5

Chapter 457 Wrapped Up in You

"

Jax watched as Juice replaced Happy as the Cadillac's driver. Happy's face didn't outwardly change expression, but Jax knew Happy well enough to know that inside he was sulking. He just didn't get that catching Esai wasn't worth the shit the MC would have to go through if he ran over the old man that Esai had just hit.

"I want to check on Scarlett. I'll find a way back to the clubhouse or I'll call," Jax said getting out of the car and slamming the door.

He jogged over to Scarlett's store and pushed open the door. Scarlett had unlocked the door a few moments ago to let Opie inside.

"I just started to tell Opie about Esai coming to the shop. He was shaking the door and he looked kind of crazy and desperate," Scarlett said, her voice calm and matter-of-fact.

"I gotta go and check on Donna and the kids," Opie said.

"Take Chibs and text me," Jax said.

Opie nodded and left at a run. Jax knew that overwhelming feeling of needing to know that the woman you love is safe. The chances of Esai going after Donna and the kids now were low, but Jax didn't try to reason with Opie. He needed to check on the safety of his family. Jax wasn't going to argue or try to stop him.

Jax wrapped his arms around Scarlett gently cradling her to his chest. Feeling her warm and safe in his arms was the best feeling in the world. He'd never felt such intense protectiveness before for a woman.

"Tighter," Scarlett whispered her face against his chest.

"I don't want to hurt you."

"Tighter."

Jax tightened his hold on her and felt her arms tighten in response. He was thankful that she was safe, but he was angry that she had been in danger due to him.

"What happened to your cut?" Scarlett asked lifting her head from his chest to look into his face.

"Camouflage. Made us less obvious to Esai." Jax moved a lock of blonde hair from her face gently. "You OK?" he asked.

She nodded.

"I was so scared that something was going to happen to you," Jax confessed.

Scarlett smiled, stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the lips.

"I was locked inside my store with my gun. Perfectly safe."

"This shouldn't have happened to you. It's my fault."

"No, it isn't," Scarlett said sharply. "I know there's danger attached to you. I accepted that. You know there's danger attached to being with me. There's danger attached to us. That's just the way it is."

"It wouldn't have happened if you didn't know me."

"And I wouldn't be happy and in love if I hadn't met you," she said tugging gently on his chin hair.

"Good point," he said smiling warmly at her. "I just want to protect you and keep you safe."

Scarlett stood on her tiptoes again and kissed Jax softly. His arms tightened around her pulling her closer. They kissed softly with great gentleness and tenderness. Before the kiss could turn more passionate, there was a knock at the back door.

"That's probably Sack," Scarlett said.

Jax's hand automatically reached for the cut he wasn't wearing. He reached under his T-shirt and took the revolver from the back waistband of his jeans. He checked the peephole in the back door.

"It's Sack," he confirmed.

He replaced his handgun in his waist band and caught the back door keys that Scarlett tossed to him and unlocked the door.

"Prospect, you're late," Jax said.

"Sorry," Sack said automatically. Prospects never argued with patches or they wouldn't be prospects.

Jax's phone buzzed. He reached into his back pocket for his cellphone. He read the text message quickly.

"Donna's OK."

Sack looked at Scarlett hoping she would give him a hint as to what was going on. Jax's phone buzzed again. He looked at the text message. He sent a quick text back.

"We're all going back to the clubhouse," Jax said.

"Am I part of all?" Scarlett asked.

"The most important part," Jax said.

"You missed an opportunity to get your patch early," Jax said as Scarlett locked the front door.

"Missed?"

"Esai came by Scarlett's store."

Sack's face fell. He knew that if he'd gotten Esai, he would not have only gotten his patch, he might have even been a Sons legend.

"He didn't hurt you?" Sack asked Scarlett.

"No. The doors were locked."

Opie called just as Scarlett locked the back door.

"Do you mind if Sack drives? I need to take this call."

Scarlett handed the keys to Sack. She sat in the middle of the van's front seat protected by both men, her tote bag with her handgun, laptop and cellphone was on the floor behind her feet. Sack began the drive to TM and the clubhouse.

Opie explained that he didn't want to take a chance that Esai would go after Donna and their kids. He also didn't want Donna to find out about Scarlett's brush with Esai. He was going to take his pick up and follow Donna down in the van to Irvine where her folks lived. There were a couple of weeks left before the kids started school and Donna had to return to her job as a teacher's aide. Donna and the kids would love the trip and the visit with her family. He would be back late Thursday. Donna and the kids would return when it was safe.

Jax couldn't fault Opie for seeing to the safety of his family. He'd let the club know. It was better for the club if Donna and the kids were removed from possible danger. Opie would be more focused when he returned from Irvine.

"We're having an emergency meeting to discuss what just happened with Esai. Scarlett, I want you there to tell the guys about Esai. After that, I'd like you to wait in the clubhouse until the meeting is over. You'll be safe there."

"OK."

The doors to the chapel were open, the men were all sitting in their places. Jax showed Scarlett to a vacant seat near the end of the table on his side of the table.

Clay raised an eyebrow. It was rare for a nonmember to attend a Sons meeting, but this was a rare time.

"Scarlett's got some information of what happened today."

"We waiting on Opie?" Clay asked.

"No. He called me. I'll explain after Scarlett," Jax said. "Sack close the door, take a seat and look useful."

Clay brought the gavel down. The meeting was beginning.