A/N - Sadly the site seems to be having some problems so hope you get to read this - let me know if you have any issues!
By the time Gemma came back downstairs, Nina was sitting very calmly on the lowest step. She was rubbing some broken skin on her fingers as she looked up expectantly.
"I didn't know what you wanted me to do," she shrugged as she gestured to Tara. Gemma squeezed past her and crossed the basement to see Nina had seated Tara in an old office chair. Her hands were bound neatly to the arms, her ankles tied together. Gemma swallowed, it was eerily reminiscent of the Guatemalan girl in her father's basement.
"Nice job," Gemma said with a little surprise as she saw how well Nina had made the rope knots. "You do this often?"
"My Daddy's an OG," Nina shrugged with a shy smile. "I've been doing this for years."
Gemma liked that. She put one arm around Nina and kissed her head. "Proper old lady material," she mused, lifting Nina's chin to get a good look at her. "I'll take that."
Nina didn't say anything, just looked at Tara. "Do I ask what happened?"
"Best not to," Gemma smiled, motioning for her to go upstairs. Nina went up and watched from the stairs as Gemma took off her scarf and used it as a gag across Tara's mouth. That would keep her quiet.
Gemma dusted off her hands as she came back upstairs and kicked the basement door shut. Nina was fiddling with the ribbon on the flowers she had brought, she stopped the second Gemma walked in. Gemma didn't speak, just paced over coolly and looked at the gift.
"These are beautiful," she said with a warm smile. Nina couldn't believe she was so calm with an unconscious woman in her basement. "This is my favourite colour."
"I'll remember that," Nina nodded. "I, uh, I think I should go. Leave you to your... business." She stood and ran her hands over her dress. "I hope you work out your... problem?"
Gemma smirked. "She's not a problem. Thank you for your help." Nina started towards the door when Gemma called out, "Why don't you and Chibs come for dinner? Jax too, your Daddy? Let's try and mend some fences?"
Nina liked that idea, she wanted Chibs to be a strong president, dealing with Jax was a big part of that, even she hated him. She smiled. "Will your guest downstairs be joining us?"
"What guest?" Gemma winked, there was nothing more to be said about Tara until she worked out a plan of action. "Seven, bring beer. Welcome to the family."
Nina paced back to her car, not quite sure how she was feeling. Her whole head was buzzing as she glanced anxiously at the house. She was up for playing friendly with Gemma, sure, but she was sure this wasn't right. Maybe she should get Chibs' opinion.
Turning off towards the lot, she pulled up as a handful of Sons were mounting their bikes. Nina parked up quickly and scanned the place for Chibs. He was just about to sit down but he walked over to meet her, pushing a devouring kiss on her mouth as he saw her.
"How was it?" he asked, slipping his hands around to her ass and giving her a gentle squeeze. Nina smiled and giggled.
"It was... interesting." She wrinkled her nose. "Do you have five minutes?"
Happy barked from across the lot and Chibs looked back. He shook his head and gave her one more caress. "I have to go meet some Irishmen," he said. "Should be an hour or so, is that okay?"
Nina nodded, she knew how it worked, it would have to be. "Sure. Gemma invited us for dinner, seven, at hers."
Chibs nodded approvingly as he jogged back to his bike. She gave him a wave and watched as he peeled away with Juice, Happy and Bobby. Rat tailed behind them in the van with another prospect at the back. She knotted her fingers in her hair as she watched him go, not sure what to do.
"You okay, baby?"
She didn't even know where Tig came from as he crept up behind her but he was there suddenly. Nina turned around and gave him a smile. Since he had been so kind to her, she had had no doubts about trusting him. She pulled at her lip idly.
"Can I talk to you about something?"
Tig grinned like a cat with the cream, he loved being able to help her. "Anything you want. That old goat not giving you what you need?"
Nina laughed. "Nothing like that. It's about..." She paused, not sure if she was making the right move talking to him. "Gemma, can you tell me about her?"
"Gemma?" Tig chuckled. "She's the queen of us all. Like the club's old lady. She's pretty fierce."
"Yeah." Nina started to chew at her nail. "Do you think she's dangerous?"
That question made Tig frown. "Dangerous? Has she threatened you?"
Nina shook her head quickly. "No, no, not at all." Tig laughed and mimed wiping sweat from his brow.
"Phew, because she can get pretty crazy. You don't want to get on the wrong side of that, she might just kill you."
He laughed heartily but Nina was beginning to worry for Tara. She started to rub at her palms again and Tig took one hand in his own, rubbing his thumb over the rope marks on her skin.
"Our new Prez got some kinky Japanese bondage shit going on?" he joked. When she didn't laugh, he knew something else was bothering her. "Did Gemma hurt you?"
Nina shook her head and looked around before she leaned in close to Tig, not wanting anyone else to hear. "I went to her place to take something over and..." She closed her eyes, wondering whether she should say any more. "Jax's wife was there."
"Tara?" Tig shrugged. "Not unusual, maybe doing a baby shift change?"
"She was unconscious." Nina looked him in the eye to show him she was dead serious. "On the kitchen floor. She's okay, her heart's beating and everything but she's out cold."
Tig was just about to kiss her torn fingers when he suddenly froze, realising why they were so torn. "Jesus, you tied her up, didn't you?"
"She kind of told me to!" Nina said, panic descending across her face. "I didn't know what to do, Chibs told me to be her friend and do whatever she said! I thought I was doing the right thing."
Tig was giving her a lopsided smile. If she was his, he would be dragging her to the apartment to fuck the hell out of right now, she was just the right kind of crazy for him. "God, you're a real old lady, aren't you?"
She looked at him with a hopeless look and Tig laughed. He whisked her up into his arms and carried her playfully towards her car, wishing she was his girl. Nina squealed a little, giggling as he dropped her down on the bonnet with a bump. They leaned into each other for a split second and Nina felt the breath catch in her chest as he pulled her up against him.
"I should go. Rescue her," Tig murmured, his lips too close. Nina nodded as she squirmed back a little, knowing they shouldn't be so near each other.
"You're good at that. Damsels in distress and everything," she murmured. Tig smiled.
"There's only one I really wanted to win," he murmured sheepishly, shifting from foot to foot. "But I think these circumstances are... different." He winked at her and offered her his hand. "Come on. Gemma's a scary bitch but we'll do it together. Last thing you need is a kidnapping charge on your record and she'll pass it on to you without hesitation."
Nina took his hand and squeezed his fingers as she slipped off the car. Tig put one arm around her waist to steady her.
"Thank you for helping me," she said softly. "I wanted to ask Chibs but he was busy." He nodded.
"Don't worry, baby, I've got your back." He brushed her hair back from her face sweetly and, despite the overwhelming desire to kiss her mouth, he kissed her forehead gently. "I'll always have your back, I promise."