Thanks for taking the time out to read my story and thanks for the favs, follows, and reviews! This chapter is going to be longer than usual because you guys have been so great. Please enjoy!
Marni walked down the hallway on shaky legs , heading to the restroom of the station. Her grey suede high heeled ankle boots echoed with each step on the station's floor, mirroring the pattern of her aching heart. The sight that she came across in her home this morning played over and over again like a god damn cd player placed on repeat.
She reached the women's restroom in the back of the station, first testing the door handle to see if it was locked. The handle showed no resistance, giving her acess to the unoccupied bathroom . Her fingers pressed the silver button located on the door handle, locking herself inside. Her fingers pushed the light switch upwards, bringing her body in front of the bathroom mirror.
Any color she had in her face has diminished. She couldn't let anyone see her like this. She was always known as a strong person. She can't let herself falter, no matter how loud her mind, body, and soul is screaming at her to do so.
She turned on the faucet of the sink, bringing it to its coldest setting, moving multiple paper towels under the running water. Marni drained the excess water from the damp towels, placing them on her feverish skin.
She took sharp, deep breaths, actually relieving some of the anxiety that coursed through her viens.
She rolled the paper towels into a tight ball, tossing it in the silver trash can behind her and turned her body toward the mirror once again. She combed her fingers through her blonde locks and smoothed out her clothing with her clamy hands.
This is as good as it's going to get.
Marni unlocked the bathroom door, feeling slightly more stable as she made it to the front of the station. She walked down the small flight of stairs, glancing through the glass doors that lead to the outside. Her green eyes spotted Tig and Chibs parked in front of the ramp that led to the main part of the parking lot.
The growing sound of heels clicking made Chibs and Tig look at the advancing Marni.
"Hey darlin', you ready to get the hell out of here?", Chibs asked, grabbing his helmet he had on one of the handebars, handing it to her.
"Yeah, I am. What are you going to wear?"
"I'll be fine. Your safety comes first," he winked, hitting the seat behind him.
Marni placed the helmet onto her head, tightening the worn strap underneath her chin. She held onto Chibs' kutte as she threw her leg over on the bike, wrapping her arms around his waist.
Both men started their bikes, the engines roaring to life.
Raymond walked into the firehouse locker room, tossing his bag onto the bench next to Ed, who was changing into his gym attire.
"Hey, Ed."
"Hey Ray, what's.."
"Holy shit, Ray, what the fuck happened to you," Ed stood up, examining Ray's massive black eye, which sealed his left eye shut.
"Isn't it beautiful? It looks worse than it feels."
"I'll ask again, what the fuck happened to ya?"
"Got into a scuffle with an asshole at Mack's last night. Got a shot to the eye by his elbow."
"You go the er?", Ed's stomach started to turn the more he stared at Ray's severly bruised face.
"Nah. I 'd be in there for hours. Has Marni come in yet?", he asked, flinching from the pain when he picked up his bag due to his cut and inflamed knuckles.
"The love of your life is not comin' in. She's got the flu that's going around the house. Pretty soon, there will be no one left in this damn house," he replied, patting Ray on the back, making his way to the locker room door.
"Oh, before I go..," Ed turned, pointing at Ray, "the captain wants to see you. Probably wants to tear you a new asshole for missing your shift."
"Okay, thanks man."
As Ed exited the locker room, Martin strolled in with a clenched jaw and anger brewing in his brown eyes.
"What the hell happened to you, Greer? Why wouldn't you give me a call, let me know that you weren't comin' in so I can find someone to cover you? What kind of house do you think I'm runnin here?"
"Trust me, you really don't want me to answer that."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Ray turned around, facing his captain, standing only inches away from him.
"I mean, I insist you back the fuck off of me, Captain. You don't want to fuck with me today. "
Martin shoved him, causing Ray's back to slam into the lockers.
"Pack your shit and get the hell out of my firehouse. I will not be disrespected in my firehouse."
Martin turned his back, pulling the handle of the locker room door. Ray lifted the lever of his locker, grabbing the baseball bat he uses when he and his baseball team have a game. He gripped the handle tightly, swinging the bat, hitting Martin in the back of the head. Martin automatically collapsed to the floor, bringing a hand to his bleeding head, staring at Ray with fear in his eyes. Ray brought the bat behind his head, taking a second swing to Martin's head, his blood spraying onto the locker room door.
