Chapter 7,
Interstate 580
I will fix my errors tomorrow. It's late and I wanted to get this posted tonight!
The word spread about the Lodge like wildfire. The new, Madame Ecstasy Play Palace, was a success. They gave it's name for us because we could never decide on one. We were having a little trouble keeping some people out though. Rift raft we didn't want rubbing elbows with our clients. It needed to be a place they could run to for their fun while they felt safe.
We came up with a new system for the elite clients to get in by themselves during certain hours. They had a private entrance in the back with another one of the girls standing by to take of care them on arrival. A gold pass was purchased by them for an extensive amount of money for the extensive sexual experience.
No one thought the idea would fly. When I told Nero it was going to cost around ten grand to install it, I thought he was going to pass out.
But I sold twenty of those gold cards already in a week. It was the same key card swipe used by the hospital. They had a specific password assigned for each card. There were many reasons for it. We could program it to know who came and went. It was also a way for me to keep track of names. Of course the best part, they always paid in untraceable cash.
As I laid lingering in bed, I went down the mental list of what I need to get done today. Working most of the night, then staying up all day was killing me. It felt like days had past since I had a good night's sleep. This morning I was running behind already. I threw on a pair of jeans, put my hair up in a pony tail.
It was my ritual before going outside. I peeked my head out the door to see if they were around. There hadn't been a sign of a crow for a week. I found myself looking up at the sky searching for them. Those silly superstitions got the better of me. I chalked it all up to my mind playing tricks. I had been under a tremendous amount of stress lately which didn't help matters.
First to drop off the boys with Gemma. Then I hauled ass to the Lodge to get the day started.
"Howdy, Tara." Lyla greeted me in some get up I hadn't seen her in before. Complete with cowboy boots and a lasso.
"What is up with Lyla?"
Nero was having a cup of coffee at the bar when I went in. "Beats the hell outta me. She is trying to be cowgirlish. A guy said he would pay extra for it."
When Lyla got Kyle in the act, I couldn't watch it anymore. "Dammit, hold still Kyle, I need to practice lassoing someone."
"Girl, you are killing me. Come here so I can show you how to do it right." Kyle was giving Lyla roping lessons in the bar. The strange things we all done for money.
"The next thing you know, we will have saw dust down on the floor and a mechanical bull in the corner."
"I bet the guys will pay extra for it." Nero was kidding, I think. Or at least I hoped so.
Then I passed another girl playing pretend as Nero and I were going to his office. "Is she dressed like Scarlet O'hara?"
"Yeah, the girls take their roles pretty seriously."
"It's turning into a freak show."
"A profitable freak show, mama, don't forget that part."
Nero threw a small bag down on the desk and pushed it in my direction. "It's your cut, sixty nine thousand dollars. The irony and shit of the number huh? I did take five thousand out for the key card system we had put in. You know you can't just go put it in the bank, right?"
"I know the drill." From being with Jax so long, I knew all to well I couldn't make a deposit of this size without sending up red flags. Like I needed another reason to be investigated for something.
Next week my hearing at the hospital was to be held. It was part of my worry and adding to the stress level no doubt. My professional fate would be decided by them. Nero was understanding, if I got my job back, I would be more of a silent partner then. It was what I actually wanted in the first place.
She knocked before she stuck her head in. "Kyle and I are gonna run down to the local store and russel up some supplies. Bye, y'all." Lyla was adorable. She was a huge draw to the men. Seeing her play cowgirl, it wasn't hard to understand why either.
"Well, I better get busy, Nero. I'll catch you later."
"There is one more thing. Jax called this morning. He wants to come by tonight and get a feel for the place. He wants to bring Collette with him. I told him I would have to talk to you first about it." Nero was trying to approach it with me carefully with caution. Unfortunately, my husband never done that.
"Jax didn't even mention it to me."
"We don't have to do it Tara, it's your call mama."
"Let him bring Collette. I think it will be good for all of us."
"You're not gonna do something crazy are you?" I understood why Nero thought most women were crazy actually.
