Jo Floyd Hamelin

Nick wish he knew exactly what was going on in her head. He could tell he probably said something wrong and pissed her off more but didn’t know what if was. Knowing pushing her on the subject was probably a bad idea, Nick nodded his head and stayed on his end of the room. “Anything you want to eat, Jo.”

Jo, once her face was clear, locked the safe and went over to the alarm system. “Chinese. I think we’ve got a couple of minutes before the place next door closes.” She replied while grabbing her coat and putting it on. Finally, Jo went over to the door and held it for Nick to exit first so she could lock everything down.

“Maybe,“ Max replied. “Is it that bad? You still haven’t told me what happened.“

“I thought communication was our problem, but I communicated and now everything just seems worse.”

“You know money isn’t a problem,“ Getta smirked, looking over the new selections impressed. “I came here for one piece but it’s looking more like I’m going to leave here with several. It’s almost like ‘if you give a mouse a cookie’ story. If I get my son something, I’ll have to get the rest of the kids something. If they get nice expensive watches their mates are going to want some too. God forbid if I get my children something and forget the ones who I sired… Lets see,“ he said pointing out a total of eleven different watches. “And I’ll take the one you showed me before too.“

“Seems like we’re owned an apology and we’re waiting patiently for it but I’m not a saint. I have people out for blood and I have people who are losing interest in the way I run things because of your clan. They want to start killing every rat on sight until those who were killed needlessly are avenged. There’s only so much I can do before my position is threatened. Honestly, your clan isn’t worth that. Compared to the last seethe master who would put Hitler and Genghis Khan to shame, I’m a fucking archangel. Whatever your husband has planned, I would put some fire under him before I break the chains and turn the cheek as the more rowdy ones to do as they please. I’m sure Nick knows exactly how that is.“

“Yes, I do.” She began grabbing each of the pieces he pointed out, setting one on top of the counter before reaching down for the other. “I’ve found limiting it to Birthdays or special occasions to be helpful, especially if they break things.” Jo began winding each clock when Jacob began speaking again. Her heart rate picked up and she felt her stomach drop. After he finished Jo nodded. “I’ll be sure to tell him. Now would you like the packaged with bows or will just the boxes work for you?”

“Maybe,“ Max replied. “Is it that bad? You still haven’t told me what happened.“

“He only hears half of what I’m saying. The easy part to fix of what I’m saying. And Communication doesn’t make it better, neither does bottling it up. So I’m here with the thoughts that just don’t stop while he thinks we’re fine.”

“I don’t think I came with you back then. I was working with Sarah’s daughter Shannon on a project of hers.“ Max picked up a book sitting next to her and started read. She was always good at multitasking. “I think the last time we were out here had to have been July. A few days after the 4th. It was filthy and the Jackals were doing a beach clean up.“

“It seemed like you needed a break. I thought this would be a perfect opportunity.“

“Must have been.” She agreed quietly, staring out over the lake. “Maybe I was with Jalissa and the babies.”

Nick stubbornly stood his ground and didn’t follow after Jo when she pushed past him. He wanted to yell that she wasn’t listen to him and need to calm down, but Nick didn’t have a death wish. Of course, Max and Jim knew. Like he said they were apart of the party that was involved which also included Helo. Instead of correcting her he bit his tongue and flex his fingers, turn around to stare at a photo hanging above where she was seated. “You’re mad and acting belligerent towards me because I’m discussing business with my officers before you,” Nick asked but it was more of a plain statement of how he is receiving the conversation. “All whom have been a part of this world and changed longer than you have? The same people you are decades older than you and fought side by side with me before? All of whom are also on the front line of things?” Nick continued to ask rhetorical question before a hysterical laugh babbled out of him and to the surface. He hasn’t laughed like this in centuries. Shit was falling apart around him and the one thing he thought he had full control of, his marriage, he truly didn’t. In his mind things were going great. One fact that made him believe in that was that he taught they were finally ready to have kids; especially after resenting the fact of having kids of his own for 551 year. Especially now that he knew of Richard Frank location and was planning to take him out. Nick’s laughter died down to a rumble as he started pacing around the shop. Still, he was unable to make eye contact with Jo. “I never thought about it. I’m not going to lie and say I thought I was protecting you against it because I wasn’t. I never thought you were interested. You have never shown interest before. How could I have known? When I come home to you the only thing that’s on my mind is enjoying your company and not having to think about the bullshit I have to deal with when I open my eyes again in a few hours. Fuck, Jo, if you want to talk about shit like that we’ll fucking talk about it. You’re just as much of a leader as I am. You hold more weight than Mills, Conrad, Jalissa and Jim.”

