Chapter23- Hell Hath No Fury Like a Woman Scorned

Later that day Jade packed the kids up and drove over to Gemma's to see her. She needed to make sure she was okay after what she heard Clay did to her. When she spoke to Kim earlier in the day Kim finally told her what Unser had told her about Gemma wanting to cover up Piney's death. Jade could not wrap her head around that logic so she needed to talk to Gemma about that 'bright' idea as well.

When Jade saw Gemma's face she could not believe the damage Clay did to her face. Jade was livid.

"Gemma, why did you not call me?" Jade asked while Gemma fed Nathan a bottle Jade had pumped for him earlier.

"Baby you have enough on your plate….you know I can take care of myself."

"Gemma that is not the point….we are family and we depend on each other."

Gemma nodded in agreement but did not respond.

"Who patched you up?"

"Wayne." Gemma sat the bottle down and lifted Nathan to her shoulders to burp him.

"Why did you want to blame the cartel for Piney's death?" Gemma took a few moments before she answered.

"Because I was trying to protect my husband…..but now he needs to die. He is a danger to us all. He has done way too many things in his own self interest and has not taken into account his family or his club."

Jade could not believe her ears. Gemma wanted Clay to die? This was truly a woman scorned…..hell hath no fury. Well she just might get her wish. Last she heard he was still in critical condition.

"Why did he do it Gemma? What did Piney have against him?"

"Baby….trust me you do not want or need to know that history. I don't want you to know. "

Jade studied Gemma for a few seconds, pondering what she said.

"Does Jax know?"

Gemma's expression became serious. "He does not know any details and I will tell him when the time is right. Jade don't go digging in this….you hear me?" Jade nodded her head yes.

Nathan let out a small burp and Gemma finally smiled and pulled his cheeks to her lips. After a few kisses to Nathan, Gemma looked at Jade again.

"Jade you know I love you don't you?"

"Yes."

"Please listen to me and don't become involved in this."

"I won't Gemma."

"Good."

"Have you gone to see Clay in the hospital?"

"Briefly." Abel walked up to Gemma holding out his arms for his grandmother to pick him up. Handing Nathan to Jade she lifted Abel on her lap.

Jade told Gemma that she was pissed Clay and Jax chose to say it was two Black guys that shot Clay.

"Don't take it personally Jade. It's what they thought was best at the time."

"For some reason I am taking it personally…I don't know why. He could have blamed it on the Chinese, the Mexicans just anyone not Black." Jade looked down at her son and his blue eyes was looking up at his mother. She smiled at her baby and planted several kisses on him.

"You are Jax's old lady and you are black, believe me it was nothing personal. It is club business." Gemma emphasized the words club business.

"If you say so Gemma."

"I know so sweetheart."

"Well I don't know if it was a wise decision because Jax got a phone call and had to rush out this morning."

"Whatever it is he will handle it."

Jade did not have as much confident as Gemma. She did know however that Jax could and would handle any situation but just how big was the situation to be handled? How would it affect the club? How would it her family?

After a few more hours with Gemma it was time to head back to the house as Abel was getting restless and it was time for his nap.

It was past 6pm and Jade had not heard from Jax all day. She tried his cell several times with no answer. She tried her uncle as well as a few of the guys with no answer as well. What was going on? Trying not to worry she began to cook dinner for him hoping he would be home soon. She was in the mood for grilling so she grilled a couple of steaks and veggie kabobs. She smiled at Abel who yelled for his mommy to look while he slid down the slide of the play set Jax and Opie built for him. After sliding down Jade clapped her hands to shoe Abel just how proud she was of him.

"You are such a big boy!" she knelt down as he ran toward her. Just before he reached her he made a beeline for the sliding door.

"Daddy!" he yelled rushing in Jax arms. Jax lifted his son planting kisses all over his face causing Abel to have a fit of laugher. Jade smiled at both of them. Holding Abel, Jax walked over to Jade and planted a long kiss on her lips.

"That smells so good." He said commenting on the food. "We need to talk."

Jade threw down her grilling fork and crossed her arms looking at him

"What is it now?" she asked.

"Is the food almost done? We have church in 2 hours."

"Yes. I will make you plate and meet you in the kitchen. Can you give Abel a bath real quick?"

