SIX MONTHS LATER (MONTH 13 OF 14)
I pulled at the ends of my hair as I sat at the stoplight. Lauren looked over at and shook her head. She sat the seat up and nudged my arm.
"You've got no damn reason to be nervous, K. You're an old lady just like me and the women you're freaking out over meeting." She said as I pulled into the clubhouse parking lot. It was just before sundown and there were already tons of people milling around.
"None of you are guards over the majority of the chapter sitting in prison." I muttered as I turned the car off. She waved my comment off and got out of the car. She and Happy had convinced me to go to the party, despite my arguments. I had tried to use Harley as an excuse not to go, but Opie picked him up and took him to his house for his kids to play with.
"Katerina, glad ya're finally comin around." Chibs said as he hugged me with one arm. I blushed a little and nodded as I followed he and Lauren inside. My eyes darted from one part of the clubhouse to another as I tried to take everything in.
Opie's old lady, Lyla, walked up and gave me a big hug before offering me a shot. I didn't even ask what it was before throwing it back and thanking her with a smile. She laughed and patted my arm.
"Hey, if they get over a porn star being an old lady, they'll get over a guard." She said with a wink. I laughed and felt my self relax a little. She and I joined Chibs, Opie and Lauren at one of the pool tables and chatted about Harley.
"You're back, I see." I turned from Lyla and Lauren to see Gemma walking up to our group. I shrugged and smiled as genuinely as I could through the nerves that had resurfaced. She narrowed her eyes at me and looked me up and down.
"It's nice to see you again, Gemma." I mustered up every bit of confidence I had from the harsh pep talk Happy had given me. It hadn't been so much a pep talk as him saying I was his old lady and not to let them give me shit.
"Clay said you might come. Funny how you're the only one with access to them, yet you don't help. Some old lady you are." She growled as she walked a few steps closer to me. I let my smile drop and sighed. I knew it would be mentioned eventually.
"Gemma, I help them as much as I can. Just being with Happy can get me locked up for a long time." I said to defend myself. She rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"Sucking his dick while he's locked up isn't much help." She growled. It was my turn to roll my eyes.
"You realize the phone batteries Clay gets don't just pop up out of thin air? How about the extra time during visitation or the letters that get mailed out without screening? Hell, let's not even start with the shanks and shit they've all got in their cells. But no, Gemma, you're right. I work over sixty hours a weeks to suck dick and make their time in there as difficult as I can." Gemma's expression was either surprised or confused by not being able to understand me through my accent. I couldn't tell and didn't really care that much anymore.
"Okay, relax." She said flatly before heading off to talk to some girl I assumed was a croweater. I heard Lyla giggle a little once she was out of earshot. I raised my brow at her as I downed another shot.
"You're an old lady if I ever saw one." Chibs said, raising his glass to me. I shrugged and relaxed again.
"Recker?" The sound of my last name in the clubhouse startled me as I tried to shoot pool. I ended up scratching and giving everyone a good laugh.
"Tara, right?" I smiled at the no longer pregnant brunette I'd seen several months ago. She grinned and nodded as she walked over to join us.
"I heard about Gemma. She can be intense but it's only gotten worse since Clay went in." Tara shook her head and leaned up against the back of a couch. I nodded and took another shot, sinking the cue ball. Alcohol may help me socialize, but it did nothing for my pool game.
"I get that. I'd probably be the same way if I were in her shoes. I guess you're ready for Jax to be home." I said with a smile as I passed my pool cue to Lauren, resigning my spot against Opie.
"If you only knew. With one in diapers and one trying to get out of them, my hands are definitely full. Do you have any kids?" She took two beers off a tray and passed one over to me. I laughed and shook my head.
"Not unless you count the fifty pound puppy Opie and Lyla's kids are babysitting for me." Tara smirked and shrugged her shoulder.
"It could count. If you need any help moving or just want to talk, give me a call. I've got to head home, I just wanted to stop by and officially welcome you as an old lady." She gave me a card with her information on it before hugging me goodbye. Lyla gave me a thumbs up as I turned back towards everyone else. I spent the rest of the night getting drunk and sucking at pool. My body was so numb from the liquor, I almost didn't feel my phone vibrating in my pocket.
"'Ello?" I said, leaning up against Lauren for support before sitting back down on a couch. She laughed and relished in the fact that I was the drunk one for once.
