Hey guys! I am so very sorry for the delay in this. I meant to get this chapter out last week, but I was hit with a bout of flu and that didn't happen. Hopefully, this chapter is worth the wait.
Please enjoy and take a moment to let me know what you think when you're done!
Kozik stood frozen in that spot, dial tone ringing in his ear, for what felt like an eternity, a hundred thoughts and feelings vying for top billing in his brain. Terror was quickly replaced with rage, followed swiftly by the overwhelming knowledge that he had failed. All along, during this entire ordeal, he had vowed that Tess would be fine; that they weren't actually going to hurt her simply because she was associated with him. Now, after a mere thirty second phone conversation, he knew for absolute certain that he had been so terribly wrong. He now knew that Tess had gotten hurt, and if Lex's taunts were to be believed, he knew exactly how she had been hurt. The rage came flooding back.
"Koz?" Opie questioned, his eyebrows knit together. "What's going on?"
He didn't know exactly how to answer. The men in this room were his brothers, and he trusted them with his life, but this wasn't his life, it was hers. He didn't know exactly what had happened to her with the Russians, and until he did, he wasn't about to share his own speculations. Instead, he just shook his head and told them what he knew.
"I don't know, but it's not good. She's….hurt," he quaked, trying to control himself and choose his words very carefully. "Those Russian bastards hurt her."
"Jesus Christ," Chibs cursed.
Opie looked as if he agreed with that assessment. He ran a hand through his hair. "She's alive, though, and she's coming home. Today."
"Yeah," Kozik nodded, grateful to be given a boon to hang onto. "Yeah, she sure as hell is. Lex said to meet him at his place, tonight at 8. He wants a partial shipment."
"Of course he does," Opie rolled his eyes, before turning to Chibs. "Call our Irish friends again, and see how soon we can expect more guns. And ask them about when the fuck they will be visiting us. I am going to make some calls and see if I can convince one of our other clients to hold off for a bit on their shipments."
"You think the Niners or the Mexicans are going to want to wait on their shipments?" Piney asked from his seat at the table.
"Probably not," Opie agreed with a sigh. "But at this point, we really don't have much choice. It's either give the Russians part of somebody else's shipment, or clean out our own backup supply, which we literally just built back up. With all of the shit going down lately, I am not willing to leave us with no guns of our own, if I can help it."
Piney nodded, a glow of pride on his face. His son had stepped up and was doing a hell of a job running this Club with the rest of their brothers in prison. Any father would be proud.
"What are we going to do about the lockdown?" Piney questioned. "There are an awful lot of people here. Are we going to keep this up?"
Opie looked at Chibs, the two of them locked in silent conversation, before replying to his father. "After we meet with the Russians tonight and get Tess back, most of them can leave. They shouldn't be in any danger, not anymore. Until we know what's going on with the Irish and this deal is a little more settled, our families stay here. I'm not taking any chances. Pop, I need for you and Kozik to organize the Prospects. I am sure Gemma and Tara and everybody else will be wanting to go home and get more supplies. Nobody leaves here without an escort. We have less than 8 hours until we need to meet with the Russians, and I want to get there before they do. Let's get this done quickly, guys."
"We can do that," Piney agreed instantly, turning towards Kozik. "Come on, kid. I will let you break the news to Gemma that she has to stay locked up for another few days."
Chibs anxiously bounced his knee as he listened to the phone ring, impatient for an answer. He knew that the Club was depending on this gun deal with the Irish, and he knew that he was the one with the best chance of making it happen, but that didn't mean he had to like it. Chibs was used to quite happily taking a background role in the Club, and while he would do whatever he needed to do for the sake of his brothers, it made him nostalgic for the days when he was just the funny medic.
"Is that you there, Filip?" McCormick asked by way of greeting when he finally answered the phone.
"Aye," Chibs replied quickly. "You got it in one."
"It's a talent of mine," McCormick joked easily, before turning slightly more serious. "I take it that your Russian problem is getting close to a solution."
"It is," Chibs reported. " We are meeting them tonight for an exchange."
"Exchange," McCormick picked up on the word instantly. "They are demanding guns immediately?"
"Aye, they are," Chibs affirmed. "A partial shipment, until a more permanent schedule can be set up."
