This was so stupid. This was dangerous and stupid. What did Madison actually know about Happy? He was obviously dangerous, a biker and sent chills down her spine every time he was near. Even so, here she was tugging on her cardigan, pulling it tight over her leotard after a late morning dance class. It had been just a continuation of something she used to do during her childhood and had picked up not too long after she moved to New Orleans. It kept her mind busy when she wasn't working at Villalobos and kept her lean and fit. Dancing had always been a passion of hers and all of the bad feelings and thoughts just melted away when it was just her and the music and moves.
It was humid and only grew warmer as Madison headed for her apartment. She was about the shed the cardigan she had just put on when the sound of a bike, make that several bikes had her turning around. A fluttering began in her stomach when they pulled over and Happy unmounted his bike and strode toward her.
"You ready?" He held out the helmet in his hand and Madison shook her head.
"I just got out of class. I'm...I'm hardly dressed to go anywhere never mind get on the back of a..." Happy cut her off as he thrust the helmet towards her again. With a frustrated groan she took it all the while looking down at her outfit of a leotard, leggings and flip flops. "Happy..."
"Get on the fucking bike Madison. You'll be fine. I'm not gonna let something happen to ya." He stalked back to his bike and sat down without looking to see if she followed. Knowing there would probably be hell to pay for not doing as he asked and embarrassing him in front of his friends Madison followed and plopped herself down behind him before tucking her hair into the helmet.
"I hate you." She mumbled and the rumbling she felt in his chest signified his laughter. The ride wasn't long but it definitely wasn't an area she knew which made the anxiety worse. Happy pulled over in front of some bar that had definitely seen better days. Hesitating just a bit Madison climbed off after Happy and removed the helmet. Her hands were shaking as she handed it to him. A warm calloused hand took hers and held them tight.
"You're ok. I promise." He whispered before tugging her lightly towards his friends. One by one they removed their helmets and came forward. All together there were four guys and even the smallish number made her stomach clench. "Madison, these are some of my brothers. This here is Jax, Chibs, Tig and Juice." Each guy stepped forward with a hello, a hug or in Chibs case, a kiss on the hand Happy wasn't clutching. His grip tightened to an almost hurting point as he pulled her towards the bar. It wasn't until the group was seated with beers in hand that anyone spoke.
"So you know our Happy here from the dog place?" Jax asked taking a healthy gulp of beer.
"Yea Tia employed him at Villalobos and to be honest, I think she is going to be handing him his honorary leash this week." She snuck a smile at him as she tentatively sipped her own beer.
"Aw our little pup is getting a leash of his own." Tig teased. The way he kept eying Madison had her feeling very uneasy.
"Shut the fuck up." Happy growled and downed half his beer. Madison tensed and lowered her eyes to the table. Had she just embarrassed him?
"Well as President I am happy of our killer here." Jax pounded a fist on the table and Madison's eyes snapped up. Juice and Chibs exchanged a look and Tig smiled in amusement as unspoken words were exchanged between Happy and Jax.
"I um…I need to use the rest room. Please excuse me." Madison shakily slide off her chair and hastened towards the bathrooms. Her grip on the porcelain of the sink was white knuckle tight and her breathing labored. Had Jax just called Happy a killer? Could he really be one or was it just some sort of term of endearment? Madison knew that from looking at Happy he very well could fit the profile I mean hell, she knew nothing about him! Splashing a little water on her face she forced herself to calm down enough to get back out there before Happy came in breaking the door down. Exiting the bathroom Madison ran right into Tig whom smiled down at her with his hand on her waist.
"Easy doll, don't wanna go running into the wrong person or something would ya?"
"No I…I wouldn't." Madison tried to make her way around him but Tig cut her off and pinned her against the wall. She could feel his arousal against her belly and her stomach began to churn. "Excuse me Tig, I have to get back." Again she tried to move but he only pushed harder.
"Come now baby. You really think I didn't notice the looks you were giving me. Happy said you knew you were coming and you dress like that. Just a little taste is all I am asking for." He pressed his lips against hers hard. Madison tried to pull away but it only resulted in Tig grabbing her face in his hand to hold her still. As quick as it happened it stopped and Madison opened her eyes to find Tig on the floor and Happy glaring at him.
"What happened to not touching a brother's woman?" He snapped and grabbed for Madison. She flinched away and looked to him with fear in her eyes.
"Come on bro, you haven't staked a claim. I don't see a fucking crow on her." Tig climbed to his feet and pushed past the two shooting a look to Madison. Happy tried again to reach for her but she side stepped his advance.
"I ain't gonna hurt ya. Fuck Mads." He rubbed his face and sighed. "Tig didn't mean nothin'. He's harmless."
