As soon as they had arrived back at the clubhouse, the prospect told them the club was waiting for them in Church.
"We have a serious problem." Clay stated as soon as they entered
"Wha's dat?" Chibs questioned, sitting down
"There's someone, or a group of someones, selling meth in our town. Ratboy and Happy gave Juice a list of symptoms they were seeing and he compared the symptoms to drugs. Meth. I don't want this shit in my town!" Clay explained, voice getting louder and louder
"Do we know who it is?" Happy asked
"We can't rule out that girl. She showed up and then we're seeing this. It can't be a coincidence. What all do we know about her?" Clay stated
"Not much, Clay. She's renting the safe house. I couldn't gather her last name from the rental papers Gemma brought back." Juice stated
"She knows when she's being tailed and she can fight." Tig added
"Billy told Chibs she doesn't have a car and that she walks everywhere. She's been practicing martial arts for officially 8 years." Jax said, adding what he knew
"She don't 'ave a cell." Chibs stated
"She doesn't seem to realize that she's being watched by those other bikers." Tig exclaimed
"Maybe she already knows they're there." Bobby offered
Jax shot a curious look to the Financial Officer. Clay and Tig both caught it.
"Could she really be behind this? Has anything happened at the residence since she left after the signing?" Jax asked
"Nothing. We've got cameras & mics everywhere inside and out. We'll see whatever she does or says in that house." Juice told the group
"Let's say she doesn't know that they're there. She could be in trouble." Jax suddenly stated
"I'm not convinced she's so innocent. I mean she did take down three big bikers all by herself." Tig added in
"Tigger 'as a good point." Chibs added
"So where are we on this car issue?" Clay asked
"We have a plan for that. David is giving us a used but very well maintained mustang. The prospects are picking it up. They're gonna clean it up and make sure there's nothing wrong with it. After that we'll plant a tracking device on it so we can see everywhere she goes." Jax stated
"Fine. How are we going to sell the car to her?" Clay questioned, looking right at his step son
"I haven't figured that out yet." Jax shrugged, "But I'll think of something."
"What exactly do we know about those other bikers?" Bobby asked
"They seem to be a small group. 20-30 people at most. They're from New York. That guy in black is one of them too. Whatever they're into they've done well to stay off the radar. I'm still running facial recognition." Juice explained
"What are they into?" Opie questioned, furrowing his brows
"Drugs, primarily Meth and cocaine. Prostitutes too." Juice stated
"Then we're really gonna have to keep an eye on them." Clay stated, "Anyone else have anything to add?"
-x-x-x-
The next day Jax arrived a little early for his private lesson. He had come up with a plan to steer her towards buying their car. After changing in the locker room, she was apparently still caught up in the previous class, he stood around the front desk on his phone. When he got up that morning, he had a good idea. He knew Don liked listening in to his conversations.
"Well I don't really need the car, man."
Jax laughed at what his friend "said".
"I could but I'd rather sell it to someone who would appreciate it, someone who actually needs it."
"Well I know it won't really be hard to sell, it's a mustang! Like I said, I'd rather it go to someone who actually needs it."
Jackson laughed again not knowing Don was eavesdropping on him. The studio owner's phone rang so he walked back to his office to take the call. People began walking out of Kalila's room so Jax ended his phone call. Before Jax could pull her aside, Don did. They chatted for a few moments before they parted ways. He was on his way to talk to her when she slipped into the women's bathroom. Jax frowned inwardly then walked to her room. Kalila did her business, washed her hands, and then made a phone call to get registered at this sanctioned MMA fight.
Jax was already waiting for her in her room when she arrived. She apologized for being late before taking a drink from her water bottle. He just smiled at her before greeting her hello. Today she didn't waste any time getting down to business. She seemed to be in a hurry and he didn't quite know why. He was unsure how to approach her about it. He just remained quiet as they went through the warm-ups and then into the actual lesson.
He had to admit, she was a great teacher! She always made sure he was doing the moves properly and understood what she was talking about. She quickly left the room as soon as his lesson was over. He watched her head to the women's locker room. He frowned as he, too, left the room.
"Don't worry about her, Jax. She's stressing a little bit about her vehicle situation." Don explained quietly
"What vehicle situation?" Jax questioned as if he didn't already know
"She doesn't have a vehicle and she just rented a house. I hate that she walks everywhere. Not safe with all these gangs and shit." Don stated with a slight chuckle
"Well my ex-girlfriend left the car that I bought her. I'm wanting to sell. It's in great condition." Jax told him
"Kalila! Come here a sec." Don yelled out and waited for the woman to walk over, "I may have found a solution to your vehicle situation."
"Oh?" She questioned, raising her eyebrow
"Yeah. I bought a car for my ex-girlfriend. She left it when she headed back to New York. It's in great condition. Would you be interested in seeing it?" Jax stated, watching her reaction
"Yes I would." Kalila replied
"Can you meet me tomorrow morning at Lumpy's? Say 8 o'clock?" Jax asked
"I'll be there." Kalila half-heartedly smiled at him
He smiled back, for the first time getting a good look into her eyes. How had he not noticed how bright and emerald colored they were? Sarah and her friend entered the building taking Kalila's attention. It didn't take long before she got the class started. He stayed at the back of the class watching the rest of the students and her.