Jo felt the blood rushing to her ears as he laughed, and then mocked what she said. Blaming her for not somehow being clearer. That he missed the entire point of everything that she said did not surprise her, but it still stung just as much. She felt her heart crawling back up her throat and choking her. Jo stared down at her lap for another minute or two before standing up, willing her voice to be as natural and smooth as possible. “Ok. Ready to go home? I just have to lock these up.” She grabbed the boxes left on the counter and went over to the safe, quickly wiping away any tears that fell on accident whilst she was hidden by the safe door.

@ The Lake || Only for Female Rats

“This is relaxing isn’t it? I can’t remember the last time we hit 70 degrees (21°C).“

“We really needed this. I can’t remember the last time we got one on one time together.“

“My guess would be September, maybe October.” Jo laid back and let the sound and breeze of the lake relax her. 

“Jim and Max? Please tell you that you are fucking kidding me! I didn’t know for sure until Helo brought me the necessary evidence. I’m not running around telling everyone that my left hand man is fucking someone we basically raised from childhood. The only people that know as far as I’m concerned are the people that I mentioned are involved, Ray and you. Enlighten me on you being the last to find out. Who else knows?“ Nick let out a string of curses as he tried to rang in his growing anger. He hadn’t meant to raise his voice until he was screaming at her. “Jesus fucking Christ. No one can force me to say that the only time I feel close to my wife is at the end of the day in bed. You knew when we first started that I barely had time for myself. I’m here and I’m holding you above myself but that’s all bullshit to you or isn’t good enough. What the fuck is this even about? Me not telling you about who your best friend is fucking or us fucking too much and I need to take you out more?“

“I care about you and your wellbeing, Jo, but I am confused where this is all coming from. Your concerns aren’t stupid to me but I would have appreciate you being honest with me from the start instead of letting it build like this. Do you understand that this is coming out of nowhere to me?“

“It’s not just this. It’s-ugh.” She pushed past him and went to go sit in a chair on the side of the room. “When you say it like that, yes this is stupid. And Jim and Max know, so it’s not just me and Ray.” She had to grip the arms of the chair to not get up and storm out like every other fight they had. Jo felt the tears prick at the corners of her eyes and stared down at her lap until she felt them finally be willed back. When she finally spoke again her voice was controlled. “It’s- I don’t know how to explain it to you. You don’t see it, but I do. Yes we work on the time schedule you have and I knew what I was getting into. But I feel like you see telling me things as an after thought. I’m never the person you ask for advice, most of the time I find out about things after you’ve decided what to do. If you don’t know what to do you go to Ray. And if it’s about Ray or Ray has gone off to god knows where and can’t talk, it was Ben or is Jim, or Jalissa or Shelton. I want to be that person for you. I know you have everything weighing on you, I want to help with that, but it doesn’t seem like you want me to.”

“Too bad ‘cause we’re gonna to get into it. With everything going on right now I don’t need your at odds with me.“ Nick sucked his teeth, showing his annoyance, and that he’s close to losing his temper. “No, we’re not… We’re not good. If I did something to upset you or if someone is fucking with you, I deserve to know.“

Jo sighed through her nose and gave into the anger. “Why was I the last person to know about Jim and Max? Even fucking Helo knew before me. I am the last to know everything, which makes me look like a fool.” At this point she started pacing, being unable to keep talking without expending more energy. “God Nick why do I always feel like the closest I get to you is in bed? Like I’m just the woman you fuck who is utterly disconnected from everything. It’s like you don’t see me as an equal. Which I know I’m not in age, but we’re partners. That’s what we promised over 30 years ago.”

