaming out in not physical pain Scarlet rose to her feet swiping everything from off the dresser. Pictures became ripped from the walls and thrown to the floor. Scarlet trashed around the room until she caught sight of herself in the mirror of the dresser. “You stupid, stupid whore.” She had screamed, smashing the mirror with her palms not even feeling the shards of glass slice her delicate flesh.

“SCARLET STOP IT!!” David ran into the room, grabbing her from behind but she didn’t hear him nor did she feel him. All she felt was rage, all her emotion rolled into a ball and blazed to life in an ugly, self hate rage. David slammed Scarlet’s back into the wall pinning her against it with his body. “Calm down, you have a child inside you. Stop it!”

She started to settle at the mention of the baby, her eyes blinded by boulder sized  teardrops. The thick droplets of blood that fell from her hands were the last thing on her mind. Her long time friend slowly backed away from her and she swiped her palm over her eyes to clear the tears only to be blinded by the blood. “Shit. Scar. Come here. “ David grabbed her hand, dragging her to the sink turning the water on. He stuck a towel under the water trying to help her clean up but she pushed him away.  

“I’m fine, I’m fine. Please, just go. I promise I am done. I just. I am done.” She sniffled wrapping her hand on the towel, reverting her eyes from David. She knew he was upset and disappointed. This was not why he came to Charming.

“Get yourself cleaned up. I will take you away from here. Then we talk.” With those words said David left the restroom shutting the door behind him. Scarlet sat on the covered toilet seat focusing on taking deep even breaths. She looked over her palms not seeing any real damage to them, the bleeding had mostly stopped.

“Great showcase of being a mother to you, huh kid?” She looked down at her stomach, sighing heavily regretting her tantrum. She heard the thunderous roll of the familiar Harley outside her window. Quickly slamming the restroom door and shut locking it she began to panic. What could he possible want now? She leaned against the wall hearing the quick argument between David and Jax before the heavy footsteps raced up the steps.

“Babe” Jax called out as the bedroom door cracked up in a slow squeak from old rusty hinges that never been properly taken care of. “Jesus Christ.“ The sounds of his discovery almost bouncing off the walls of the bedroom. There was a slight knock on the restroom door followed by a jiggle but Scarlet stayed quiet.

“I said she doesn’t want to see you right now. Do you not have any respect at all?” David’s harsh tone with Jax only added to the panic Scarlet felt. Jax began knocking on the restroom door repeatedly. “I said leave her the fuck alone.” Again David snapped with what sounded like a shove.

“Is she having your baby David? No it is mine so stay the hell out of this!” Jax had grunted back in attempt to keep his calm. His words flipped a switch inside Scarlet, she needed to defend the only man who has never betrayed her. The restroom door was unlocked and flung open with an echoing bang, the wood behind it splintering open.

“Don’t talk to him like that! What has he done besides look out for me? This is my baby, no one else but mine! You made it /very/ clear you want nothing to do with it or me for that matter. I now know how you really feel about me so get the fuck out of my house Jax!” Scarlet stormed out of the restroom. Jax’s eyes widened, stumbling back, he couldn’t make out what was going on. The blood she had accidentally smeared over her face was dried but very evident.  

Jax

“No dammit, listen to me!” Carefully trying to keep any anger he had boiling in his gut down to a minimum, he reached out to try and grab Scarlet’s elbow as she rushed past. As pissed as it made him, he knew David had Scarlet’s best interest at heart, even if for the briefest of seconds Jax considered the possibility that the baby Scarlet was in fact carrying /could/ be the man standing only feet away, interfering with the conversation not meant for him. The thought was short lived; even in the brief time he knew Scarlet deep down he knew she wasn’t like some of the other women he slept with. He was wrong in every aspect of this fucked up situation and he knew it. She wasn’t sleeping around and the child growing inside her wasn’t another man’s, it wasn’t David’s, it was his.

The memories of the day almost seven years ago came rushing back in the mere moments Jax stood there watching Scarlet harshly walk away from him. He’d never once thought of himself as a father, he felt he had nothing to offer a child due to the life they chose, despite the fact he grew up in it himself. Even before his own father died in that wreck head on with that semi he never once imagined he would take on the fatherly role. When his first wife, Wendy, had told him the exact news Scarlet just recently had he remembered the same anger, the same reaction he gave to Scarlet. And even through his cowardness to take responsibility for his first son growing inside Wendy led to much regret, he pushed her away, left her on her own to deal with the mental and physical worries of the pregnancy he helped create. He couldn’t imagine now being without Abel; his son was the most important piece of the puzzle that made up his life, the reason behind every consideration for every decision he made. As surprised and as off guard Scarlet caught him with news of his unborn child, this baby deserved his undivided attention, something he had never given Abel before he was born. If he had maybe all the bad shit his son had endured wouldn’t have happened.

“Scarlet, c’mon..” Jax pleaded as he followed her down the hall to the bedroom that was in a case of disarray. The dried blood smeared on her face concerned him but she would barely look at him let alone allow him to question anything, even though he could guess by the mess thrown about the room. “Baby, please...talk to me..”

The anger from earlier now shifted to anguish and the realization that maybe the King of fuckin’ Charming wasn’t going to get his way. Scarlet wasn’t like Wendy or Tara, she was a very independent woman that knew how to take care of herself, in more ways than he wished to think about. She didn’t need a man to handle her shit, she didn’t need him to take care of her, fuss over her and for fuck sakes tell her what to do. He knew in one sense she was way the fuck out of his league. He was used to having a woman stand by him, do as she was told, not in a controlling way but in a way that benefited him and his club. And while he wanted that, he wanted her as his queen that stood by his every decision and his every move, he knew that in some ways Scarlet would be a driving force in their relationship if they even had one anymore. If he had to try to explain just exactly how he felt it would be like two bulls butting heads, both wanting and needing to be right but at the same time knowing they would back down and let the other take the lead. It wasn’t the kind of arrangement Jax was used to. Since he took that gavel from Clay and sat at the head of the reaper table, even before that when he was considered the Prince of Charming, women fell over each other to get to him. With Scarlet, she didn’t fall over anyone for any man. It was quite plain to see. There was going to take some work and some major ass kissing on his part if he was ever going to see this kid he helped create grow up.

“Scarlet...baby please... I love you..” The admittance surprised Jax, even with having an audience of David standing behind him. He wasn’t too proud or so much of a jackass not to say the words before, in all honesty he was worried he’d scare Scarlet off. But he was undeniably spewing the truth. He had fallen in love with her, it was quick, sudden, almost crazy but he had and he knew it each time he thought about her, looked at her and seeing the tears that stained her flushed cheeks tore his fuckin’ heart in two. If he could take back every word, every goddamn word he would. He should have listened to her, pulled her in his arms and reassured her he would be there for her and their child. But no, he had to lose his cool like so many times before. Be a prick to the woman he was beginning to care more for than any other woman before her. He suddenly felt his own face turn warm, causing him to scrub a hand down over his scruff. If he didn’t know better he would have sworn his breathing had completely stopped, waiting and hoping she would say something. Anything but telling him to leave and never look back. He wasn’t sure he could take that. Not from her. He stood there nervously after his confession spilled from his lips and silently prayed, that some way, deep down she would be able to forgive him.