-x-x-x-
Kalila woke up in her own bed. It was nice not having to worry about if anyone was going to bother her or what might have been on the sheets. There was about an hour before she had to meet Jax at the diner. She padded her way to the bathroom to do her business and take a quick shower. Gemma watched as Jax went over the car. Every inch, top to bottom, front to back, inside and out. He had been a bit anxious since he'd returned from his class the previous afternoon.
She was going to the diner as well. Someone had to drive her son back, after all. Ratboy reassured the VP that the GPS tracking device was not only implanted but working properly. Chibs could see how anxious the blond was. Something had happened, something had changed. There was something in her eyes that spoke to him. Something there that betrayed the pain she kept buried, the loneliness she felt. Something made him want to stop and really get to know her.
Half an hour before they were set to meet, Jax and Gemma pulled out of Teller-Morrow and made their way to the diner. Kalila was walking so she left as soon as had dressed. Jax and Gemma were having coffee waiting for Kalila to arrive. Gemma was the one who saw her walk in. Jax stood up and waved her over. Seeing Jax and the woman who had rented her the house shocked her. Gemma just smiled seeing the shocked expression on the young woman's face.
"You know Gemma already. She's my mom and my ride back to the garage." Jax stated, "Want to see the car?"
"It's nice to see you again, Gemma. And yes, very much so." Kalila stated with as friendly a smile as she could muster
Gemma watched as her son led the young woman outside and to the car. Kalila was shocked that she had rented the house from Jax's mother then is attempting to buy a car from Jax. It was too weird and she didn't believe in coincidences. The whole ordeal made her even more suspicious. Jax smiled as he heard Kalila gasp when she saw the red 1969 Mustang Convertible
"Do you like it?" Jax asked
"It's beautiful!" She exclaimed as she walked around it
"I thought so. It's been well taken care of and it purrs like a kitten." Jax explained
Kalila opened the passenger side door to look inside. He wasn't lying when he said it had been well taken care of. It looked damn near like it just rolled off the assembly line. Jax opened the driver's door and hit the button to open the roof. Then he put the key in and turned the car on for her to hear. She walked to the front of the car to listen. He watched her as she stood there listening to the running car.
"So….." Kalila started, "…. How much are you wanting for it?"
"Way less than what I paid for it. How about $2k?" He suggested
He watched as she made a face.
"$1k?" She finally countered
He looked at her for a moment or to as he "contemplated" her offer.
"How about we split the difference. $1.5k." He stated with a smile
He just wanted her to buy the car. She needed it and they could track her with it. She just slowly nodded as she thought about it. Looking at the car again, she finally looked back to him.
"Deal." She stated
"Let's go back inside and grab some breakfast. Mom has all the necessary paperwork to be signed." He told her
She just nodded before making her way inside. Gemma smiled as Jax sat down and scooted over to give Kalila room to sit. He told his mother about them coming to an agreement on the price and that they needed to finish up the paperwork. Gemma nodded and reached into her bag to get it. Their waitress came over to check on their coffee and take orders. Kalila signed all the necessary paperwork, discovered all the tags had just been renewed, and got the keys to her new car. After all the "business" was done and the waitress left Gemma started asking questions.
"So how are you liking the house so far?"
"I love it. Thanks." Kalila replied with a small smile
"Where do you work?" Gemma asked as if she didn't already know
"The martial arts studio that just opened up." The younger woman said
"Oh! That must be exciting. How long have you practiced?" Gemma questioned before taking a sip of her coffee
"Officially about 8 years." Kalila stated as she began to get suspicious of all the questions
"What about unofficially? Where did you live before you came to Charming?" Gemma asked
Kalila moved around in her seat, clearly getting uncomfortable.
"Gemma, that's enough of the interrogations." Jax stated
"They're simple questions. I just want to get to know the girl." Gemma retorted, looking at her son
"It's ok." Kalila stated
"Well? Where did you grow up? You're not very tan so I don't imagine you came from the coast." Gemma said
Kalila didn't respond and was very thankful when the waitress brought their food out. Gemma cocked her eye brow at her son but he carefully shook his head. Why did this girl seem to want to remain so secretive about herself? Gemma continued asking questions but the young woman absolutely refused to answer and instead ate her breakfast in silence. Jax could tell how uncomfortable she was. Her behavior just made Gemma all the more suspicious.
Kalila couldn't take it and slipped out of the booth. She high-tailed it to her new car and climbed in. Gemma cocked her eyebrow while Jax called Juice to let the Intel Officer know that she had taken possession of the car. Gemma thought the fact that Kalila was getting uncomfortable with simple questions was suspicious. Jax was finding it odd but then again she did keep to herself most of the time.
Kalila had never trusted people. Having grown up on the streets, basically being alone since she was around eight years old, she learned early she couldn't depend on anyone but herself. It was always bad news when people started asking too many questions. Was it time for her to leave town? She pulled into the studio and parked. Yes, it may be time to hit the road. It would be even easier now that she had some wheels.