Take Me to Church

Waking up the next morning was absolute hell; and I knew it was because I was dreading the long ride to Arizona that we had ahead of us.

The sky in California was over cast, which warranted rain. In Arizona, you have hot days and even colder nights. So, I definitely took that into consideration when I got dressed. I also thought over an outfit that I would be comfortable riding in for that long.

Gemma agreed to watch Dyna for us while we were gone, an I knew Abel was going to love getting to see her. Thomas was still too young to really love the playful pup just yet.

The ride from Charming took the entire day and a good portion of the night. We only stopped twice the entire day. During both stops we ate something, and during one of those pit stops Jax shot up Clay's hands for him. Then, once we met up with the Arizona charter, I stay as close to Chibs as possible. I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach- I knew something was going to go downhill.

The two charter Presidents were talking about a meet up with Romeo, when I noticed something across the lot. Two of the SAMTAZ members were beating some guy, while a woman was screaming at them to stop.

Silently, I pointed this out to Chibs, and he was quick to point it out to the others as well. "What's this guy owe on?" Clay questioned. "Benny, take care of it." That was how the SAMTAZ President answered Clays question. Benny stepped forward to do as he had been told to do, but it was already too late.

The man broke free from the other two members, and decided to make a run for it. Tig ran after him, and tackled him to the ground- only for the woman to jump on Tigs back. Chibs and I exchanged knowing looks before walking over to help our brother. Tig had jumped up, and was spinning around trying to get the woman off of his back. "Tig, hold still!" I ordered loudly. He listened and stopped moving as soon as he heard the words that had left my mouth.

Chibs grabbed the woman and pulled her away from Tig. In the process, the girl kicked her feet up into the air and successfully kicked me in the face. My nose to be specific. "Motherfucker!" I shouted, feeling a warm liquid beginning to drip. Wiping the blood off of my face, I pushed past the pain and stepped forward so that I was standing in front of her. My husband still had his arms wrapped around her, holding her still now.

"We're not going to hurt you, we just want to talk. If you calm down, he'll let you go." I spoke loudly but my tone was soft. Surprisingly enough, the girl listened to my words and calmed down; so I gave Chibs a small nod to let her go. As soon as Chibs took a step away from her, I stepped forward and grabbed a fistful of the girls hair. Then, my hand shot up and I shoved the heel of my palm into her nose- earning a loud crack from the action. When she bent over to clutch to her nose, I brought my knee up into her guy before pushing her down onto the ground. I then put my foot on top of her chest to keep her from moving.

"You have three days to pay what you owe on. Now get the fuck out of here." I growled. Before walking away, I spit the blood in my mouth on her.

Stepping forward, Chibs wrapped his arm around my shoulders and handed me the bandana that had been shoved down into his back pocket. I used it to wipe away the blood that was still flowing from my nose. "It's gushing, but I don't think it's broken." Chibs informed me as we rejoined everyone else.

"This what he's behind on? It's crank." Bobby spoke, holding the little baggie that had caused the fight. The SAMTAZ President and VP looked at each other nervously for a few moments in silence. "You dealing here?" Clay asked them. "It ain't a risk, we own the spot." The VP, Huff, was quick to shrug off any of Clay's concern.

"Ain't a risk? That's a truck filled with automatic weapons, douche bag. A life sentence for everyone involved, and you have us roll up in your god damn crank den?" Jax growled out, very obviously unhappy with the situation. "Hey now, coke, crank. You mule, we sell- it's all the same shit." The SAMTAZ President, Army, said simply. Jax wasn't just unhappy, he was down right furious, and Clay wasn't too far behind him. "Shut it down, now." Clay ordered.

"Sorry, ese. Not your club, not your call." With that, the SAMTAZ members gathered together and began to leave. We were quick to climb back onto our bikes and follow them to their club house.

I barely slept that night; and we gathered first thing the next morning.

"I ain't telling you how to run your charter; but the club has precedents." Clay was speaking towards Army. "Well, since SAMCRO went all in with the cartel, that sends a message to all the charters." Huff was the one to respond instead of Army.

"We don't deal! That has always been the message!" Clay shouted, angrily slamming his hand down on the table. "Come on man, you can't draw that line." Army tried to fight against Clay's decision. "We just voted this shit in. That trucker had debt, how long have you been dealing?" Jax questioned, bringing up the guy from last night. Just the thought of that made me angry- when I woke up this morning there was a nasty purple bruise over my nose from where that bitch had kicked me. Thankfully, I had been able to conceal it completely with some make up.