Scarlet

Brushing past Jax she didn’t want to hear anything he said she just wanted to be left alone but those three words blew up in her face. Turning around she watched Jax’s face contort painfully at his mistakes, but it was not in her nature to roll over and bow and the feet of anyone let alone a biker god. David stood in the doorway, his eyes shifting between the two ready to make a move to save either of them from themselves. Giving him a simple nod, signalling David to go ahead and leave the two alone.

“You love me? You have a real funny way of showing it.” Her tone was low while she began picking up the broken frames. She didn’t have any more fight left in her for the time begin. She had figured maybe it was the pregnancy that had made her suddenly exhausted. “You can’t take back what you said, that all lives inside me now.  I am sorry but that is just the way it is.”

Picking up a frame of her old man and his Luann, Scarlet sat back on the floor with her back against the bed frame. Jax hadn’t moved, not that she payed any attention to him. Her fingers brushed the broken glass from the frame taking out the picture as a soft sigh escaped. “You don’t have to come in here and say you love me now, you love me because I am pregnant, or because the club told you to get your head out of your ass.” Her eyes finally lifted to his large body towering over her. “Look at us, everything we do turns into a mess. We only learn about each other through our fights. I am not my mom. Jax, I am not a whore who goes around randomly sleeping with anyone.You can’t love me when you clearly don’t know me.”

Her eyes fell level with the picture in her hand as she sat there not knowing in the slightest what she was doing. She didn’t even hear the words she was saying all. Scarlet just knew was she was tired of hurting. She knew she wasn’t what Jax was used to, she couldn’t never stand at his side and do what she was told if she didn’t agree with it. Maybe that was what he needed, someone who wasn’t her.

The truth was she was deeply and madly in love with the man but she was now terrified. She never dreamed of being a mother let alone being an ol’ lady and knowing her place. Keeping her mouth shut. That was never who she was. Scarlet was afraid that if she let this happen it would in fact go up in flames and burn her unborn child.

Jax

The words that Scarlet recited to him was worse than if he had been gutted like a goddamn fish with his father’s K-Bar that hung at his side. He had no idea how to react or what to think. It wasn’t as if it was the first time in his life to have a falling out with a woman. Christ, it had happened twice that he could recall in bad circumstances but this? This was worse. He hadn’t loved Wendy, she was as he mildly put it many times but a sad time out. Tara had been his high school sweetheart, the girl he thought was the other half of his soul but that was quickly extinguished with the turmoil and deceit they caused one another. Scarlet was the first and only woman that made him more of a man as ridiculous as that would sound to someone if he spoke it out loud. She was the perfect match to his fucked up soul, the good, the bad and the fuckin’ ugly. She knew what it felt like to do the terrible things he did, she understood the conflict in his heart and his mind. She was the one woman that could truly be his other half that could except him for what he was and not try to change him because she knew. She knew it all, even without him saying a word. And the thought of letting that go tore an open wound in his black heart.

He stood there frozen in his spot, his signature Nikes planted on the floor that Scarlet now sat on. For the first time Jax Teller had no words or actions. On most occasions he had plenty to say, words erupting from him without having to think. But this time, as he stood there looking down on the broken woman he created and he didn’t have any idea what the right words were. She was right in everything she said. How could he love her if he didn’t even know her? It may seem impossible but he knew that he did. It was the only thing he /was/ sure on. But to relay that to Scarlet after the horrific accusations that he threw at her, he knew his chances to recover were slim. He very well might have ruined another rare part of the good in his life.

“Scarlet, I…” He stuttered his words. Jackson Teller was dumbfounded. The arrogant, cocky pretty boy, King of fuckin’ Charming was lost, more than he ever had been in his entire life. As his eyes welled up and he attempted to blink that shit back his eyes fell upon the woman that had swooped in and caused havoc, in a good way, in his life. Even with the fights and the bullshit, the times people didn’t see, those were the moments that made it special and all worth it. The nights he would need the comfort and she would run her fingers through his stringy blond hair and tell him everything would be ok even if he didn’t believe it. The endless times he held her against him as they took a timeout from the outlaw life, brushing tender kisses to her neck as her fingertips stroked over the coarse whiskers of his beard and she would tell him he did good with whatever shit was consuming him from the day that had ended. His brothers, David, his mother, no one else saw those moments, only him and her. They meant more to him than maybe even he realized because it was in those times Jax Teller could be vulnerable and not have to be the man everyone else assumed or expected. He needed Scarlet and he hoped somewhere in her heart she could somehow forgive him.

He watched carefully through glossy eyes the way her dainty fingers ran over the picture of her father, the man she had wished to know more than she had. He missed him too. Crazy motherfucker but had lots of wisdom and knowledge to share. Jax was sure Otto was rolling over in his grave at this exact moment, no doubt wanting to condemn him to hell after the pain he has inflicted on his only daughter. Without thinking, Jax lowered himself to the floor next to Scarlet, praying she wouldn’t push him away.

“I’m sorry. I know it’s only words and it can’t erase the ones I said. Nothing ever will. I know I hurt you, probably deeper than I’ll ever know. But please..baby..” His words halted to allow him to attempt to swallow the lump now lodged in his throat before continuing, his hand finding his way onto her thigh. “...give me another chance. I promise you...I promise our child, I’ll never hurt you like this again.” He lowered his eyes hoping to meet hers and when she finally gave him that opportunity he whispered sincerely. “Please..”

Scarlet

The words spoken to her had changed her anger into sorrow but she was afraid they would keep hurting each other. If Scarlet was at all honest with herself the calm words that he spoke would ring true. She didn’t expect him to react in any other way when she told him the news but what did take her by surprise was how Jax lowered himself down next to her and spoke from the bottom of his heart. Deep down she knew what he said before was not what he really meant, it all hurt the same but she could feel he was finally opening himself to her and being honest with her.

She let his words turn over a few times in her mind before leaning her head down to his shoulder. Jax rested his over hers while she searched for the words she wanted to say next to him carefully. His hand lovingly rubbed over her smoothed thigh. Maybe this baby was making her soft, maybe she was just relieved having finally heard him say the words she had longed to hear from him but she felt some sort of peace sitting on the floor even if they were surrounded by the mess of her tantrum.

“I am scared I can’t do this. I don’t know how to be a mom. I am scared if we really go all in we hurt Abel, this baby, ourselves.” Each word spoken brokenly, for the first time in her life she was thinking about everyone but herself. For years Scarlet had been on her own and did what she wanted, and what she wanted was to tell Jax she loved him. She wanted to be held in his arms and believe it would all be okay but she also knew what she touched, more often than not, burned. She was questioning moving forward with the Samcro President not because she didn’t want to but because it was no longer just about her.

