A/N- Hey guys! Tring to get back in the swing of things, so here is a short update, and please, please, please review, even if its short, reviews are like crack to me! Without them you feel like you just talking to an empty room, and its hard to create…..so talk to me, tll me how you're finding it, what you like what you don't, im all ears…or eyes, whatever lol xxx
Riley
Chapter 3…
"So was it definitely him?" July Marks asked calmly as she slowly twiddled with the stem of her Red wine glass.
"Can't say for certain, but I think so…he had a woman with him, and he looked different, but I'm pretty sure it was him…whadya wanna do now?" Carter, her right hand man, and occasional fuck buddy answered while taking a seat.
July pondered for the moment, not entirely sure what her next plan of action would be. To say that August Marks had been somewhat of an absentee father most her life would be an understatement, that didn't mean it hurt any less when she had come to learn of his demise.
As young as she maybe, 25 to be exact that didn't stop her following in his footsteps and taking over the family name, much to the dismay of her mother.
"let me think…I don't wanna act on anything too soon, you said he had a woman with him…find out who she is and report back to me." Lifting her glass, she slowly smelled at the full bodied wine and took a sip, a curt head nod of compliance from Carter and he left her office to follow his orders…Find out who Jax Teller's new girlfriend was.
The following day…
Nomi and Jax had seemingly recovered from their emotion filled evening prior, a few more sweet sessions of lovemaking the night before and a brunch and shopping trip the following morning and Jax was out of the dog house.
They had returned home from their day out in the early afternoon to freshen up, have a quickie and set out to meet Jax's "Uncle" Chibbs.
Nomi was nervous to say the least, Jax hadn't been very forthcoming about his family, but from what she could gather, most of them were dead, and if they weren't, he didn't share much information about them.
The idea of meeting a relative both excited her and scared her, it warmed her heart to know he wanted her to know someone from his family, but also freaked her out that she may not make a good impression.
"Awfully quiet darling….everything alright?" Nomi was brought out of her absent thinking at the sound of Jax's voice as they drove through the city.
Reaching over she took his hand in hers with a smile.
"I'm good, just thinking." She smiled, her thumb rubbing over the back of his hand.
"Penny for your thoughts kid?" he winked.
"Are you sure your uncle won't mind me coming with you, I know you haven't seen him in a while, I don't wanna intrude." She asked, slowly biting on her bottom lip.
Jax reached for said lip, brushing his thumb over the fullness, a small smile spreading across his face, his eyes never leaving the road.
"You better stop that unless you want me to join in" He quipped, tugging on her bottom lip slightly. "It'll be fine, I want you to meet him, we'll go for a nice meal and you guys can get to know each other, honestly doll, he's harmless, if you don't mind though we might go for a drink after, just me and him to catch up if that's cool." He queried, his hand coming down to rest on her bare knee, exposed by her yellow summer dress, the colour made her bronzed skin glow in the most glorious way.
"That's more than fine babe, I expected as much…just no strip clubs" she laughed gazing back out the window.
She suddenly felt much calmer about tonight, all previous feeling from the last couple of days of worry and anxiety floated away, things were back to how they had been…back to being perfect.
Chibbs sat patiently waiting in the in the quaint restaurant, it was definitely fancier than anywhere he'd been before, but still had a relaxed atmosphere, his club colours left back at home, he was dressed all in black with his glasses.
Jax had filled him in when he called, taking the call in his bathroom, he'd filled him in on Nomi, she knew nothing about the club or his sons, nothing…he did let slip however, that Nomi was important, he loved her and he had better not say anything stupid.. He loved her.
Chibbs was nursing a double shot of Jack when he saw his Jacky boy come into view, a pretty, short black woman followed behind him, but he couldn't spot the spitfire that had stolen his boy's heart.
"Jacky boy! Ah lad! Get over here!" He stood wrapping Jax in a tight hug. "So where is she then? Don't tell me she dumped your arse already?" he laughed, slapping him on the shoulder.
Jax's cheeks burned slightly as he stepped aside, showing Nomi, standing behind him quietly, a small smile on her face.
"Not at all brother, Chibbs…Nomi…Nomi, meet my Uncle, Chibbs." He brought her forward while a well recovered Chibbs winked at Jax, a small joke shared between them, Jax rolled his eyes and stepped aside allowing the pair to embrace.
"Oh Jacky boy…you've stuck gold here lad" Chibbs laughed warmly. "Lovely to meet you lass, heard a lot about you darling, and the boy wasn't lying about your looks, gorgeous, bloody gorgeous." He smiled taking a seat while Jax pulled out a chair for her to sit.
"Thank you hun, but please enough with the compliments, I'm a ball of nerves as it is, speaking of which, I think I'm ready to order a drink." Nomi laughed, resting her hands on the table.
"I like her already Jacky" Chibbs smiled.
Jax sat back in the chair while the two fell into an easy exchange, they laughed and chatted like old friends a majority of the night, Including Jax when they felt necessary, Jax didn't mind though, this is what he wanted, it warmed him to know end to see them get on the way they were. Chibbs never missed a beat either, he had fully adapted to the role of grumbly, pleasant Uncle, chatting away, but never revealing too much, he asked Nomi a lot of questions about herself, which allowed him to keep quiet, and also allowed Jax to learn more about his darling.
The night was so pleasant, both Jax and Chibbs had almost forgot why they were meeting until Nomi stated she was gonna grab a cab home and let the two catch up.
"Babe, stop, you're not taking a fuckin cab, I'll drive you." Jax spoke, going to stand from the table.