"Katerina, are you drunk?" Happy asked with a laugh. His voice made me smile. I nodded.
"I'll take that as a yes. I can't see you nod, babe. Everything go okay?" He asked me. I nodded again before remember he couldn't see me.
"Guess so. Gemma was kinda mean but I got through it. Tara is really nice, tell Jax I said so. I'm about to head home." I said with a yawn as Chibs shook his head at me.
"No, not drunk you aren't. I've got a dorm you can stay in. Just tell Chibs." His voice was raspy and I could tell he was tired.
"Happy, when you come home I'm going to hug you until I fall asleep." I slurred. He laughed lightly.
"Sounds good, Kat. Get some sleep." It was obvious he was fighting a yawn. I nodded and yawned.
"Love you, Happy. Goodnight." I closed my eyes and rested my head on Lauren's shoulder.
SOASOASOASOASOASOASOASOA SOASOASOASOASOASOASOASOA
"Love you, Katerina." I was pretty sure she was already asleep before I answered her. I shook my head and put the phone up in the ceiling light. She'd warned us that higher-ups might start doing random searches, so I never kept it on me too long anymore. I closed my eyes and did my best to go to sleep.
"You're friendly today." Tig said with a laugh as I pushed out another rep on the weight bench. I wasn't particularly pissed, I was just aggravated in general. The day wasn't any different than any other day Recker had off, I just had my mind focused on the wrong things.
Every time we got an order from a CO, I thought about how I did my own thing on the outside. When we went out for rec, it reminded me that the fucking prison dictated my every movement. It was a bad mindset to be in, but I couldn't seem to shake it. Even as I lifted weights, I focused on the barbwire on top of the high walls surrounding us.
"Happy, need you over here for a minute." Clay called from the gazebo we'd started using more often. I put the bar up on the rack and made my way over, wiping the rust on my jeans. My eyes met Jax's and I could tell this wasn't good.
"Happy, I've done my best to keep Recker on the outside, but we need her help." Clay said, looking up at me with a stone expression. I shook my head and folded my arms over my chest.
"What's so important that you can't avoid dragging my old lady in to it?" I asked sharply. I wasn't one to speak out or question an officer of the club, but Recker was mine to protect.
"Brother, we need to get a message to Otto. I'm not asking for a meeting, just a message delivery." Clay gave me a small smile as I stared at him blankly. I didn't even want my old lady to be a messenger.
"I'll ask her. If she says no then it's a no. I can't force her to risk going in for a fucking note." I growled before Clay could get too excited. He nodded as if he understood but by the look Jax gave him, I doubted that was the case.
"Hey." I said flatly when Katerina answered the phone. She groaned a little and it made me relax. She was obviously hung over from the party.
"What'd you do today?" I asked, hoping she'd talk so her voice could calm me down. I heard her yawn and I could almost picture the way her nose scrunched up.
"Woke up, got sick, picked up Harley, went for a walk, played fetch and now we're laying in bed watching some show about gypsies." Like magic, her voice took the edge off even though she hadn't said anything too important. I stretched out on my bunk and closed my eyes.
"I don't want to ask you this, but Clay needs a fucking favor." I growled, hoping she wouldn't mind. I heard her shuffling around in the sheets and Harley grunting.
"What is it?" Her tone had changed a little, but it wasn't angry quite yet.
"He needs to send some message to Otto Delaney. I don't know what it is or anything else other than that." I said, wishing for more information for once. I heard Katerina sigh a little before she spoke.
"Fine but I can't be a go between. I can probably talk to him once, but anything more than that would be risking too much." She said sternly. I didn't feel relieved that she'd agreed.
"So, how was the party? Drunk you didn't talk much." I said with hopes of changing the subject. When she told me about what Gemma said, I was pissed off all over again.
"You don't deserve that shit, Katerina. I'm glad you told her off." I said, glaring up at the concrete ceiling above me. She laughed a little and continued telling me about how she sucks at pool and her talk with Tara.
"Happy, did you hear a word I said?" Recker asked with a laugh. I sighed and shook my head.
"Yeah, sorry Kat. It's been a rough day." I said gruffly. It irritated me that I was torn up over a woman. I started wondering if maybe it was just the year I'd spent inside that had me so worked up about her.
