5

Little Toy Bikers and a Woman on the Run

Chapter 207 Payment Received

After reading the text message, Jax got to his feet, went around to the other side of the bed, grabbed the TV's remote control and turned on the television.

"That was from Juice, so was the first message. He said that Clay was interviewed by a local TV station about what happened at the carnival and the MC's role. The interview is going to be on the local Fox news sometime in the next half hour's news. He's recording it, but I'd like to watch it now."

"Me too."

"That's right. You missed a big part of the fun."

"I do appreciate you protecting my identity. I was so consumed with worrying about getting Tristen found before they could rape her, I didn't think of anything past that. You really looked out for that little girl. It would have been so horrible if she'd had to walk through the carnival in her torn clothes."

"My brush with fatherhood has changed me a bit. There's something special about little girls. Brings out my protective side. I keep finding myself thinking about Bela and what I might have had with her."

This wasn't something that he could talk about with Gemma or the guys. Gemma thought that since he wasn't Bela's bio dad then he hadn't lost anything. If Opie weren't still locked up, he could talk to him.

Jax had come to sit beside Scarlett on the bed, his back against the wall and headboard. Scarlet patted his leg.

"It would have been fun to see you as a father."

That was one of the qualities he liked best in Scarlett. She was warm and compassionate. She had so much love to give; she just needed to lose her fear of falling in love. He would help her with that.

Jax turned on the TV and found the channel. It would be interesting to see how the news was going to cover it.

The story was at the top of the news program. A reporter walked through the deserted field stopping under the sign "Fun Town". It wasn't the actual sign. It was a little set dressing by one of the news producers.

"Just a few hours before, this had been the site of a carnival, an annual event for the city of Charming. All that changed this year. David Hale chief of Charming police overheard two residents talk about how they had watched a child being taken into the woods by a stranger. At the same time, Jackson Teller, vice president of a local biker club, heard a story about a gang of men who dragged a little girl into the woods. Her name is being kept confidential. This station doesn't reveal names of alleged sexual assault victims.

"Teller went to investigate with members of his motorcycle club. Hale was already in the woods fighting to protect the girl. Let's listen to Jax Teller continue the story. Thanks to a resident who shared this video with us."

There was Jax, a crowd gathered around him. He told the carnival goers what had happened in the woods. The crowd's anger was palpable.

The video cut back to the reporter in the deserted lot.

"There was a skirmish with residents angered by this gang of alleged kiddie rapists and the sheriff's deputies who were sworn to protect the injured alleged raptists who were being stretchered to ambulances. Chaos broke out and in a short time, there was no more carnival."

There was another video that showed people fleeing the carnival and residents trying to fight the alleged rapists as they were rolled past them on gurneys by paramedics.

"We caught up with Clay Morrow, president of that local biker club for his reaction."

There was a cut to a video of Clay. He was standing in front of the clubhouse wearing his usual jeans and cut. Clay rolled a cigar around in his mouth before removing it so he could speak.

"Clay Morrow here, president of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original. Our branch of the Sons of Anarchy motorcycle club is based in Charming. It's a great small town and we take pride in keeping the town safe for families. Saving a kid from a vicious gang of rapists is a good day for the MC and its citizens."

The video cut from Clay and returned to the reporter standing underneath the Fun Town sign.

"Today, law enforcement and an outlaw motorcycle gang came together when it really mattered—rescuing a child from a bunch of alleged child rapists. Protecting our children is something that we can all unite around."

The news program returned to the studio and the broadcast continued with a weather report.

"That was good," Jax said. "I wasn't expecting video of me though."

"I wonder why it didn't say anything about the kiddie porn angle."

"Too early. If this thing is as big as Hale says, there will be many follow up stories. It was great the MC got this kind of recognition."

"I'm glad all the guys got credit for saving Tristen."

"Let's get back to what we were doing before we were interrupted," Jax said.

Scarlett got stiffly to her feet.

"You had two chances, but your phone was more important."

"Scarlett, you owe me."

"Your phone was more important, so forfeited the kiss."

"Do you want me to put you in the bathtub?"

"Jax, we both know that's an empty threat. You aren't going to do anything to me."

"Really? I'm going to do to you what you fear most."

She watched Jax walk slowly around the bed until he was standing next to her.

"And what is that?"

"I'm going to make you fall in love with me."

"Never going to happen," Scarlett said with more confidence than she felt.

"Shut up, baby, and kiss me," Jax said in a low growl.

Scarlett opened her mouth to laugh and Jax pounced, covering her mouth with his giving her an intermediate level kiss. She wasn't ready for the advanced yet.

"Where am I sleeping tonight?" Jax asked. He still had his arms around Scarlett, supporting her body.

"You are Jax Teller. You can sleep wherever the hell you want."

"Damned right. Now you are finally learning."