Chapter 5
Tattooed Blue
Nero picked up Collette's gun from the floor. All she could do was hold on to her nose. Which had blood gushing from it.
"Tara get out of here."
"I'm not leaving you. No matter what happens, I'm here and it will be fine." Nero gave me a quick smile before handling his business. Only Barosky had another plan and a surprise in store for us.
"You piece of shit." He ripped opened the cop's shirt and just like I said, he had been shot in the stomach. The cop was shot in front of us with his own gun by his boss. Then Barosky turned the gun on the other cop and shot him in the head.
"It's hard to get good help these days. Sorry I doubted you."
All the girls were screaming and running for cover. I knew I should have but, I couldn't get my legs to work now. Nero pushed me behind him and still wasn't lowering his gun off of Barosky.
"It would have been nice to find out why they attacked Tara before you killed them."
"I handle my own internal business the way I want to. Just like you do amigo."
"Well my crew doesn't go around attacking women." Nero found the fairer sex to be revered not tossed to the side like garbage. No one could ever convince me otherwise after being around him.
"Why would I want to hurt her? It will make the deals with the SOA a little sour don't you think?"
"What deals are you talking about?" Apparently Nero was kept on the outside as much I was. He had no clue of the arraignments made by his partner and the dirty cop.
"Put the damn gun down Nero. You need to talk to your partner about that shit. Handsome Jack has already been called and is on his way. I'll clean this shit up."
Nero was at a bit of a loss as I was about what Barosky meant. It figured Jax knew something the rest of us were blind to.
"One of you girls get Maggie cleaned up." The Madame needed cleaned up as much blood that was running down her face. It gave me a sick pleasure I shouldn't have. But I had it none the less.
"We'll wait outside for Jax." Nero was practically pushing me out the door.
"Didn't I tell you to wait for me Tara?"
"Yes."
"That's shit could have went down in bad way in there. I don't want you to get hurt."
"I'll probably listen the next time."
"The next time?" He was as surprised as I was. But let us face the facts. When the club got involved. There was always a next time to still come.
"I'm sorry Nero. I just didn't want something to happen to you because of me."
"This is not because of you. So you don't even think that shit, mama. This is...I don't even know what it really is."
"It's got everything to do with me." I showed Nero the pictures. He leaned against my car and was speechless.
"I swear Tara, I had nothing to do with this. I trust all my girls."
"I know it wasn't you. It was Collette. She is the only one who would have something to gain from it."
"But Collette wasn't around when we had the car wash. Fuck...Kiki was though."
"Who is Kiki?"
"It doesn't matter. It will get handled. You got my word on it."
Could it really be handled now? Was my career over because of who I fell in love with and chose to protect? I was no longer guilty by association of just Jax any longer but, the club too now. Anything they did or was involved in would eventually come back to haunt me somehow. It was the way it would come back around that worried me the most.
It wasn't long until Jax and the rest of the club arrived. "Babe, are you okay? Why the fuck did you bring her here Nero?"
"What the hell are you taking about Jax? Maybe if you were more involved with what was going on with your family, you would know why Tara is here."
They were in the middle of a screaming match when I tried to put an end to it. "This is why I came here to start with." I shoved the pictures hard into Jax's chest. "Once I arrived, I saw the men who attacked me at the park and I am the one who asked Nero to come here."
"Why didn't you call me first?"
"Because Jax every time I call you, you never answer it."
Jax tried to justify it. Then chose to move on because this was one argument he had no defense for. "Barosky made it sound like you went crazy and was waving a gun around Tara."
"And you seriously believed him?" If my husband knew me so well. He would have never thought I could do such a thing. Nor did I just out of the blue go looking for trouble.
"This is where knowing what is going on with your family helps Jax."
"Stay out of it Nero. I'm talking to my wife right now."
Nero didn't stop talking though. He gave Jax a rundown of the events that transpired here tonight. Then it was a clash between him and Barosky. I thought it was about time Jax focused on what was the most important thing, those cops tried to hurt his family.
By the time I pushed my way past the rest of the club to get back inside the house, Jax had Barosky cornered. "If I find out you had anything to do with the attack on my family. I will come after you, deal or no deal."
"You might want to remember just where you are handsome Jack. No one comes on my port and threatens me. I let this little misunderstanding slide tonight but, I won't again. I had nothing to do with what they did to your old lady. I need this deal to go through as much as you do. We all have something to gain from it. So why would I do that?"
"You heard me Barosky." It was the outlaw that took my husband over. He was that caged animal ready to pounce on those who defied him.
"Collette pulled a gun on Tara." Nero was in there still fighting for me. Bless his heart, it truly was in the right place.