"I'm sorry babe. I'll let you go. Just have Clay call me about the message before lockdown. I'm going to bed early." Her voice was soft and cautious.
"Alright. Goodnight, Katerina." I hit the end button and pulled up the pictures in the phone. I knew it was a risk to save them for someone to find, but I couldn't delete them.
I scrolled down to the picture of her and Harley at the park. She was smiling and Harley was licking the side of her face. I ran my palm over the ink around the base of my neck and looked into her bright eyes. It wasn't the time inside that had me clinging to her. It was that smile and damn near everything else about her. Even the way she fucking snapped celery with her teeth made me love her.
I closed the phone and put it up in the ceiling light. One more fucking month and I'd be out with my club and my old lady. There was probably going to be some bullshit with the deal Clay made, but as long as I had Recker, it didn't seem that bad.
I stood by the door and waited for the CO to make their next round so I could get out. I reminded myself to call Recker later to make up for being a dick.
"Clay, make sure to call Recker before lockdown." I said, sliding him a piece of paper with her number on it. He nodded and clapped a hand on my shoulder.
"I appreciate it, Hap." I nodded and sat down for a couple hands of spades before count.
SOASOASOASOASOASOASOASOASOA SOASOASOASOASOASOASOA
"Hello?" I mumbled as I answered my phone without opening my eyes. Harley grunted and hopped off the bed and into his doggy bed.
"Shit, babe. I didn't mean to wake you up." Happy's voice was low and raspy. I squinted at the clock and saw that it was after eleven. I yawned and stretched my spine.
"It's okay, Happy. Everything okay?" I asked, crawling out of bed. I pulled on a robe and headed out to the swing on my balcony.
"Yeah, just ready to get the fuck out of here. What are you wearing, baby?" I could hear the smirk in his voice. I looked down and blushed a little.
"A thong and a robe. I came outside for some fresh air." I said, staring out over the Oakland skyline. Most of the lights were already out, but the few remaining made the night sky sparkle a little.
"Katerina, get in the fucking house." Happy growled with a mix of aggravation and excitement.
"Baby, no one can see me. I'm on my balcony in a corner unit. I don't think planes fly low enough to look at my boobs." Happy grunted, still not too convinced I should be outside.
"I'm about to fall asleep. I just wanted to talk to you." That made me smile and I headed back inside and into bed.
"Goodnight, Happy." My head was barely on the pillow before Harley jumped back up into bed.
"Goodnight, Kat. I love you." Happy ended the call before I could respond. If memory served me, that was the first time he'd ever said it first.
"Captain Rankin, I'm going down to seg for a few minutes. I've got a hunch about where some contraband is coming from and I just want to check out a lead." I was lying through my teeth and only hoping he wouldn't question me or offer to accompany me. He was certainly surprised but didn't ask any questions before nodding his head.
I was in and out of segregation within five minutes. The whole time I talked to Otto, I felt like someone was watching me. I passed on Clay's message and got Otto's response without any real knowledge of what I was passing on. They seemed to have some type of code and I didn't want to know what crime I'd just assisted with.
"Recker, wait up!" O'neal called from behind me. I slowed down but continued down towards my unit. He fell in step beside me with a smile.
"What's up?" I asked between bites of my banana. He shrugged and gave me a once over.
"Just thought I'd walk a pretty lady to her door." He said, laughing a little at his own joke. I inclined my head and pursed my lips, obviously not as amused with his humor.
"I think I can manage, O'neal." He'd been flirting heavy for the past few weeks. Ever since I'd had coffee next to him in the break room, he thought I was into him. It was a relief when I reached my unit and buzzed for central control to pop the door.
I scowled as I walked in and saw Wright sitting at my desk. I'd been told he wouldn't be coming back to George 3, yet there he sat, smug as a snail. He waved at me and gave me a smile as I locked my bag up in the wall locker.
"Are you lost?" I growled. He didn't move and forced me to reach around him to get my binders to start my morning checks.
"We're doing a unit shake down while they're out to lunch." He explained, smacking his lips as he chewed on his gum.
"We? Last time I checked you were told not to come back down here after almost getting me killed in front of children." I snapped as I inventoried the cleaning supplies on the cart by the door. Wright's smile widened.
