Chapter Eight

Sassi

The day Bri has been waiting for has arrived: Basketball Tryouts. All of the prospects have been helping her practice all week. My dad and Chibs even stepped in as well.

I dropped her off an hour ago, ran a few errands, and am now sitting outside of the school waiting. Sipping my coffee, I don't notice someone come up on the side of my car and knock on the window. Resisting the urge to jump out of my own skin I set the coffee back in the holder and roll my window down.

" Resse Trager? " The red-headed woman asks.

My government? Not good. " I'm sorry, who are you? "

" Agent June Stahl. I'm with ATF. " She says while flashing me her badge. " I'd like to talk to you about the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club here in Charming and their new chapter in Indian Hills. "

Holy shit. What the hell have they been getting into?! " I've only recently moved back to town. I don't have any information about the club. "

" Come on now, Miss Trager. You're a smart girl. Been around bikers your whole life in Indian Hills, right? " She asks condescendingly. " You were raised by Jury White to keep you from being influenced by your unhinged biological father, Alexander " Tig " Trager. "

I roll my eyes before resting my sunglasses on top of my head. " So you asked around. Whoop dee doo. Like I said, I don't know anything. "

" So when I look into your financial records? You let go of a cushy loft in Vegas to move out here. I wonder how you were affording that? I'd hate to find something for the IRS to investigate. Or God forbid we find something you've been up to that could have that sweet little girl taken away and put in the system. " She says as a spark comes to her too-small eyes. " Maybe then she'll end up just like her whore mother. "

Is this bitch seriously using Bri to threaten me? Squaring my shoulders I look directly into her eyes and say, " I model and build custom motorcycles for a living. The only reason I'm in Charming is because they need an assistant manager at the garage. I've never been arrested for anything in my life. I'm completely legit, bring it on bitch. "

For someone who thinks they're so smart, she sure is dumb. You don't go around threatening kids. Let alone kids that are protected by SAMCRO. When I was taken back in the day... Sure it was scary, but as soon as I heard the roar of motorcycles I knew the people that did it would pay with their lives.

At that, she puts her glasses back on and saunters away like the bitch she is. Taking a deep breath I wait for her car to leave before getting out and popping the trunk. Pushing a couple of duffle bags to the side, I lift my hidden compartment and take my pistol out. Sliding it into my waistband I then take my emergency prepaid out. Letting my smartphone hit the ground I stomp it a few times until I'm sure it's good and destroyed.

I get back in my Sunbird and dial TM while noting the time.

Teller Morrow, how can we help you?

" Hey, Gem, it's Sassi... " I say as kids start filing out of the school. " I just got a visit from some redhead bitch ATF agent. "

Shit, Reese. What did she say?

" Asked questions about SAMCRO and SAMHILL. Threatened to look into my financials and criminal record to take Bri away. " I say still trying to reel in my seething anger as the little girl comes into view. " The usual ATF bullshit. She doesn't have anything on me. I'm as legit as it comes in this world. "

You and Bri come to the clubhouse I don't like the thought of you all being alone while this bitch is poking around. They're going after the women of the club because they think we're easy targets. This is the only safe place for now.

" Got it. " I say with a sigh. " I'm picking her up from basketball tryouts now. We'll be there in ten. "

Okay, baby see you when you get here.

By the time the passenger side door opens, I plaster a smile on my face as Bri slides in. " Hey! "

" Hey, how was it? " I ask while waiting for her to buckle her seat belt.

She beams at me in excitement. " It was cool! Coach Wagner says she'll email you if I made the team. I think I did really good. "

" Of course you did. " I say absently as I pull out of the lot. " I'm sure I'll get that email in a couple of days. "

Everything in me is screaming, " DO NOT LET HER KNOW ANYTHING COULD POSSIBLY BE WRONG "!

" Are we getting our nails done today? " She asks confirming that I'm holding it together.

I shake my head. " Not today, kid. We're going to the clubhouse for a few days. We'll definitely go before school starts. "

" I thought we moved to the house so we didn't have to stay there? " She asks with a scrunch of her nose. " Is something wrong? "

For ten years old she sure is intuitive. Of course, she knows there's more to it than just spending a few days. " Nothing to worry your pretty head about. How about we send one of the prospects out for pizza for dinner? "

" Okay. " She says looking a little down before perking back up. " Can we get Hawaiian? "

I chuckle. " You bet. "

...