Army seemed rather hesitant to answer Jax's question. "Voted it in four months ago. It's been up and running for about three." He spoke lightly. Looking around the table, I noticed how nervous most of the SAMTAZ members were starting to look. "This town is drying up, Clay. I'm just trying to keep this charter alive, man." Army was beginning to sound desperate, as if on the verge of begging.

"We never would have brought you into this is we knew you were cooking." Jax growled, his anger growing. "You don't want to use us, fine. We're closest to the border, anyone else is a two day ride." Huff had a smirk on his face, knowing that SAMTAZ was really our only option.

He knew that their location is a key factor in all of this. I wanted nothing more than to smack that smirk off of his face. He was being way too cocky about this entire situation, and I don't fucking like it.

"You know, we're paying SAMTAZ a good fee for running protection down here." Clay pointed out. "Yeah, but SAMCRO is the only charter getting rich off of the cartel." Huff argued some more. It reminded me of when we were in Ireland. The VP arguing with Clay, while everyone else just watched in silence. In the end it was the VP who was the real problem.

In the silence, Tig checked the time before rising from his seat. "Sorry guys, Romeo's waiting. We gotta go." He pointed out to us. "Yeah, let's handle this shit later boys." Chibs said with a sigh.

Slowly, everyone rose from their seats and began making their way outside so we could leave. While we were walking, Chibs took the chance to put his hand around my waist and sink his hand down into my back pocket. Once we were outside, Chibs gave me a small kiss before we separated and mounted our individual bikes. From there, we made our way to a bike show where we were supposed to meet up with Romeo.

Upon arriving, the boys all gathered around so that they could talk. Because of all the noise around us, I was barely able to make out what they were saying. So I made my way back over to my bike.

With this heat, I was more than happy I dressed the way I had. A backless, lace crop top, a pair of high waist denim shorts with leather garters. I also had on my cut, bracelets running up my wrist, and a necklace that Chibs had given me was hanging around my neck.

I was absolutely burning up as I walked over to my bike, so I pulled my cut off of my shoulders and threw it over the seat of my bike. A few whistles were heard coming my way as I leaned over to fix the garter that was strapped around my leg, so I decided to make a show out of it. When I stood up again, I pushed my hair out of my face, just in time to see Chibs watching me from across the lot. Pulling his bandana out of my pocket, I poured a bottle of water out over the cloth before rubbing the now damp cloth against my skin.

I couldn't help but smirk when I saw him start walking towards me, ignoring the looks everyone else was giving us. Too bad the words he said to me were club business. "Put your cut back on, we've got to go." He ordered, his hand rubbing down the length of my arm before he climbed onto his bike.

I was quick to do as I was told and pulled my cut back onto my shoulders before straddling my bike. Without asking any questions, I followed along with everyone else. Though, I couldn't help but wonder what the hell was going on- especially when something exploded behind us. Then, I was even more confused when we pulled up out front of a pet store. What the absolute fuck was going on here?

"What the hell?" I muttered to myself, putting my helmet down on the seat of the bike. Latching myself onto Chibs, we all made our way into the store. Upon seeing us all walk in, a man with blacked out tattoos dropped the box that was in his arms.

"Never pegged you for an animal lover, Reg." Clay chuckled as he approached the counter. "What do you want?" The man, I assume his name is Reg, was very defensive. Jax actually looked somewhat offended by the mans tone. "We missed you in SAMTAZ, just wanted to say hello man." Jax sighed and shrugged his shoulders ever so slightly. "I'm out, on good terms. Ink's all black." Reg seemed like he was starting to panic. "Why'd you walk away?" Bobby spoke up, stepping towards the counter. I had heard of the club kicking members out, but I had never heard of anyone choosing to leave on their own.

"None of your business, now get out!" Reg snapped, pointing towards the door. He and Jax both stood in silence, staring at each other for a few moments. You could practically see the gears spinning in Jax's mind.

Grabbing something off of the counter, Jax swung around and threw it at the wall of fish tanks behind the rest of us. A woman came out of the back, holding a gun. Chibs was fast in his movements, pulling out his own gun and aiming it. "No, no no!" Chibs shouted, pointing his weapon at Reg. This probably wasn't the best time to be thinking about how sexy he was in moments like this...

Chibs took the gun from the woman before lowering his own. It was then that Jax stepped forward again. "Weeks after Little Paul was killed, SAMTAZ passed a crank vote. That have anything to do with why you walked away?" Jax questioned him.

