A/N: As I was writing this chapter, I started to wonder how I could get Alex and Tara to maybe become friends. There is obviously a lot of tension between the two and they have some bad blood but so did Tara and Gemma and look at their relationship now. I think it's going to be interesting to see how I can navigate this. I hope it turns out well in the next few chapters.
Whatever was going on, Alex knew it had to be important considering that Gemma's car was sitting in the lot and it was close to one in the morning. Bobby gave her a sad smile when he greeted her at the door.
"Come here princess." Tig requested and Alex sat down next to him at the large table in the main area. She looked around at everyone and smiled gratefully when Gemma handed her a cup of coffee. God, she wondered how she would survive without caffeine.
"Happy told us about the director asshole that you were having some problems with in Vegas. He also told us about the girl Cassie that you had been worried about." Alex nodded at Clay's words but was still trying to figure out where this was going.
"I placed Google Alerts on the two as well as Caruso just in case anything popped up." Juice pushed the laptop towards Alex and he pushed a few buttons before an article popped up in front of her face. The headline made Alex see red and start to realize that this Caruso guy was not going to give up without a fight.
Jason had agreed to do three movies under Georgie's production company. There was a photo of the two scumbags shaking hands and smiling at the camera. Alex couldn't help but notice that were standing in front of a large photo of Alex in one of her movies. It was as if the two of them were mocking her. Alex rubbed a hand over her eyes and groaned.
"That's not all." Alex looked over at Juice who pulled up another page and the article made her want to cry.
Cassie Conner signs 5 year deal with Caruso Productions
Cassie Conner, 18, a fresh faced newbie in the porn industry has signed a lucrative deal with Caruso Productions. Conner, previously only known for fetish films will be taking a more dramatic turn in the world of porn by upping the ante and starring in more sexually based films. This news comes on the heels that Jason Logue has also signed a deal with Caruso Productions. Logue is one of the most sought after directors in porn and was credited for launching the career of Alexis Allana, the most recent Starlet of the Year recipient. After the tragic death of porn star turned businesswoman Luann Delaney, Alexis Allana was left the company Caracara, where she first started seven years ago. Alexis announced last week that she was retiring from porn for the foreseeable future as to focus on Caracara. The loss of Alexis Allana is a tough blow to the porn industry who was quickly becoming a fan favorite.
"Walking away just a day after winning Starlet of the Year is unheard of." Jenna Jameson was quoted when asked at a recent red carpet event. Jameson herself won the prestigious award and went on to become the most successful porn star ever. "There is a big gap to fill with Alexis leaving as she was the natural choice to be the next big thing."
With Alexis gone, Georgie Caruso is hoping that Casey Conner will be able to take over. Casey has been out of the limelight for the past few weeks as Caruso said she was preparing herself for her first sex video which should be released in the next few months. Conner is a pretty girl with a great body but that's a dime a dozen in this industry. It's yet to be determined if she will be able to compete with the ghost of Alexis Allana, whose moves and looks were quickly making her an icon.
"That fucking asshole." Alex said as she lit a cigarette. Her head hurt and she fighting the urge to either hit something or throw up.
"I'm sorry baby doll." Alex felt Gemma rub her shoulders but she couldn't find it in her to relax. She looked over at Juice.
"Is there any way you get a copy of the contract?" Juice nodded.
"It might take me a couple of days but I should be able to. Why?"
"I need to find out if there is any legal loophole that can possibly get Cassie out of this shit. I know there is no way she is in the right frame of mind if she is signing some bullshit like this." Alex was starting to feel herself lose control and she quickly got up and headed to the nearest bathroom. It wasn't long after the door shut, that everyone heard the unmistakable noise of broken objects being thrown around.
Gemma turned and looked at one of the prospects. "I suggest you get a broom."
The following day Alex found herself back at the studio trying to focus on the paperwork in front of her. After destroying the bathroom, she had driven back to Gemma's house and promptly took two sleeping pills and passed out. By the time she had gotten up, the house was empty and she was thankful that she was able to avoid any questions. She looked up as her cell phone rang and she smiled at the caller id.
"Hello?"
"I'm assuming you heard about this shit." Darren was the closest thing that Alex had to a true friend in Vegas. He was a gay porn star who helped her find her condo when she moved. They had spent many nights getting drunk and expressing their displeasure over their respective jobs. Darren wanted to be a Broadway star but a car accident messed up his vocal chords and killed his dreams. He had been kicked out of his house at 16 by his conservative parents when they caught him kissing some senior behind the house.
Darren tried his luck in Hollywood but after only a few bit parts in some crappy movies, he ended up with a nasty coke addiction and his first adult film. Darren, while hating the occupation, loved the money so he moved to Vegas, signed a contract and worked his way up the ropes.
"Yeah I heard."
"Jason is going to destroy that girl. Any little bit of innocence will be stripped from her soul."
"I know but what the fuck can I do?"
"Rumor has it that Caruso wants to set up a meeting with you." Alex looked up as Bobby was leaning against the doorframe.
"What the fuck for?"
"He's going to offer you a choice. You sell Caracara and all the girls to him and he will release Cassie from her contract."
"Fucking bitch." Alex cursed. Talk about being stuck in between a rock and a hard place. Any choice that she made, someone was going to get hurt. She wanted to save Cassie but not at the expense of hurting Otto or the club. Alex motioned for Bobby to come in the office and shut the door.
"What are you going to do love?"
"Fuck if I know. Look Darren, thanks for the heads up but I gotta go." She quickly hung up the phone and reached for her purse. She was quickly becoming a pill popper with all the added stress in her life. She popped two Advil and downed the pills with a bottle of water.
