Chapter XIII

New Characters

Samantha D' Angelis ~ Face Character ~ Paz Vega

Marco ~ Face Character ~ Joe Pesci

{September 1995}

She sat in the large chair, one of the few pieces in the small scarcely furnished room, gazing upon him as he slept. She prided herself as being an intelligent woman, one that did not fall for the easy bullshit lines that others did. In her opinion, women were an ignorant species opening their hearts to any man who spread their legs. Sex was a release, sex was control, yet so many fell victim-losing site of the empowerment they had in their hands.

Bringing her slender fingers to the top of her head, she dug them into the thick brown strands of long hair working through the tangles that the hours of sex had created. Her glistening brown eyes narrowed in on the breathtaking physique of the man who was lying on his chest in the bed before her. She felt arousal building as she gazed upon the well-defined muscular arms stretched slightly above his head, his shoulder length brown tussled hair splayed over the pillow hiding his rugged facial features. Even though they had just completed a marafuckathon after the intense argument that had occurred. Even though her body was aching, sore and somewhat bruised from the encounter. Despite all the obvious reasons why it shouldn't her body still called out for more; fuck, it begged for more as a cat in heat might cry for its lover. Her thirst for him was insatiable a realization that she silently cursed herself for feeling.

Samantha D' Angelis took pride that she did not fall for the whimsical pleasures a man could give, and yet the man before her had her ensnared. He made her feel emotions she was simply not accustom too. Curving her upper lip in disgust, she silently cursed the man before her. Samantha's mind reeled as she thought of the many hours earlier when her cursing had not been silent and she had allowed the extremely brash words to engulf the entire dwelling. His solution to her ranting and raving had resulted in the sheets he now lay sprawled out upon being twisted and tangled.

Leisurely she rose from the chair and began dressing her naked body with the expensive lingerie he had practically ripped from her. The anger that she had allowed him to bed her infuriated her as he slumbered peacefully as if he didn't have a care in the world. The emotions he had roused might have been easier to digest had he been willing to reciprocate them in the manner in which she desired. He was a bastard, literally, unable to feel emotions and truly love anything more than a precious allegiance he held sacred. Slipping on the last of her clothing, she walked sleekly over to the bedside kneeling. Samantha listened intently to the smooth effortless sounds of his breathing; her senses came alive as the musty smell of him filled her, she closed her eyes for a moment allowing the aroma to consume every fiber of her being. His flesh beckoned hers one last time as she touched his moist lips with her own.

"Until we meet again my love." Samantha breathed the words as if she were singing a hymn, the breathtaking body before her not even flinching from her farewell caress. Gazing upon him one last time, she turned and walked into the darkness.

{Laguna Beach, May 14, 2001, Morning}

Amelia sat on the soft sandy shore, at the foot of the windy staircase that led to the house she shared with Mike. Picking up a handful of the grainy substance in her delicate hand, she watched as it slipped through her fingers despite her efforts to keep it from doing so. Her mood was melancholy as the blue water crashed against the shoreline bidding her a farewell. Amelia was enjoying the beauty and solitude of the safe haven they had created for one another in Laguna, on last time. She would be leaving the serenity, the safe haven later that evening. The day had finally arrived, the day she had been both looking forward to with a certain jubilance and dread as well. Amelia would be returning to Charming, the meeting with her Mommy Dearest set for the following morning. In exchange for the uncomfortable encounter, she would receive the inheritance that allow her with the freedom she had desired most of her life. The return to Charming however sent a sense dread through her; she had done everything short of begging to prevent the return to a town that had brought her so much sorrow. Mommy dearest being ever difficult had refused to meet in any other place. Amelia knew her mother loathed the small town just as she did, but she also knew she would endure her own suffering if it meant one last opportunity to watch her daughter squirm.