"Of course not. You've been with Gemma to long. I will be nothing but sweet, pleasant and helpful."
"Okay, I'll call Jax and let him know it's alright then."
But it really wasn't alright with me. It was a slap to the face for Jax to bring his whore here and flaunt that bitch in front of me. For a couple of hours I went over in my head the best way to handle the situation. I came up with nothing. I decided to take a break from cleaning and thinking.
Nero and Kyle were tearing the kitchen apart, hauling out cabinets and stuff. "What are you guys doing?"
"Gemma want to redecorate. She thinks it needs updating." It made me snicker at Nero. He rolled his eyes when he said it. But I noticed she was getting her way about it.
After climbing over piles of boards and crap, I made my way to the sink for a glass of water. It slipped through my fingers crashing to the floor when I seen Kyle's shirtless back, the glass shattered instantly on contact. A large crow's head with something in it's mouth. When I took a closer look, I was freaked out even more.
"Are those bullet wounds?"
"Yeah." Kyle quickly put his shirt back on.
"How did you get them?"
"I don't want to talk about it." Now Kyle was the one who seemed guarded.
It all came rushing to me; the white faced crow led me to his shop where I met him the night I got my tattoo. Every time I was around Kyle, the visions of crows became stronger for me.
"It's you, you're the old man. You know everything about crows there is to know."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
Quickly I got my shit together and went out the door. I needed some air. "Tara, wait. What's wrong?"
When he grabbed a hold of me, it was instinct to push him away to protect myself. "Don't touch me. What do you want from me?"
"Get a grip on yourself, girl. When is the last time you slept or even ate for that matter? You're falling apart."
The air around me swirled leaving me dizzy as it was cutting off my air supply. It was the last thing I remembered until I woke up on Nero's couch.
"Feeling better, sweetheart?" Gemma was sitting in a chair having a smoke.
"Where are the boys?"
"They are home with Nitta."
"How long have I been out?" My head was pounding, my mouth felt dry and I was shaky when I tried to stand.
"A few hours. Nero called me."
"Did you tell Jax?"
"No. I thought it best he not know for now. What happened?"
"I've just been under a lot of stress lately and I haven't been feeling well, I got dizzy. I don't remember much after that."
"Nero said you were talking about an old man and crows?"
"I don't remember doing that." I just shrugged it off. It was easier than explain the truth to Gemma of all people.
"Lyla, where is Kyle?"
"He left to do a tattoo. He said he would be back soon."
Good sense told me it could wait until he got back. But I felt the need to talk to him and get this out in the open. His truck was parked in front of the shop. The door was open so I went on in.
A girl was giggling in the back room. For a brief moment I put Kyle in the same category as my husband and knew what he was doing with her. I scoffed to myself for even coming here.
When I pulled back the curtain, he was just giving her a tattoo. It was a massive one, the tiger started on her back, continued over on to her side, with it's paw placed on her breast. She wasn't shy about having her naked body laid out for him to see on the table either.
"That's enough for today. Let this heal up, then call me and I will continue it. It will be probably another three or four sessions before we're done."
"How does it look?" The big boobed blonde bounced off the table. She stuck them right in his face.
"Looks great."
Kyle didn't seem tempted by her. This was something from man I wasn't used to. If she had done the same to Jax, especially the way she looked, could he resit her?
"Hey." The girl noticed me before he did. She still didn't move an inch to put any clothes on.
"Sorry, I'll wait out here until you're done."
She got dressed to leave. But made one more attempt to throw herself at him. "Are you sure you don't want to have a drink with me tonight?"
"I can't, I gotta work. But thanks."
"I can arranging for you to have the night off if you want to go with her. She is a pretty girl." It was an offer to makeup for the way I acted earlier.
"I see the art I am creating and nothing more." Kyle was short with me. Not that I didn't somewhat deserve it.
"About earlier..."
"I don't get you, Tara. One second we're friends, the next second you act like I'm trying to take your virginity or something."