“I love you Jax, I am scared. I love you more then I have loved myself. I love your son, I love this town. I love the club. And it scares me.” Taking a shaken breath she finally spoke the truth. There was no telling how Jax would take it but she knew it needed to be said. “I didn’t come here for any of this. I am betraying him.” Her eyes looked down at the photo in her hand. “I was supposed to come here for a job. Here I am wanting a family. I am changing Jax and I like it. That makes me feel guilty.”

She lifted her head to meet his eyes unsure of what was going to happen but the weight of the secrets she had held was lifted, it calmed her so to speak.    

Jax

The confession that came from Scarlet somewhat surprised him. He believed she was scared because of the baby, scared of the way they had fallen in love so quickly but betraying Otto, that was not anything he expected from the current conversation. He was aware she had come to Charming for answers. She came to the club for help in avenging her father’s death. Neither of them imagined they would be sitting there on the bedroom floor of her old man’s house declaring their love and their biggest fears to one another. Admitting fear for either one of them was not something they were accustomed to. Usually they were the ones causing fear for someone else.

“You deserve to be happy too, Scarlet. I know I’d be the last fucker on earth your father would wanna see you with but, he’d still want you to be happy, baby. Your old man knew the life, just wanted to protect you and if you let me I will take over where Otto left a void. I’ll be that solitude you need, the protection, the sanity in our crazy world of chaos. I want you, I want this baby..” He slipped his hand from her knee to the flat of her stomach through her tight tshirt. “...I want all of this. Let me help take the guilt away?”

His light blue eyes met hers, still seeing a sea of confusion in them. He could only hope he was relaying his message effectively as she stared back at him. Removing his hand from her stomach Jax slipped an arm behind her, guiding her into his side, resting his cheek against the top of her head, pressing a kiss to the darkness of her hair. He was upset with himself and that shit would take time to heal. But he was sure with Scarlet by his side they could overcome anything they needed. As long as she still wanted to be there.

Guiding her up and into his lap, his leathered back rested against the foot of the bed. A sincere smile replaced the previous frown that had taken shape on his face the last several hours. Her knees came to rest on either side of him, straddling her petite body over his. His rough, calloused hands brushed over her swollen, red cheeks, moving the wisps of hair from her beautiful face. Jax gazed at her and it felt as if time was standing still, the entire time imagining what life would be like if they were able to have all that she now dreamed of. Could he balance the weight of fatherhood a second time. To possibly be a husband again someday while juggling the responsibilities of his chosen outlaw life? He wanted to, fuck, he wanted to give her everything she dreamed of and didn’t think she was worthy of having. Somehow Jax would make it work. His palms cupped her face, his blue hues never leaving hers as he urged her in closer to him. She never spoke and neither did he but their stare spoke volumes between them. His chest rose and fell with each defined breath he took, matching each one of hers in perfect sync. He’d never wanted to kiss someone so much as he wanted to press his lips to the tattooed beauty now in his arms. The beating of his heart accelerated as she shifted closer, fitting her front right into his perfectly. Her warm breath tickled and teased his lips as they hovered over his for spellbinding moment before he lost all control and consumed hers with his in a slow, sensual kiss. His hands slipped from her cheeks as his eyes closed, fisting into her long strands to pull her closer as if that was even possible. The low moans escaped them both as he gathered a taste of her that seemed he had yet to enjoy. The way she shifted against him fueled the kiss more, giving him indication that things would be okay. That /they/ would be ok.

“It’s pretty quiet up there.” Tig relayed after having paced back and forth in the hall of his fallen brother’s home.

“Aye.” Chibs nodded in agreement, his eyes lifting to the staircase to his right as David leaned against the wall across from them, arms folded, a concerned look on his own face.

“Either one or both of them are dead,” Happy exclaimed with a urgency in his voice. “I can’t look.”

“Jaysus Christ.” Chibs was done waiting. There was shit that needed Jax’s attention and even though he was aware Scarlet was very important to his president, there was still club priorities Jax needed to be present for. After taking the steps two at a time the VP reached the top and quickly found the biker and his apparent ol’ lady engaged in a heated kiss. Peeking his head in Chibs cleared his throat to gain their attention.

“Jackie, th’ club needs ya. Can ye meet me an’ th’ boys downstairs? Sorry brotha.” With that the Scot disappeared.

The biker king drew in a breath as Scarlet remained perched in his lap, his smile apparent on his bearded face. He didn’t want to leave her, especially now but she was not his only responsibility. The way her gorgeous eyes shifted to take all of him in told him everything he needed to know. Brushing one more kiss of her her soft lips he lifted her from his lap and pushed up off the floor.

“I love you. I’ll be back later. As soon as I can. Promise me you’ll get some rest..” His hand once more found its way to her non existent bump. “Take care of this little one. Please.” Without another word he turned to leave, taking one more look back at his woman before descending down the steps.

“Make sure she rests David. I’ll have a Prospect come by and clean up that shit upstairs. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” His old friend nodded in understanding as Jax and the rest of his club exited the house, moving onto the next issue of the day.

[jarlet-blog1]

21. Not Mine ~ by Jax & Scarlet

Jax

The pounding of his heart filled his ears even louder than the roar of his Harley as Jax twisted the throttle, urging his Dyna to top out around 110 mph. The wind pricked at his whiskered covered face but he felt nothing. The possibilities roaming around his head were endless. The urgent tone in Gemma’s voice had him completely on edge as he sped his way back towards Charming. He might have been the president of SAMCRO but first and foremost he was a father and his family came first, otherwise what was he doing all this shit for? Sometimes he wondered the answer to that exact question, not really coming to a conclusion of a definite answer.

Breezing past the carved wooden sign entering their town, the words ‘Welcome to Charming’ catching Jax’s eyes as they always did when he rolled back into the place they called home. He had hoped he would have felt the vibration of his burner in his jeans pocket alerting him of a false alarm with his son. Unfortunately, to no avail did any such call come. The panic flared up the closer to Teller-Morrow he got, recalling the panic in his mother’s voice on the other end of the phone.

Giving the throttle another twist his glided down Main Street, the buildings and people just cardboard cutouts as he passed. The only thought he could focus on was his son. Abel had been through so much in his short life; born premature cause of his junkie mother, the family flaw, stomach inside out, kidnapped, losing Tara...the list seemed never ending and it tore Jax from the inside knowing that no matter how hard he worked to protect the one thing in his sad existence that mattered, his only son continues to live is such chaos and turmoil.

Leaning the bike he rounded the last corner to TM, his palms suddenly felt sweaty and his heart began to thumb hard within his chest. As he rode through the iron gates he was greeted by his mother, Gemma, the matriarch of their biker kingdom. The worry on her face did nothing to ease his own overwhelming fear.

“Did you find him?” Jax questioned quickly, not even pulling his Harley into the normal spot.

“No baby..I don’t know where he could have went. Unser, Chucky, Brooke..they were all here. He just vanished.” Gemma, bit down on her glossy lower lip repeatedly, her eyes continuously darting around the lot.

“He just can’t vanish, mom!” His voice rose a few octaves in anger. He couldn’t believe that even with all the eyes on him, Abel could disappear into thin air. Jax strode to the clubhouse doors where he was met by Unser.