Mike had assured her that nothing was going to go wrong, in and out within a matter of few days. Lying beside him in the bed they shared she had clung to the promises he spoke to her, he did after all have a way of making what seemed impossible look extremely easy. Amelia had complete faith in him; she had since the beginning. Allowing her body to relax back on the plush beach towel she looked up at the sky, which was bursting with shades of orange, pink, blue and even a lavender as the dawn emerged. Sighing deeply she closed her eyes for before inhaling the salty sea breeze into her lungs. The sound of the seagulls flying overhead only adding to the ambiance already created by the waves. She began to drift, drift into the realm that consumed one before a deep sleep took over. The peace and solitude began to sweep through her petite body as the corridors of her mind began to open. That is where she found him, found him for the first time in many years; Aiden Janowitz approached in the haziness of Amelia Tate's mind with the look of a man who would not be denied.

Standing at the edge of the terrace, Mike watched over Amelia with a protective eye as she lay on the sandy shore below. He knew he could gaze at her the entire day; he had done it many times memorizing every curve every feature that defined her. A contented smile crossed his lips as he continued to watch her from a distance a familiar stirring building within him. He had never felt as connected to another being as he did Amelia Tate. It had been almost two years since they had met and still he was as captivated with her as he had been the first time.

Turning his back to her, he leaned against the railing that bordered the pool area, Mike looked at the house that he and Amelia had purchased together with pride. Mike knew he had come a long way since his humble beginnings shifting from foster home to foster home. While he hated to abandon all he had accomplished in the luxurious Southern Cali. town. Mike could not deny that he was eager to have the year to focus on the woman he loved and to begin their married life together. He had never figured himself for the type of person that would marry, but then again he hadn't figured himself the type for many things. Amelia Tate had a way of making him feel empowered, Mike was standing in the middle of a small universe that, that empowerment had created. In the universe he stood, he was king.

The last heist his crew had just completed was a perfect example. They had lifted the massive cocaine shipment as if it were a walk in the park, and had yielded enormous profits. They were untouchable. The job had come at the right time allowing him a peace of mind that the men that had been loyal and taken a chance on his ideas would be financially secure until he returned. Of course, they would also continue to reap profits in his absence from moving the primo shipments of weed that Adam grew. The last job, the cocaine had provided them all with a nice nest egg to make sure that no one got greedy while he was away with girl. He had seen greed tear apart even the tightest of alliances. Drinking in the image of his accomplishments one last time Mike opened the gate and began his descent down the winding staircase that lead to the beach below.

"Wake up sleepy head." Mike whispered the words as his lips moved over the nape of her neck.

Amelia eyes bolted open with a look of surprise as she focused in on Mike's green eyes peering down upon her.

"Expecting someone else, baby?" He joked with her as his lips moved to her mouth.

Oh, just Aiden Janowitz, she answered only in her mind. What in the hell is going on with me? Feeling her entire body growing crimson in embarrassment as Mikes lips moved over hers, Amelia tilted her head to the side breaking away from his kiss.

"You OK?" Mike chuckled as he noticed the rich cherry colored hue of her skin despite the golden tan.

"I am going to miss this that's all." She felt pang of guilt as she realized she normally would have shared her thoughts freely with him. Somehow, though Amelia didn't think it would bode well with her current lover and fiancé that she was daydreaming of a former lover.

"Baby, we are spending a year in Tahiti, in a bungalow over the water and you are going to miss this?" Mike teased her as he sat up looking out at the blue water. He knew exactly what she meant he was going to miss it also. "Wanna take a swim?"

Not answering Amelia crinkled her nose at him shaking her head from side to side a gesture she often used when the answer was no.

"Suit yourself babe." The response to his invitation to take a swim wasn't a surprise. She loved the beach but she didn't really like the feeling of the salty water on her skin. Preferring the pool for her water rendezvous. Mike stood quickly sprinting towards the waves the cool water swallowing him completely as he dove into the path of the crashing surf.

Bursting through the other side breathing in deeply Mike turned floating with the gentle rise and fall of the current as his eyes gazed at the shoreline where Amelia lay. Watching her roused him in a way that not even the cool water could quench. Swimming back towards the shore until his feet were able to touch the soft sand below he stepped carefully making his way back to her. A devilish smile crossed his lips as he approached, his wild green eyes fixated on her blues ones as she lay on the plush towel propped on her elbows. Mike slumped down on the plush towel his lips giving way to a larger smile as his eyes roamed her tanned body.

