"I wanna let you all know," Clay said to the crowded dinner table. "Me, Jax, Hap, Tig, and Ope are goin' to Tacoma with Kozik to help them out with a problem, Bobby, Piney, Juice, and Chibs will stay back and be in charge of shit while we're gone."
Ari glanced at Happy out of the corner of her eye. He hadn't told her he was leaving. Then she glanced around at everyone else gathered around Gemma's dinner table and realized nobody had known. This must have been a recent decision made by Clay. Feeling mollified once she came to that realization, Ari looked at Happy again. She had a feeling that if Happy, Tig, and Kozik were all going somewhere, Happy's particular set of skills were probably going to come into play.
Happy's eyes met hers and he stared at her for a moment. Ari squeezed his thigh under the table, wanting him to know she supported him the way a good old lady was supposed to. As everyone else started talking, Ari leaned in and jokingly whispered, "Wanna borrow my knife? It has a serrated edge."
Happy grinned but shook his head no. Ari looked around and saw Tig was looking at her. He was sitting right next to her and had most likely overheard what she had said to Happy. Ari gave him a small smile but didn't say anything else, instead letting her gaze wander over the rest of the table.
Tara didn't look pleased with Clay's announcement, but Lyla didn't seem bothered by the news. Gemma's eyes were on Clay, a look of approval and support evident. Ari kept her hand on Happy's leg as everyone finished eating dinner and polished off their desserts.
Soon enough most people had left. Jax, Tara, their kids, Tig, Bobby, Happy, and Ari were the only people left at Clay's and Gemma's house. Thomas was asleep in Jax's arms and Tara had left to put Abel down in the bedroom. When Tara came back in the room she cleared a few plates from the table and carried them into the kitchen. Ari could see she was still upset about the upcoming run and wanted to talk to her about it.
Ari stood, stacking Happy's empty plate on top of hers, and reached for Tig's. "I'm not done yet!" he said, defensively putting a hand over his plate.
"Ok, shit," Ari said with a little laugh.
She went into the kitchen and found Tara not-so-gently loading dishes into the dishwasher. "Hey," Ari said.
"Hi," Tara replied without turning around.
Ari set down the dishes she was carrying. "Hey," she said again, putting a hand on Tara's shoulder. "Are you okay?"
At that Tara turned around. "Yes. I don't know. I just - I hate when Jax is gone on a run."
Ari was very determinedly not going to think about the skanks around the Tacoma clubhouse. "Tara," Ari said, wanting to make her friend feel better, "You know you don't have to worry about Jax doing anything. He loves you and the boys and wouldn't jeopardize it for a quick fuck."
"That's not it," Tara said. "I know if Tig, Kozik, and Happy are going at Clay's special request, it's going to be dangerous. People are going to die."
Ari hadn't been expecting that. Ari worried about Happy, of course, but she knew he could handle himself in a dangerous situation. "They'll be fine," Ari said to Tara, her voice taking on a soothing tone. "The guys can take care of themselves."
Tara tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "I hate when Jax is around killing, and I know it's not good for him, either."
Neither Ari nor Tara heard Tig in the hallway. He was headed to the kitchen to grab another beer, but once he heard Tara's and Ari's discussion he stayed outside the room to eavesdrop instead.
Ari's voice was unconcerned when she said, "I'm sure Jax is used to it by now, Tara."
Tara sounded annoyed. "You don't just get used to something like that," she said with a bite to her tone.
Tara cocked her head, looking at Ari. Tara realized Happy probably had gotten used to killing. "How do you deal with it?" Tara wanted to know. "You know what Happy does."
Ari shrugged. "It doesn't bother me."
Tara looked at her friend, aghast at Ari's nonchalance. "How can you say that?" Tara demanded.
Ari crossed her arms. "Excuse me?"
"You're a nurse!" Tara went on. "We spend our time saving people's lives, but it doesn't bother you that your boyfriend's a murderer?"
Ari's eyes narrowed, anger rising within her at Tara's words. Had Tara always held this opinion of Happy, of what he did for the club? A suspicious thought suddenly struck Ari. "Is that why you were okay with me being a part of this world?"
Tara's brow furrowed. Still angry, her voice was louder than normal. "What are you talking about?"
Ari put her a hand on her hip. "When you found out I knew Happy, you weren't mad at me for keeping it a secret. I thought it was because you were a good friend."
Ari paused for a millisecond before continuing. "Was it just because you thought I was an outsider, like you? Did you want someone else who was 'good' to be a part of all of this with you, to feel conflicted?"