"Those greedy red bastards," McCormick griped. "Do you have the supply to handle it?"
"Not really," Chibs reported honestly. "Opie is going to check with some of our buyers and see what he can do about temporarily delaying or reducing their shipments. We need to meet with the Russians in eight hours."
"Christ," McCormick breathed. "Tell your other buyers that if they can agree to give up part of their shipments this time, we will more than compensate them on the next shipment."
"We appreciate that," Chibs thanked him. "Sincerely."
"SAMCRO is a big part of our operation now, boyo, especially after recent services rendered, and that comes with certain benefits," McCormick smiled through the phone. "Benefits we can discuss when we arrive. The Kings want to settle this deal themselves and see that everything is in order."
"About that," Chibs was quick to pick up on the topic. "When can we expect you?"
McCormick hesitated a moment before answering, and Chibs could have sworn he heard a noise in the background, almost a groan of pain. He didn't want to guess what might have caused it. "We should be able to leave Ireland in a few days time. As soon as arrangements are made, you will be the first to know."
"Understood," Chibs stated. "Sorry you have to make the trip all the way out here over this nasty business."
"Me too, but the trip will have it's advantages," McCormick agreed. "If I am honest, the Russians aren't my only reason for the trip. You and I have a bit of business to discuss, my boy."
"We do?" Chibs questioned, wearily. "What sort of business?"
"Best not to discuss over the phone," McCormick brushed off his worry. "Nothing bad, so don't worry on it." Chibs heard the same noise from before, accompanied by quiet soothing sounds, and again he wondered what was going on, but before he could ask, McCormick continued. "I must cut this short, Filip. I will call you soon with arrangements for travel. Until then, my love to your family, and be well."
As his former teacher and friend hung up the phone, Chibs couldn't help but be nervous about whatever new complication the Irish and their visit would bring.
Kozik sighed for the thousandth time as he sipped coffee at Gemma's kitchen table, one hand on his cup, the other on the gun that rested ready on his knee. Of all the things on the planet that he should be doing right now, drinking coffee at Gemma's house was nowhere near the list, yet here he was. Gemma was someplace in the house, packing a bag or feeding her damned bird or pruning her pot plants, all of which she insisted needed to be done before they could go back to the Club house. He knew he should have volunteered to take Tara and Lila.
Across from him, Fiona raised an eyebrow and drank her own coffee, shrugging as if to say "what did you expect?". It had taken her all of five minutes to go into Chibs's house, gather a bag of clothes and supplies for her family, along with some other things her daughter had requested, and get back out to the van. He should have known that it would be too much to hope for that Gemma would be as easy.
As if reading his thoughts, Gemma appeared from the hallway, a small suitcase in her hand. "I wish I had some more time. I good, long bath would be heaven."
Fiona nodded in agreement, while Kozik tried to keep his eyes from rolling. "Sorry Gem. We have to get going, the sooner the better."
"I know," Gemma insisted haughtily. "Lock down, imminent death. I get it. We have to go. But we'll need to stop at the grocery store first. I am sure that after saving the damsel in distress, you boys will want to be fed tonight. So come on, Goldilocks. Put those cups in the dishwasher so we can go."
Kozik sighed again, but did as he was told, taking Fiona's cup as well, before heading back to Gemma's SUV. He had insisted on driving, while the women sat in back, more hidden from view. This was for safety, but it also gave him the chance to control their destination. Gemma was both agitated and surprised when, ten minutes later, they came to a stop in front of a building that most definitely was not the grocery store. The fact that they didn't have time for her to take a goddamned bath, but apparently they had time to make random stops annoyed her. She caught Kozik's eye in the mirror and raised an eyebrow at him.
"Yeah, sorry," he stammered as he opened his door and climbed out, the women following suit. "This, uh, this is Tess's place. I figure that she is probably going to need some stuff, like, clothes and shampoo and stuff when she comes back tonight. She has had a rough time, so I thought maybe some of her own things would help her, you know, feel comfortable I guess." Gemma gave him an inscrutable look, while Fiona bit her lip against a smile. "It shouldn't take more than a minute, but you two need to come with me. Can't leave you here alone."
"Of course we are coming," Gemma insisted as they followed him to the outdoor stairwell. "I doubt your girlfriend would want you digging around in her underwear drawer."