Amelia shifted nervously as the warmth rushed to her cheeks causing them to flush as his green eyes continued to study every inch of her body shamelessly, hungrily. She felt as if she were a smorgasbord of delectable treats he wished to consume. She knew that look. Dropping her own eyes to his torso her cheeks flushed even more as they lowered to his black swim shorts that were dripping from the ocean water, clinging to his body in all the right places, outlining the desire he felt for her.

"We haven't had breakfast yet, baby." He chuckled his voice low and husky as he leaned in closer to kiss her sweet lips. "You are the perfect breakfast food, Amelia."

"Ewww you aren't, you taste salty." Amelia attempted to sound turned off she knew was a complete contradiction to how her body was reacting as she felt her taunt nipples protruding against the silken fabric of her swimsuit begging for his touch.

She felt alive all her senses heightened as she licked his upper lip teasingly. Teasing that resulted in Amelia's elbows being nudged just right the action causing her to fall back on the soft sand. She could feel the particles dispersing from underneath her as he rolled on top of her.

"Mike we are on the beach in broad daylight." The protest was a feeble one.

"So…" His husky voice trailed off as his lips lowered to the nape of her neck licking her as if she were an ice cream cone.

The sexual tension was palpable as he pressed himself further into her body, Amelia could feel a familiar rigidness pressing against the silky fabric of her bikini bottoms, a soft whimper escaped as his lips continued to caress her.

"I want you so damn bad, Amelia." He breathed the words into her ear as he nibbled her lobe with just the right amount of pressure.

Mike trailed his fingertips down her velvety flesh as if they were paintbrushes working to create a beautiful piece of art, and to him their lovemaking was just that beautiful exquisite art that they created together. Increasing the pressure of his touch as he moved steadily down her curves he lingered as he approached the top of her hips finally allowing himself to come to a complete rest as he grasp her firmly on both sides. A crooked smile graced his handsome features, his green eyes twinkling mischievously as he lowered his head to the small concave button size indention in the center of her abdomen. His long wet hair hung loosely over his shoulders dipping the salty water onto her flesh creating an erotic sensation all its own.

Amelia sucked in her breath as his tongue playfully explored her midriff coming to rest at her naval. She withered underneath him helplessly as the desire and longing stirred within her creating a need that only he could fulfill. Her nervous giggles turned to soft mewling the sounds intermingling with the crashing waves, her hands burned to touch his flesh as she reached up placing her palms on his shoulders before working them through his wet hair.

"What if someone walks by…?" Amelia gasp breathlessly. She knew the area of the beach was scarcely populated the locals and tourist using the more illustrious public areas. Still they did get the occasional lone drifter down into their safe haven.

"Let them walk on or watch." Mike replied as he slipped the silky material over to the side his fingertips burying themselves in her succulent juices. Finally coming to rest on the engorged swollen area that he knew would be her undoing.

Feeling her dampness coat his fingers tips, Mike's mouth watered like a rabid dog from the thought of tasting her. He felt his cock pulsate, and he fought not to take her immediately. Breathing in the fragrant smell of arousal combined with sea air, Mike attempted to gain some sense of control.

Hovering above her once again as he continued pressing his lips to her moist plump pouty ones. "I … Don't…Give… A…Fuck." He spoke between deep passionate drawn-out kisses.

Feeling as if he had as much control as he was going to be able to acheive at the moment, Mike allowed his fingers to explore the immaculately trimmed tuft of hair just above. He inhaled deeply taking in her essence as the small quiver quakes began to overtake her body. She moaned his name, barely an audible whisper and he could feel himself becoming even more aroused as the desire welled up inside of him. He knew he couldn't wait any longer. Mike peered down at her as he withdrew his fingers, which glistened in the morning sun Reaching down he slipped the clinging wet shorts down to free his engorged cock the release from the confining fabric a pleasure all its own.