"What?" It was a piece of the puzzle that the dirty cop left out for Jax. But now he turned his complete attention to Barosky.
"It wasn't even loaded. I told to Maggie to do it. Nero started this shit by busting in here, I was just trying to get things under control."
Collette stood there in front of Jax still bleeding with pleading eyes. She acted as though I beat her until she couldn't get up. Which now I guess I should have since she was seeking solace from my husband for it.
When a smile crossed Jax's face, I wanted to slap him. How could he do that with me standing here? His hand brushed Collette's cheek as she leaned her head to rub against it. Her eyes closed as she was enjoying his touch. But I forgot just how treacherous and cunning my husband truly was. He slammed her against the wall by the throat.
"If you ever pull a gun on my wife again, I'll kill you myself."
Chibs was pulling Jax off of her. "This is not the time Jackie."
"You might want to listen to him handsome Jack and let go of Maggie. We need to meet in the morning with the Myans. Nero needs to be there too." I had to agree with Nero. Barosky was only out for himself. You could tell by the way he spoke and handled shit. He definitely had his own agenda in mind. Was he just setting Jax and the club up? I thought he was too.
"I need to be where for what?" Poor Nero, he just wanted to know how he played in all this. How they involved him without his consent. In the end, he put up with it and stayed involved because of her, his love for Gemma.
"Do want to fill Nero in handsome Jack. Or do you want me too?" Although while I watched Barosky work the room and con everyone. Gemma came to mind. He was the queen of the port rats.
"Yeah handsome Jack, what the hell is he talking about?"
"Can you guys give us a minute?" We went outside while Jax talked to Nero. It didn't go well either when they brought it outside.
"I don't give a shit what the club voted on. You have no right to make decisions for my crew." Nero could be straight up gangster when he needed to be. Now was one of those times. The way he stood up to Jax and refused to back down just because he was SAMCRO.
"The streets are getting ready to blow up Nero. We have to have allies or none of us will survive it." The lingo Jax used normally left me in the dark. However, this time, I knew things were about to change in a very bad way.
"I wanna buy you out of Diosa Jax."
"Do you got the cash for it?"
"You know I don't since I gave you the money for Wendy. But my crew, will not have any part this venture."
"Baby, what's going on?" Gemma arrived on the scene. It would only to make things worse I was sure.
Since Nero didn't stop his heated conversation with Jax, I had a question for her as well. "Where are the boys?"
"They're with Unser and Chucky. Why is Nero upset?"
"Because your son sold him out." I made sure I said it loud enough Jax heard me too.
"I'm done with this shit. I'll figure out a way to dissolve our partnership." Nero walked off. Gemma stood still for a moment before she approached Jax.
"What did you do, Jackson?" Now he had the wrath of his mother thrust upon him. I knew how the hell that felt all to well.
"This is none of your damn business. So stay out of it and go home Gemma where you belong. You need to know where your place is."
It wasn't only me who had to make decisions lately. Gemma got that tight jawed look before she turned and walked away from her son. She chose which side she stood on and it was Nero's.
"I told you that would happen someday too." I warned Jax he could only push his mother away for so long. But he felt her loyalty would remain true to him forever. He was testing a lot of boundaries these days. Only to find they were willing to push back.
"Gemma, wait up."
"Yeah."
"Do you want to go to Diosa with me?"
"Why are you going there?"
"I have some business to handle."
"Jax okay with that?"
"I didn't ask him."
"Good, then I'm in."
Jax spoke of making allies to survive in the streets. He should consider the repercussions of making enemies within his family. Gemma might be the biggest bitch when she wanted to be. But, she also was the one who held her family in the highest regards. It didn't matter who she had to fuck up or kill to keep her family together. It's too bad Jax didn't get that trait from her.
There was only one thing on my mind when we reached the lodge. Nero was yelling at a girl. He told her to pack her shit and leave. Gemma went to comfort Nero. I went to get some answers.
"Lyla, which one is Kiki?"
"The redhead in the white dress. Why?"
"No reason." It was the girl Nero yelled at just like I thought. But I didn't want to make a mistake before I took care of my business.
Patients for the attack was what I learned from Jax. He would wait for the perfect moment before he goes in for the kill. So, I waited until she went into her room then followed in after her. Looking around to make sure it was only me and Kiki before I announced my presence.
"I believe you are the one who took these pictures of me." I tossed them on the bed after I locked the door behind me.
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"Fine, we will do it your way."
My gun was tucked in the back of my pants, just like the SOA would do it. She gasped when I pulled it out. No one would expect me to do something like this. Even I wouldn't. But yet, here I was standing before her going to do something I may end up being sorry for.