"Jackson, don't be silly, its fine and I'm a big girl, I'll grab an Uber, stay with your uncle." Leaning in to kiss a still sulking Jax, she kissed then pinched his nose as he scowled at her, clearly upset about her travelling alone, but knowing the conversation was over, when Nomi made up her mind that was it, she was taking a cab.
Walking round to the other side of the table, Chibbs stood to meet her, wrapping her in a genuine, warm hug.
"Was lovely to meet you darlin'" he spoke as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Likewise" she smiled, eyes twinkling. "You boys try not to get into too much trouble, take care Unc'" and with a final hug and kiss to Jax she was out the door to meet her Uber.
Jax followed her out the door and watched her get in the Uber, before returning to the table, he clocked the way Chibb's shoulders had slightly dropped, and his face grew a little tighter, cheerful "Uncle Chibbs" had left with Nomi, this was good ol' Chibbs, the "real" one, and he was ready to talk.
"So you wanna tell me what the fuck is going on or what?" He grumbled, downing his drink, and meeting Jax's eyes head on.
"Ugh where to begin brother, skipping most of it, I think Marks' Gang have eyes on me." Jax grumbled, running a hand over he scruff.
"The fuck du mean, he's dead…you're paranoid lad" raising a hand to signal the waiter for another round, Chibs smirked off Jackson's worry.
"Nah, I'm telling you something's off, he'd had a whole other operation right here in Chicago, and elsewhere the whole time, I'm telling you! A storms brewing." Jax groaned.
"So you think he's gonna rise from the grave and avenge himself!? Be smart Jacky."
"No, I don't think he's gonna rise from the dead to avenge himself, I think his kid's gonna do it for him" Turning to face Chibbs, he saw the penny drop.
"Kid? What kid?" Chibbs whispered, as if suddenly it was a secret.
"Marks had a kid, no one really knew about him until, he took over when he died, supposed to be a ruthless son of a bitch too, so now you see my problem, I've had enough dealings with the devil to spot trouble when I see it, and yesterday, I saw it." Slamming his own shot, Jax sat back and exhaled, signalling for another round to a passing waiter.
"Okay, okay, so what now? You've got a life here Jacky, got a brilliant girl crazy about you? You can't take off" eyes wide Chibbs reasoned with Jax, or tried to at least.
"I know that, that's why I'm not taking off, I know what I gotta do, I just need a bit of help." He whispered.
"Well you've got that, you know you've got that Jacky, whatever you need, I'm here, the guys are here, just say the word." He affirmed, a hand coming up to rest on Jax's shoulder.
"Thank you brother"
"So go on then" Chibbs quipped, sipping from his glass.
"What?" Jax queried, slightly confused
"Well what is it you're gonna do?" Chibs groaned, feeling exhausted
Jax pondered for a moment before settling on his decision "Only one thing I can do, find him and kill him, before he comes for me." Chibs nodded in agreement.
It was the only plan of action, cut the link, the tie that connected him to his past, burn the bridge and keep it moving, he had to think of Nomi, his new life, his friends, his safety, his happiness…so he was gonna hunt down Marks's kid, and finish what he started, once and for all.
The two continued to talk and drink, and tried to hatch a plan well into the night, when closing time came they parted ways and agreed to meet in the following weeks.
With a hug and some kind orders, Chibs left for his hotel, to be gone the following morning.
Earlier that night
Nomi stepped out the Uber and proceeded to climb the steps to her apartment building when something caught her eye, a young light skin woman on the street, clearly looking for something, and looking distressed, turning she went to her.
"Everything okay?" the young woman looked up, looking slightly startled.
"Oh god, my mother's ring, I'm sure I've dropped it out here somewhere, its all I have of her" Nomi's heartstrings tugged as the woman spoke.
"I'm so sorry, are you sure you dropped it out here?" She queried brown eyes wide, she took a small step closer, still slightly wary of the stranger in front of her, but wanting to help.
"I'm sure, I just can't see where" The young stranger replied, seemingly close to tears.
"Well I live just upstairs, if me or my boyfriend find it, you got a number I could reach you on, might have better luck in the daytime." She smiled, hoping to comfort the pretty stranger.
"Oh would you, I would appreciate it so much, here take my number." The young woman smiled, her sadness slowly fading it would seem, as she whipped out her phone and gave her number, getting herself together, she thanked Nomi again, and went to walk away, stopping when Nomi called to her.
"Hey, I didn't catch ya name, what do I save it as?" Nomi asked, eyes smiling, feeling good about her good deed, and the fact the woman was feeling better.
The stranger giggled, feeling silly all of sudden and walked back a little.
"I'm so dumb sometimes! I'm sorry…Its July, July Marks, make sure you let me know if you find it right?" July smiled warmly.
"Of course! You get home now, it late, crazies are everywhere." Nomi chuckled, climbing the stairs and getting her keys out, she waved as she let herself in the building and went up to her apartment, letting herself in she got undressed, showered and hit the sack, Jax would let himself in, if he wanted to, or would go up to his own place later on.
Outside the building however, a black navigator pulled up to the curb in front of July, Carter stepped out to open her door as she climbed in the back.
"So, did you see her?" he asked as he settled back inside.
"I did, she does live here though that's for definite, with him too, she seems nice, didn't know who I was, very naïve all around, its almost a shame." July mused, checking her fingernails coolly, her demeanour returning to cold and calculated, her ditzy damsel in distress act gone.
"How du mean? Whats a shame?" Carter asked looking in the rear-view mirror at July.
"It's a shame, she doesn't stand a chance, it's unfortunate really, she seems quiet lovely, poor thing won't even see it coming." She shrugged, turning her head to look back out the window apathetically over the Chicago night.