Amelia knew any efforts to dissuade or detour him from his intended destination would prove fruitless. Amelia could feel her body warming, bursting with anticipation; his eyes gazed down on her hungrily. Peering up at his inviting mouth, she felt the overwhelming urge to have them pressed down on hers again. Tangling her fingers in his wet hair, cupping the back of his head she pulled his mouth back down parting his warm inviting lips with her tongue. The moment their tongues met her body sang out in infinite joy as they swirled around dancing in perfect unison. She could feel the vibrations of her soft moans against his lips the sensation causing him to press harder against her inner thigh. Her own breathing quickened as his fingers found her again moving in purposeful circular motions, and it was her undoing. Withering underneath him, her breathing changed again becoming short and erratic gasp for precious air as the familiar release began to rush over her.

"Look at me Amelia," The sound and intensity of his voice combined with his stern commanding gaze of his eyes caused her to plummet over the mountain edge.

"Do you like that baby?" He continued with a smirk on his lips that were just millimeters from hers, her soft panting pushing him to the brink.

Amelia felt the electricity course through her body, her cheeks scorching as she moaned louder her body not under her own control, but entirely under his. She could feel the moisture bursting from between her legs as she began to quiver. uncontrollably.

Mike removed his hand once again, her body still trembling, as he allowed his fingers moistened with her wet succulent juices to travel back up the path of her side. Finally resting themselves on her lips. He could feel her breathing becoming more controlled as it began to match the rhythm of his own.

"You are so sweet," The words fell from his lips in a masculine whisper as she whimpered helplessly her words inaudible.

He cupped both sides of her face between his palms before pressing his lips against hers with more force than the previous encounters. Tasting the sweetness his fingers had deposited like a gloss upon her lips, he allowed his tongue to trace hers.

"Ewww you taste…" He paused licking his own lips, his voice teasing yet seductive, "salty." His green eyes twinkled at her mischievously once again.

"Please." The singular word escaped from her lips as their eyes locked in a lovers stare.

A primal groan escaped Mike's lips at the sound of that one word. Pushing against her he gained entrance easily, finding himself engulfed in a sea of throbbing bliss. He stopped moving for a moment as she clenched around his shaft so tight that he thought he wouldn't be able to stop pulsating intensity within him that was threatening spill over into her at any moment. Closing his eyes, he inhaled deeply, exhaling the breath as he retreated from her only to plunge back into her depths.

There bodies sang out in perfect harmony as he moved deep within her and they found the perfect rhythm together. She knew they were both on the brink their moans and cries of desire finding the perfect unison as well, and as they pushed themselves to that special place. Amelia knew she didn't give a fuck if the pope himself walked by.

{New York, May 14, 2001, Early Afternoon}

Marco stood a respectable distance behind the Marchese Brothers as the elaborate casket was lowered into the ground. The brothers father, God rest his soul, had been a good man, but unfortunately a man without vision. Marco had served the old man faithfully for most of his life, and to honor that he had made his death swift, painless and honorable.

When the brothers and their female sidekick approached him with their desires to assassinate their elder, Marco knew he had three choices, kill them, kill the old man, or kill every fucker involved and make a clean getaway to the homelands of Italy. He had thought about the third option long and hard before deciding that he was not yet ready to retire from a job that gave him so much personal satisfaction. Marco had also not lined his bank account with the all the greenery that he had wanted as well. Ultimately he had agreed with the younger generation that their father was behind on the times, and unwilling to make the changes needed to bring the family back to the illustrious standing they once had. Priding himself with being a forward thinker and his eyes ultimately on the end game Marco had complied with their request and pledged his allegiance to them.

Looking back over his shoulder, he couldn't make her reflection behind the tinted glass of the limousine, but he knew she was there. The woman behind the dark glass was the biggest cunt that he knew, and in some ways just as wacky and sorted as he was. Only Marco knew just how fucked up that was, because he didn't share that information with others. His eyes narrowed their gaze as if he were squinting as his mind pondered what the emergency could have pulled her away from the graveside, away from her place between the two brothers.

"Perhaps it is I who is not making themselves understood." Samantha paused collecting her composure to make sure the only emotion that was perceived by the man on the other end of the phone call, was that of the stern professionalism she so prided herself with. "That many Kilos of cocaine simply does not vanish into thin air. I strongly suggest you find out who is responsible for our losses without any further delay."