Reg looked defeated, but he still wasn't talking. So, this time Clay was the one who tried taking a different initiative. "Hey, Tig, you in the mood for some stew?" He questioned the dark haired man. Tig simply looked around before stepping towards a cage that was filled with rabbits. "Mmm, hasenpfeffer man." Tig smiled, holding the rabbit close to him as he pulled out a knife. Even I thought that was kind of a low blow.

"Alright." Reg was quick to give in.

"Why did you walk away?" Jax asked once more- only this time he was much more calm than he had been before. "Huff found out I was banging Little Paul's old lady." Reg confessed with a sigh. "Ellen? Jesus man." Tig's face scrunched up, and he seemed grossed out by the thought.

"So what happened?" Clay questioned. He had calmed down quite a bit as well. Come to think of it, everyone had.

"Huff kept it quiet, said he didn't want to ruin Pauls marriage. Little Paul and I heard there was a cook house out on copper head, shook down the skin heads who were running it- found out Huff and Benny set it up. Used the clubs weight to get it done and nobody at the table had any idea that it was happening. Then we got a call from Huff and Benny saying Paul had been gunned down by Mexican bangers- no witnesses. " Reg explained. Told us the entire story.

Jesus, are we going to uncover this kind of treachery every time we got to another charter? They're all fucking snakes looking to fill their own fucking pockets.

"And when you threatened to out him, Huff played out that leverage of you and Paul's wife." Jax was the one to piece it all together. Even though by this point it probably should've been obvious to all of us what had happened.

"Yeah, Huff threatened that he was gonna tell the gang I was bangin' Ellen. I'd be drummed out, Ellen would be shunned. No compensation, no one to look after her. I didn't want to ruin her life too, so I walked away." Reg shrugged his shoulders ever so slightly. I couldn't stop myself from shaking my head. "Yeah, well, once you and Little Paul were out of the way, Huff voted it in legit." Bobby was the one to inform him.

Bobby was obviously still a bit worked up. Judging by his reaction, or lack there of, Reg wasn't all too surprised by this news. "Look, I don't want this getting back to the club." Reg warned, his voice shaking as he spoke.

"I can't make that promise, but I can promise you we'll take care of Ellen." Clay reassured, earning only a small nod from Reg. Nothing else. It was then that Juice came walking into the store, from where he had been waiting outside, and went directly to Clay's side. "Yo, Luis called. Romeo wants to meet." Juice said loud enough for all of us to hear. "Oh, get us a twenty on the skin heads will you? Kaela, you and Tig go back to the club and keep everyone there." Clay ordered. Part of me was relieved that he was sending me with Tig back to the club, rather than having me along to meet with the cartel. I wanted nothing to do with them...

Tig and I were quick to do as we had been told to do. Juice was to find out the location of the skin heads, and after that he joined us in riding back to the club as well.

When we arrived, Huff was trying to leave.

"Turn around, and sit your ass down at that table." I growled, crossing my arms over my chest. I was standing in front of the door, blocking him from leaving. Tig and Juice were both standing behind me. "And just what is SAMCRO's little guard puppy going to do about it? Why don't you and I find a quiet place we can be alone." He said with a sick smirk on his face. I kept my arms crossed over my chest as I looked up at the taller man. "Take your hands off of me, and go sit down." I warned. It was the only warning he was going to get.

"And just what if I don't?" He continued to smirk as he ignored my words. "I would listen to her man. She doesn't fuck around." Tig chuckled ever so slightly, standing behind me. Reaching out, Huff ran one of his hands down my bare side before his fingers gripped at my hips. Like I said, he was only going to get one warning.

Reaching up, I placed one of my hands around the back of his neck and began pulling him close as if I were going to kiss him. Only once he was a few inches away from me, I repeated my actions from last night and sent the heel of my palm shooting up into his nose. Immediately, he let out a loud cry and doubled over to clutch his nose. "You stupid bitch, you're going to regret that!" He shouted, not bothering to watch my next movements. Rolling my eyes at the sound of his words, I reached under my cut and pulled out my gun. When Huff stood straight up, he looked absolutely livid; but that all faded away when he saw my gun pointed at his head, and his eyes went wide.

I could hear the door, the main entrance to the club, open somewhere behind me. "Now, Huff, when a married woman, or any woman for that matter, tells you to take your hands off of her, boy you better fucking listen- do you understand me?" I growled out. I didn't lower my gun as I heard everyone else walk into the room. Tig and Juice let them all through the door, a hand landed on my waist and a familiar scent filled my nose. My husband was now standing in the spot next to me.