"I – " Tara started.
Ari cut her off, gesturing wildly with a hand as she spoke. "Because I don't," Ari said angrily. "I'm not afraid of Happy. I trust him. He knows what he's doing."
Tig was still hovering outside the kitchen but as both women's voices were growing louder, he glanced down the hall to see if anyone else had heard the commotion. Deciding he'd heard anything worth hearing, Tig went back to the other room without getting his beer. He sat down next to Happy, who was still sitting at the table and smoking a cigarette. "Thought you were getting a beer," Happy commented.
Tig let out a breath, shaking his head. Nothing got by the tattooed killer. "Yeah. Didn't," Tig said, not bothering to explain.
The two men sat in silence for a moment – until Tig broke it to say, "You've got a good girl, you know."
Slowly, Happy lowered the cigarette from his mouth and turned his head to look at Tig. "Ari," Tig added, when Happy didn't say anything.
Happy just looked at Tig. He didn't say anything and after a moment Tig uncomfortably looked away. Happy didn't know what had prompted Tig's spontaneous opinion. He wasn't irritated or suspicious of Tig's comment, he was just surprised. Then again, Tig never was predictable.
Happy's eyes snapped to the hallway when there was a noise and Ari came storming in. She headed straight for Happy, saying, "I want to go."
Happy raised his eyebrows. Ari looked pissed. She was also speaking more quietly than normal, which Happy knew meant she was trying to keep her voice sounding calm and even. "Why?" Gemma asked.
Ari didn't answer Gemma. "Hap," Ari repeated.
Happy didn't like not knowing what was going on, or being told what to do. "Not done with my beer," he told her.
Ari's eyes flashed dangerously but Tig quickly spoke up. "I can take her."
Following so closely on the heels of his other comment, Happy didn't appreciate Tig's eagerness around Ari. "Back the fuck off," he snapped, causing both Ari and Gemma to look at him with surprise.
A grin lit Tig's face even as he held up his hands in defense. Happy stood and looked at Ari, who nodded and followed closely behind him as he said goodbye to Clay and gave the others a nod. Gemma looked pissed but Ari had learned that Gemma didn't go up against Happy, something she was very grateful for right now. Ari just wanted to leave before Tara came out of the kitchen.
Happy and Ari left and went out to Happy's bike. "What the fuck was that?" Happy asked as he handed Ari her helmet and put on his own.
Ari hesitated before saying, "Let's just go home. I'll tell you later."
She snapped her own helmet into place and Happy grabbed her chin. "You'll tell me as soon as we get home," he ordered.
Ari simply nodded. Happy started the bike, Ari climbed on, and they took off for Ari's house. Once they reached the house and went inside, Ari got Happy a beer to replace the one he hadn't had a chance to finish at Clay's house. Happy took the beer and stood, leaning against the kitchen counter, and waited for Ari to explain what had happened.
Ari ran a hand through her hair, still full of anger from her words and feeling of betrayal from Tara. "Tara and I argued," Ari told Happy.
Happy grunted and took a long swallow of beer. "This is all chick shit?" he asked, irritated.
"No it's not chick shit," Ari snapped.
Happy glowered at her tone, and Ari backtracked. "Sorry, guess I'm still mad."
Happy accepted her apology with a nod. "Actually, our fight was kind of about you."
Happy eyed her warily. He could probably count on one hand the number of times he and Tara had spoken. "Tara asked me if what you do bothers me."
Happy was incredulous. Where did Jax's old lady work up the nerve for that? "What I do?" Happy repeated.
"Everyone knows how you got your nickname of 'killer'," Ari said.
It wasn't a secret - inside the club or out - that Happy was an enforcer of the most dangerous kind. Still, it was never openly talked about, especially between the women. At least, that's what Happy had thought. Happy and Ari never really talked about it, and Happy didn't want anyone else talking to Ari about it either.
"Bitch needs to keep her trap shut," Happy growled.
Ari didn't admonish Happy for speaking about Tara that way, and that's when he knew she was really pissed. Ari continued speaking. "Then when I said it didn't bother me, she basically said I was a terrible person. This whole time, the reason she accepted me being around the club was because she wanted someone to commiserate with. Someone who would feel 'conflicted"," Ari said, using air quotes around the last word.
Happy was filled with pride in his woman as she continued railing against Tara. Ari had never seemed bothered by what Happy did, but he was still surprised by her ferocity in defending him. He approached her, intensity in his gaze. He put his hands on her hips and pulled her lower body against his. Ari barely had time to stop talking before Happy's mouth descended on hers hungrily.