"I am going to start screaming in about three seconds you attacked me. You know who I am and no one will condemn me or convict me for killing a whore. We had a struggle and the gun just went off. I'll swear to it and the SOA will cover it up for me. The clock is ticking, are you willing to die over a pictures someone else had you take?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Okay then."
After I screamed, I bashed her in face with the gun. I grabbed a handful of hair. "Who had you take those pictures?"
"Collette told me to."
Nero was trying to get in. "What is going on in there?"
"The crazy bitch is holding me at gun point. Someone help me." I thought I had said it convincing enough.
Whispering in Kiki's ear. "I told you bitch how this is going to go down. Open your mouth and you won't live to regret it."
Nero busted through the door and I backed away from her. He looked between us both before he helped Kiki up from the floor. "What the hell happened?"
"Yeah Kiki, what happened?" It came out as a dare you to open your damn mouth. If you tell them what I done, I will make sure you suffer from it.
"It was a misunderstanding, that's all." Was all she said before shoving her shit into a bag. I shrugged my shoulders and walked out the door.
"Well, I'll be damned. You do have it in you after all." Gemma's comment wasn't making me feel any better about what I had done. I couldn't say I was exactly proud of it but, I wouldn't say I was sorry for it either.
Before I made it to the end of the hallway, Kiki wanted her revenge or round two of this fight. She slapped me in the back of the head and now I was pissed off. We both bounced off the walls until I pinned her up against it with my cast. I was finding it to be more of a weapon than a healing tool.
Nero's office was across from us. God knows I shouldn't have done it but, I did. Things spiraled so far out of control for me tonight. I no longer had the good sense to know when I should have stopped. I shoved her head through the glass window.
After I straightened out my coat and regained my composure. "You should get those cuts cared for. Infection can be a real killer. I'll pay for the window Nero."
As I turned around to walk away, there stood Jax. The outlaw seemed a little shocked at what I had done. To be honest, so was I. "Wasn't it old lady enough for you? I'm just following your lead Jax. Isn't it the club's way to use violence to get the message across?"
"I don't even know what in the hell you're talking about Tara."
"Yeah, well, that makes two of us these days. If you will just stop being blinded by pussy, it will make both of our lives a lot easier."
"Tara." Jax went to take a hold of my hand and I pushed him away. It wasn't that I didn't love him. It was more I had to put the distance there for the moment. Before I done something stupid and lashed out at him next. Collette may have been the one who ordered the dirty dead against me. But it was in some way connected to Jax and the club. I choose not to share the information with him just yet. Not until I sorted it out.
"I'm picking up the boys and going home."
"Don't worry Jackson, I'll be with Tara and the boys until you get there. Or is that none of my business too? Maybe, you should know where your place is."
As much as I hated to admit it. Gemma had a way about her of getting to Jax more than I could. She reached him on a level neither one of us understood. He leaned up against the wall and brushed his hair back with his hand. He lit up a smoke and looked down at the floor.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine Gemma."
"I don't believe that for a minute. You've changed the last couple of weeks. Even with Jackson." Gemma's best factor was her perspective personality. She watched, studied all while she lurked in the shadows to use it against you.
"I'm tired and I don't know what to do anymore." There was no clear path from here for me take. There was no neon arrow just take this direction and everything will be fine.
"With them you have to make sure of three things; the most important one. They have to know in their hearts they can't live without you. But more so, they have to know it in their head. Stop being so available at his beckon call."
"What are you talking about Gemma?"
"Where are you every night?"
"At home with the boys."
"Where is Jax?"
"Fuck if I know anymore. He doesn't bother telling me."
"That's my point. Jax knows you are always going to be there when he decides to come home. Change it up a bit. Make him wonder if you will be." I wasn't really in the mood for one of Gemma's riddles. She gave you a piece of information with no indication of what the hell she actually meant.
"I think you're forgetting I have the boys to take care of."
"I'll babysit tomorrow night. Take a night out with your friends."
"Thanks for the offer but, I probably won't go out."
"Let me know if you change your mind. You will be surprised what it does for his attitude."
The only thing I wanted to do was get my boys to bed and go myself. It had been a long exhausting day. They were out as I carried Abel in my arms and Thomas in his carrier.
Putting them to bed was a breeze. My head felt like it was going to split open. I took a couple of aspirins and went to take a long hot shower. As I took the cast off my hand, little blood splatters were all over it. I couldn't even tell you which one it was from; Collette or Kiki.
While the water ran over my body I thought how much it took to wash away all my sins. I had to start getting myself in check again. Even a month ago I wouldn't have done it to them. I wouldn't have even thought about it. Bringing harm to someone never existed in my world until I married Jax.