"When I seen your tattoo and bullet wounds, I freaked out. I'm sorry. I know you don't owe an explanation. I.."
"Is that what's bothering you, my bullet wounds? I was assigned to a mission. My only job was to take out the enemy and watch over the convoy. I seen her coming towards them with a baby in her arms. The little girl must have been around a year old. Never in a million years would I have guessed what was coming next, she threw her little girl at them. There was a bomb strapped on her. The mother blew herself and her child up just to kill our soldiers. I should have shot that bitch before she ever made it to them, but something inside me, told me it was wrong and I didn't do it. The only thing I had to do was protect them and I failed."
"Kyle, I'm so sorry. I didn't know. You don't have to tell me anymore if you don't want to."
It took him a while. But he finally continued. "I don't know how I got to the hospital after the ambush. I woke up a week later, someone pulled me out and saved me. They gave me a fucking metal for living while others died. Like I'm some god damn hero. Cody won't think so when he finds out the truth."
"What's Cody got to do with it?"
"His dad was in one of trucks that blew up. He only had three months before he was out. It was his last tour of duty. I served the rest of my time and went home. Just to find out there wasn't nothing there for me anymore. So, I came here to help out Nicole and Cody. Knowing the day is coming when I gotta look that boy in eyes and tell him what happened. Now, you know how I got the bullet wounds. I hate talking about this shit. Are we good, Tara?"
"Yeah, we're good. I gotta get back so I can get ready for tonight. Again, I'm sorry, Kyle."
Part of me thought Kyle wouldn't come back to the Lodge as crazy as I acted. The same part sort of wished he didn't. But the other side, wanted him here with me. I felt safe and secure when he was around.
Lyla didn't waste anytime getting me ready. Once she was done polishing my look, I went to find Nero.
"Mama-san, I love it." Nero seemed to like my attire Lyla picked out for me this evening.
Me, not so much. The short red silk Japanese style dress was barley enough to cover me. Red was now my official signature color. It buttoned over to the side all the way down so at least my breasts were covered. When she put my hair up with long black sticks, I didn't care for them. But I did like the dangled gold little butterflies off of the ends of them though.
I used to think Lyla took the easy way out to earn a living. She handles so much of the business and coordinates everything. The girls value her opinion as well. I had a new growing respect for her.
"They're here." Lyla let me know it was show time.
Kyle was waiting outside the office for us. He never left my side when we went to greet Jax and Collette.
"Hey, babe." Jax gave me a kiss on the cheek. Collette just gave me glares.
Jax's cellphone went off. "Talk to Tara, I gotta take this. She can teach you some shit." Collette rolled her eyes at what he said.
As a matter of fact, she walked right past me like I wasn't even standing there and went straight to Kyle. "Well, I definitely could teach you some things honey. Maybe you should come and work for me?"
"No thanks." It wasn't what Kyle said, it was the way he immediately removed her hand from his chest. You could tell she wasn't use to rejection from men. So, she went at him again.
"Are you sure? There would be all kinds of perks in it for you baby."
Kyle didn't have a chance to respond that time before Jax was up in his face once again. "You wouldn't last in my world, bro. We don't need someone like him around." It pleased me, even though I knew it was wrong, Jax was no longer the only pretty boy in the room anymore. The best part, Jax knew it too.
"If you can't control your bitch, you should keep her on a leash. Don't worry Jax, I wouldn't fuck Collette for free, let alone pay for it, bro." I think it surprised us all Kyle didn't worry about who liked what he said or didn't. He spoke his mind.
It was getting heated between them when Nero stepped in. "Let's take it down some guys. We got clients in here."
"Are you seriously picking that little prick over me?" Jax sounded like a child on the play ground throwing a temper tantrum. How many times had he chosen others over me and his boys?
"Come on Jax, I'm not choosing sides man. I'm just trying to conduct business."
"You did pick a side Nero. You know what bad shit can happen from it."