"What did he mean he didn't see a crow on me? Why does anyone have to stake some kind of claim on me?" Her voice was a bit louder than a whisper but her eyes kept darting back to the doorway that led to the bar.
"It's some Old Lady shit. I ain't sticking a crow on any woman so don't think I'm gonna put one on you." His voice was rough and tears began to fill Madison's eyes. She was so confused and scared. His answer didn't help her at all about this crow and claim stuff. "Don't fucking cry." He pointed a finger at her.
"I want to go home." Her voice trembled as she tried to hold back her tears. Happy did the unexpected next. He stepped forward, took her face between his hands gently and placed a barely there kiss on her lips. Madison's breath caught in her throat.
"I promise I will take you home. I just want you to meet my brother's and chill here for just a bit. Jax might ask you a few questions and I need you to answer him truthfully." Madison had a feeling they would be about her brother and Brady but she nodded anyway. "Good girl." With an arm slung around her shoulders Happy brought her back to the table and sat her on the inside of the booth, away from Tig.
"Almost thought you drowned in there darlin'." Jax teased. Madison didn't answer but she smiled. For the next twenty minutes Madison sat quietly under Happy's arm while the boys jabbered away in cryptic talk, most likely about their MC. She was used to that from the days with her brother. There were things you didn't speak of. Ever. Just when Maddie thought she was about to fall asleep Jax turned his attention to her.
"Happy here tells me that you are associated with another MC." Her throat constricted and she nodded. "Wanna tell us about that?" Fearfully Madison shook her head and she saw a look flash in Jax's eyes that scared her. "Madison, I'm sorry to say this but you don't have too much of a choice. We ain't gonna hurt ya but we need this information and we need the truth." When he meant business his voice got a little deeper. Madison's hands were shaking on top of the table and she dropped them to her lap.
"We 'rn't gonna hurt na'one lass. We jus' think there is a business to be had." Chibs spoke softly. Glancing at Happy Madison could see his annoyed and embarrassed expression.
"I…my brother was part of the Devil Drifters." She finally whispered.
"Was or still is?" Jax asked and look that he shared with Happy did not go unnoticed by Madison. She knew Happy had already told her terrible tale to his brothers and there was no lying now. They'd find out and she knew what happened when you lied to an MC. There was always a price to pay.
"Is."
"Anyone else you associated with? Boyfriend, ex boyfriend." Madison sighed and tried to keep the aggravation out of it but she couldn't. Why was he asking questions he knew the answers to?
"Not anymore. He's dead. Which you already know I am sure. Why are you asking me questions when I know Happy already told you?" Happy's arm tightened around her in warning and she shrugged it off. "No, I am not going to sit here and repeat it Happy, especially not after Tig's little indiscretion at the bathroom." She made to move out of the booth but Happy pulled her down roughly causing her to bang her wrist on the table. Gasping in pain all eyes were on her now.
"Sit the fuck down and answer his questions. I told you to answer this shit then I'll take you home." He was pissed. More than pissed, but Maddie didn't care.
"No. I am done answering 'this shit'. If you won't take me home I'll walk." Madison stood and started walking over Happy right across the table. As she began to hop down Happy grabbed for her and she slipped and ended up on the floor. The few patrons in the bar saw what happened but quickly turned their attention away from the MC. Tears sprung up in her eyes as pain shot through her wrist again as she pushed herself up. Happy stood and reached down but she ignored him.
"Shit man." Tig hoisted Madison up quickly. "You okay doll?" The look on his face was actual concern and nothing skeevy. Shaking her head she glared at Happy and stormed out. She could hear the guys talking in heated whispers but she didn't let it slow her down. Anger was quickly replaced with hurt, humiliation and physical pain as she held her wrist to her chest. Tears were cascading down her face now and she bit back a sob as she heard footsteps quickly approaching from behind.
"Leave me alone." She called out. When a gentle hand landed on her shoulder to slow her down she spun around and swung. Her fist connected with a cheek and she cried out in pain as the pain in her wrist got worse.
"Damn darlin', you've got quite a swing." Jax laughed holding his face. He reached out for her wrist and she didn't resist. "Looks sprained. Come on, hop on and I'll take you home and get that iced up." Jax led her to his bike and Madison wordlessly followed behind. The ride to her apartment was quiet and yet again a biker knew where she lived without her telling him. Climbing off she handed Jax the helmet and stood there on the walk.
"Do…do you want to come up? I think I have some beer or something." She asked quietly. With a smile Jax nodded and unmounted his bike. He didn't speak a word as they climbed the stairs and unlocked the apartment. Madison stood aside as Jax walked in. She quietly walked into the living room and shed her cardigan, leaving it over the back of the couch. Jax didn't sit though. Instead he looked around like he was taking mental pictures. "Would you like a water or beer? I can make coffee."