We enter the clubhouse fifteen minutes later

" What's with the duffle bags? Get tired of the house already, sweet butt? "

I so do not have time for his bs right now. " Go put your bag in Jaycee's bunk. " I tell Bri before cutting my eyes at Happy.

" We're staying for a few days... " I tell both him and Uncle Clay. " ATF threatened to have her taken from me. It isn't going to happen, but I'm not taking the chance of her showing up at the house. "

I see real, dangerous anger flare in his eyes for the first time since meeting the known killer. The energy shifts and for a moment, I'm terrified. " Gonna be a tight fit with everyone here. "

" Gem called already. " Uncle Clay says while patting my shoulder. " I'm having the prospect clean out the room with the old equipment. Jax and Tig are bringing a couple of beds in. It'll be ready before tonight. "

Well, that settles that. " Thanks, Unc. I'm going to order pizza for dinner tonight. Will you see if one of the guys will pick it up? "

" Yeah, call Nino's and have him put it on our tab. And get the garlic bread too. " He says and I nod and leave them to their business.

...

It took the pizza place almost two hours to make our huge eleven-pizza order. Once it arrives all of the sweet butts have already set out plates. After having cleaned the bartop, and tables to the point that they are now clean enough to eat off of.

" Bridg, open up a bunch of beers and set them next to the pizzas. "

She goes into the beer fridge and begins removing tops off of bottles one by one and setting them on a tray.

" And remember- "

" Juice is off limits. " She says with a roll of her eyes.

Sighing deeply I give her a look of sympathy. " Look, you're new and he's nice... I get it. But his loyalty is always going to be with SAMCRO and more specifically, Jaycee Teller Whitney. The only woman ever considered a part of this organization. If you think I'm scary she's way worse. I don't want you on her bad side okay? "

" Okay. " She says nodding looking like a kicked puppy.

Damn. " Come on let's get these out there. "

...

" Pizza's here! " I call out loud enough for everyone in all corners of the clubhouse to hear.

Bri comes out of our new " room " and goes into the kitchen to wash her hands. Men pile in from everywhere and start salivating the second they smell the food. Setting Bri's Hawaiian down on the bar, she comes out of the kitchen and takes a seat. Getting two iced glasses, I set the soda gun to Coke and fill them for us.

" Ye really know the way into the hearts of men lass. Pizza and beer. "

I shake my head and chuckle. " If it's that easy... "

He laughs a real belly laugh and I catch the one and only Jaycee Teller Whitney glaring our way. I shoot her a " are you for real? " look before rolling my eyes. Trust me, the Scot isn't my type. He isn't hers either but whatever.

...

She looks around and notices there're only two beds. Must be either Gemma or Jaycee's doing. Neither like newbies. Shaking my head I set my duffle to the side.

" Take my bed. " I tell her while fully intending on having a chat with both women in the morning.

She shakes her head looking close to tears. " I'm not taking your bed. "

" I'm not tired. " I say pushing her shoulder with mine. " You have the early shift tomorrow so go to sleep, Bridg. "

She gives me one of the most thankful looks and for once, she looks all of the twenty years that she is. " You're really the big sister I always wanted. "

" And you're the pain in the ass little sister I didn't ask for. " I say with a smirk. " But you're worth the trouble. "

Bri pokes her head up and asks, " me too "?

" Yeah kid, " I chuckle, " you too. Now go to sleep. "

Heading back out into the bar I grab a bottle of Jack and head to a certain bald biker's sanctuary. Hearing Sweet Child Of Mine playing softly I lift my hand to knock on the door.

" What? " I hear him growl from inside.

Please God, don't let him be in there with a Crow Eater. " It's Sassi, you busy? "

The door swings open and my eyes widen as I'm me with his naked torso. Wow, more tattoos and damn them muscles. Saying nothing, he moves out of the way and lets me in. His bunk is clean. like really clean. This must be his personal space when in town that no one messes with.