"Are you threatening me Jax, you wanted out as I recall. I've paid you off. You don't got shit to do with my business any longer." Even Nero was starting to loose his patients with the situation. Which, spoke volumes.
"Whatever man, Lyla can you help Collette out? We need to get her up and running like this place." Since Jax wasn't getting his way, he went on to the next person.
"I can't Jax, I work for Tara now. Sorry." It almost made me sad the way Lyla looked when she told him. But on the inside it made me happy too.
The great Jackson Teller stood alone for once with no one going along with what he said. Or hanging on his every word because of who he was. All he had left was a used, dried up whore. Who would sell him out for a twenty dollar bill if it suited her needs at the time. It was one lesson he would learn on his own and from what I could see, it wouldn't be long now either.
"Jackie, we need to go." Chibs came in to get him. Jax blew Collette off just like he does me. It irked her, it made me smile even bigger.
"Love you, babe." Jax kissed me before he took off with Chibs.
There was no way I could have planned this night better if I tried. But there was still more of the show to come.
Especially when Collette chose to fuck with the wrong guy, Nero. "Maybe we could co mingle our girls a little?. I'll share mine with you and you can share yours with me."
"Oh, I'm sorry. We're not accepting applications anymore for low end pussy. But if we should, you'll be the first I let know." I felt I could give her the best answer to her question.
"I am not talking to you. I'm discussing this with Nero. So, what do say baby?" Collette was literally rubbing up on him in front of us. But she should have been paying more attention to who was behind her.
When I seen Gemma start after her, I moved out of the way. "Bitch, you come at my man again. I'll rip your tits off."
Nero was trying to control wild Gemma. Good luck I wished him because he was going to need it. He was dragging her down the hallway. Collette had no idea the stroke of luck she had tonight because Gemma would kick her ass.
"Get out Collette and don't come back here again. This belongs to me now. What you don't end up running into the ground on your business, Jax will." She didn't even try to challenge me. Actually it made me on the leery side how easy it was. Rat was left behind to take her home. She would get no time alone with my husband this evening.
After they left, I needed a drink. Hell, we all did. I didn't hang around long. I went straight home to see my boys before turning in for the night.
SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA
"You said we could take the boys with us this weekend to the farm."
"Shit, I forgot Gemma. I'm sorry. I've been so busy lately. I'll get their stuff together."
"It's no big deal, sweetheart. You should pack a bag and come with us. You could use some time away from here."
"Okay, I'll get our stuff together."
She was right, I haven't had a moment still for over a month. Nero made arrangements for the Lodge. I rushed around to get packed. Jax was on a weekend run with the club and wouldn't be back until Sunday evening. I had nothing to keep me here. Then I seen him talking to Nero in the Kitchen.
"Hey. Are you coming too?" Kyle was leaned up against the wall.
"I changed my mind, I should probably stay here and catch up on some stuff."
Kyle followed me down the hallway. "Tara, you haven't really talked to me since the other day. Nero asked me to go help him out with a couple of things. I would never cross the line with you. You got my word. Besides the fresh country air with just a hint of cow shit, nothing better, girl."
Kyle convinced me I was being silly. I was putting distance there between us and he knew it. When I done it with Jax, he didn't even notice. So, we loaded up our stuff along with the boys and farm bound we were.
Since I needed the entire back seat for the boys to be strapped in, I drove too. I turned on the radio and just drove in peace. I was actually looking forward to getting away from Charming, even if it was for only a couple of days.
It took hours before we crossed the sign; Welcome to Norco. I was ready to get out and stretch my legs for a bit. Abel and Thomas both had a long nap so they would be wired for sound later on today.
Living in the city my whole life, I had never really been out in a rural area. The houses were off in beautiful scenery. All kinds of animals were seen as you drove down the road.
The long driveway Nero turned up led to a huge white ranch house. Cows in the pasture, chickens roaming freely around the in the yard. Once I stepped out of the car, all the wonderful scents hit my nose. Rows of apple trees, flowers everywhere and strawberries growing up along the fence in spots.