Fiona tried to disguise a snort with a cough, and Kozik narrowed his eyes. "She's not my girlfriend, she's just-"
"Yeah, you keep telling yourself that, honey," Gemma clucked and he bent to retrieve the key from under a statue of an ugly frog on the doorstep and unlocked the door. "But any person with eyes and a brain knows better. Now you wait here while we go grab some clothes."
He wasn't sure what had come over him, but he was stricken with the memory of the first time they met, of her confidently describing the shirt she had been wearing as her "huge cock". The way he figured, when she returned, she would need some of that confidence.
"Gemma," he interrupted as she and Fiona walked towards the bedroom. "There is a shirt that she'll want. It's grey and it's got a chicken on it. Can you find that, please?"
Gemma gave him a confused look, but nodded in agreement before disappearing down the hall while Kozik waited, yet again.
Opie had managed to get two of their buyers to agree to a lighter shipment this month in exchange for whatever perks the Irish were willing to offer in order to make things right, a fact that he was more than grateful for. By 6:30 that evening, a partial shipment of guns was loaded in the van, and the Prospects were standing by nervously, ready to drive it to the predetermined location as soon as they were told to. Opie, Chibs, and Kozik would travel ahead of the van on bikes, while Piney and several brothers from other charters stayed behind for protection. Opie had gone back and forth all afternoon about whether or not to allow Kozik to come with them to the meet, but in the end, he knew that he couldn't ask the other man to stay behind.
They had all hugged and kissed their families goodbye. While they were confident that this deal would turn out just fine, they all knew that there was always a potential for things to go badly, so no child was left unhugged, and no Old Lady was left unkissed.
"It shouldn't be long," Opie explained not for the first time. "It you don't hear from us before 9:00, Pop knows what to do." Piney nodded solemnly. "But it shouldn't come to that."
Nobody said anything, all to afraid to voice their fear. Opie continued. "Tara, have your medical supplies ready when we get back. There's a chance Tess has been hurt, and we can't take her to a hospital without raising some suspicions."
"I've got it," Tara told them firmly.
"Alright then," Opie declared. "We should head out then. You idiots," he indicated the Prospects, "Give it ten minutes and follow. Park at the gas station down the road and wait until we call you. And for fuck's sake, don't get pulled over."
Kozik headed towards his bike, while Opie and Chibs lagged behind, kissing their Old Ladies yet again. Kozik took a last drag from his cigarette and allowed them the moment of privacy, but it wasn't long before Opie was right next to him, nudging him with a shoulder.
"Are you sure you can do this, brother?" the other man asked.
"Yeah," Kozik assured him. He didn't blame the other man for questioning his ability to not lose his shit where Tess was concerned. "I can do this."
"Alright," Opie announced, securing his helmet as Chibs joined them. "Then let's go get your girl back."
Tess sat in the dark rear of an SUV. Lex and his Russian friend sat in the front, conversing every so often in Russian, but Tess no longer cared what they might be saying. She couldn't quite bring herself to care about anything as she sat hugging her knees to her chest. She hadn't been bound or blindfolded for this trip, but she didn't even try to look out the window and figure out where they were or where they might be going. It didn't matter anymore. Lex had told her that she was going home, but Tess didn't dare to believe that he had been truthful. Despite his promises on the phone, Tess had given up the hope of ever seeing Kozik or her friends again the moment Lex had violated her.
It startled her when she felt the car stop and the engine was cut off, indicating that they had arrived at their final destination. Still, she didn't bother to look up and see where they were. She would know soon enough.
As predicted, the door opened from the outside a moment later, and the warm night air washed over her. Lex appeared outside the door and offered a hand to help her down. She couldn't bear the thought of touching him, so she hesitated. It didn't take him long to become frustrated and grab her by the elbow, dragging her from her seat.
When she was outside, she finally allowed herself to look around. She was surprised to find herself someplace very familiar to her. This was Lex's house, where this whole shitstorm had begun. She wondered why she had been brought back here, but couldn't bring herself to ask. This was not like her; Tess spoke her mind and questioned everything. This day had broken something in her, and she wasn't sure it would ever be fixed. Hell, she wasn't even sure she wanted it fixed.