“Jax, he was here one minute, gone the next. He was on the swings, I went to my trailer to grab a drink and poof. Gone.” The aged man scanned Jax’s expression, seeing the anger and worry that was plastered across his unshaven face, finally speaking through clenched teeth.

“Well? Why the fuck isn’t everyone lookin’?!” Jax strode angrily through the clubhouse hall, noticing the many croeaters and Prospects searching every inch of the space, coming up empty handed. He had instantly regret his outburst.

“We’ve searched everywhere, Jackson..do you think..?” The blonde biker’s head whipped around to come face to face once again with his mother, shaking his head not even wanting to hear any other explanation for his son’s disappearance.

“Where the hell is Scarlet? Abel was supposed to be going home with her. Did anyone contact her for fuck sake?” The MC president’s eyes moved fluently around the room, his mind trying to think rationally while in the back of it he was thinking the worst. If anything, anything at all happened to his kid again, some asshole was going to pay and pay dearly. Jax would make sure of it with his own two hands.

“Called her over an hour ago Jax. I’ll try again.” Chucky piped up, phone already in his makeshift hands dialing Scarlet’s number. Quickly Jax began to bark out orders.

“You..and you..” He pointed at two women, couldn’t remember their names and at that moment really didn’t give a fuck. “Check every inch of this goddamn room. Unser check the lot and that shithole you call a trailer. Every square inch of it. Montez search the garage. Mom, get this fucking place locked down. No one in or out without my say. Anyone tries to leave before my kid is found I put a bullet in your ass!” Jax knew his words were harsh but the memories and anguish that were present in Abel’s kidnapping were suddenly flooding back. His chest began to tighten at the memories of that day, watching the boat speed away with his infant son and not a goddamn thing Jax could do about it.

The bustle of people wasn’t long dissipating when the biker king barked out his orders. They all knew the panic Jax felt; most of them had been there when the Irish took his son. Suddenly, the thought of Galen’s cocky ass smirk appeared in Jax’s mind. No, never. He wouldn’t dare. Not in broad daylight and on his fuckin’ turf. But it wouldn’t have been the first time the Irish pulled a fuckin’ stunt. It had only been a couple years since he had the clubhouse rebuilt after the Irish cunts blew the original building to splinters. His teeth clenched and rolled around, causing his molars to grind in the back.

“Chucky!” Jax called out, the smaller man turning quickly to attend to anything he was needed for. “There was no deliveries today right?” Chucky scratched his chin with those stubs his mother had purchased him recently. “Well?!” Jax’s annoyance grew rapidly.

“Just one. Parts for the garage. Your mom signed for it. I was in the office when it came. We were all there Jax. Abel couldn’t have..” Stumbling over his words, Chucky’s eye began to widen.

“Get me the name of that fuckin’ driver. Until I find Abel, nothin’ is to be unturned. Go!” Chucky hurried out of the clubhouse and disappeared off to the garage, leaving Jax to his own search.

As people hurried around him Jax felt as though everything was in slow motion yet on fast forward all at the same time. His heart ached and for a moment as he started to make his way down the back hall he grabbed at his chest, fisting the white tshirt that laid underneath his leather. If someone did take Abel, he couldn’t go through that shit again, it would kill him from the inside out. In that moment he silently prayed that this was all a nasty trick from whoever in the hell was in charge upstairs. Jax had never planned to be a father and even though he hated Wendy when she got pregnant and tried to trap his ass, once he was able to let go of his own selfishness and arrogance, his son became the most important fixture in his life. He’d die for his kid just as he would any one member of his immediate and non blood family.

Jax’s vision scanned every crook and crevice of the back of the clubhouse, making his way down to where the apartments were located, in particular the one he had spent a lot of his time after Tara had passed away. Even though Abel had spent most days and nights with Gemma, when he was with Jax it was right there in that very building. As he reached out for the brass door handle he hoped he would push it open and find his son safe and sound. Inhaling a deep breath he forced the door open.

The deep breath he had just drew in moments ago released when he pushed, finding a completely deserted room, everything untouched just as he had left it weeks ago when he decided it was time to move back to the house and be a goddamn father to Abel, and a possible ol’ man to Scarlet. He thought about that choice as he sat down on the edge of the bed, his head falling into his hands before threading his fingers to the blonde, greasy strands of his hair to push them back out of his face. His eyes closed, his mind drifting to the thoughts of ‘what ifs’. His fingers steepled at his scruffy face as the unreal thinking crept into his head. A cruel joke, what a fucked up, cruel ass joke that would be.

“Daddy?” Blowing out a breath moments before opening his eyes, Jax heard the familiar soft voice pricking at his ears. His eyes widened, an unforced smile making its way across his face. There stood only inches in front of him the blond haired, miniature version of himself. Extending his arms without thought, Jax guided the little boy into him, pressing his son in against his leather. His cheek rested on the top of Abel’s head, his dry lips brushing a kiss over his hair.

“Buddy, where were you? You had us scared to death.” Jax, reluctantly pried his son from his embrace to allow himself to look into his eyes as Abel pointed to the old makeshift closet behind the door. He was sure the worry and concern was still plastered there as Abel looked up at him, almost seemingly confused.

“Grandma said I had to go with Scarlet, Daddy. I don’t wanna go, I wanna stay with you.” His voice was quiet yet demanding. Jax knew with everything Abel had been through, the latest crisis was losing Tara just over a year ago. With Wendy not in his life and losing the only mother figure his son had, the little boy was now, yet again, twisted up. Jax hadn’t helped that situation; croeater night after night, his son being bounced between his mother to a few girls at Redwoody and Diosa. There was a constant string of unfamiliar women in Abel’s life. Jax was guessing, Scarlet was the final straw.

“Buddy, Scarlet wants to help take care of you...take care of us. She really likes you, ya know. She’s not like the other girls.” Even as Jax spoke the reassuring words about Scarlet to his impressionable young son, the anger was building in him. Where the hell was she? His son was fuckin’ missing and she had yet to show her face. Even though Abel wasn’t her responsibility, if she wanted to be with Jax, Abel was a package deal. No exceptions. He’d be sure to face that shit with her later.

“She didn’t come for me. She’s gonna leave like mommy….” The frown that formed on his son’s face caused Jax’s heart to feel crushed under the weight of it. Gemma had been the only stable woman in his son’s life so there was no surprise that Abel would say such words to his father. The thing about children is they hold nothing back and they speak their mind. Just as Abel was in that moment. “...right Daddy?”

Before Jax could reassure his son Scarlet was going to stay with them, even if he hadn’t been so sure himself, he heard footsteps making their way down the hall.

Scarlet

Scarlet didn’t trust the home test she had taken only days ago so she thought it would be best to see the professionals to determine if she was in fact was with child.  She sat in the office waiting for the doctor to return with her results. Her phone was buzzing in her purse but she couldn’t seem to take her mind of the pending moment. For the past few days she had been over the fence and back again about what she would do. Did she want to be a mother? Could she handle it?