They were already getting plans together for the day. "We will take the boys, they will love it."
"It's okay Gemma, they can stay here with me."
"Just relax mom, take a nap, read a book or whatever."
Nero's uncle was on a cruise with his new wife. The house was quaint but modern. I found a picnic table in the backyard under a shade tree. They had designed a sitting area around it. They laid stones where the barque was and a giant fire pit. Nice lawn furniture was placed all over to chose from.
It was so peaceful out here. I don't remember the last time I felt so tranquil. I took a walk down the hill. A hammock was tied up between two trees. I only laid there for a couple of minutes until my eyes became heavy. I kept trying to read but I lost the fight.
"Tara." Gemma was slightly shaking me. The sun was getting ready to go down already. I slept the day away. "Get up, dinner will be ready soon."
The smell in the kitchen when I opened the door, made me hungry. It was fried chicken and something baking in the oven. "I'll help you finish it Gemma."
"I didn't cook it. Kyle did."
"I told you I can cook, girl. Try this." He took out a big fluffy biscuit out of the oven. After he put honey and butter in it, he handed it to me.
"That is so good."
"You got a little on your mouth." Kyle wiped my mouth with a napkin like I done with Abel. I couldn't help but to giggle a little.
As I turned around Gemma was intensely staring at me. "Why don't you help me set the table?"
After she got me alone in the dinning room, she wanted to talk. "You are getting way to close to lover boy. There needs to be some distance put there."
"There is nothing going on between me and Kyle. I haven't done anything wrong. We're just friends."
"It's how it started with Clay. He was always there for me and we would share our hopes and dreams. Before I knew it, it went to a whole another level. John was never around, always gone on club business. I stayed at home alone with the boys without any friends or family. The only people I had was in club. Does any of this sound familiar to you?"
"I'd never cheat on Jax."
"It's not about you cheating on Jackson. It's about the hate you have growing for him in your heart. Things have changed between you, I see how you look at him now. The same way I looked at John."
Gemma could be a downer sometimes. But my little guy brought the cheer right back in my life. Abel told me about everything they done today and he seen. He had a box of rocks he collected. A sweet little wildflower bouquet he picked just for me.
We got the table set and sat down to a damn good meal. I ate until I literally couldn't take another bite. Abel was dosing off in his chair and Thomas was out cold on Nero's lap.
"I'll help with the dishes after I put them to bed."
"Don't worry mom, I'll do the dishes." Gemma started carting off stacks of them to the kitchen.
Abel wanted me to lay down with him until he fell a sleep. We talked about the animals and how he wanted some when he grew up. When I was sure he was out, I slipped out of the bed. I check on Thomas in the crib once more before I left the room.
They were drinking by the time I made it back to the kitchen. A bunch of gold studs were laying out on the table Gemma was fiddling around with.
"I might get my clit pierced, what do you think Tara?"
"I think it sounds very painful."
"Kyle might give us a discount if we both do it." Gemma was dead serious about it. Sometimes, I thought she reveled in the pain and brought some of it on herself. This was one of those painful decisions.
"I just don't see the point of it. No one will see it." I had a counter argument for her.
"Where's your sense of adventure, girl. It's for stimulation, for both of you. Your old man might like it." Kyle could talk all he wanted to but I would not be putting a hole in my clit.
Gemma leaned over the table closer to Kyle. "Stimulation, do tell me more, sweetheart." She continued to give him hell about it too.
"If you think you're getting to me, Gemma and I'm all shy, I'm not. I will whip it out right here."
"Promises, promises." Hell now Gemma was just taunting him. She had the way about her to initgate you into things.
Kyle was inches from her face when he done just that. "Wow, nice."
"Thanks,Gemma. I really like my stud."
"Who said I was talking about your piercing. Baby maybe you should..."
"It's not gonna happen Gemma." Nero was quick to put an end to her request of a stud being poked in the end of his dick.
We drank and laughed. Even razzed each other a little. I felt more at ease today than I had in months.