Ari was slightly surprised by his intensity, but she quickly found herself responding. She kissed him back, sucking on the tongue he thrust into her mouth. Ari felt his hands move down her body and he undid her pants, shoving them down along with her underwear, and began working his fingers inside of her. "Fuck, Hap," she said as her whole body tingled, growing warmer.
Ari ground herself against his hand and Happy smirked. He tangled the fingers of his other hand in her hair and pulled, forcing her head to tip back, and kept kissing her. Happy could feel her chest heaving as her breathing quickened, and he removed his fingers from her pussy.
Ari pulled her mouth away from his to protest. "Hap!"
Happy's eyes were sinful as he looked at her. He picked her up and set her down on the kitchen table. Leaning over her, he said, "Lay back and spread your legs."
A shiver went through Ari. She kicked her pants and underwear off the rest of the way, then did as Happy commanded. Happy kissed the inside of her thigh before latching his mouth onto her clit, causing Ari to squirm and moan. His tongue was skilled, there was no doubt, and Ari was enjoying the things he was capable of doing to her.
She gasped as his teeth scraped her lightly. "Fuck, Hap, yeah," Ari moaned.
Happy's big hands gripped her thighs, pushing them further apart. Ari groaned as he nibbled and sucked. She could feel herself drawing closer and closer to the edge. Her hands clutched the side of the table as she finally came with a scream, Happy's name escaping her lips.
Happy eased back but kept his hands planted on her thighs. Her legs remained spread and her chest heaved as she recovered from her orgasm, her breathing slowing. "Looking hot, babe," Happy said, his voice low.
Despite the aftershocks still running through her body, Ari could feel herself getting turned on again. Happy's low, raspy voice was always sexy but when lust thickened it, it sounded even sexier. Ari sat up but Happy's hands were still keeping her legs apart. Ari reached out to bring Happy's mouth to hers. She could taste herself on him but she didn't care.
Happy's hands moved up and down her thighs, gently and slowly, as he kissed her. After a moment he pulled back to look at her. "It really doesn't bother you," Happy said. "What I do."
It was a statement, not a question, but Ari responded anyway. She looked at him, then looked away. "My father," she said slowly. "He killed people."
Ari's eyes met his and she saw a faint surprise there; the only sign that she had told him something he hadn't expected. "He was a hitman," Ari explained. "I was eleven when I found out, and he didn't hide it from me at all after that. It was always the two of us, and his – job – never affected the love I had for him."
~*~*F*~L*~A*~S*~H*~B*~A*~C*~K*~*~
Ari was cleaning up around the house while Happy spent time with his mother. She had a feeling something was wrong. She didn't know what it was, but she found it odd that Happy had spent the past three nights at the house. In the two years she had been taking care of Anita, this had never happened before. Ari could only hope it didn't mean things in Tacoma were about to get more dangerous.
Ari and Anita liked to keep the house clean. Happy was pretty neat too; he usually cleaned up after himself. But he hadn't done any laundry since he had arrived. Ari was going to do some of hers, so she figured she'd throw some of Happy's clothes in as well. Ari popped her head into the kitchen. "Happy? I was going to do laundry. Do you have anything?"
Happy raised a brow, but nodded. "Yeah. Basket in the closet in my room."
Ari nodded and turned around without saying anything else. She brought hers and Happy's clothes to the laundry room. She started sorting them but when she picked up Happy's hoodie she noticed a stain on the sleeve. The sweatshirt was black so it was hard to see, but Ari held it up to get a closer look.
"What're you doing?" came a voice behind her, and Ari jumped.
She whirled to see Happy standing in the doorway of the room. "Fuck, Happy, I didn't hear you! You scared the shit out of me," she snapped.
Happy looked vaguely amused. It wasn't often Ari lost her cool around him like that. But his eyes quickly returned to the garment in her hands. "Don't worry about that one," he said, holding out a hand so she would hand it back to him.
But Ari just narrowed her eyes. She looked at his hand, then back at the sweatshirt. "It should be cleaned, Happy, there's a stain."
She gave him a look that said she knew too much. "It's blood, right?"
He nodded once. "I know how to get rid it out," Ari said briskly. "A tablespoon of nail polish remover in cold water. I'll soak it and get it back to you when I'm done."
She turned back around, effectively dismissing him, and continued sorting their clothes. Happy wondered how someone who was startled by his sudden appearance went to being nonchalant about bloodstains on his clothing.
