4

Little Toy Bikers and a Woman on the Run

"

Chapter 424 Man Down

"

Scarlett wasn't looking forward to the small backyard BBQ at Gemma's but being with Jax meant that she was going to have to spend some time with his mother. She'd just slap a smile on her face.

The guys were clustered around the grill while Gemma worked in the kitchen. Scarlett helped Donna setting up the paper plates and napkins on the picnic table and pouring out glasses of iced tea.

"I think I can get you out of this alive," Donna whispered. "Stick close and say as little as possible to her."

Scarlett laughed.

"I've already had one encounter with her and survived."

"You didn't make the mistake of trying to be friends with her, did you?" Donna asked.

"No. I just answered back."

"Good. Tara was always trying to make friends with her. It went wrong because Gemma sees being nice to her as weakness. Jax's grown up a lot since high school, so he'll help back his mother off you when she steps out of line."

"Thanks Donna."

"It's nice to have a friend that's another old lady. I don't really fit in with the croweaters. Any word on Louise?"

Scarlett shook her head sadly.

"No. A charity is going to help with the search and David's trying to get the FBI involved since it's a kidnapping."

"It's scary to think someone might have been stalking her, waiting for the perfect chance to grab her."

Scarlett shuddered at the thought.

"I hate this. First Kohn stalks Tara and she has to kill him to save her life and now Louise is missing. I thought this was supposed to be a safe small town," Scarlett said.

"Keep Jax close. He'll protect you."

Gemma had done little cooking. The hamburgers were from a German butcher shop that mixed bacon into their burgers making the burgers crunchy and juicy once Clay grilled them. She'd gotten some tubs of potato salad, macaroni salad and Cole slaw. It was less about dazzling everyone with her cooking and more about having a dinner together.

Donna left briefly to use the bathroom and Gemma moved right in. Jax was standing around the grill with Opie and Clay.

"So glad we could get a moment alone," Gemma said in a sticky sweet voice.

"I'm excited about it," Scarlett said with a subtle note of sarcasm.

"This has been a difficult time for all of us especially for Jax. He's vulnerable after the death of that baby that he thought was his. We just need to protect him from heartbreak."

"Jax is a pretty tough guy. I think he can live through heartbreak. He did it once with Tara."

Gemma's lips tightened, but she quickly put the fake smile back on her face.

"I think we might have gotten off on the wrong foot. Since you and Jax are together, it would be better if we had a friendly relationship. There's enormous responsibility that comes with being Jax Teller's old lady. One day in the next few years, Clay's arthritis will force him to leave the MC and then my son will become president. Being an old lady to the president of the MC is a lot of work. I want to help you as much as I can. That's what's best for Jax and the MC."

"I don't think I'm going to need old lady lessons. I'll just figure out everything as I go. That's always worked well for me. Thanks for the kind offer though," Scarlett said matching Gemma's fake sweet voice with her own version.

Scarlett wasn't taken in for a second by Gemma's nice act. She was just trying to get closer to her to cause trouble between her and Jax. She could play the fake nice game though, but she would never let her guard down when it came to Gemma.

Donna returned. She met Scarlett's eyes and mouthed the word "sorry".

Clay got a call on his cell phone. It must have been bad news because some of the color seemed to drain from his face.

"Happy's at the ER," Clay announced. "We need to get over there now."

Within five minutes everyone was gone except Gemma. Clay had told her to stay home until she heard from him. Opie dropped Donna off at the house before switching to his bike for the hospital trip.

"Keep the van," Scarlett said to Jax on the way back to her condo. "I have the Corvette if I need to go anywhere and your bike's already parked."

"OK. I know we planned on leaving for the lake tomorrow morning. How about we leave tonight instead once I know what's going on with Happy no matter how late it is?"

"Fine with me."

He kissed her softly on the lips.

"How bad is Happy hurt?" Scarlett asked.

"For Clay to want the MC at the hospital it's got to be bad. I'll call you when I can."

Scarlett watched him leave until her van was no longer in sight.