"Hey baby girl. I got your message." Bobby said as he pulled out a joint and lit it. He had a feeling what Alex wanted but he wasn't going to confirm or deny anything until she brought it up. Alex had always been a smart girl and the fact that in order 24 hours, she was able to make a nice sized dent in the paperwork was proof of that.
"Gemma said you had taken over doing the books after you got shot."
"I needed the extra money." Alex nodded. She knew that Bobby had a few kids and a few pissed off ex-wives. That was mainly the reason why he relied on the Elvis gigs so much.
"Apparently so did Luann." Alex raised an eyebrow. "You knew she was taking money didn't you?"
"She said shit has been rough with Otto locked up and some of the girls going to Caruso. She was freaked when I found out."
"You didn't tell the club?"
"Nah."
"Why the hell not?" Bobby was the club's treasurer and he was also one of the most loyal members. Bobby was always thinking about the good of the club and it struck her as odd that she would be so willing to let Luann get away with stealing money. She looked over at Bobby who seemed to be very interested in the joint between his fingers. Her eyes widened slightly.
"Jesus fucking Christ, Bobby. You were fucking Luann?" Bobby was the last one she thought would ever pull some shit like that. She knew logically that he hadn't done anything wrong. After all the prison clause was there for a reason and Otto was never getting out, but it still made her stomach turn over.
"Don't look at me like that. I feel guilty enough for this shit." Alex sighed and leaned her head back against the chair.
"Does anyone else know?" Bobby shook his head.
"Well your secret is safe with me." Alex cleared her throat. "Now, put your glasses on old man. We have some paperwork to get through."
Sunday was family dinner and Alex was not in the mood to play June Cleaver but she sucked it up and was downstairs bright and early to help Gemma start preparing food. She had mentioned to Gemma that she invited Lyla and Gemma said that was fine. They were talking about the latest gossip and generally having a good time before the chaos started.
Gemma was first apprehensive about having another family dinner after the last one ended so horrifically but she knew that some solidarity was needed in the club and Gemma took it upon herself to be that mender to make everything alright.
The women worked in silence until they heard the front door slam. Alex turned her head in time to see Tara glare at Gemma.
"You threatened my boss?"
"I had a passionate conversation."
"Jesus Christ Gemma. The club is the club but my life is mine. Stay the hell out of it." Gemma raised her eyebrow at the young doctor. One on hand, Gemma liked Tara's moxie but on the other, Tara needed to be reminded that no one speaks to the Queen that way.
"Hello?" Everyone turned as Lyla walked in with a dish in her hand and three children in tow. Tara rolled her eyes as she turned back to Gemma.
"So are we giving out hand jobs for dessert?"
"Hey. You need to shelf that shit now." Alex warned from her spot cutting up vegetables.
"Is this what you want Gemma? Me to be a part of the porn convention? Because if you keep interfering with my work, I'm going to have to start sucking dick to pay my bills." Alex slammed her knife down and grabbed Tara by her upper arm. She ignored the woman's protests as she all but dragged her outside. Once they were in the driveway, Alex turned Tara towards her.
"What is your fucking problem? There are kids in there."
"Oh stop with the act Alex. You two are just overpriced whores trying to play housewives." Alex rolled her eyes and didn't care that Jax and Opie were walking up to the two of them.
"Rather be a whore than a coward. Your fancy degree won't stop me from bashing in your fucking skull. You're pissed at Gemma, I get it but Lyla didn't do shit to you for you to talk to her that way. You forget that it wasn't too long ago that you were a criminal in training, sucking Jax's dick in the main room at the clubhouse during parties."
"I'm not that girl anymore."
"Then what are you doing back? If you are not that girl anymore, then why even get involved with Jax again in the first place? You know how things operate around here Tara so if you allow yourself to be sucked back into this life, you have no one to blame but you."
"What's going on here?" Jax asked causing Tara to start walking to her car.
"Ask your mother." Jax watched as Tara got in her car and sped off before turning to Alex who rolled her eyes. She quickly explained what happened and Jax chuckled softly to himself.
"Never a dull moment at Ma's."
"She was fucking rude Jax. Lyla's a good girl. You know better than anyone that your job doesn't define who you are. Tara owes her a fucking apology." Jax kissed the side of Alex's face before gesturing to Opie.
"I'll talk to her after I eat. I'm fucking starving."
"I better check on Lyla." Opie said as the two men headed towards the house leaving Alex to stand there in disbelief. She felt her phone vibrate in her back pocket. She read the cryptic message from an unknown number and sighed heavily. She turned back towards the house and walked in.
"Everything alright?" Alex just shot Gemma a look as she grabbed a tray to set out on the dining room table. She watched as everyone started piling in and take their seats. She helped Gemma make plates for everyone as she kept one eye on the clock above the stove. She opted out of eating, saying that she wasn't very hungry. She waited until everyone was seated as she excused herself to go to the bathroom.
She sat on the edge of the tub and tried to gather her thoughts. She knew that if she went along with this, there was a very good chance that something to could happen. But she also knew if she said something to any of the guys, she was running the risk of the whole thing being a set up and she didn't want that weighing on her shoulders. Alex stood up and pushed the bathroom window open before climbing through it. She felt like a teenager as she ran around the house to her car, turning it over softly before driving away.
She was sitting at a red light when a massive SUV slammed into the back of her, causing her to leap forward. She tried to get a look at who hit her but the windows were blacked out. She reached over for her purse to grab her gun but cursed when she realized that she had left her purse in Gemma's living room. She opened the car door to make sure that the damage to her car wasn't too severe. When she bent down to check out the back bumper, she missed the approach of the large man and the tire iron clocking her in the back of the head, effectively knocking her out.