Happy had assumed Ari knew how to get bloodstains out because she was a medical professional. Surely she'd had to deal with blood on clothing before. Now, however, the puzzle pieces were fitting together to form a different picture.
He knew Ari had loved her father. She had told him once that her mother had died when she was a baby, and it had just been her and her father for her entire life. Ari didn't talk about her father much but Happy knew they had been close. He had died before Happy had met her. "How'd your dad die?" he asked.
It was rare that Happy would ask direct, personal questions about her past. He seemed to sense she didn't want to talk about it unless she brought it up. Ari bit her lip. "Work caught up with him," she said vaguely.
Wanting to distract him from this line of questioning, Ari slid her hands down his chest. She removed his hands from her legs and stood. Sending him a sexy smile, she unzipped his jeans and got to her knees in front of him.
Happy grinned, reaching down and wrapping her hair around his hand. He was half-hard already. Ari's tongue snaked out and licked his cock lightly. Her hand grasped the base of cock, moving up and down, as she teased the tip with her lips and tongue. Happy's dick hardened further. His fingers tightened their grip in her hair and his hips thrust forward.
Ari looked up at him and smiled. She knew he didn't want her to tease him anymore. Ari opened her mouth and took in as much of his length as she could. "Mmmm," she hummed.
She drew her head back almost all the way, swirled her tongue around him, then took him back into her mouth and let his tip hit the back of her throat. Ari continued sucking his cock until she felt his fingers tighten in her hair almost painfully. She knew that meant he was about to come, and she knew what he wanted.
Ari moved her head forward and swallowed, her throat tightening around Happy's cock, and looked up at him. His dark, almost black eyes met hers before he threw his head back with a loud grunt and came in her mouth.
His dick slid out of her mouth and Ari reached up to the kitchen counter for a napkin. She rinsed her mouth out in the sink as Happy zipped up his jeans. Still naked from the waist down, Ari snatched her panties off the floor and put them on. Happy, however, grabbed her pants and tossed them out of her reach.
He flashed a quick grin when Ari gave him an arch look. A predatory gleam coming into his eye, he moved toward Ari. Her lips curving, Ari took a step back. She briefly considered turning and running out of the room, but, as if he could read her thoughts, Happy quickly grabbed her arm. He held onto her and bumped his hips with hers, walking her backwards until the base of her spine hit the kitchen counter.
Happy's hands went to her hips and he lifted her, setting Ari down on top of the counter. She wrapped her legs around his waist, drawing him closer to her, and Happy rubbed the pad of his thumb over her bottom lip. "Think you're getting even better at blowing me," he told her.
Ari smiled mischievously as Happy's other hand cupped one of her breasts, then stroked down her back. "I practice when you're not around," she said flippantly.
Happy frowned at her, but his body stayed relaxed and his words lacked heat. "Don't joke about that shit."
Ari just smirked as his fingers traced a pattern on her lower back.
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The next day, Ari went with Happy to the clubhouse. He and the others were leaving for the run, and everyone was gathering at the clubhouse to say goodbye. Teller-Morrow was crowded when Happy and Ari rode up. Happy killed the engine and Ari got off the bike.
Ari no longer felt like she had to play dumb about what Happy did for the club. He was a killer, and now he knew she had been raised by one. She knew, perhaps better than anyone, what it meant to stay behind while the person you shared a home with went to take care of business. "Too many people for a hit," she commented as Happy swung off his bike. "Draws attention."
Happy laughed. He hooked his arm around Ari's neck and they walked towards the rest of the club. "There's other shit going down too," he told her.
"Be careful," she said to him.
Kozik turned around at the sound of Happy's and Ari's voices. He grinned. "I'll take care of him for you, Aria," Kozik said.
Ari cast a look at Happy before beaming at Kozik. She took a step away from Happy and Kozik's grin widened. "Thanks Koz," she said, giving him a brief hug.
Both Ari and Kozik had grins on their faces, and Happy knew they were purposely trying to irritate him. He refused to give either one of them the satisfaction. Keeping a stoic expression on his face, Happy didn't say anything. Tig, however, overheard and joined in. "Naw, forget this douche, Ari," Tig said. "I'll watch out for Killer for you."
Ari stepped over to Tig and gave him a hug too. "That's so sweet of you, Tig," Ari said in a saccharine tone.
Bobby shuffled over to Happy as Kozik rolled his eyes. "You better put a crow on that girl," Bobby advised.