Every scenario had been played out in her head and even though most ended with her alone with a baby she knew she would go through with it. Jax or not, if there was a kid growing inside of her womb Scarlet was sure she would be a better mother then her own. That may not have set the bar very high but at least she knew what /not/ to do.

With a light knock on the office door the doctor walked in holding a paper with Scarlet’s fate. “Are you ready?” The doctor walked in with a smile, taking a seat. Scarlet nodded not realizing she was holding her breath as the doctor began. “Well your home test was correct. You are in fact pregnant. Judging by the hormone levels from your lab work, I would guess you are about 8 to 9 weeks. I am going to prescribe some prenatal care for you and have you come back in two weeks for a full work up. We will do your first ultrasound then. That is if you want to go through with this pregnancy.”

Scarlet’s eyes lifted to the doctor who was writing notes on the chart. She paused when there was no answer from the young woman sitting with a blank expression. “You can take some time to think it over, talk to your partner about this. You do not need to make any hard choices today.”

All she could do was nod in shock. Again her phone began to buzz from her purse as the doctor handed Scarlet an appointment card.  

“Thank you. I will see you in two weeks.” Scarlet smiled, stepping out of the room in a daze. When she reached the card she got in pulling out her phone seeing a bunch of missed calls. Without bothering to check voicemail she drove to TM with the assumption it was related to Otto.  

When she pulled up it was clear the club was in some sort of panic. She didn’t even bother parking her car. Jumping out she ran into the club house. “Where is Jax?” She questioned looking around with fear in her tone.

“Down the hall, doll. You ok you don’t look so hot?” She only heard part of  what Chucky had said as she ran down the hall to find Jax kneeling down eye level with Abel. The mini version of Jax looked up when Scarlet walked in causing Jax to turn, looking up at her with anger. ‘Shit. He knows. Fucking David had to have told him’ Scarlet thought as Jax stood up to fully face her.

“Jax I know what you are thinking but I didn’t plan this.” She had began to explain but Jax cut her off with a keen tone for Abel’s sake. His eyes dark and filled with danger.

“Stay here.” He gritted through his teeth as he lead Abel out to Gemma, leaving Scarlet in a panic waiting for his return.

Jax

The moment Jax heard Scarlet out of breath and a panicked tone in her voice he knew then and there she was going to try and apologize for not being there for Abel just as he had asked her to when he had left her place earlier that morning. As upset as Jax was for the entire ordeal, he was more upset wondering if Scarlet would be able to be the kind of ol’ lady he needed. After all he had a son, a child he needed any woman he was to be with in any kind of seriousness, they needed to be able to accept that kind of responsibility as their own. He knew Scarlet had a pretty shitty upbringing herself, so it would be unfair of him to assume she could parent a child, especially one that was not of her own flesh and blood. But regardless, she needed to prove Abel was as important to her as he was.

“Don’t let him out of your sight.” Jax instructed his mother with a very dominant tone. If Abel was going to start playing fuckin’ houdini, people better be on their goddamn toes around there.

“I got him, baby.” Gemma took Abel by the hand, a death grip by the looks of it. “Jackson...go easy on her, okay?” His mother had recently taken a liking to Scarlet. She felt she would be fine ol’ lady material. As strong as the feelings was for her that Jax was having, he still needed to put priorities first before his dick, even if Scarlet was fastly becoming more that just a piece of sweet ass.

In response to Gemma, Jax nodded before turning back the way he had just came, returning to the apartment he rarely stepped foot into anymore. It was hard to believe it had been months since he had been balls deep in a ‘eater in that room, in any room if he really thought about it. Maybe the anger he was feeling right now with Scarlet could lead into some damn good angry sex. Yeah, they seemed to take a liking for that kinda thing.

Upon re-entering the room, his eyes quickly fell onto Scarlet as she seemed to be pacing nervously around the enclosed space. There was no denying the anger that was on display in his eyes as she finally looked up at him, opening her mouth to speak only to have Jax stop her.

“Where the fuck were you? I /asked/ you this morning to come here for Abel. Yet you never fuckin’ showed. He goes fuckin’ missing and you were called, not once, not twice but three fuckin’ times yet where were you? Off trying to be a fuckin’ hero by yourself, figuring out your father’s murder I suppose huh? You wanna be a goddamn ol’ lady, you damn well better start acting like one. Abel is /my/ son. That means you want me, it’s a package deal sweetheart. Take it or fuckin’ leave it!”

His eyes narrowed in on the woman that he was beginning to develop feelings for. Strong feelings, even if he hadn’t exactly relayed them to her completely yet. And as he stood there, anger washing over him he wondered if that was a good thing. Maybe she’d decide this was not the kind of life she wanted, with Abel or with him. But he needed to know just where her priorities were going to lie.

“Well? Where the hell were you Scarlet?!”

Scarlet

“Abel was missing??” Was all she really could comprehend him saying, stepping towards the door, Jax stood firmly in front of her. She wanted to go to Abel but at her second attempt to walk past Jax his hand shoved her back. Scarlet's eyes shot up at him hurt with the way he was treating her. She knew right then he was not ready for another child but what had her surprised was she was ready.

Anger filled her veins as Jax scolded her for not being at the club with Abel. The room had become stuffy, a sheer layer of sweat covered her forehead as she tried to pick from the words jumbled in her head. She knew he was right, she was supposed to be there over an hour ago and she did forget while being thrown off by her own crisis.

“I wasn’t out doing anything I wasn’t allowed to do but then again according to you I never do a damn thing right! I was dealing with something and I knew he was here, he was safe, you are acting like I left Abel alone or at school. Is this your way of calling me a shitty mother?” The words she spoke though not from his mouth it all still hurt the same. She was already doubting herself with the news of her unborn child only to have the father come down on her like this made her head spin.

Who was Scarlet kidding? She couldn’t even babysit and here she was thinking of having her own child. It had been a battle with Abel as it was. She knew that kid wanted nothing to do with her and she always feared that would push Jax away.

She began to lose her breath. As panic really started to set in she tried to walk away to get air but again Jax grabbed her arm, shoving her back.

“You are going to stand here and talk to me about this, don’t make me ask again why weren’t you here?” He snapped through gritted teeth only adding to her own mixture of emotions.

“Where was I? I was at the fucking hospital Jax! I didn’t know I needed to check in with my keeper, the all mighty Jax fuckin’ Teller whenever I stepped out of my own house! I was out having my life turned upside down yet again courteous of you! You want me to be an Ol’ Lady? How about you treat me like one and not an ‘eater you have wrapped in fucking bubble wrap! How about you look at me and see /me/ not what you /want/ me to be! How about you take responsibility for your own shit and understand I am not here to bow down to you! I am here because I fucking care about you! Yeah Otto brought me here but I stayed for you, for Abel. I stayed when I should have left. Maybe then I wouldn’t be standing here getting yelled at for being late to pick up /your/ son because I was off finding out the king of Samcro knocked /me/ up!”

When the truth left her lips she instantly prayed he didn’t hear her. Her hands flew to her mouth as the tears spilled, watching the words she slapped him with turnover in his head. Scarlet felt sick but not the same ‘lose your lunch’ kind of sick she had been feeling for the past week. She felt sick because she knew the truth was, she was going to walk out that room with her life changed and from the look on that man’s face it wasn’t going to be a happy ending for her.