I never knew what true violence was until now. I've always ran from any confrontation in my life. I found it to be easier that way. Today, I did't find it to be an option anymore. If I run now, I will have to stay on the run until I was dead. It's no kind of life for my sons and I won't be without them.
However, could I live with myself being like Jax? When did the tide shift in me and I evolved in to being this way? Gemma mentioned tonight she seen the change. How in the hell had I missed it? Was I turning into an evil person?
My father was a religious fanatic that also happened to be a drunk. It was my mother who brought changes within him. Once she left us, he was an empty shell of a person. He drank himself to death with no other agenda. I always wondered if she didn't love me enough to take me with her. Or if I was just a pawn in the game? By leaving me behind maybe she felt my father would leave her alone and not look for her. It could have been her way out. I would never leave my sons behind no matter what I must face.
Too much time was spent trying not to turn out like my mother, I ended up just like my father. Jax was leading my life down a path I said I would never go down. But not by his choice, it was by my actions. I was slowly evolving to be Jackson Teller with each act of violence I committed.
"I need to start fighting smarter instead of stronger. How in the hell am I going to do that though?" There were still a lot of things about the life of SAMCRO I needed to figure out.
I checked on the boys to make sure they were fine before I went into my bedroom. When I stood in the doorway looking at their little innocent faces in the happy sleep they were in. I knew no matter which direction my life went in, this was where I belonged.
Jax came in and sat down gently on the bed. "Do you still love me Tara?"
"Yes."
"What's gonna happen at the hospital?"
"They are going to conduct a full investigation. They know you're tied to the lodge so it reflects badly on me."
"I'll figure something out, babe."
"Not this time, Jax."
"What?"
"This will be the one time you will not tell me you will take care of it then do nothing. It is my career on the line. I have worked hard to get where I am. I will not allow you or the club to piss on it. I am going to take care of it my way. I need you to be on board with that and respect it."
"Okay."
"Will you tell me what you did to Nero, to make him so angry? I need the truth Jax. You use to tell me everything baby. Let me in again."
When Jax displayed feelings with his heart, I couldn't be more in love with the man. He was going down with the club. We had no way out left now. All of our money was gone he earned illegally. The club was completely broke because the money dried up. I still had a few thousands in savings but it would only sustain us for a couple of months if I didn't get to go back to work.
The deal Jax made with Barosky was stupid on his part. Collette's place was part of it too. There wasn't going to be any real money to collect there either, I agreed with Nero on that. Jax had no choice but to play nice with them for the moment. But knowing him and the way he conducted club business, it could all change in a heartbeat. If the Myans didn't come through on the next dirty deal for the club, we would lose everything.
Jax told me more than I wanted to know. But at least we were on the same page now. It didn't change how I felt about things. I thought of comforting him by saying it wasn't his fault. In reality most of it was because of the decision he made on his own and how he chose to lead the club. I laid my head on his chest and listened to him until I must have drifted off.
When I woke up Jax wasn't in bed again with me this morning. I went by the boys' room and they were gone too. He left another note on the kitchen counter for me. It wasn't like I had a job to go to today. But I was still grateful he made an effort to do something for me.
Since my boys were all at TM. I got dressed to go there too. Only I was met at the car by the crow. It cawed a couple of times and I ignored it. I pulled out of the drive and took off for my destination.
When I rounded the curve on the highway I was bombarded by them. They were scattered all over the road, the side of it and the trees. Slamming on the brakes I tried to not run over them. I honked the horn a couple of times but, they wouldn't budge.
The sky turned instantly grey in color. A storm was brewing around me. Maybe more so than the one up in the sky. The same crow cawed loudly to get my attention. It wasn't until I seen it perched high up on top of the black iron gate, I knew where I actually was. But what the hell could it want me to see here?
My gun was the first thing I reached for before I got out of the car. They lined up in perfect formation as they were leading the way for me. I was Hansel and Gretel following the row of crows down the path. As I passed by them they held perfectly still without any movement or a single noise made.
The one flew up above from tree to tree waiting for me to reach the end. Now everything went dark surrounding me. Piercing high pitched birds making their call at the same time were making me scream in pain. I covered my ears to block the noise. Only until I seen the tombstone in front of me. It went total silence as the pain in my heart took over my body when I read the name with the date on it. I dropped to the ground on my knees. "No." I screamed it over and over. "No. God please no."
"Tara. Babe what's wrong?" Jax had me in his arms when I woke up. Was it a bad dream or a warning of what was to come? Jax was still talking to me when I got up and went outside to look around. There were no crow here.
Abel and Thomas's room was where I went to next. Slowly I sat down in the rocking chair. Everything was replaying in my head just like a movie. I couldn't get it to stop. I rocked faster and couldn't fight back the tears any longer.