"Lock her in the back bathroom while we wait," Lex commanded in English, handing her off to his friend. A sick smirk remained fixed on his face. "Get her a cloth and some soap. Maybe our dear girl here would like to clean up a bit."
Tess knew what he was referring to, but she couldn't decided if she loved or hated the idea of "cleaning up", especially when she was pretty sure that she wouldn't ever feel clean again. She didn't offer a reply or show any emotion as she was roughly lead from the main room and shoved into the very bathroom where she had made such a grand stand the day before.
"American filth," the other man spat as he stared down at her. "You're lucky Alexei already got the best of you, or I would have you myself."
She started up at him blankly, while she waited for him to continue. It appeared that he had already said all he needed to say, so he just threw a washcloth and bar of soap from the linen closet just outside the door at her and slammed the door shut.
It took several minutes for Tess to move, but when she finally did, it wasn't toward the sink to clean herself off. Instead, she crawled slowly towards the bathtub and pushed the curtain aside, looking at the message scrawled in her own blood. Her words stared back at her, seemingly from ages ago, when it had really only been a day. Please hurry, her bloody words implored, and she knew he had tried. He had tried to get to her; he had just been too late. This was never going to have a happy ending.
She reached for the faucet and dampened the wash cloth, before pressing it to the red words scrawled there. It took more muscle that she had expected to erase the crimson pleas, but before long, they were washed down the drain, like a part of her had been in that cramped bedroom in Oakdale.
She knew that she should turn the rag to some of her own aching wounds, but she didn't. Instead she curled up against the hard, cold tile on the bathroom floor and buried her face in her arms, resting against her knees, and willed herself to not think of anything at all while she waited for whatever was coming next. It didn't work; of course it didn't. All she could do was think, and replay every last thing over and over again, like a horrible movie in her mind.
What was she supposed to do now? She had no idea whether or not she would get out of this alive, and whether or not she cared anymore. Did she want to survive? The yes in her mind sounded much more feeble than it should have, and Tess hated that. She had been turned inside out and she didn't know what to do or where to go from here. She was not a passive person, content to allow others to make choices for her, but she wasn't sure she had any choice in the matter. If somebody came at her right now and asked her what she wanted, she wouldn't even know how to answer them.
A noise from caught her attention only seconds before the door swung open. Lex stood, framed in the doorway. His presence should have made her angry, enraged, and ready to kill. Instead, it made her shake in fear.
"You didn't do a very good job tidying yourself up, my beautiful Tess," he simpered at her. "And I thought you would want to look your best."
She didn't reply, but she did manage to stop her lower lip from trembling, which was a small victory. Lex continued, "Come now, darling. It's time."
He pulled her off the floor, to her feet, and Tess had no idea what was happening. She had no idea what it was time for, but as he pushed her ahead of him, down the hall, she had a feeling she was about to find out. She started at the ground and begged her brain to cooperate and just not think of what was about to happen.
In the main room of the house, she noticed several things in quick succession. Her eyes pointed downward, and she could see several duffle bags sitting on the floor, though what they contained, she couldn't even begin to guess. She also saw the familiar shoes of Lex's Russian associates, and she really hoped that they didn't have anything to do with whatever was about to happen. Her eyes darted from the feet of the Russians towards something new that had caught her eyes. There were other sets of feet as well. A pair of leather boot, a pair of high top Chuck Taylors, and a pair of work boots. She knew these feet.
Tess finally raised her eyes and caught the sight of her somewhat late savior. Kozik had done it, he had really come for her. She met his eyes, and she could read a thousand things in them, from how sorry he was to how angry he was, but she didn't care about any of that, because he was here.
She wasn't sure what it was that moved her, or how she went from uncaring to most definitely caring, or where she found the strength to break Lex's grip on her arm, but it was only a second before she was across the room and in his arms, and she thanked a God that she wasn't sure she really believed in for hearing what she wanted, when she didn't even know what she wanted, and bringing her back to him.
"It's okay now," Kozik whispered to her, as his arms held her impossibly tightly. "I'm here and we're going to take you home. You're safe now."
And through her ugly tears that were soaking his shirt, she could see a glimmer of hope, and she started to believe, if only a little, that maybe she really was safe at last.