"Yeah" Jax planted a quick kiss on her lips and disappeared inside with Abel. Jade dreaded what Jax had to talk about and by the look on his face it was not going to be good. Setting their table for dinner she waited until he came back in the kitchen to eat. Jax put Abel in his toddler bed and walked into the kitchen.

"How long has Nathan been sleep?"

"About a couple of hours."

They ate in silence for a while and Jade was getting anxious as to what he had to tell her.

"Jade the CIA is behind the Irish and Cartel hook up. Babe…they have been playing the Sons the whole time. The Irish want Clay for this deal and if I kill Clay the Irish would walk away and this deal we worked so hard toward would fall apart." Jade stared at Jax processing what he was telling her. She could not eat anymore and put her fork down.

"Babe if the deal falls apart the feds will take the club down with RICO."

Jade could not think of anything to say. She shook her head to try to clear it. What did this mean?

"Jade, I'm not supposed to tell anyone but I promised I would not keep any secrets from you." Jax got up from his seat and got on his knees beside Jade. She pushed her chair out to face him.

"What does it all mean Jax?" she asked grabbing his face in both her hands. Searching his eyes which began to mist up with tears she found her answer.

"You have to stay?"

"I'm sorry baby but I can't just let my club die….I can't Jade…you know it's a part of me. Baby I'm so sorry." A lumped formed in Jade's throat as she shook her head over and over in non belief. She put her head down. She knew deep down he was never leaving Charming.

Jade looked up at Jax and he began to sob.

"Jade please don't leave me….I can't do this without you… I love you so much" he sobbed. Jade gathered him in her arms.

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm here baby." She planted a soft kiss on his trembling lips. Jax pulled away and got up and headed out the door. When he walked to his bike he heard the sound of plates crashing. He stopped in his tracks and put his hands in his head to try to control his tears. Taking a deep breath he wiped his eyes and got on his bike to ride to church.

Few weeks later.

Jade's cell phone rung and woke her and Jax up from their deep sleep. Looking at her caller ID it was Gemma.

"Hey Gemma what's up?"

"I need you to come pick me up." She whispered over the phone. Becoming alarmed Jade sat up in the bed.

"What's wrong where are you?" Gemma told her nothing was wrong she just needed her to come as soon as she can. Jade wrote down the address Gemma gave her on a note pad that was on the night stand and hung up the phone. Jax rolled over and asked her what was going on.

"Can you watch the kids for a few? I have to pick up your mom."

Jax rubbed the cold out of his eyes trying to wake up and comprehend what Jade was saying.

"Where is she?"

"I don't really know. I will use the GPS. I shouldn't be too long. Call Neeta when you leave for Piney's burial."

"Alright" Jax mumbled before plopping his head back onto his pillow. Jade leaned over and kiss his cheek and got up to get dressed.

Walking into the building of the address Gemma gave her Jade accessed the situation and knew it was some sort of escort service. What the hell was Gemma doing here? A young blonde lady walked up to her with a friendly smiled and asked if she could be of assistance.

"I'm looking for Gemma Teller. I think this is the right address." Jade looked down at her paper to make sure she hopefully wrote the address right. She looked around again and saw a sign that said Diosa International….yep it was defiantly and escort service. She must have written the address wrong in her morning fog. Gemma finally walked into view with a tall, handsome Latino man.

"Hey baby." She walked over and gave Jade a kissed on the cheek. Jade wondered where her lips had been and fought the urge to wipe her cheek.

The tall, dark gentlemen extended his hand to Jade.

"Hi, I am Nero Padilla." Jade reluctantly shook his hand.

"Jade Monroe. Nice to meet you."

Nero smiled. "Likewise. Are you here to take Gemma home?"

"Yes."

Nero looked at Gemma. "It was nice meeting you Gemma." Gemma handed Nero a piece of paper with her number on it.

"Thanks for being a gentleman." She smiled at him before leaving. Jade had so many questions as they rode to Gemma's house.

"He's a good looking guy. Total 360 from Clay." Jade admitted. Gemma laughed.

"Yes he is. Can't believed I fucked a spic pimp."

Gemma!" Jade laughed. Gemma laughed with her.