"Tara? Do you wanna talk about it babe?"
"No. It was just a bad dream. I'm fine."
"Let's go back to bed."
"You can go back to bed. I'm staying here."
Time passed by me while I watched over my children. Jax made me a cup of tea. He turned back the covers on the day bed. I finally laid down because exhaustion took over.
Only when I woke this time, Thomas was awake rolling around in his crib. I moved Jax's arm off me so I could get up.
"Good morning, baby."
In silence I fed Thomas in the rocking chair while I just watched Abel and Jax sleeping. My family was together and safe for the moment. But how much longer would it be the case?
Once Abel was awake he went and jumped on top of Jax. Now they were all up.
"Do you want me to take the boys to daycare today?"
"They can't go there anymore. Since I am no longer employed at the hospital."
"Oh yeah, I forgot. Do you want Gemma to watch them during your appointment for your hand?"
"Yes. Then I will pick them up afterwards."
"Are you sure you're okay to drive babe? I will go with you."
"We both know you can't. But thank you for offering." I kissed them all goodbye.
"Hey babe."
"Yes."
"I might be a little late getting home tonight. I have the meeting with the Myans and some other shit to do."
"Thank you for telling me Jax." He was at least still making an effort.
On to the next task at hand. I looked for crows all the way to the hospital and seen none. When I parked the car I let out a sigh of relief.
As I went down the halls of the hospital. I got the same response I did when they knew about the club. It was obvious the ones who knew I was suspended. They would stare then whisper after they passed by me.
"Tara you know you are not allowed at the hospital until the outcome of the investigation."
"I know Margret. I have a follow up visit for my hand today."
"I'm sorry to be so rude with you. How are you?"
"I'm okay."
We talked for a couple of minutes. Margret gave me a hug before she went back to her office. But not before I swiped her hospital badge. They took mine when they escorted me off the property. Not that it really mattered. Mine didn't have the clearance hers held.
At the last second when I was out of sight from the nurses. I ran Margret's badge for the special elevator to take me up to the top floor where the executive's offices were. One secretary was out front for all of them. I called the hospital's phone number and asked for Mr. Price's office.
"We have a package down in the lobby for Mr. Price."
"Can't someone bring it up?"
"We're short staffed today. It's marked urgent. I guess I will leave it just sitting here until you have the time."
"Fine. I will come down to get it."
It was rude of me to not knock on his office door before I entered. "What are you doing here? How did you get in?"
"We have some things to talk about Mr. Price."
"I'm calling security."
"Go ahead. I will call a good friend of yours and mine, Lyla Winston. She works at Diosa which you frequently visit."
"You crossed the line Doctor Knowles. I will make sure you are terminated."
"If I go Mr. Price, I am taking you with me. If you do not get these bullshit charges dropped that are against me. I will be sending some very compromising photos to your wife along with the board of directors. So don't you sit there in your big comfortable chair and look down on me."
"You wouldn't dare…"
"Oh, I so will do it. I might end up losing everything by coming here today to see you. But so will you. You know who my husband is. As it was bluntly thrown in my face by the same board of directors who receive their large bonuses on the work of the doctors in this hospital. With all that being said the SOA always protects their old ladies and has our backs."
"Are you threatening me with the Sons of Anarchy?"
"You can take it however you like. But I advise you to use all your power to get the charges dropped against me. A lot of patients need my help."
I went to leave his office and threw it in for good measures because I was on a roll. "It would also be a kind gesture made to go before the board for Todd's family. I already raised almost ten thousand dollars. Actually, it is probably the same money you spent on buying whores there. Or that's how I am going to tell the story to the board anyway. You have a nice day Mr. Price."
The move was risky at best. I saw Mr. Price at the lodge the night Kiki took the picture of me in the red leather pants. There were no pictures of him with the girls but, he doesn't know that for sure. If my plan worked I would get my job back. If not, oh well, I was already fucked before I went to see him.
The rest of the day didn't actually go too badly. My hand was healing faster than they expected. The boys were happy playing with Unser when I got to the clubhouse.
"Wayne, I need a favor."
"What is it?"
"Can you find out some information about a Madame they call Collette? I heard someone else call her Maggie though. She operates out of the Port in Stockton."
"Is this the same Madame the Sons are doing business with?"
"Yes, but I don't want Jax to know you're doing it."
Wayne said he wouldn't tell Jax. But I never knew who to really trust. Except for one person. I saw Nero coming out of Gemma's office. Although he wasn't his normal charming self. He was really short with me before he took off.
"Gemma is Nero okay?"
"No sweetheart, he isn't."