Happy didn't reply. But when Ari looked at him, a teasing and challenging look in her eye, Happy stared her down. Ari realized that was as far as he was going to let her go today. She left Tig and Kozik, who had of course started bickering, and went back to Happy's side. Ari put her arms around his waist and pressed herself against him.
Pleased, Happy ran a hand up her back before putting a heavily inked arm over her shoulders. "You better watch yourself, Aria," he said, his voice soft.
Ari stood on her tiptoes and breathed into his ear, "I'd rather have you watch me."
Just then Jax rode up. Tara wasn't with him, and Ari was glad; she was still too mad at Tara to talk to her. "How long are you going to be gone?" Ari asked Happy.
"Don't know. Could be a week."
Ari frowned. "A week?"
She was trying very hard not to think about being away from Happy for a week; a week where he would be around other women. Tig whistled to get everyone's attention, effectively interrupting Ari's disquieting thoughts. "Let's go!" Clay yelled.
Ari followed Happy to his bike. "Don't get hurt, and don't fuck anyone," Ari said as he got on his bike.
Happy shook his head. "Babe, you don't tell me what to do."
Ari's mouth turned down in a slight pout. Happy brought his hand to the back of her head and pressed her mouth to his, giving her a firm kiss. "Take care of yourself while I'm gone," he warned her.
All teasing aside, Ari nodded. "I will. You too."
She stepped back as Happy started up his bike. The men got into formation and Ari stood with Bobby, Piney, Juice, Chibs, and Gemma and watched them leave. Once the roar of the bikes could no longer be heard, Gemma turned to Ari. "I want to talk to you. The office. Let's go."
Gemma headed in that direction without looking back. Chibs clapped a hand on Ari's shoulder. "Good luck," he said, unable to hide his grin.
Ari scowled, but followed Gemma to the office. Gemma sat down behind the desk as Ari closed the door behind her. "So what the hell happened with you and Tara last night?" Gemma asked, propping her boots up on the desk.
Ari leaned against a filing cabinet. She didn't want to get into this with Gemma but she didn't see a way to avoid it. Ari tried to be as vague as possible. "Tara just doesn't get why what Happy does doesn't bother me," she said.
Gemma looked at Ari for a long moment before giving an approving nod. "Okay."
Ari was relieved Gemma was going to let it go. She never knew exactly where Gemma and Tara stood. "I'm glad you're supporting your old man," Gemma added. "That's good. Shows character."
Ari sighed. "Happy and I aren't like you and Clay, or Jax and Tara. He's not my old man."
Gemma scoffed. "Yeah. Okay. He should just give you his crow already, make it official."
Ari didn't respond. She and Happy had gotten used to being around the club together, and he seemed to have no problem informing her of club rules and ordering her to follow them. But he had never actually referred to her as his old lady. They had never even discussed it. Ari knew she loved Happy. She had been falling in love with him ever since she met him, and now she knew without a doubt that she loved him.
She didn't know if Happy loved her the same way she loved him, but she did know his possessiveness was his way of showing that he cared for her. Even though he had never brought up giving her the crow tattoo, Ari was feeling more and more guilty about keeping her past a secret from him. How could she expect such a commitment from him, such a change from the way he'd been living his life all these years, when she wasn't even being honest with him? True, he had never asked, but Ari was always careful to avoid any talk about her life before Tacoma.
Ari pushed away from the filing cabinet. "I'm gonna go. See you around, Gemma."
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A couple of nights later, Ari was on her way to Lyla's when her prepaid cell phone rang. Ari smiled as she answered. "Hi."
"Where are you?" came Happy's gravelly voice.
"On my way to Lyla's," Ari said. "We're going to hang out, probably talk about the wedding. It's really soon now, you know."
Happy grunted in response. "When are you coming back?" she asked.
Ari knew it was ridiculous that she missed him so much after only a few days. She should just be glad he was doing well, since it sounded like the club business he was on could be dangerous. "Don't know," Happy said. "Probably only a day or two more. Things goin' all right?"
"Fine so far, but I have work most of the day tomorrow – with Tara. Who I still haven't talked to. So that'll be fun."
"You haven't been to the clubhouse?" Happy wanted to know.
"No," Ari said, not telling him she was doing her best to avoid Gemma as well as Tara.
She heard a muffled noise over the phone. "Gotta go," Happy said.
"Okay," Ari said. "Miss you."
Happy ended the call without saying anything, but Ari didn't mind. She was just glad he called. Ari drove a few more minutes before reaching Lyla's house. The kids were watching a movie, so Lyla and Ari sat together in the kitchen. They had a few beers and talked about Lyla's upcoming wedding. "Audrey's coming tomorrow to help me pick out flowers," Lyla told Ari.
