The road was empty as Jax slowly navigated the curves. The bay waters were still, under the black sky, as a light drizzle fell, forcing him to slow down.
"Lets get a couple hits before we get there " Opie suggested.
"We don't have time, bro...besides I see the lights up there now. And I don't want to smell like an old bong to him either..."
His friend sighed as they turned down a gravel driveway, past a mailbox with the name Brenner painted on it
"What the fuk ?" Jax muttered .
Parked neatly under the light was a ford galaxy, an older ford pickup truck, and the Aston that he watched Opie change a tire on earlier.
Gemma was restless.
"Jezis, I can't believe I came along! "
She grabbed the magazine from Juice.
"Wat the fuk, I wasn't finished! " he half whined .
"I don't give a damn, I'm about outta my head stuck in this room . Now I got your bitch ass babysitting me. What the Hell does Jax think I'm gonna do, anyway ?" She flung the magazine back at him. Juice managed to dodge it, and suppressed his laugh.
"Come on, Gemma, you do kinda scare people...lets go to the Tides Inn diner. Its got a sweet view of the water and I'm starved..."
"Fine...I just want to get outside, "
she fumed, and grabbing her purse,
stormed out the door, with Juice in hot pursuit.
Jax and Opie sat in Mitch Brenners den.
Details were needed not only about Clays charges, but information on other M C members. Halfway through , a knock interrupted them.
"Would either of you gentleman like a cold drink ?" Melanie asked. "Mr Winston? "
"Thanks..." Jax took one, and Opie winked as Melanie lowered the tray with some sandwiches to him.
"Mr Winston helped me out of distress this afternoon. " she turned to Mitch.
"Oh ?" He seemed unconcerned, continuing to jot notes on his legal pad.
"Yea, she had a flat tire on that roller skate ." Opie managed to say with a mouthful of ham and cheese.
"Really ...thanks for helping my wife, Opie." He looked at Opie, then to Jax. If there was meaning in that, Jax was unable to read it, but the way Melanie looked at Opie gave him concern.
"I'll let you men get back to business" she softly spoke, and left the room.
In the kitchen, Lydia Brenner was stern with her daughter, Cathy.
"You don't ever refer to your brother's clients like that. "
"Gosh, Mom, he calls all of them Hoods."
Melanie walked between the two.
"Bikers , Cathy. Something Very different. They are fiercely loyal to their families and friends. And their Women..."she trailed off, setting the tray on the counter. "They never turn their backs on loved ones.. "
Lydia couldn't help noting the wistful tone in her daughter in laws voice.
"I'll need to interview your Stepdad as soon as possible" Brenner finished writing . "I think we should discuss the matter of fees."
He leaned back in his chair. "I believe you suggested cash , as I recall...?"
Jax drained his bottle, and reached for the envelope inside his cut.
"Its all here. "
Brenner opened it and counted the bills.
"If things go the way you say, there's a bonus with the next payment . Opie or me will ride down and deliver it in person..."
"Fine , fine... preferably here of course, there's too much going on at the San Francisco office."
The phone outside the den rang.
"Well, shall we relax with a beer before you boys get back to town ?" Brenner walked to the door.
Melanie opened it. "Mitch, it's a collect call from a Greg Rizzo ?"
"I'll take it in here , you two go ahead." He took the phone and closed the door behind them.
Moments later , as Melanie handed them each a beer, he reappeared. "I've got to go back to the city. A counsel member got picked up for something. " he kissed her quickly, and left.
She stood there a moment or two. This was not what she envisioned with Mitch.
"So..." Opie spoke up. "He's a busy man, huh ?"
Remembering the two bikers presence, she turned quickly.
"Yes...he's quite popular with the upper crust of San Francisco. ...he's usually away days at a time..."
"We do what we gotta do for our families, right ?" Jax added.
She sat down opposite them. Opie couldn't stop looking at her, and she began to feel warm.
"I suppose...is that what You do, Mr Teller ?" She pulled a cigarette from a small box next to her. Opie reached forward with his lighter, as Jax smirked.
"Yep. I got two boys, one is seven, the other is nine."
"And you , Mr Winston ?"
Opie was distracted by a slight movement on the hearth. A small bird, grayish coloured, darted across it.
"Ope ?" Jax looked at his friends puzzled face, and suddenly the fireplace began to erupt with what seemed like thousands of flying , trilling small birds..