The meeting must have not gone well with the Myans for Nero anyway. I felt bad it was Jax keeping him from getting out. Nero gave his money to the club to rescue Wendy. Poor Nero was seeing his future at a stale mate and having to stay here forever. Just like I was.
"I really like Nero. He is a good man."
"I'll tell you what, Nero is a fantastic lover. His dick is…"
"Gemma, please don't."
"Is that too much information?"
"Oh yes. Way too much information."
She just shrugged it off and went on talking about other things. In Gemma's book I didn't think anything was off limits to talk about. With me, I still consider some things private and others didn't need to know about.
We fixed the boys some lunch. Wayne came in and motioned his head for me to come outside. "What did you find out?"
"You're not going to believe what I am about to tell you. The shit is deep when it comes to the Madame."
It was worse than I initially suspected. I could go to Jax with this information. But until I had proof, I would bide my time. It wasn't like she already didn't have knowledge on the Sons.
"We really need to tell Jax."
"Give me two days Wayne before you do anything, please."
"Two days then I'm giving this Intel to Jax."
"Thank you."
The question was how did I get the proof? Without exposing myself to further damage. I couldn't take my children with me. Then it hit me.
"Gemma, are you still willing to babysit tonight?"
"Sure."
"I'll see you around seven, it that good?"
"Nero and I will be there."
The boys were fed and bathed already by the time they arrived. I even dressed up a little with a simple black halter dress and some flat shiny black ballet shoes. Then I curled my hair along with putting some makeup on.
"Wow, look at you all dressed up. Where are you going tonight?"
"Just to meet a friend. Tell Jax when he gets home I…"
"I'll handle Jackson."
"Behave boys. I love you." I kissed each of them before I left. I felt better with Nero being there too. I didn't think he would let anything happen to my boys.
It really didn't net me anything watching Collette. I should have thought it through better. I'm sure in her profession, she worked mostly the night shift. After three or four hours of watching men coming and going, I called it a bust for the night.
Before I drove off the crow landed on my hood. "Oh shit. What the hell do you want now?"
I couldn't resist following it, even if it was a bad thing when I got there. When it landed on the sidewalk. "Seriously?"
Then a smile crossed my face. "Why the hell not." I pulled down street until I found a place to park. People were walking down the street hand in hand. Jax I never done that anymore.
A young blonde guy looked board as he sat behind the counter. When he looked up at me, all I noticed was his big crystal blue eyes. Until he stood up that was, his chiseled body didn't go unnoticed in the tight black t-shirt he wore. Shaking my head at my gawking at him. It was a definite Jax move.
"Can I help you?"
"I want to get a tattoo."
"Do you know what you want?"
"I want a crow with a ribbon in its mouth. I would like my son's names, Abel and Thomas, to go inside the ribbon somehow."
"That's cool. I got an idea. I'll draw it up for you and you can tell me what you think of it."
It didn't take long for him to sketch it out on paper. A mother crow was protectively standing on the edge of a nest with two baby birds inside of it. A ribbon coming out of each side of its mouth. Abel's name was on one side of the ribbon and Thomas was on the other.
"I love it. Can you make the ribbon be baby blue like this one?" The ribbon I got from the crow I had tucked inside my wallet. I tossed my purse up on the counter and was ready to get started.
"I can make it be anything you want it to be."
For hours I had my head bent down on the tattoo chair. I chose my left shoulder for the location. It was easy access with the dress I had on. All I had to do was undo the tie around my neck.
The first few pricks of the needle were painful. But no more pain than I had throughout my life time and carried in my heart over the years. All the shit that came rushing back to my thoughts were horrifying. What would be in store for the future of my family if things continued on the same path, was mortifying.
"I'm done. There's a mirror so you can have a look."
"Wow, it's beautiful. How much do I owe you?"
"You don't owe me anything, I know who you are."
"What?"
"No charge, I know who you are."
"Is this about the club?"
"The club? What is the club?"
My nerves were striking out hard. I was trying to get across the room to my purse which had my gun in it. If he didn't know about the club, how did he know me? I could never be too careful. Would he try to hurt me too?
As I went to grab my bag off the counter it went tumbling to the ground. My gun laid there on the floor for him to see. "Whoa lady. Are you in some kind of trouble Doctor Knowles?"
"How do you know me?"
"You operated on my nephew. My sister's name is Nicole, my nephew is Cody. You saved his life."
Cody was in a car wreck when he was only six months old. His mother was frantic and riddled with guilt. She was beside herself because she was the one behind the wheel when it happened. They were side swiped by a drunk driver. The child was only given a twenty percent chance at survival. He beat the odds and had a purpose on this earth.
"I'm sorry about that. I remember them."
"Is somebody after you or something?"
