"From what I have been told Bill is here," Clay said, parking in front of the Mystic River Bar.
Kelly turned to Sarah sitting in the back seat. "Stay with me no matter what. Clay, you're welcome to join us."
Clay shook his head, knowing good and well nothing good was going to come from this. However, there's no telling what Mark would do if something happened to Kelly. "I can't let you go in there alone."
Kelly rolled her eyes walking to the back of the SUV. Sarah joined her as Kelly started rummaging around the trunk. When the hatch slammed shut, a glint behind Kelly's back caught Clay's attention. "Son of a bitch! Red, wait!" He yelled, climbing out of the car as fast as he could.
Kelly opened the bar door quietly trying to not draw attention to the three and made their way to the bar. "It's too late, this has to happen." Kelly whispered, taking Sarah's hand, "Alright, which one is he?"
Sarah's eyes darted around the bar until froze and a look of fear spread across her face. Kelly took her hand to reassure her. Sarah gripped her hand and pointed to a husky man in a leather vest, stained gray shirt, and jeans by the pool tables. In one hand he had a pitcher of beer and a pool cue in the other. There were three other men in leather vests at the table as well. On the back of their vests was the word Impalers on top in bold letters, an eye with a spear through it in the center below it, and then Western NC on the bottom.
Kelly kept her hands behind her as she approached him. Clay tried to stop her, but he wasn't quick enough. When she got close, she pulled her arm back and swung a tire iron into the side of his knee. A loud cracking and a man's scream echoed through the bar. "You fucking whore!"
Everyone in the bar stopped. The three other men were about to jump Kelly, but they saw Clay behind her waving them off. Kelly stood over Bill and swung the iron into his large gut. "You were told to watch her," she said pointing to Sarah, "Instead, you disrespected me by putting your disgusting hands on her. Let this be a fucking lesson to all of you if you touch what's mine without permission."
Kelly swung again, and again, and again hitting Bill in the chest, arm, and leg. Her next swing hit his hand while it was on the floor. A loud snap echoed in the silent bar over Bill's screams. Then she made eye contact with as many people as possible. "I hope this was clear to everyone of my intentions. Have a good day everyone." Kelly dropped the tired iron and looked over to Clay and Sarah, "we're leaving."
Sarah followed Kelly like a lost puppy. Clay shook his head running his hand through his hair. He placed some cash on the pool table. "Someone take care of Bill. In case anyone didn't know That's Mark's new girl, kiddos it's going to be a bumpy ride." A few patrons laughed as the music restarted and everyone started going about their day.
Kelly walked up to the SUV and reached for the door, but Sarah grabbed it and opened it for her. When Sarah got in as well, she could see Kelly shaking. "Um, ma'am you okay?" Sarah asked, reaching for Kelly's shoulder. Kelly shuddered, pulling away from her.
Kelly spoke as gently as she could, "I'm fine. Just stay next to me unless I say so. It's gonna be difficult for us, but we'll be fine."
Sarah nodded looking in the rearview mirror. Kelly made a small smile. "In public always refer to me as Ms. Kelly or Ma'am."
"Yes, Ms. Kelly," Sarah said, blushing.
Clay climbed in the driver seat and leaned against the headrest rubbing his forehead. "Well, that was fun. You know Mark is gonna be beyond pissed right?"
Kelly knew he would be mad, but based on what she knew about him he should agree with her. "He said I could do whatever I want so that's what I'm doing." She said, staring out the window.
Clay pulled out his phone as Kelly looked into the mirror and Sarah started to shake. She was scared but she could only imagine how scared Sarah was. Last night she was beaten, and abused, and today she watched as he was beaten with a tire iron. Plus if Mark is really angry he could take her away anyway. Reaching into the back seat Kelly rubbed Sarah's leg trying to calm her. When Clay finished explaining what happened, Kelly heard shouting from the phone then Clay handed the phone to her without saying a word. Mark's voice echoed through the speaker, "How dare you cause trouble at Mystic River! Not only did you beat someone in public but you beat an Impaler."
"You told me to do what I want. He hurt Sarah when he shouldn't have. Everyone else needed to know I was serious and not just a piece of arm candy."
"You beat a man over some whore!" Then Mark paused for so long Kelly checked to make sure they didn't get disconnected. "I am proud of you for taking charge, but if something like this happens again it needs to be taken care of in private. Also, consult me first, Bill may be worthless, but If you hurt the wrong person it could bring consequences to both of us. Now put Clay back on."
Kelly smiled as she handed back the phone. Not only was Mark okay with what she did, but he was proud. This was the first time anyone had ever been proud of her for being herself. Sarah and Kelly's eyes connected in the mirror and Sarah finally relaxed. Clay let out a sigh when put his phone away. "Red, please don't make my life too difficult. I already have enough shit to deal with."
Being normal was overrated. This was her chance to be who she was. There was no way she was going to miss out on this chance. Putting her hand on his thigh she whispered in his ear, "I promise it'll be interesting, but I can't promise it won't be difficult."
Joan's Needle & Ink shop had a dark concrete floor with a sleek finish and gray walls covered in artwork full of color. On the right side of the shop was a glass counter full of piercings with two small rooms to one side with privacy curtains. The left side of the shop had a large sitting area with binders with artists' names on the covers, a TV, and a commemorative motorcycle with her shop's logo engraved in the leather seat. There was also a hallway leading to private rooms for tattoo artists and clients. A young woman jumped into Clay's arms, locking her arms around his neck, "Hey stranger! How ya been?"
"I'm doing okay, this is Kelly Mark's new girl and this is Sarah. Um, she's Kelly's new girl I guess," Clay said, gesturing to the girls behind him scratching the back of his head.
The woman let out a small chuckle. She wore a pair of small black shorts and a tank top that showed off all her tattoos. Her nose, lips, and ears were pierced. Her blonde hair was almost white and shaved on one side. The top of her hair was styled to the side. She held out her hand, "I'm Joan, I do all the work for Clay and his friends. What can I help y'all with today?"