Chapter 3

Trust

I knew it was late when I woke up the next morning, the sun peeking through the curtains gave that away. I stretched and rolled over to check the time, when I hit something. Or someone. Happy was still asleep, looking far less fearsome when he slept. I quietly climbed out of bed, and went for a shower. The hot water was amazing, and I felt all my muscles relax instantly. As I showered, I remembered details from the night before. Happy arriving at my door, our conversation on the lounge, then the kissing...

I sighed as I switched off the water. I hadn't planned on any sort of relationship while I was here, I didn't even know if that's what it was. I certainly hadn't planned on hooking up with anyone on my first night back in Charming. I hadn't been with anyone since that night with the Comancheros, and honestly, I didn't know if I would ever be ready to be intimate with someone again after my trust had been broken so many times. But there was something about Happy. I could completely understand why others feared him - his whole persona screamed danger, but I saw past the tough guy exterior. He was dangerous because he was an enforcer, it was his duty to his club to do what was necessary to protect it. His whole life was dedicated to the Reaper, and let's be honest, the club was built for those who didn't fit into society. Happy was just an extreme case.

I wrapped a towel around me and opened the bathroom door. I was surprised to find the room empty, no trace of anyone having been there, except for a note on the bed.

"Jax called, needs me at TM. Talk later. H."

I dropped the paper back onto the bed and sighed. I tried not to read too much into it, although a small part of me felt a little betrayed. I knew what club life was like, and when your president called, you went.

I quickly got dressed, needing to get out of the room and my own head for a while. Jumping on my bike, I headed into town. Given I had only brought one small bag with me containing the bare essentials, a shopping trip was in order.

I was just leaving the chemist, waving goodbye to the lovely lady I had just met as I headed down the road to the supermarket, when I ran into Gemma.

"How are you doing, darling?" she asked, kissing me on the cheek.

I shrugged. "Just trying to get myself a bit settled. Figured if I'm staying for a while, I would need more than the few things I brought with me. Can't live out of a duffel for too long. Sorry for just taking off like that yesterday, I just needed to take some time to process everything, you know?"

"I understand, sweetheart," she said, pulling her hand on my arm. "It's been tough on everyone. Listen, you got time for a quick coffee?"

"I'd love that actually," I said with a smile, and we walked down the street together to a small diner. Once we had ordered, Gemma smiled at me.

"I can't believe how big you are now. Still tiny of course, but you're certainly not the little girl that used to run around my backyard."

"Things have certainly changed," I agreed, twirling the napkin in my hand. "You and Nero? How long has that been a thing?"

"Not long," she replied slyly. "What about you? Anyone special I should know about?"

I thought about the night before with Happy, and the note he left. "Nope, just me. And a whole club full of big brothers, enough to scare off any suitor.

She laughed. "How are things Down Under? Keeping those kangaroos under control?"

"Sure, the underground 'roo smuggling trade is extremely lucrative."

Just then our coffees arrived, and we sipped them quietly.

"What are your plans for the rest of the day?" Gemma asked.

"Well, given all a brought with me was two pairs of jeans and a couple of shirts, I do need to go and do some serious shopping. I was just thinking I would have to do a few runs on the bike to get it all done."

She scribbled an address and phone number on a piece of paper and handed it across the table. "I have a few appointments today otherwise I would take you myself. This is Nero's address in Stockton. He'd love to play taxi driver for the day. Then when you're done, you can come to dinner tonight at my house. No arguments. I'll let him know you're on the way."

If there was one thing I knew about Gemma, is that if she told you to do something, it wasn't worth arguing. "Thanks Mumma G."

She squeezed my hand. "I haven't been called that in years, it's nice to hear it again." She checked her watch. "Shit, I've gotta run. You go and find Nero and I will see you tonight. 7 o'clock"

She left a twenty on the table for the coffee, kissed my head and left. I finished my coffee, and headed off to Stockton.

I pulled up outside a building with DN written on the doorway. Stepping inside, the place looked like an empty shell. There were a few women wandering around, packing a few things into boxes.

"We're not looking for any new girls," a young Hispanic woman said as she carried a pile of papers past me and placed them in a nearby box.