"No, I'm fine. I really want to pay you for my tattoo."
"Your money is no good here Doc. I can never repay you for what you did for Cody."
"Thank you, I should go."
I was stuffing all my shit back in my bag. Kyle picked up the gun from the floor and handed it to me. "I'm locking up shop for the night, I'll walk you out to your car Doc."
"You don't have to do that."
"I want to."
In some ways I was glad Kyle walked down the street with me. A car full of gang bangers slowed down and I started to panic for a moment. Did they recognize who I was and have a score to settle with Jax? Every moment of my day was wondering who was out to hurt us today because of the club.
Jax and the club thrived on the chaos and mayhem. They search it out most of the time. Me, I hated even the thought of it. The bangers gave us a small nod and drove on.
"Doc you're shaking. Do you want to tell me about it?"
"I'm just cold and a little on edge I guess."
"There is an all-night coffee shop down the street, want to grab a cup with me?"
"I can't I'm married."
"I just asked you to have coffee with me, not come to my bed. I usually wait until the second time I talk to someone for that. So the next time you see me, be on your toes, girl." He gave me the cutest grin. I was almost positive he was kidding.
"I'm a great listener. I'll even buy. Of course if you're trying to seduce me Doc, I'll let you buy. And I want a piece of pie too, I'm not a cheap ho ya know." Kyle made me smile and seemed genuine enough. I felt comfortable around him. I got to know his sister when Cody was in the hospital. They were nothing alike for being related.
He actually opened the door for me, I was stunned. Jax never done that for me, not even once that I can remember. I couldn't think about the last time we went out somewhere out in public together even. "This is where you walk through the door while I hold it open for you."
Next Kyle grabbed the back of my chair. "Please don't pull it out for me. I might pass out from all the attention you're giving me."
We talked for hours. Too many hours. It was early in the morning already. "Shit, I have to go. Thanks for the talk and the coffee."
"You're welcome Doc."
All the way from Stockton I sped home. The house was dark inside by the time I arrived home. They probably had been asleep for hours. I let out a sigh of relief. I could still catch a couple of hours before the boys were up.
Just as I walked in I saw the flames glowing from his cigarette. The living room light went on rather quickly. "Where have you been?"
"I had a cup of coffee with a friend. I lost track of time, sorry."
Jax didn't question me any further after that. He followed me into the bedroom and sat at the edge of the bed. I went to use the bathroom and came out in my robe. I was ready for bed but, Jax had other plans for us.
From behind I felt his arms come around my body. Losing the tie on my robe his hands explored slowly with passion. The kisses he laid on the nap of my neck made me shiver a little. Then he was gone from me.
When Jax came out of the bathroom with shaving cream and my razor, I was confused. "I already shaved my legs today."
"It's not for your legs babe."
He laid me down on the bed, I once again found the loving man I have been in love with for so long. The sweet boyish look on his face as he spread the shaving cream on my pussy. Old feelings were rousted within me. The sexy smile he wore when he looked up from his kissing my inner thighs. It served as a reminder of simpler times when we were just once Jax and Tara so much in love with each other. It was a time when no others seemed to penetrate our world together.
The handle of the razor brushed against my folds as the cold steel felt so good on my clit. With each scrape the razor made I got wetter. As I started to squirm around a little, Jax's hand met my ass with a smack. "Lay still you don't want me to spank you, do you?"
Giggling as I kept squirming around. He took a towel and wiped off the excess shaving cream. Then poured coconut oil into the palm of his hand. Rubbing his hands together then on my bare mound. Only he didn't stop there. My stomach and breast were coated with the oil. I took the bottle from him because it was my turn.
With his cock in my hand, I oiled that baby up really good. I dribbled it out of the bottle from his neck down to his knees. Making sure I spent time rubbing it in on each part of his body.
As our bodies pressed tightly together, we were a giant slip and slide. Just trying to hold on for dear life to each other. I felt his cock more with each stroke he made without having any hair left on my pussy. He didn't last long, I would say it was because he got a little over excited.
"Babe?"
"Yes."
"Do you think we can play barber shop again?"
"Oh yeah."
Lying in bed with Jax was different this time. We were both happy and content. It was a shame I would have to be up in an hour with shit returning to the normal crap again. But my thought on it was Gemma might be on to something. Because if my going out was make his attitude change like this, I might have to do it more frequently.
The morning came before I ever got any real sleep. Jax was off to the clubhouse. I went to the garage to rummage around. I found a couple of wooden steaks and stapled my for sale by owner signs to them.
I went to throw them in the car before I got the boys ready to go. When I raised the garage door I almost had a heart attack with him standing before me.
"What the hell do you want? How did you find me?"