"I'm putting her to bed now. Goodnight guys." Nero was helping Gemma to the bedroom.
"So, are you going to let me pierce you or what?" Kyle was cute when he was being all cocky.
"No. Not only no but hell no."
"Start slow, get your nipple pierced. It's minimal pain and I'll do it for free."
It took some more wine before I finally agreed to it. We went into his room so we wouldn't wake up the boys. "Take your shirt off, Tara."
"What?"
"I can't do it through your shirt. I've seen breast before girl. Don't be all shy."
He stood me in front of the mirror shirtless, I felt insecure with my body. Worse, I was with another man doing this. He put gloves on and marked the spot so I could say it was where I wanted it.
As Kyle stood behind me, I felt his warm skin rub on mine. The cold antiseptic wipe went across my nipple making it erect. "Take in a couple of deep breaths and let them out slowly." The piercing stud went through my nipple the second breath I let out. It wasn't as much pain as I thought it would be.
"Leave it in for at least eight weeks. Then you can change it out. Twist the ball a couple of times a day and put this ointment on it after you shower."
"Thanks."
"Goodnight, Tara."
"Goodnight."
I snuggled close to Abel. He was in a blissful sleep. I wanted to be in one too.
SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA~SOA
Gemma kept the boys for me overnight so Jax and I could have some time alone. He said he would be home by the time I was on Sunday and his bike was already in the driveway. I was sort of excited to see if he noticed my piercing without me saying anything about it.
The shower was running and he left a string of clothes down the hallway. I picked them up so I could start a load of laundry. I had tons to do with mine and the boys stuff from the weekend. I emptied out his pockets on top of the dryer like I always do.
When I went to take Jax's belt out of the loops of his pants, it hit me. It was the same leather belt he always wore; SAMCRO.
To the garage I went. Tossing boxes out of the way searching for it. When I couldn't find it I started dumping boxes out on the floor.
"Tara, what the hell are you doing?" About the time Jax came in the garage, I came across it.
"Son of bitch. I didn't notice it before. I gotta go."
"Tara." Jax kept calling for me but I didn't have anytime to waste. I sped over there.
When no one answered I started banging on the door. "Jesus Christ. Tara, what are you doing here?"
"John spelled the club's name Sam Crow. They spell it now, SAMCRO. When did it change?"
"At least come inside. What's going on?" Gemma invited me and I reluctantly went. I only wanted her to answer my damn question.
"Can you please answer my question?" I handed her John Teller's manuscript; The Life and Death of Sam Crow; How the Sons of Anarchy Lost Their Way.
"It changed after Clay took over. Why do you want to know?"
Her African crow was in the cage in the kitchen. "Why do you have a crow?"
"John bought me one and I've had one ever since. He loved those birds. He thought they were free and stood for what the club was. Will you tell me what's going on?"
"I'm so stupid, the answer has been in front of me the whole time."
"The answer to what? Tara?" I left Gemma standing in the doorway calling for me just like I did Jax.
There was somewhere I had to get to. When I turned on the radio it was playing, Highway to Hell.
"Isn't that the truth."
For an hour I waited on the side of Interstate 580 and nothing. "If it's you; please, give me some kind of sign. This is crazy." Just as I started up the car, the sign became clear for me.
The white faced crow landed on the side of the highway. He crouched down waiting, something new it had done. I seen the ribbon in it's mouth. I dumped my purse out in the seat searching for mine. I know it was tucked in my wallet and now it was gone.
With caution I proceeded to get closer to it. The ribbon was the same color as the one it gave me before. Before it flew away, it dropped the ribbon on the ground just like before.
Once I picked it up, I was on melt down. "Jesus Christ." The name on the ribbon; John.
I hope you enjoyed reading me!
Now, the crows will get down right interesting ; ) I am completely fascinated by the powers they process and the mythological magic they hold.
Most of the story is written already. I have tons of editing to do and a few undecided spots still to write. If you are willing stay with me until the end of the story? I will bust my hump to get it done.
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