" They out for the night? " He asks while taking a seat at his desk.

I nod and break the seal on the Jack before taking a straight shot. " Yeah. She let all her energy out at basketball practice today. "

" Was damn near falling asleep at dinner. Give me that. " He motions to the liquor.

I hand him the bottle and take a seat across from him on his bed. " She has had a lot of change recently, but I think Charming is already good for her. "

" And you? " He asks after taking a few shots himself.

I shrug a bit. " It's good being closer to Dad... I kind of miss restoring but I was due for a break. "

" Yeah. I've been using all of my free time on a sweet butt and her kid. I could use a break too. " He jokes almost shocking me to the core.

I cross my arms and roll my eyes. " So we're still pretending that this wasn't a job? You " enforcing " me into staying? "

"Believe what you want, Reese. " He gruffly says while going back to the drawing he was working on.

Trying to peek over his shoulder, he senses me and flips the drawing over. " Sorry. What is it, a naked woman or something? " I ask before taking the bottle back and doing some more of the bitter liquid.

" Nah, just something special. " He says seriously. " I'll show you it's finished. "

Hmming I ask, " how much longer do you have until you go back to Tacoma "?

" Couple days probably. " He replies with a shrug before looking me in the eyes. " Why, you gonna miss me sweet butt? ".

I blink a couple of times keeping my face stoic.

" You only wish I was a sweet butt. " I say after a few moments.

I know he's just fucking with me when he does it, but I don't anyone around here hearing it and thinking that's really what I am.

" Nah, you're not a sweet butt... " He finally admits. " Sooner or later you're going to be my bitch. "

I chuckle at his little joke. " Oh, you think I'll be your bitch while you're all the way in Washington? "

" I'm going, Nomad soon. When that happens that ass is getting claimed. " He clarifies.

Confusion fogs my mind. " And I have no choice? "

" You can choose where this, " he says pointing to the drawing that's still lying flat down on the desk, " goes if you want. "

Oh... He's serious-serious. Why are my panties suddenly soaked? It isn't supposed to excite me. This man just told me without actually telling me that I'm taking his crow.

" And if I say no? " I ask crossing my arms.

He shrugs. " You won't. "

Sitting on his bed I fully wrap my mind around what he thinks is about to happen.

" My dad? " I throw out.

He shrugs again. " He'll be alright after a few rounds in the ring. "

" You have it all figured out, huh? " I ask while sprawling out on his bed feeling the fatigue of the day set in.

Hearing the chair scrape against the floor, he's suddenly on top of me. His face is mere inches from mine. The alcohol has taken over so whatever happens... I'm completely okay with it.

" You didn't become an old lady to one of the idiots in Indian Hills because you need a Son. " He rumbles into my neck.

My body instantly molds to his on its own accord. Fuck if being this close to him isn't more intoxicating than the liquor we've been drinking. I can't help but feel like he feels perfect. He's right... There are Sons, and then there are Sons. And Happy is a Son.

" I need you to think about what you're asking for, Happy... " I say pushing at his chest so we can both be upright for this conversation. " It's not just me you know? I've never brought a man around before because Bri deserves more than me just having random men around. If this is what you want then that means being there for her. No half in or out. "

Huffing at the loss of contact he rasps, " ain't no father of the year. But I take care of mine. The kid is going to be fine. "

" Why Happy? " The million dollar question. " Why me? "

Taking my face into his hands he forces me to look into his eyes. " You're strong and tough. Two qualities a bitch that's mine needs to have. And you understand the life better than anyone. But you have a heart. You have to in order to care for not just a little girl, but an escort looking for a way out. You see past the bullshit and take care of yours. With ATF snooping around... You're staying close so I know where you are. The kid too. "

Words escape me and all I can do is nod. He really has been paying close attention to me that's for sure. Nothing I can think of would be logical enough to refuse him.

" Okay. " I muster finally.

His lips crash into mine and we both fight for dominance for the next few minutes. My hands explore his hard chest, shoulders, and back loving every second. Lifting me up he breaks the kiss and lands a stinging slap on my ass.

" And this ass is a plus in my book. " He chuckles with a wicked grin.