"You left your wallet on the counter last night. I am just bringing it to you." Kyle laid my wallet on the concrete and walked away.
"Kyle, I'm sorry. Thank you. Would you like a cup of coffee? It's the least I can do for you driving all this way."
"No thanks. Are you selling this house by chance? I'm looking for a place closer to Nicole and Cody."
"These are for my dad's house. He passed away and I never got around to selling it."
"What's the house like?"
Kyle followed me and the boys over to see it. It was a smaller home but he found it to be perfect for him. I sold it without even really trying to. I just had to make sure I put the money to good use to get us back up on our feet again.
We were out in the front yard when Lyla drove by and honked. "I can have all the money in a couple of weeks. I think I am going to like it here. Maybe I will open up a second shop in Charming. Do many people get tattoos or piercing?"
"A lot of people have tattoos here. I will write the real estate contract for you to sign."
"Let me know when it's ready. See ya, Doc."
We went off to start our day. The boy stayed with Gemma while I went to see Nero. I was going to ask his advice on what I should do about Collette.
"Hey Tara, who was the hunky boy you were talking to this morning?"
"Just a friend. He's buying my dad's house. Can I ask you something Lyla?"
"Sure." Lyla had changed my point of view of her. She was always willing to lend an ear when I needed it.
"I told Jax I was with a friend last night when I was with the guy out in the yard…"
"So you cheated on Jax with this guy?"
"Of course not."
"Did you blow him?"
"Hell no."
"Then exactly what did you do with him; a hand job? Come on Tara give me something to work with here."
"I had coffee with him."
It perplexed her mind you could just have a conversation with a man. Then again, perhaps she could see from my point of view either. "That's it, you had coffee with him and feel guilty about it?"
"Yes."
"You did nothing wrong. It's okay to have a friend to talk to. I love Jax and you know that. Believe me I would tell you."
"Thanks Lyla."
"Well duty calls. I will catch you later."
"Bye. I am just going to hang out and wait for Nero to come back."
Before I plopped my butt down on the couch. She made an offer which took me away from direct contact with the other girls. "You can wait in his office if you want to."
Hours had passed by while I was waiting. I found things to keep myself entertained. Nero left the books for the lodge out on his desk. Perhaps I should have spoken with him first before I went through them. But I wouldn't have thought it through as well. If Jax and I stood a chance at any kind of a future, it had to be done. Especially a stable financial one.
"Hey Tara."
"Nero, you and I have a lot to talk about. I think there may be a way we can help each other out."
After I explained my plan to him, he was silent for a while. Then he came around to my way of thinking. This is where putting my head before my fists or tits would pay off.
"If we do this, I need total disclosure from you and honesty Tara on everything. I need to know I can trust you and you can trust me. No back handed bullshit to deal with. Did Kiki attack you or did you attack her?"
"I attacked her to find out who told her to take the pictures." Nero deserved to know this truth if this partnership stood a chance to work. So, I gave it to him.
"Did she tell you who it was?"
"It was Collette."
"I'll have to run this by Jax first though." Even though Jax hadn't dealt with Nero in the same manner. Nero still extended the curiosity to him.
"Okay."
Nero called Jax and wanted to setup a meeting time. Jax wasn't far away. I stayed in the office until Nero had a chance to discuss it with him first. It wasn't like I couldn't hear everything they were saying anyway.
"I found a partner to buy you out on Diosa. It will help with both of our cash flow problems."
"You did it without talking to me first about it?"
"We're taking now Jax. I'm not doing anything behind your back, man.I want out on Collette's place. You can take it all over if you want to. The side deals you made with Barosky, ain't got shit to do with the Byzlats. We have never been about drugs and won't ever be. This seems like a solid exit plan for us both. I'll give you seventy five thousand dollars down and the balance in a couple of weeks. It will also erase the money the club owes me. We'll make it all official on paper too."
"The lodge is close to Charming. I need to know who the new partner is and it's not gonna bring shit down on the club before I agree to any deal. Are you buying the farm?" Jax considered every aspect of what would effect or hurt the club. If he would only do the same for his family.
"Yeah, after we complete our transaction, I'm buying my uncle's farm. It's time for me to get out of this life Jax. I give you my word, there will be no conflict of interest with the new partner when it comes to SAMCRO. They will be a silent partner. To be heard and not seen. Come on, they are waiting in my office."
Jax walked in first. His eyes went huge when I was the one setting at the table, smiling.
"What the fuck is this? Tara is not gonna be your partner."
"That's where you're wrong Jax. I am going to be Nero's partner, things are about to change."
I hope you enjoyed reading me! I should be posting again soon.
Thank you for leaving a review, marking this story as your favorite or alert.