"Ms. D' Angelis that is what I am trying to tell you the shit just disappeared without a trace. Fuck we don't even know how they got it out of the warehouse." The big man replied.

"Let me make sure I understand what you are saying." She paused reaching up with her free hand to massage her throbbing temples, "You are telling me that you are unable to handle this situation and I need to send Marco to Southern California to extend our warmest regards. Is that what you are saying?"

The big man pulled the cell phone away from his ear staring at it blankly, fuck he had heard all about what the bitches "warmest regards" meant, fuck everyone knew what it meant when the crazy bitch made that comment.

"Err no that is not what I am saying at all…." The big man stuttered slightly as he replied.

"Very well then, I suggest you comply with my request and find out what happened to our shipment. Have I made myself clear enough for you? " Samantha responded in a curt tone.

"Yes, very clear." The big man cursed himself silently for being such a pussy where a pussy spouting out orders was concerned. He personally felt someone should bend her over and fuck her in the ass, but he would be God damned if he was going to be that man. Fuck everyone knew if they tried to harm her that action would end in a fate even worse than her warmest regards.

"Then we expect to hear from you soon." Without so much as the pleasantries of a goodbye Samantha cut off the connection leaning back onto the expensive leather interior before unrolling the dark privacy glass to let the chauffeur know she would be exiting the vehicle.

{Downtown Charming, May 15, 2001, 10:00am}

Amelia sat in the lawyer's office wearing a tasteful short black skirt, a loose-fitting silk black top, and high-heeled shoes that matched. Every strand of her long blonde hair was in perfect placement. Her appearance was more mature than her 23 years and much more formal than her usual California free-spirited beach girl attire. The latter being the true style of Amelia Tate. Looking over at her Mommy Dearest who sat in the maroon winged back chair to her side, she felt like a fucking clone with her junior woman of elegance appearance. Most wouldn't be as repulsed as Amelia to find themselves looking like Abigail Wentworth whatever in the fuck her current married name was. Amelia however felt it was a fate almost as bad as death.

Mommy dearest was still a beauty having only been 19 when she gave birth to her daughter. Despite that she was relatively still a young woman by her high society social standings, Abigail looked plastic and fake. Just like your cathedral and other fucking collections, Amelia thought to herself as she observed her maternal unit. She wanted nothing more than to get this business completed, attend her next appointment, and remove the expensive uncomfortable garments that adorned her body.

"I mean really Amelia; you're going to marry a man who appeared out of the night sky?" Her mother rolled her eyes as she spoke the words, "I still cannot fathom any of it."

"Did you really just say that to me mother? You only knew my last stepfather 6 weeks before you tied the knot. Shit, I haven't even met the latest one, yet you sit here and lecture me about marrying a man I have been with day in and day out for almost two years now?" Amelia glared at her harshly.

"My situation and marriage in no way compare to yours, Amelia." Mommy Dearest replied smugly as she looked at the lawyer with a look of apology for her daughter's outburst.

"Forgive me mother. You did make what an easy 5 million off the marriage, yes totally different situation." Amelia looked at her Mommy Dearest with a deep scowl upon her face before turning to the family lawyer with her own apologetic look for her maternal unit's outburst.

"Really, Amelia my dear are we so different? I mean first, there was Parker who was the love of your life. Need I remind you of the horrible fiasco that occurred when we had to move you from that exclusive private school?" Amelia's mothers paused to look at her left wrist where the faint scare was still present. "Oh and then there was that bad boy biker, what was his name….." She paused giving her daughter a smug look as if she could not recall his name. Abigail however had no problems recalling Aiden Janowitz as she thought angrily about the social embarrassment that fiasco had caused. "Does your new lover know you are prone to cutting your wrist when things don't go your way my dear?" Mommy Dearest arched her brow quizzically at her daughter.

Amelia couldn't answer immediately taken aback by the cold remark, as she protectively concealed her wrist by crossing her arms over her abdomen. Refusing to allow the feeling of insecurity her mother wished to create within her she sat up straight in the chair-facing mommy dearest fully.