Marni entered the packed clubhouse with Tig and Chibs on each side of her. Jax was talking his mother, excusing himself when he saw her enter the clubhouse.
"Hey, how'd everything go at the station," Jax leaned in, giving her a soft kiss on the lips.
"Okay. My statement was not very useful. The psycho that killed Henry is still out there."
"Marn, you gave Eli what you could. You were with me last night."
"I know. I remember that very vividly," a small grin playing on her lips, kicking herself for even smiling at a time like this.
Jax caught the fallen smile, breaking his heart in a million fucking pieces. He cupped her face in his hands, kissing her forehead, bringing her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head. Marni closed her eyes, her arms winding around his waist.
"I'm going to find out who did this. No one's going to hurt you," his large hands rubbed her back in large circles, the feeling making Marni not wanting to let go of him.
"Hey boss, sorry to interrupt, but we got a lead on the Irish," Happy informed, Jax pulling away from Marni.
An apologetic expression crossed his beautiful face. Marni knew what that meant. It was time for him to go. She felt the anixety pump fiercely through her veins, and her temperature was fluctuating again.
"You leavin' me already, Teller?"
"Yeah, I have to. Do not leave the compound, you hear me? If you need anything, ask one of the guys," his presidential tone took over his usual one.
"Scouts honor. My ass is staying put," Marni held up two fingers, indictating her promise.
"That's my girl," his hands fell to her waist, bringing her dangerously close. Her arms interwined around her boyfriend's neck, Jax bent his back slightly for his lips to meet hers.
"I'll see you later," he muttered against her lips.
"I better, or I'll kill you myself."
Jax and Marni seperated from each other at the same time, her arms falling to her sides, rooted to the spot, as she watched Jax say goodbye to his mother and Abel, taking the lead outside to the line of bikes.
Her heart fell to her stomach as she listened to the sound of the Harleys fade away in the distance.
When Marni could finally move, she strolled over to the bar, picking up the half empty bottle of Jack Daniels sitting on the counter, pouring some into the glass in front of her.
"You okay?", Gemma asked, standing across from her on the opposite side of the bar.
"No, not really," she responded, downing the whole glass of whiskey, refilling her glass.
" Jax told me what happened. That's some heavy shit."
"Yeah.. that knife was meant for my skull."
" Don't carry that kind of guilt around with you. It will drive you fucking crazy."
"It's the truth, though."
"Marni, everything happens the way it's supposed to happen. Yeah, it fucking sucks at times, but that's life."
Marni scoffed.
"What?"
"I'm just surprised you're talking to me after I went MIA for a month. I thought I would be number one on your shit list."
" You're not number one. You're number four, maybe number five."
Marni and Gemma exchanged a rare smile. Gemma took the bottle of whiskey away from her.
"Gemma, come on."
"You'll thank me. Go get some food in your stomach," she nodded toward the kitchen.
"I'm not hungry. "
"That wasn't a question. "
Gemma glared at her until she got her ass to the kitchen.
Marni brought a small amount of food up to the roof with her. The air in the clubhouse felt so stifling because there was so many bodies downstairs.
A woman was sitting down, facing Gemma's office.
"I hope you don't mind if I stay up here for a bit."
The woman turned her head, giving her a friendly smile. This woman was clearly a man, but Marni would only acknowledge her as a woman because that is who she wants to be.
"It's fine, darlin'. There's plenty of roof to go around."
Marni walked over to the woman, taking a seat by her.
"I'm Marni."
"As in Jackson's Marni?"
"Uh yeah, how'd you know?"
" Little Abel has been singin' your praises."
"Abel," she smiled as his face came into her mind.
"That kid makes me feel like a celebrity. What's your name?"
"Venus. "
"Nice to meet you, Venus. How do you know Jax and the guys," Marni asked, taking her first bite of her potato salad.
"I met them through Nero, actually. "
"You're one of his girls?"
"Indeed, Marni. One of his best."
"I have to ask, do you enjoy being an escort?"
"I do. But lately, I've been having second thoughts on my occupation."
"A guy has something to do with it, doesn't it?"
"It does. I have a thing for Alexander."
"Alexander?"
"Tig, sweetheart."
"You and Tig are dating? What? For how long?", Marni excitedly bounced in her seat, the first light conversation she has had all day.
"We are keeping it under wraps, but for about a month or so."
"Shit, a lot happens in a month."
"It does. Please, promise you won't say anything to anybody," she pleaded, pressing her hands together.
"Venus, your secret is safe with me."