Roots Run Deep

Chapter 21

A few days after Katie's return to California Jax was on her doorstep again but in a much different mood. He knocked hard, his jaw clenched, and when Katie answered she drew her head back seeing the expression on his face.

"Uh, hey. What's up?"

"Did you roll Kris?" He asked her in a low whisper.

Katie shifted in her spot. "Just cash...and some jewelry. His watch was pretty expensive."

"Where's the cash?"

"Spent," she said quickly. "I used it for the flight and put the rest toward a new apartment. I'm moving next week."

Jax shook his head. "My guys in Pennsylvania are catching heat. Kris owed money, they saw SOA at your place and these guys are trying to tie the club to the money now. They don't care he's dead, they want the money," Jax explained. "Next time all the details would be helpful."

"Okay," she said with a huff. "Sorry."

"We need that money," he said. "I don't want my guys having to deal with these assholes."

Katie nodded. "Yeah, okay," she sighed. "I can get you guys the money."

"Why don't you tell me everything?" He asked her, no longer as angry as when he first arrived.

"I don't know, I don't tell anyone anything," she admitted. "I'm not used to sharing and caring you know?"

"I get it," he glanced over his shoulder. "Wanna go for a ride?"

Katie smirked and nodded. "Sure."

—

Jax and Katie rode through the hills for close to an hour before stopping at a small park about two hours from Charming.

"When do you need the money?" She asked as Jax lit a cigarette.

"Soon as ya can," he said.

"Okay," she swayed on her heels. "How much exactly?"

"50 k."

Her eyes grew wide. "I didn't take 50k!"

"That's what they're pushing," Jax shrugged. "Let's go halves."

"Okay," she was angrier now than before.

"Hey," he grabbed her wrist and pulled her against him. "Cheer up. We can work together."

"Can we?" She asked with a chuckle.

"Yeah, it'll be fun."

Slowly his hand crept from her wrist up to her shoulder then to her neck. Jax kissed Katie, holding her close to him, and quickly they were stumbling back. Jax laid her back along his Harley and dropped his pants as Katie hiked her sun dress up and shimmied out of her underwear.

They were just barely off the side of the road, Katie's hand gripping the handlebars, enjoying a quickie right out in the open.

"Christ, I missed you," he groaned, satisfied, and helped her sit up again.

"Meh," she shrugged, teasing him. "I need to start working, just so you know."

He nodded. "About that, I think I got a gig for you."

"What?" She asked skeptically. "If you're gonna try to get me some waitressing job or something because you don't wanna share your fuck buddy with clients I got some news for you, Teller."

"Nope," he smirked. "I don't share but you'll make good money and you won't be waiting tables."

—

That evening in church Jax brought his idea to Clay and the club, leaving out the part that included Katie. It wouldn't be a tough sell, Jax was sure of it, but he knew Clay would push back hard.

"If this asshole keeps pushing on Luanne we gotta step up. Otto's locked up for the club, protecting his old lady and her business is the least we can do."

"I love it," Tig said quickly.

Jax chuckled. "See?"

"You wanna buy into CaraCara?" Clay asked. "They're barely pulling a profit, our cut now is shit.

"Juice," Jax said quickly.

"Yeah, with her internet profits she's raking in a shit ton of money," Juice explained. "I don't know what deal Otto made with you guys but I don't think she's including the internet traffic."

Clay looked at Jax with a furious expression. "You better talk to Otto."

"I have my pitch ready," he said smugly. "We get him on board and she won't be able to say no."

"You better hope," Chibs chuckled. "Tig'll kill himself if he misses out on this shite."

Clay huffed. "Talk to Otto then we'll vote. No point in doing it until he agrees." He slammed the gavel down and Jax jumped to his feet feeling victorious.

"You better be right about this," Clay warned him as the others left the room.

"I got it," Jax said confidently. "I'm even thinking about bringing Katie in, get some fresh blood in CaraCara."

"And keep that pussy for yourself?" He asked. "That's dangerous. I'd stick with the doc if I were you. Girls like that can't help themselves," Clay warned him. "Ask Otto. That shit ain't easy."

"I'm not marrying her," Jax shrugged, turning away from Clay and sauntering toward the exit. "Just having fun."