"Mother that was a horrible circumstance, and you know it. Someone told me the man I loved at the time was dead. Have you no compassion about you at all? " Not even waiting for an answer Amelia continued. "I am not that weak little girl anymore, mother." Sarcasm dripping from her tongue with the last word spoken.

"Really? Funny how you remember things that have occurred, things that have caused this families name big embarrassment, so selectively." Mommy Dearest let out a sarcastic huff before laughing cruelly at her daughter.

"I love Mike, Mother. Do you even know what that means?" Amelia spit the words at her mommy dearest unable to control her anger any longer.

"Are you pregnant Amelia? Have you finally managed to get yourself knocked up is that what this is all about?" Mommy dearest glanced down at Amelia's hands crossed in front of her abdomen.

Amelia fought the urge she felt to slap her Mommy dearest square across the face. "No, you bitch I am not pregnant. I never want children. I would be too afraid that my parenting skills would resemble yours."

"Ladies, please can we just get this paper work signed." The family lawyer cut interjected. Personally, he felt Amelia's mother was a fucking bitch, but regardless of his personal feelings, it didn't change the fact she was a very good client. They both were.

"Gladly!" Mommy Dearest picked up the pen on the desk signing on the dotted line. Once her signature was on the paper she pushed it in her daughter's direction. Amelia picked up the pen in front of her, and quickly signed her name passing it back to the lawyer.

"So, you understand Amelia it really is our strong suggestion you reinvest this money for another five years or so." He looked at her with a professional yet kind expression on his face.

"I understand." Amelia replied her voice almost a whisper as she realized she was finally free.

Mommy Dearest fidgeted in the chair glancing at her expensive diamond watch. "Are we done here? I simply must get back to the airport, and be on my way."

Taking in a deep breath Amelia looked at her mother in disgust. "Don't let us keep you, Mother."

Wasting no time in vacating the chair, Mommy Dearest kissed her daughter on the cheek the gesture containing no real emotion done simply for impression sake. "Well, Amelia my dear child I hope you are making the right decision." The words barely escaping her lips before turning to exit just as abruptly as she had entered two hours earlier.

Amelia hated herself for the twinge of sadness that came over her as the door closed behind her mother. She had never really had a maternal motherly figure in her life, except for Marie. A woman in her employee had ended up being more of a mother to her than the woman who had actually given birth to her. Amelia knew the truth as painful as it was, and that truth was mommy dearest had only given birth to her to increase financial standing. Amelia couldn't say anything nicer about her sperm donor who had lived in a foreign country concerned only with his lucrative business dealings since her birth. They had even less of a relationship than she did with her mommy dearest. She closed her eyes marveling for a moment that the only relationship they had at all had been the dividend checks she had received and of course the trust fund, which had just set her free. In a way it was more than her mother had ever done for her, perhaps he did understand the life in which he had left his daughter.

"Amelia, I don't mean to take liberties here, but there is one additional piece of legal work I would suggest, a prenuptial agreement." The lawyer looked at her over his glasses the magnification making his eyes look larger than life.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" She snapped shocked by her own choice of words as she looked at him in disbelief. "No!"

The lawyer hung his head at her response, "Really it is for your protection..." He was unable to finish the words before Amelia's loud raised voice cut him off.

"I said No! Now if you don't mind I have other places to be." Amelia spoke the words a bit harsher than intended, immediately regretting her tone of voice with a man who had always been so kind. She hated that her emotions were so out of control. She needed escape the confines of the office, discard the circus clothing, get high, and make love to Mike. Amelia knew that the all three of the needs that would make her feel better were going to have to wait. A few of them longer than others.

"Well, than that concludes our meeting Ms. Tate, again if you need my services please do not hesitate to call, and forgive me once again if my advice seemed forward or rude in any way. It is simply my job to look out for your best interest. You are an extremely rich young woman." He replied as professionally as possible somewhat baffled at the young girls response, she had never been abrasive like the mother in the past.

Amelia shrank down in the chair feeling like a complete and utter bitch, realizing she was not only dressed like a mommy dearest clone but behaving like one as well.