"I'm actually looking for someone, I'm not sure if I have the right place... Nero Padilla?"

"He's in his office," she replied. "Down the hall, second door on your right."

"Thanks," I said, walking down the hallway. I knocked on the door which was slightly ajar.

"Yeah, come in," a voice called from inside. I poked my head around the corner. "Hey Georgia. Gemma just called and said you were coming by."

"Yeah, sorry about this," I apologized. "If you're busy, don't worry about it. Gemma just offered and I didn't want to argue..."

"Tell me about it sister," he laughed. "But I'm more than happy to take you. It'll give me a chance to get out of here for a few hours. Just give me a sec to finish the last of this and we can go. Grab a seat. Do you want a drink?"

"I'm fine, thanks." I looked around the office. "What is it you actually do here, Nero?"

"Well, a week ago, I was running an escort service here at Diosa Norte. Unfortunately, the police had other ideas, and now I have to be out by the end of the week."

"I see," I said, still trying to wrap my head around the idea of Nero being a pimp. "Sorry, that's rough. So what happens now?"

"Well, I've got something in the mix to hopefully get the place back up and running at a new location, I just have to wait and see." He closed the laptop in front of him. "That's enough for today, Carnala. Let's get out of here."

I had such a great afternoon shopping with Nero. He was such a sweetheart, helping me carry my bags and being patient while I tried on different clothes, even giving me an opinion on a few options. When we were done, he dropped me at DN so I could pick up my bike, and followed me in his car to the motel. After dropping my bags and a quick change, Nero drove us to dinner at Gemma's.

When we got there, Gemma had dinner ready and waiting. She served up our meals, and we all tucked in. I had a great night, catching up and hearing stories from Gemma about what the club and family had been up to, and Nero told me all about his history with the Byz-Lats, the small-time gang he ran out of Stockton.

We had finished eating, and I was on my fourth glass of wine when there was a knock at the door.

"Excuse me,"Gemma said, leaving the table. A minute later she returned, with Jax following her.

"Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt," he apologized. "Can I steal Georgia for a minute?"

"Sure," I nodded, and followed him outside. Once outside, he lit a cigarette. He offered me one, and I took it.

"I talked to the President of the Geelong charter today," he started. "He told me what happened with your boyfriend, and with the Comancheros. He told me how much they think of you at your Club." He took another drag from his cigarette. "I'm sorry that happened to you. You should have never been put through so much, especially not for the club. If I had any idea...

"It's in the past, Jax. Ancient history for most."

"Happy saw me this morning, told me you two talked last night," he continued. "He didn't tell me what you two discussed, but he did say that I needed to talk to you. I'm guessing he knows what happened to you. He will be gone for a few days, I needed him to handle something up north."

I shrugged, not sure if Happy told Jax what had happened between us last night. I hoped he hadn't - I didnt really want everyone knowing without having spoken to Happy first. "So does that mean you're going to tell me what is actually going on around here? What happened with Piney and Ope?"

"Look G, things are different around here. This is the original charter, and I can't be seen letting a stranger just walk to the table. I'm not saying you're a stranger," he added, seeing me about to argue, "but the guys don't know you, and honestly, neither do I anymore. Not really. But that doesn't mean I don't trust you or love you any less, we all just need to get to know you. I promise you, when the time is right, I will tell you everything. The shit we're in with the Club at the moment, we could use someone with your experience to help us out with club issues. It won't get you at the table, but it will give you a chance to earn the trust of SAMCRO. Are you in?"

"Of course I'm in, Jackson, whatever you need." As much as it hurt, I understood where he was coming from. They didn't know me, they hadn't seen me broken and at my worst defending them. That was a bond that I may never share with them like I did with my Geelong brothers. But it was a chance to show them, and to get the answers I needed.

"Thank you Georgia. Listen, come by the garage tomorrow. I'll show you around and introduce you to the Club. And I promise, none of them will call you a Crow-Eater," he said, a sly smile on his lips.

"They'd better not," I replied, smacking his arm playfully as he turned to leave. "And Jax?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."