"Coffee sounds wonderful darlin'." Jax smiled and Madison turned to head in to the kitchen. It felt weird having a president of a MC lounging around in her living room while she brewed coffee, especially after what had happened in the bar.
Madison had been staring at the coffee dripped slowly into the pot when Jax entered the kitchen. Sighing softly she poured two cups and started dishing in the sugar and cream. Turning with both cups in hand Jax stepped forward and scared her. Coffee sloshed on to the floor as both cups came crashing down, shattering into pieces.
"Shit." Automatically Madison knelt down to pick up the larger pieces.
"Let me help you. I'm sorry I scared you." Jax snatched a dish towel off the counter and started to wipe up the coffee that was trying to trail across the floor.
"There is a mop in the closet right over there." Madison pointed as she stood with the ceramic in her hands. Aiming to dump it into the can the pain in her wrist shot straight through her and she bit back a hiss.
"Hey, hey you okay?" Jax appeared by her side, mop in hand. "Come on, I'll get you some ice and then I'll clean this up and get us some new cups okay?" Maddie wanted to protest but she knew that by the look on his face he was going to keep insisting. She quietly stood by the counter as Jax made up a makeshift ice packet with a dishtowel and a pack of frozen mixed vegetables. Shooing her to the living room she made no argument as she did as she was told. Her thoughts were silent for once as she listened to him clean up the mess. Madison hadn't expected the president of the MC to be like this. Even her brother's had been a little cold and demeaning towards her. The Jax in her kitchen wasn't the same one she had encountered at the bar. This wasn't the one who threatened her.
Jax entered a few minutes later with two cups in hand. Handing her one he sat down aside her and placed his cup down on to the table. "How's your wrist feeling?" He moved to check it and Madison flinched. He paused in his movements and very slowly began again. This time Madison let him remove the ice packet and take a look. "It doesn't look too swollen but you might wanna wrap it up tomorrow. Let it breathe a little while ya sleep." Tossing the packet on to the table he picked up his cup and took a gulp. Madison only nodded and sat there quietly sipping.
"We need to talk you know. About your brother, about that dead boyfriend of yours." His eyes met hers with intensity. "About your accident." With a soft sigh Madison nodded and curled her legs under her.
"Brady and I met in high school and we just fell in love. There was no hesitation in supporting his decision to patch into the Devil Drifters. It was all exciting and it was such a perfect fit for him. Things were perfect for awhile. Then things changed and he became distant and a little cold towards me. He said that he couldn't tell me the things he had to do for the MC. He didn't want to burden it on me. I suppose you could say I was his Old Lady in a sense, the ring and all. Brady said him and my brother did some really horrible stuff and that I needed to be careful. A few weeks later things changed again and it was almost as if I had my old Brady back. He wanted to set a date, to plan the whole thing with me. We chose June 7, my parents anniversary and the day we started dating for the wedding. That night he was stabbed and killed while out on a run." Tears were silently slipping down her cheeks as she spoke. Madison's eyes were focused on a picture across the room of the two of them. "Then I was shot when I was out with some friends shopping. I didn't even see who it was. It was already dark and we were heading to the car when I felt this searing pain in my stomach. All I remember were my friends screaming and the pain. I couldn't register what was going on. The next day Caleb, my brother told me that I had to leave Boston. His president came in and told me that it hadn't been an accident, the whole thing was collateral. Caleb had killed some other MC's Old Lady. It wasn't until I moved to Vermont that I got the call. It was the guy's whose wife had been killed. 'You are collateral damage. An Old Lady for and Old Lady.' He said. The number couldn't be traced. That's when I packed up for the second time and moved here." Madison took in a shuttering sigh and put her cup down. Removing herself from the couch she made her way to a cedar chest off to the side of the room and opened it using a key from around her neck. Taking something out she relocked it and sat back down next to Jax who was still silent. Handing over the item in her hands she waited until he unfolded it. It was Brady's cut. His patch looked slightly word and there were holes in it where the knife had cut through.
"Shit." He muttered running his fingers over the holes. "Stabbed six times." Madison nodded. "Alright I think we should end this here for the night. I gotta get back to the guys and let them know. Can I take this? I'll bring it back, I promise." He made to move but Madison's hand shot out and latched on to his arm.
"Can…can you stay until I fall asleep? Please?" Sitting back down he nodded and draped the cut over the back of the couch. "Yea, sure." Madison offered him a watery smile and laid her head on the couch. She didn't want to be in her bed. She wanted to be somewhere she could see him, where she could feel safe if only for a little bit longer.