{Teller-Morrow, 10:00am}

Aiden sat at the Reaper table only giving his partial attention to the present conversation that was taking place. Why they were begging once again for Mike to stay Nomad was beyond him. He knew there was some unrest towards the south of them with the Mexicans screaming over a heavy shipment of coke that someone had stolen. Seriously though did they need the king of slaughter, Mr. Fucko Savage himself for a situation he knew could be handled with Tig and Happy's help. Fuck no!

"You sure we can't persuade you to stay with us a little longer." Clay asked once as he gave Mike his famous grin.

"Clay, I appreciate the confidence and understand the situation that could result with the Mayans, but this is the end of the line for me." Mike replied as he raised the smoldering cigarette from the ashtray to his mouth.

Clay leaned back in the seat nodding; they had already voted that he could leave the club. He knew to not follow through with a unanimous vote would simply not be respected by the brothers that lined the table as well as the other charter members.

"Brother you know anything about that shit going on in Southern Cali? Doesn't that mystery woman of yours live around there?" Jax gave him a crooked smile as he lit his own cigarette inhaling deeply before exhaling the smoke into the air.

"Yeah bro you heard any Intel on the street? I hear that there is some mastermind down there pushing primo shit with a crew of men. No one seems to know who the fucker is though." Opie leaned back stroking his beard as he spoke.

"Hadn't heard shit about it really until just now." Mike replied smoothly shrugging his shoulders a wry smile on his face.

Aiden's mind snapped immediately back to the conversation when he heard Jax mention Southern California. Fuck me; he thought to himself, Amelia has a house in fuckin' Laguna not far from the hijack.

"Bro. I didn't realize you were spending so much time down around Southern Cali. You say your girl is from there?" Aiden narrowed his eyes in on him as his mind spun back to April 1995 when Mike had been so kind to help Amelia in the parking lot. The sense of unease he had felt that day rushed over him.

"Yeah, she's lived down there her whole life." Mike replied his voice even and unconcerned as he crushed the cigarette butt under his thumb.

"She pretty?" Aiden looked his fellow brother dead on as he spoke.

"What?" Mike arched his brow as he responded with the one worded question. He knew he needed to have the talk with Janowitz about Amelia, Mike fully intended to have the talk with him once she was locked safely behind the cathedral gates. He looked at the giant clock on the walk mentally counting the hours, minutes and seconds until he could get her out-of-town and both of them on the way to their new life.

"Your girl, brother. We never hear you talk much about her., and you have never brought her up North. She must be something else to lay that leather cut on the table. Tell us a little about her. " Aiden narrowed his dark brown eyes as he spoke the words.

"Long brown hair, big brown eyes, huge tits, nice round firm ass, sucks great dick, any other questions?" Mike countered back. Motherfucker I should have killed your pathetic ass in the parking lot that day. He decided not to speak the last sentence aloud.

"No, I guess not." Aiden relaxed in his chair as he realized how crazy he had sounded. Still she had a house in Laguna. Amelia had always talked about living there, about it being a special place. What if she was there? Marie had left charming just a little under two years ago. Fuck why didn't I put the connection together before! He fidgeted in his chair eager for the meeting to close.

Opie and Jax looked at each other inquisitively before looking at Aiden. Both unsure about what the exchange was about that had just taken place.

"Well, fuck it if you ain't gonna stay Mike we might as well send you out in a style and have a few drinks. Gotta be motherfuckin' noon somewhere in the world right?" Clay's laughter bellowed from his broad chest.

"Juicy can I talk to you for minute." Aiden spoke in a lowered voice to his brother as he watched Mike and the others exit the chapel.

"Sure, bro what up?" Juice asked.

Reaching into his leather cut, he found the picture of Amelia handing it to Juice.

"She's pretty. Who is she?" Juice inquired.

"Her name is Amelia Tate. I want you to find out if she has entered the country from Europe …. I don't know what airport Los Angeles maybe, could be San Diego. Find out though brother and another thing she has a home in Laguna I need the address." Aiden rose from the chair swiftly.

"Sure brother, but who is she to you?" Juice asked again staring at his brother curiously.