Jax

Blocking the doorway so Scarlet was forced to talk to him, or more like yell at him, he stood firm regardless of the words she spat back at him. It wasn’t the first time they fought or the last, so he hoped. It wasn’t until the last string of words left her mouth and the reaction that went with it did Jax suddenly shift gears. Had Scarlet just said what he thought she had?

He must have heard her wrong. There was no fuckin’ way she was pregnant and if she was it sure as hell wasn’t his kid. He’s careful with that shit, Christ everyone knew for years he bought rubbers, one box at a time just to stay humble. And he used those motherfuckers faithfully. Scarlet was obviously out of her damn mind. There was just no way.

“You’re fuckin’ pregnant?” Those were the only words that erupted from him until his could get some kind of footing on what she truly had shouted at him. The way it flew out of her mouth and the reaction that followed, he was positive she wasn’t planning on blurting that shit out the way she had.

The earlier events had now been replaced with what seemed like another crisis. There was no way in hell, none that this kid, if she was spilling the truth, was his. They might have fucked on numerous occasions but he was careful. He was always fuckin’ careful, litterally, ever since Wendy pulled the shit she had with Abel, even if now he didn’t regret it one bit. Pacing around the small room, Jax couldn’t believe what he was hearing. It couldn’t be true, he could barely raise Abel in the chaos and mayhem that surrounded them. But to bring another into the life they were leading? No, it wasn’t so. It couldn’t be. Without thinking Jax began to snap back.

“I don’t know who’s fuckin’ kid you’re carryin’ but it ain’t mine. But you have the nerve to time after time throw shit in my face about dippin’ my dick in other pussy yet there you are, out gettin’ knocked up while I’m goddamn well falling for you! Unfuckinbelievable!” His hand threw up in the air as the last word sprung from his mouth.

Scarlet

Scarlet’s heart crumbed into a million pieces as she took in each word. Yes it was true she had the feeling he wouldn’t want a kid but to flat out deny it was his wasn’t what she had expected. It took everything inside her not to break down in front of him. She had been hurt a thousand times but this was a pain she never felt before. Jax Teller finally broke her. Many have tried but he did it with a single breath.  

“No, you are right, the time you fuckin’ came inside me on the reaper table couldn’t have got me knocked up. Because I was out fucking around when you had Prospects on me at all times and when they were not with me I was with you but still fucking around! I don’t want anything from you anymore. You do what you will for Otto. But I am done!” The lump in her throat threatened to let the floodgates open, her eyes dropping from his she stepped past him, walking out the apartment completely destroyed by the only man she had ever really felt love for.

Walking through the clubhouse just as the other members had walked in, she couldn’t bring herself to look at any one of them because if she did she knew she couldn’t hold her tears back.

“Darlin’?” Chibs questioned, concerned as she walked past them. Each one stopped walking as she walked out confused about the situation.

David had pulled up on his bike and with one look at her he knew Jax Teller failed Scarlet in her time of need. He unclasped his helmet, handing it over to her. Kicking her leg over on the bike she put the helmet on, leaving the rental car behind. “Please get me out of here.” She sniffled back her tears, not giving club a second look as David rode them out of the small gated kingdom.

Pulling up to the house she got off the back of David’s Harley, putting her hands up before David could even try to comfort her, tossing him the helmet. “Just don’t. I am going to grab some things and call a cab. You finish your shit here, we can meet back up in LA later. I need to just be alone. Please.” The last word being the one that gave que for her tears to flow like a river.

Once inside the house she locked the door bolting it shut so no one could get in. She didn’t know what she was going to do or where she was really going but she wasted no time packing her things refusing to stay a minute longer in the god forsaken town she had mistaken for her home.

[jarlet-blog1]

20. The Test ~ by Scarlet

It had been about a week since Scarlet had ran her car into the patrol mens. As much as the club had respected her for it, Jax seemed to cautiously watch her every move.The way he moved when she moved rolled from an annoyance to something Scarlet had began to respect. She was finally realizing the dirty blonde, biker god had truly kept her best interest at heart.   

For years she had been a loose cannon, saying what she wanted before thinking about the consequences. Doing as she pleased without thinking about anyone but her own selfishness. On more than one occasion she had been asked why...Why would she spin out and not even think twice that she may be killed in the process. Scarlet never could answer it, not until today that is.

The sad truth is Scarlet never worried about dying because she felt without admitting to herself that she had no real reasons to live. Sure, she had close friends but she was not rooted. There was no family to ground her to the earth. In some ways she felt she was a floating mistake brought to earth to live no real purpose. So she ran into the blaze of fire with an open heart ready to meet her maker. She had more questions for god himself than any one single person on earth. From a very young age she questioned what her purpose was here on earth, why was she created?   

It wasn’t until now, meeting the Sons that Scarlet had ever felt a purpose. She sat at the clubs barstools watching the men of mayhem run around in an almost playful manner enjoying the croeaters that flooded the club. Her eyes glanced over to Jax, who was sitting with @themanofloyalty having a beer undoubtedly talking about the LA trade they have been working on. Jax caught her eyes with his own shooting her a wink. One that said you are safe, you are home.

Bringing a fresh crisp beer to her lips Scarlet took a sip though her stomach immediately disagreed as it had for the better part of the week. She set the beer down on the bar top making her way over to Jax and David. Jax’s smile could melt the panties right off her and he damn well knew it. His eyes never left her as she confidently made her way to the two men. His hand reaching out for hers he planted a soft kiss to ther knuckles. “Hey guys, I think I am going to head home”

“Home, already?” Jax sat up straighter with a look of concern. Scarlet nodded with a small smile leaning down kissing his cheek. “You just got here darlin’” The disappointment was evident but she knew she needed to get going before she became sick yet again in front of the loyal members of SAMCRO.

“I’m sorry, I just think I want to go to bed.” She admitted to her the blue eyed charmer who was caressing her knuckles with the callous pad of his thumb.

“Yeah okay, We should maybe think about you seeing the doctor Babe. You ain’t been getting better and it worries me.” He admitted while his eyes scanned the room for Rat she was sure.

“I’ll take her home, We haven’t had much time to hangout since I been in town” David interrupted the two already standing on his feet searching for his smokes. Jax glanced at David then to Scarlet nodding in agreement.

“Yeah okay, I won’t be too late. I’ll come by and check on you once I finish up here.” With that said Jax stood up leaning over kissing her lightly, his eyes quickly searching hers. Scarlet hated to see him worry so she smiled returning the kiss.

“Jax, I have been feeling better just not 100% yet.” She gave him a last kiss before making her way out of the clubhouse to David who was already waiting for her by the car.  

“We need to make a quick stop.” David called out taking a seat in the driver side of her still rental car. Scarlet shrugged getting in not asking where he wanted to stop. She shut her eyes getting dizzy with the motion of the car. Not alot was said on the car ride until they pulled into the local drug store.