She hesitated before adding, "You can come, if you want. But, I think Tara might be coming."
Ari shook her head. "No, it's fine."
Lyla twirled a long blonde curl around her finger. "So, you still haven't talked to each other?"
Ari shook her head again. "No."
Lyla curled her leg underneath her. "You were supporting your guy, I get it. I mean, Happy kinda scares me, but you've never been scared of him and I can tell Happy knows and appreciates that. I think you're good together."
Ari smiled. "Thanks, Lyla."
"And anyway," Lyla continued, "Tara would never admit it but if Jax killed someone and Tara knew about it, Tara would totally support him too."
Ari wasn't so sure, but she didn't say that to Lyla. Instead, she said, "I thought I always made it obvious that what Happy does doesn't bother me."
Lyla nodded. "You did."
Ari paused, then said, "I think one of the reasons it doesn't bother me is because my father was a hitman."
Ari watched Lyla carefully for her response. To her surprise, Lyla laughed. Ari's brow furrowed in confusion. "Lyla? I was being serious."
Lyla tried to stop laughing. "I don't mean to laugh," she said between giggles. "Sorry, but that's just so perfect! No wonder you can deal with Happy."
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Ari went in to work at the hospital the next day. She and Tara were both on duty and steadfastly ignoring each other, so the hours were awkwardly dragging by. Ari was alone at the nurses' desk when Eric, one of the ER doctors, came over to drop off some charts. "How's it going?" he asked Ari.
Friendly and good-looking in a blonde, clean-cut sort of way, Eric and Ari were casual work friends. "Kinda dragging, but my shift's almost done," she replied with a smile.
Eric leaned over the counter. "Your biker still out of town?" he asked.
Ari nodded. Eric flashed her a grin. "Too bad I don't have a job where I leave for days at a time. Maybe then my fiancée would miss me."
Ari smiled at his teasing. "You basically spend days here at the hospital, don't you?" she joked.
Eric nodded. "True. So, what's up with you and Dr. Knowles?"
The smile dropped from Ari's face. "Nothing."
She didn't say anything further, and Eric straightened. "Oookay," he drew out the word, carefully eyeing Ari's stern countenance. "Never mind."
He dropped his completed charts in the tray at the nurses' station and went back to work. Ari sighed. She probably could have handled that better, but it was too late now. Ari was filling out paperwork when she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She took it out but it was Gemma calling, and Ari ignored the call. She was almost done working so she figured she would just call Gemma back in half an hour, once her shift was over.
But fifteen minutes later, an anxious-looking Tara sought Ari out. "We have to go to the clubhouse," Tara said. "I have it cleared so we can leave now."
Immediately recognizing the seriousness of Tara's tone, Ari obeyed without question. She followed Tara to her car and Tara quickly took off out of the parking lot. "Okay," Ari said, lingering animosity making her unable to keep her tone completely friendly, "It's just us now. What's going on with the club?"
Tara glanced at Ari before quickly bringing her eyes back to the road. "Someone was shot," she said. "It's not bad or anything, but the bullet has to be taken out. Usually if I needed any assistance Chibs could help, but he's out with Juice taking care of something."
Tara was speaking so fast her words were tumbling over each other. Ari was starting to get suspicious. "Why did Gemma call me?" Ari asked suddenly.
Tara's eyes darted to the side. "What?"
Ari's suspicions grew. "If it's a simple bullet would, you could handle it on your own. You wouldn't need Chibs or me. What's going on?"
Tara let out a breath. "It was Happy who was shot."
Ari froze. "He's okay," Tara hurriedly added. "I swear, the guys said he's fine, and that he just needs some medical attention. He's fine, Ari."
Ari nodded mutely. She was inwardly freaking out, and the rest of the drive was silent. As soon as Tara pulled into the lot at Teller-Morrow, Ari jumped out of the car. Gemma and Jax were standing outside and waiting. "Hey Ari," Jax said, clapping a hand on her shoulder. "Hap's fine, all right?"
Ari nodded. She seemed incapable of doing anything more but she must have looked upset, because Gemma added, "I tried calling you. Happy's okay though, don't worry."
Jax and Tara walked towards the clubhouse, Ari and Gemma following closely. Before they walked in, Ari stopped. "Gemma," Ari said quietly. "Is he really okay?"
Gemma reached out and cupped Ari's chin, meeting her gaze levelly. "Yes."