"You're a tough girl. We're short handed on unit management and I know the unit, so Captain sent me down. You get any information on that contraband?" He asked, wiggling his brow at me. I shrugged and signed off on the inventory sheet.
"Not much. All I really found out is it's on a schedule. Wednesdays are the drop offs." I was talking through my teeth. I had no knowledge or care where the inmates were getting their fucking cigarettes.
"Well, it's our lucky day. They should still have most of it since it's only Thursday. The more they have the harder it is to find." He cracked his knuckles and leaned back in my chair.
"Yep. Shit, I forgot to pick up cuffs at central. You mind going to get me a pair?" I said with a bashful smile. Wright rolled his eyes but nodded all the same.
As soon as I heard the sallyport door close behind him, I headed around to do my rounds and lock checks. It was still to early to let them out, but I had to open the doors to check the locks, so I could at least talk to them.
I moved quickly through the cell doors, hearing grumbling about the time of day as I moved along. I got to Clay and Jax's door and pretended like the lock was sticking.
"Teller. Teller. Damnit, Jax." I growled loudly to wake him up. He shot up straight and looked at me with surprise.
"Either ditch the phone in the garbage on the way to rec or give it to me now." I didn't have time to explain, so I was happy to see Clay wake up and toss me the phone quickly. I slid it in my pocket and pretended to fix the lock before moving on. Bobby and Juice didn't have any burners, so I wasn't as worried.
"Ortiz, get rid of the pills on your way to rec. Shakedowns at lunch." I whispered as I checked he and Bobby's lock. He raised his brow at me but nodded.
I moved up stairs and picked up the pace, worried about how much time I had before Wright got back. I opened Happy and Tig's door and whispered loudly at him. He narrowed his eyes and squinted at me as he woke up.
"What's wrong?" He asked, picking up on my stress. I shook my head.
"Give me the phone. Wright and I are shaking down and I can't risk you getting caught." I spoke quickly and watched as he moved just as fast.
"Here. Hide that shit or get rid of it." He squeezed my hand a little as I nodded and took the phone from him. I heard the buzzing of the unit door just as I opened the next cell door. I felt as if the two phones weighed hundreds of pounds in my pockets. If either of them went off before I could hide them, I could catch my own charges.
Luckily, the shakedown went smoothly and my warning to the Sons kept them from getting caught with anything. I breathed easier after Wright left and the inmates headed back into the unit. Almost as soon as the lights went off for lockdown, Happy popped out of his cell.
"Hey." I said with a smile as he sat down on the desk. He nodded and looked at me with a steel expression.
"You got any money saved up?" I raised my brow at his question. He'd never asked me about money before.
"Yeah. Why?" He nodded and closed his eyes as he inhaled deeply. I had a feeling whatever was coming wasn't good.
"This is your last night, Kat. Call Chibs and have him send prospects to get your stuff and move it into my place." His eyes didn't leave mine as he spoke. I furrowed my brow and shook my head.
"Happy, I was supposed to work another month. I told you I'm not moving in until you're out." My voice faded as I saw the anger flaring up across his face.
"I don't care what your plans were. The safest place for you to be is Charming. Remember Williams, the kid you saw at the store?" Happy was trying to keep his voice down. I racked my brain, trying to remember.
"The pet store? Yeah, what about him?" The mention of someone on the outside made me nervous. Happy nodded his head.
"White's not too happy about some new friends we've made. Otto heard mention of your name in the library. I'm not risking shit, Katerina. That kid knows too much about where you go." He growled. I shook my head and sighed.
"Fine. I think you're overreacting though. Is that what the message was about?" I asked, wondering about what Happy wasn't telling me. I wasn't stupid enough to think he was telling me everything. I was only getting enough of the information to make me cooperate.
"No, just part of it." He had moved around the desk and was standing in front of me. I nodded and pushed the situation to the back of my mind. I stood up and wrapped my arms around his neck.
"This has to last you over a month, Lowman." He ran his hand into my hair and pulled. I moaned and leaned my head back, exposing my neck to him. The feel of his tongue and teeth on my skin made me hate his plan even more.
OOOOOOOOOH Goodness! Thank you all for the wonderful reviews :) They make my day and motivate me to write more and more. As promised, next chapter finds the Sons out in the real world :) Hope you enjoyed this chapter