“What are you getting?” She managed to ask without throwing up the little bit of dinner she was able to eat. David didn’t answer her he got out of the car leaving Scarlet behind. She laid her seat back shutting her eyes trying to focus on not throwing up when David came back in setting a bag in her lap. He turned the car on and began to drive them home. Scarlet didn’t have the energy to sit up and look in the bag whatever it was she was sure she didn’t want.

Once they got to the house Scarlet grabbed the bag tossing it at David getting out of the car with a groan. She heard David sigh following out the car after her. “You don’t eat but you say you are starving. You smell food and you throw up, you throw up when you wake up. You are moody, more than normal anyway. Do you see a pattern here because I do?”

Scarlet walked up the steps hearing what David was saying but not connecting the dots. Her head shook as she unlocked the front door pushing it open turning slightly to face him. “I am not allowed to get sick?” She questioned with a perked brow not liking his tone of voice. David shoved the bag back into her chest pushing past her walking inside.

“I am saying you are not sick with any kind of flu Scar. Look in the bag” His tone seemed annoyed by her being naive. She opened the the bag pulling out the box reading the label out loud with her long term friend.  

“First response early pregnancy test? David are you serious?” She snapped not because he bought her the test but because the past few days she had been trying to convince herself she didn’t need one. David pointed to the restroom not saying a word as he strolled over to the kitchen. Scarlet was left standing in the hallway reading the box hearing the fridge get pulled open and a beer getting cracked open.

“Do it Scar or do I need help you piss on the test myself?” David called out after her heading to the living room. Scarlet looked at the restroom then the box letting out a groan filled with remorse. David always has been her voice of reason, the only person in her life to be able to kick her ass into gear when she was stuck inside herself. He was more of a father figure to her though he was only a few years older than her. He was that one person who told her the shit she didn’t want to hear but needed to.

Tearing the box open she slowly walked into the restroom shutting the door behind her. Her eyes gazed into the mirror like she was seeing herself for the first time. Tracing over her tattoo’s, the scars she hide under them. Scarlet never once in her life wondered what mother hood would be like for her. She couldn’t see herself responsible for the life of a child. Scarlet could barely take care of herself.

Breaking the staring contest she was having with herself Scarlet took the test and set it on the counter, she took a seat on the edge of the tub lost inside her head. There was no way she could see herself with a round belly, and she definitely didn’t see Jax at her side. Jax. God how would Jax react to the news, it could very well break him. he could kill her. Most would think that was a figure of speech but the hard truth is Jax was capable of anything.

Scarlet didn’t know how Jax felt about her. It was not like they sat around talking about feelings. They either fought, or fucked. That was the length of relationship between the two. She knew her heart called to him. Only she figured it was his dick that called to her. It was bad enough that she had ruined the one lead they had on Otto’s murder.

“You are not Pregnant” She muttered to herself praying that it was the truth as she stood up reaching for the test. Inhaling the deepest of breaths she looked down, time stood still as she read ‘Positive’ on the stick. “No” she whimpered standing frozen. “No” Again she wouldn’t accept her fate.

Everything around her began to close in around her, the air became thick and hard to breathe in. The shock set in around her making her stomach knot like never before. Dropping the test to the floor Scarlet began to panic. All she could do was hold onto the countertop trying to focus on breathing. Tears fell into the sink while her mind turned over half a dozen times until there was a knock on the door. “Well?” David's voice traveled through the wood door. He tried to open it when she didn’t answer but Scarlet had locked it.

“I can’t. I can not do this” She said out loud more for herself then David. She didn’t know how long after that she waited but when she finally opened the door David was sitting on the floor, quick to his feet when she appeared. Her eyes swollen from crying, David frowned, not saying anything he pulled her into a hug.

“You can do it. You are a strong woman, you just need to tell Jax and you guys will figure it out. He is a good father.” Scarlet shoved him back shaking her head.

“No. Jax can not know about this. Do you hear me David? You can’t tell him” She warned with fear in her eyes.

“You have to tell him! He is the father right?” David instantly flipped from concerned to angry. He didn’t know what she was thinking but he knew she was wrong whatever was going on in her head.

“I just.. I need time. I need to figure this out. You are my friend not his you can’t tell him!” Once again Scarlet snapped shoving David in the chest. He could see the fear in her eyes, he tried to put his own feelings aside to understand hers but he couldn’t.

“You tell him soon Scar or I do.” David stepped aside letting Scarlet push past him running up to her room shutting the door locking it. Scarlet couldn’t think straight all she wanted to do was pass out and not deal with the horrific truth.

[jarlet-blog1]

19. In Bed With The Irish ~by Jax

The deep roar of thunderheaders consumed the air as the members of SAMCRO rode side by side behind their President. The wisps of dirty blonde hair blew out from under the skull cap that sat securely on the leader of the pack’s head. The cool wind whipped around them like it was parting the way like the Red fuckin’ Sea. His eyes covered by his KDs were shielded from the midday sun, along with the rest of him covered in flannel, denim and leather. It was his normal attire on any given day in the life they led. The outlaw life. The way their money was made and kept them living more than paycheck to paycheck like a simple man would being a mediocre mechanic with a GED. In the eyes of Charming’s residents, that’s what he was. That’s what they all were even if they all knew the good folks of their little town realized differently. Their MC had been successful, up until at least this point, with keeping as much bad shit out of their beloved surroundings. Maybe someday that would change and the violence would consume them. Jax could only do what he could to keep them on the right path, one that didn’t lead to that destruction. That was yet to be determined in their future days. For now, he needed to press on with their lucrative and otherwise non-lucrative businesses. Despite wanting to put an end to the gun running years ago, Jax knew that was never going to happen. The path his father, JT, and Clay had laid down for them all those years back was here to stay, whether Jax agreed or not. They all knew there was only so many ways to keep the cash flowing like they were used to. Guns, drugs or pussy. And they were dipped in all three. Redwoody, Diosa, muling keys for Pope and the longest of all they were in bed with the fuckin’ Irish, the only choice they had was to allow them to fuck them up the ass or not.

Rolling his Dyna to a stop as the dirt kicked up and circled around the leather clad men as they all pulled in next to and behind where Jax had halted. With a flip of his foot, he lowered the kickstand while still balancing the mechanical beast between his legs as his fingers worked the snap on his helmet under his chin. He occasionally enjoyed the freedom it brought with riding without the confinement on his head, but today, with the long ride to the warehouse that sat securely off the grid, it was a necessity. And hell, he didn’t need to hear the bitching from his mother or his ol’ lady. Scarlet. His mind suddenly roamed to the dark haired spitfire that entered his life only a short time ago, turning shit upside down for him and more ways than one. He’d be lying if he said she didn’t drive him fuckin’ crazy, but he’d be speaking with two heads. A slow, devious smirk moved over his bearded face as he thought of being balls deep in her on that damn reaper table. Yep, he was definitely thinking with the wrong head at the moment.