"Well, well, doesn't this look like a party?" Clay chuckled darkly noticing me holding a gun to the VP. Chibs said nothing. Instead he stepped in front of me, causing me to lower my weapon, and grabbed Huff by the collar of his cut. "Get your ass over here!" Chibs growled, dragging the man back over to the table.

It was then that Tig leaned over and whispered in my ear. "Kaela, just so you're aware- that was extremely arousing." I rolled my eyes at him.

"What the hell is going on here, Clay?" Army asked with a sigh. It was then that Phil came walking in, dragging someone along behind him. Putting my gun back in the holster under my cut. I then moved to stand next to Chibs, who snaked his arm around my waist quickly. "We should be getting ready for tonight." Army tried again for answered.

"Meet Achey, skin head meth cooker. About five months ago, Little Paul and Reg found out Achey here was cooking for Huff and Benny. They told his crew it was a SAMTAZ drug operation. Ain't that right Achey?" Clay said with a smile, ignoring what Army had previously said. "This is bullshit, we-we took a vote!" Huff's voice shook because of how nervous he was. He knew he was caught.

"Yeah, only after you killed Little Paul, and black mailed Reg out of the club." Jax scoffed lightly.

"Do you know what you're doing here?" Army asked, looking at Clay. My eyes went to Clay as well, this was some serious shit. This is what almost tore apart the SAMBEL charter. "I'm accusing the VP and the Sergeant of using the MC to their own ends. And when they got caught, they killed one member and black mailed another." Clay was angry.

"This is crazy, man. This guy's a god damn tweaker!" Benny shouted, rising to his feet. He was just trying to save his own ass. In this moment, Juice led Reg into the room and stopped him right in front of us. Chibs reached out and placed his hand on Reg's shoulder. "But this guy's not." Chibs said with a sarcastic smile. "Reg has the whole story." Jax added. Furious, Army began looking between Huff and Benny- they both had their tails tucked between their legs.

"It's your charter man, listen to the facts to make your decision; but if you find out your club got into crank on a lie, you need to vote it again." Clay was far more calm than he had been previously.

This time, Huff wasn't nervous. No, this time he was angry. "I'm not listening to this shit!" Huff stood up and was quick to make his move towards the door. I once more stepped forward with my arms crossed over my chest. "You realize that running away now only makes you look even more guilty." Now it was my turn to have a cocky smirk. "Sit down, Huff!" Army ordered. Huff glared at me for a few seconds before turning to look at Army.

"You're gonna listen to this shit?" Huff scoffed loudly. He obviously wasn't having any of this- or so it seemed. "I said sit down!" Army shouted again. Huff stood silently for a few moments, just staring at Reg over my shoulder. At least I thought he was looking at Reg over my shoulder.

"You little bitch!" Huff quickly came charging in my direction. I was ready for him too; but before I could make any movements, Clay jumped in the center. Reaching out, he grabbed Huff by the ball. "Having trouble with the grip?" Clay growled out, squeezing tighter. "Handle your business, we'll be at the truck stop." Jax ordered Army as Clay finally released Huff. The boys all turned to walk out of the room, and leave them to their business; but before I made any movements, my eyes found Huffs. "Woof." Was all I said before turning and walking out of the room.

Once the door was closed behind us, Tig and Juice began laughing loudly. They were the only ones who had heard Huff's puppy comment.

Chibs took my hand in his at the same moment that Clay approached and slapped his hand down on my shoulder. "You did good today, I'm proud. You stood your ground." I couldn't help but feel proud of myself as well, and the smile that appeared on my face definitely showed it.

Just as Jax had told Army we would be, we were waiting at the truck stop when they all showed up. It surprisingly didn't take them too long. They showed up just before the sun finished setting.

Huff and Benny were with them as well- though obviously not on good terms. The two men were pulled out of the back of a truck, beaten and covered in their own blood. They had been stripped of their cuts as well.

"Sorry man." Jax apologized to Army upon seeing the two men being pulled from the truck. "Lost a third of my god damn club." Army cursed shaking his head. SAMTAZ charter had been small to begin with, this definitely hadn't helped that. "You take another vote on the crank?" Bobby asked, sounding almost hopeful. "Yeah, it passed. Sorry." Army apologized; but he didn't really mean it. You could tell just by the look on his face in that moment. "Are you shitting me?" Clay was shocked by this.

"The guys got a taste of the money, Clay. It was unanimous. We'll arrange another depot to land the truck; and I'll make sure the crank doesn't get in the way. You have my word." Army explained before drinking from a flask that he pulled from his pocket.

Clay agreed with it, and we all set out to meet with Romeo so that we could get on the road and get the hell home.