"She's the love of my life." Aiden replied before turning his back and walking out of the door.

"Yo Aiden where you off to so quickly, brother?" Opie called out as he walked toward the parked Harley's Jax in unison by his side.

"What's up brother?" Jax arched his brow as he studied his brother.

Aiden snapped the strap of his helmet around his chin before pulling on his leather gloves and mounting his bike.

"I don't know why I didn't think of this before, Amelia, she has a fuckin' house in Southern Cali." Aiden paused for a moment reviving the engine the sound echoing off the buildings, "What if she's there? I mean Marie left town without even a word almost two years back now. What if she went to meet Amelia?"

"Fuck me." Jax responded.

"God damn, Aiden." Opie stroked his beard. "You headed outta town then?"

"Yeah, Juice is going to call me with the address to her house down there. First though I am going to stop by the cathedral see if any of the staff are willing to share some information with me." Aiden looked at his brothers with a glimmer in his eye they had not seen in years.

"You want us to ride out with you?" Jax asked. "Shit getting stirred up again with the Mayan's maybe its best we travel together."

"He's got a point brother." Opie added.

Aiden nodded. "Sounds good I am going to head to my house real quick pick a few things up. Let's rendezvous downtown in an hour, head to the cathedral and then to Southern Cali."

Jax stood with Opie watching as Aiden sped out of the parking lot of the TM, his mind consumed and haunted by the image that would not leave him. The image of Tara Knowles. He wondered if she was still in San Deigo, and he wondered if maybe he shouldn't pay her a visit. He had been to San Diego once since that fateful day at the bus stop when he had made the worst fucking mistake of his life. Turning his back on her had been the stupidest most hypocritical move he had ever made in his fucked up existence to date. She had forgiven all his sins, taken him in and how had he repaid her. Jax had realized a little too late you never know what you have until it's gone. He recalled the trip he made to San Diego just a few weeks after her departure. Jax shuddered as he recalled her words the night he had arrived at her cousin's house. They had sliced through the night air like the sharpest of knives, and they had been more than deserved just like the door she slammed in his face.

{11:00am, Downtown, Charming}

After apologizing profusely for her behavior for at least thirty minutes after her meeting had officially concluded, Amelia finally exited the downtown office through double doors. Standing on the sidewalk, she looked up at the sky before allowing her eyes to explore an area that had once been her home. Searching through her purse for the keys to her Audi, she began walking towards the parking lot. Finding the item she was searching for Amelia quickly walked up to the car clicking the button to unlock the door. Then she heard it the screech of the tires from what she assumed was an abrupt turn followed by the familiar rumble of the Harley engine drawing closer. Amelia knew the sound that sang harmoniously behind her and she knew it well.

"Amelia?" The masculine voice drifted over the sound of the engine.

"Fuck me." She muttered as her heart raced, and she turned facing Aiden.

{3:30pm Charming, Cathedral}

Amelia opened the door of her bedroom looking at the white lacy plush cotton comforter, which still covered the bed. The bed where they had made love so many times, the bed where she had lost her virginity to him so long ago. She approached the edge almost cautiously. This was the first time she had entered the room since leaving so long ago. When they had arrived the evening prior, Amelia hadn't even shown Mike the room she had grown up in, suggesting they use the master bedroom a few doors down which belonged to her mommy dearest. Mike had not questioned her about the decision on the bedding arrangements, and for that, Amelia had been extremely grateful. Being back in the cathedral had been more overwhelming than she had realized it would be. The room in which she now sat was not only overwhelming, but also suffocating. It was saturated with Aiden Janowitz, just as she was once again saturated with Aiden Janowitz. She hadn't wanted to share a room with the man she was planning to marry that was so full of skeletons. Now sitting on the edge of the bed she realized leaving the door of her bedroom closed hadn't solved anything, it hadn't kept the skeletons in the closet at bay. Amelia lay down on the plush comforter, the pillow top mattress giving just a little, contouring around her, and almost hugging her. She lay there for a moment completely numb before curling up in a ball as the tears began to stream down her face and the her body shook from the uncontrollable sobs.