"Wish I could remember if he was good or not." Jade laughed even harder. This woman sitting next to her gave her life. She was something else.

Jade knew Gemma was in no condition to attend Piney's memorial so she made sure Gemma had took a shower and was in bed safely before she went to pick up Kim to meet they guys at Piney's resting place. All the guys were there when they walked up. They were standing off the side while Jax and Opie were in deep conversation by Piney's plot. They stood back with the guys giving each one a hug and waited for Opie and Jax to finish talking. Finally they motioned everyone over to put Piney at rest. Jax held Jade's hand and Kim held Opie's as Jade spoke a few words about Piney and how much he has touched her life. After a few more of sharing memories everyone said a prayer and headed back to the garage. Kim and Jade walked to their cars to head home when Jade asked her friend if she told Opie yet she was pregnant. She replied no as she wanted to let him grieve a little more. Jade pointed out to Kim that the news of a new life coming into this world maybe exactly what Opie needs. Kim agreed.

After Jade ran some errands around town Gemma was at Jax house when Jade pulled up. Gemma and Neeta were putting the boys to bed as it was their bed time. Jade was engorged when she walked in the house from not pumping all day. After unloading some groceries and new clothes for the boys and Jax she went into the bed room to pump a few bottles to put in the freezer. She was trying to wean Nathan off breast milk but he was being very stubborn.

Jade heard the some of the guys come into the house and did not bother to get up. Eventually she heard her Uncle's voice, Chibs and Jax. A few moments later Jax walked in the bedroom just as she was finishing pumping. His eyes caught a glimpse of her breast before she covered it up.

"Bobby's here." He told her.

Where has he been I have been calling him?"

"It's a long story babe. He was locked up for some bullshit reasons and now he is out."

Jade was happy. She got up and handed Jax the four bottles she just pumped and asked him to put them in the freezer. Jax for a split second had a confused look on his face.

"Freezer…babe." She told him again before going to greet her uncle and Chibs.

After Jax put the milk in the freezer his phone rang. After hanging up he let out a heavy sigh.

"What now Jax?" Gemma asked.

"Apparently they have some witnesses that saw what went down in Oaktown and they have warrants for our arrest. It just went statewide."

Jax looked at Jade and she knew this is what he meant by the war had already started.

"What happen in Oaktown Jax? She inquired. Jax told her what Tigs did and how he killed Laroy's girlfriend and she happen to be a daughter of a very powerful man in Oaktown.

"Who?" Gemma probed further.

Jax sighed before answering. "A man name Damon Pope."

Jade all of a sudden became lightheaded and needed to sit down.

"My God…..Damon Pope?" she mumbled.

Jax sat beside her on the couch.

"You know who he is?" he asked her. Jade shook her head yes.

"Oh My God Jax….you guys have know idea who you are dealing with."

"How do you know him?" Jax questioned. Jade ignored his question.

"I told you not to say it was black. Do you have any idea what you just done!" Jade exclaimed. "What the hell was Tig thinking!"

Jade shouted getting up from the couch. Jax stood up and grabbed Jade's arm.

"How do you know Damon Pope?" he demanded.

"My father has worked with him in the past and I dated his best friend for a while." Jade snatched her arm from Jax glaring at him daring him to challenge her.

"You brought more unnecessary bullshit to our doorstep Jax" Jade hissed at him.

Chibs received a phone call and discovered the cops were at the clubhouse and the next place they were coming to was the house. Jax was so busy staring at Jade fuming at her acknowledgement of knowing Pope and dating his friend he barley heard what Chibs said.

"Jax you need to buy yourself some time. I know where you can go to lay low for awhile." Gemma told them. Not taking his eyes off Jade he nodded his head to his mom suggestion. Jade looked away from him. He had no right to be upset with her about anything.

"Diosa's?" Jade asked Gemma.

"Yeah."

Neeta told them to go and she will spend the night with the kids. Gemma and Jade hugged her as she was truly a God send to them.

As they all head out the door Jax pulled Jade back in the hall way.

"What?" she snapped.

"This conversation about Pope is not over. I want to know everything."

Jade snorted with a wry smile on her face and pulled away from Jax to follow Gemma outside with Jax close behind.