“That sounds like a good idea. Neaera has asked me a few times to join her for random classes. Besides zumba and spin, I don’t know how long I can continue blow her off.“

“Its not pity. I just feel a little sentimental. With the miss communication with Jim, I don’t want you and Nick to head down the same road,“ she sighed. “Yes. I’ll be for the best.”

“Why are you dodging her?” She asked, genuinely not seeing an issue with the newcomer.

“That git needs more subtlety in his life. He’s spoiled enough.“ Getta chuckled. He picked up the piece and examined it, only mildly impressed.  “Patek Philippe? I like the name. Show me some of what they got.“

“I’ve already told you why I’m here.“ Getta sighed. “But I can keep it strictly professional. I’ll wait for your hubby to reach out to me.“

Jo smiled, knowing the type. “It’s not as well known as a Rolex, but costs as much if not more. It’s a tried and true industry darling.” Jo moved to a different counter and pulled out a selection of Gold and Silver pieces as well as some steel and leather bands. “Patek Philippes have a few lines. Some like the Grand Complications line have more detailed faces with multiple clocks to set for different time zones. There are also some with beautiful painted details on the face. The Calatrava collection is more simple in its design. Very traditional, with easy to read hands and typically a leather band. The Nautilus is very popular. It has a subtle wave on the face as well as a more chunky metal band. The Aquanaut is much more modern, as you can see. I also have some vintage pieces, that I prefer, but they’re not as intricate.”

“II just keep mine in my purse and the laundry room, that’s uncharted territory for everyone. Just Kya, Lila is going to do gymnastics and probably dance.” 

“Now that’s smart.” She laughed and looked for her wallet in her purse. “I think it would be sniffed out in a matter of minutes at the house.”

“Yes. Why wouldn’t I?“ Getta asked, not looking up from her display of watches. “Steel if you don’t have titanium. I Googled that they were the strongest, light weight and most durable watches. But you tell me.“

“Is that hostility I hear? Is this how you talk to all of your customers or just the immortal kind?“ Getta asked. “What’s so obvious. Please enlighten me.“

“Some customers can be pushy.” Jo stood and nodded, going to the back of her shop and its vault. “I have a piece that was never picked up, a special order titanium.” She hummed in response to his commentary on the metal. “All of those are true. The price is high for the majority of customers and it doesn’t have the same brilliance that Silver, Gold, or Steel does. It’s a much more muted look. But obviously there are some people who enjoy the subtlety and the other benefits you mentioned.” Jo walked back towards him and placed the piece down in front of him to examine. “Plus most people who prefer to splash on watches want to brag about the name. Rolex doesn’t make a titanium watch, and Patek Philippe’s are usually more than people can stomach.”

“Pick something else out. There’s no sales until Easter in April anyways.“

“Jo…“ Max started but she really didn’t know what to say. Jim, Nick, Ray and Mills told her what she needed to know but that was only because she was Liaison. She was sure there was plenty of in the pack that only knew about what they were doing and nothing else. Although, she didn’t expect that for the leaders wife. “Nick hasn’t talked to me. I found out from Jim. We were planning on talking to Nick together but the whole Underground situation happened.“

“Maybe I’ll buy some new running shoes with the return.”

“Okay.“ Nick said slowly. He allowed her to move him away from her. He walked away and lean against the counter. “How about you tell me why you’re pissed off at me?“

“I don’t really want to get into it, Nick. That’s why I left to avoid talking about it. Because it’s obviously not the right time, which I know. Conrad is barely off Death’s Door, Jax and the others are recovering and there are a million more fish to fry.”

“This would be for your stash. I already took Nick’s order.” Jalissa smiled “You have a secret stash too?”  

Jo laughed. “Mine’s at my store. Thin Mints last approximately 5 seconds in our house and it’s my mid-day pick me up. Are they both enrolled in it this year or just Kya?”