As Jax placed the black, still shiny helmet to the gas tank his leg swung over the saddle of his Dyna, propping him a now standing position. Shoving his leather riding gloves in the ass pocket of his jeans he turned to watch his members all doing the same; kickstands down, helmets off, unmounting their own Harleys. All except Hap that was already roaming the very vacant lot and secluded area. Jax’s bushy brows furrowed as he wondered why his brother looked like he was scouting out the fuckin’ place. What the fuck he’d be looking for out here besides a few goddamn tumbleweeds was beyond him. If they were getting a sudden ambush by the fuckin’ Irish, they had themselves hid better than Jax would have expected considering there wasn’t a trace of a vehicle on the road in and he was sure the fuckers hadn’t walked in on foot. It was only moments before Tig joined in the ridiculous search, peering behind bushes and boulders, even the sides of the warehouse.

“What the fuck are you knuckleheads doin’?” Jax questioned, his brows knit further down, wondering if he should be reaching into his holster for the Colt .45 he now kept there that Scarlet had recently given him.

“Lookin’ for Scarlet.” Happy quickly replied as he scoped out around the side of the fairly new building.

A sudden burst of laughter erupted from Jax as he dove his hand into the inner pocket of his kutte to retrieve the crumpled pack of Marlboros. Slipping his thumb in the bottom to open it, silently cursing himself when he realized he was on his last two, making a mental note to rectify that shit when the the dealings with the Irish were through. Shoving his hand in the front pocket of his baggy jeans, he pulled out the lighter to ignite the end of the cancer stick that would momentarily fill his lungs with the much needed nicotine.

“Why the fuck you lookin’ for her? She don’t even know we were meeting the Irish here today.” He replaced the filter back to his mouth once he finished his sentence, his eyes still darting between the two.

“Can never be too careful with that one, boss.” Tig countered without hesitation.

“True enough, brotha. True enough.” The blonde haired president chuckled as he took another drag from his burning cigarette, stuffing one hand in his pocket as the group stood awaiting the arrival of their ‘business partners’.

“Ain’ seen the lass ‘round lately. Ya keepin’ ‘er hidden, Jackie Boy?” His VP laughed slightly as he clapped a hand on Jax’s shoulder.

“Nah, been sick with some flu shit and sore from the fuckin’ car stunt she pulled. I swear to Christ I either need to put her in bubble wrap or get her a damn babysitter.” He knew if Scarlet heard the words that effortlessly just flowed from his mouth he’d no doubt have another fight on his hands. Wasn’t like that wasn’t normal for them. Seemed if they weren’t fighting they were fuckin’ or vice versa. The latter being more of a benefit to both of them.

“Ya gotta admit Jax, that shit she pulled was pretty fuckin’ epic, brotha.” Happy chimed in just as the matte black Escalade followed by two BMWs and a late model cube van made their way down the dry dirt road the bikers had just come from.  

Jax gave a nod with his whiskered covered chin towards his guys, signalling them to gather round as the Irish pulled up and stopped the vehicles right in front of the kutte wearing MC. With a flick of his wrist Jax dropped the filter of his half smoked cigarette to the loose ground beneath their feet, crushing it out with the toe of his sneaker. His eyes lifted to meet the middle aged Irish King as he stepped out of the back of the vehicle.

Galen O’Shay. Biggest Irish prick of them all. Jax and O’Shay never took a liking to each other. In fact, each of them despised the other. It had been a hard transition for the asshole when Jax forced Clay from the gavel. Cocksucker never really wanted to give Jax a chance, thought he was too young and explosive. But given the fact of Clay’s ‘accidental’ death, he either got in bed with the new President of the MC, or they needed to find a new iron pipeline. Galen decided the cause was more important than his hatred for the biker king and the new and improved alliance was formed.

“Galen.” Jax nodded, giving each guy on either side of him a sideways glance as Chibs and Hap stepped to either side of their prez.

“Jackson.” Galen eyed Jax in response. “Ye all ready fer the unload?”

Without a word Jax once more nodded before making his way back to the double doors of the warehouse, the van backing its way into them for the unload. As the back door rolled up the MC got their first look at the newest stock; KG-9’s, Glocks and assault rifles; shit the Italians would be ready and waiting on. Jax stood back as his guys assisted with the unload, Galen standing only a couple feet to his left.

“Aye, the recipients of dis fine weaponry should be pleased with ya, bye. Glocks, full auto, extended clips. AKs are original Russian stock, new action quick load wit’ new scope. Finest shit, aye.” The smirk grew across Galen’s freshly shaven face as Jax folded his arms across his chest as the wooden crates one by one found their way inside the leased warehouse.

“Italians will be please no doubt.” His blue eyes darted to the last piece of the delivery as Happy and Tig carried it to the center where the rest of the shipment now resided.

“Two weeks time an’ we’ll be bringin’ da next round, Jackson. I assume yer ready for that kinda’ stock? Kings are lookin’ forward ta’ doublin’ their business in Northern Cali.” The cocky Irish prick grinned like a cheshire cat that made Jax’s molars grind in the back. He might have to play nice with the guy for business purposes but he didn’t have to like it.

“We’ll let you know when we are ready for more. Someone will contact Connor, till then, consider this it till I say further.” The President was in no mood to play Galen’s little games. He wasn’t the young prince who stood back and let Clay Morrow do the dealings.

“Aye, see ya in two weeks son.” A light chuckle escaped O’Shay as he began to walk towards his expensive SUV. His blue eyes narrowed in on the motherfucker as he strolled away. One bullet to the back of the head Jax thought. Just one bullet.

As the Irish rolled away Jax stood in the middle of the doorway that was still wide open, arms still crossed over his chest, his stance firm until there was only a trail left in the distance of a rustled up dirt cloud from the dry ground. The biker prez lifted his head towards the sun, feeling the warm rays on his face as he thought about Galen’s words. Fuck, why did his old man ever get in bed with these fuckin’ Catholic pieces of shit? Somehow Jax felt this would someday come to bite him directly in the ass. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but somewhere down the line his gut told him there was going to be something real fuckin’ personal with these Irish assoles or one associated with them. And unfortunately, Jax was usually never wrong about those feelings. He’d just let it churn it his gut till the time presented itself and he’d snap, like multiple times in the past.

“Let’s get this shit open, check it all. I don’t want any damn surprises on this fuckin’ delivery. Cacuzza ain’t one we need to upset right now.” As the sound of crates prying open echoed through the building Jax felt the vibrations of his burner in the front pocket of his jeans. Quickly lifting it from its usual resting place, he flipped it open, placing it to his ear.

“Yeah? …… Jesus Christ...he okay?” Jax paused, his brows furrowing in confusion and worry. “Alright, I’m...fuck, I’m on my way. Tell Scarlet I’ll be there soon.” Slapping the flip phone against his thigh, the concern evident on his now slightly pale face.

“Jackie, wha’ is it?” Chibs asked, moving closer to Jax, seeing the obvious worry on his face.

“It’s Abel..I...I gotta go.” Frozen for a brief second, Tig’s words urging Jax’s feet to finally move.

“Go Jax, we got shit handled here...Go!”

With a quick nod, leaving the MC behind to deal with club business Jax rushed to his Harley, his only thought on his only son and getting to him as quickly as possible.