Chapter 1
BANG...That's what I heard from the room I was staying in. I stagger out of the room, still beaten from the night before, and see a man covered in tattoos with a kutte on that says Sons of Anarchy and he's still holding the gun in his hand. He looks right at me and I back against the wall. Seeing me beaten and still bloody where Mark wouldn't let me shower the night before, I see one of the men walk towards me. Holding his hands up, he asks "What's your name Darlin?" I don't answer. "Tell him your name little girl." the one holding the gun says. "Clara sir." I say softly, still looking at the gun in the man's hand. The one standing in front of me says "Hap, put the gun away." The one he called Hap did as he was told. Looking back at me, the blonde says "My name is Jax. Did he do this to you?" he asks pointing at Mark lying dead on the floor. I just nod my head yes. "Get you a bag together. You're going to come back to the clubhouse with us so that we can decide how to handle this and make sure you're okay." he tells me and I don't move. "Juice, help her get her things together." Jax tells a guy about my age and he walks forward and leads me to the bedroom to get my things.
Once my things are packed, I walk back out to the living room and the one called Juice is right behind me. He takes my things out to one of the bikes. Jax walks back over to me and says "You're going to ride with Juice back to our clubhouse. We'll take care of things here and when we get to the clubhouse we'll discuss what we're going to do from there." he tells me. "Are you going to kill me?" I ask. "No Darlin. We're not." he tells me. I just nod. Juice leads me out to his bike and we head out to the clubhouse with the one called Hap glaring at me.
A little later, I am sitting at a table with Juice, as everyone else walks back in. "Church." Jax says to Juice. "Prospect. Keep an eye on our friend here." Jax tells the guy behind the bar. They head into what the prospect told me was the chapel. A little later, the guys come out and Jax says "You're going to stay in one of the dorms. We'll let you work the office with Gemma. You're one of us now." Jax tells me. "Thank you Jax." I say. "I'll call my Old Lady and have her come take a look at you. Clean you up a bit." he tells me. I look at him confused and he says "She's a doctor." I nod and Juice helps me move my bag to the dorm they are letting me stay in and I get unpacked.
Walking back out to the main room, I am introduced to the rest of the club while Tara is checking my face and ribs. Once she's finished with me, Gemma walks over and ask "How you doing baby?" I don't look her in the eye but say "I'm okay. Thank you." she tilts my head to look at her and says "You're safe now honey." I just nod. "When was the last time you ate?" she asks. I just look down at my hands. "Let's talk baby." she tells me and leads me to a dorm. As we pass the bar, she tells the prospect to head to the diner and get me something to eat. Walking into my dorm, she asks. "What did he do to you?" I feel the tears start to fall and tell her "He would beat me, rape me. Almost daily." I tell her. "Oh baby." she says. "He got me pregnant once. When he found out he beat me and I miscarried." I tell her. "Shit. No one will hurt you here. Okay?" she assures me. "Okay." I say.
It's been two weeks since I've been at the clubhouse and I pretty much keep to myself. I am in the office when someone knocks on the door before entering. "Clara James?" the man asks. "Yes?" I ask. "My name is Sheriff Roosevelt. Can I speak to you a minute?" he asks. I nod and step outside so that everyone can see what's going on. "What can I help you with?" I ask. "We're investigating the disappearance of Mark Roberts. Are you familiar with him?" he asks. "Used to be." I say. "When was the last time you saw him?" he asks. "About two weeks ago. We broke up and I packed my things and left." I say. "You know who might be responsible for his disappearance?" he asks. "No. I don't." I say with all the sincerity I can muster. He hands me a card. "If you think of anything. Let me know." he says and I nod. Before walking away, he says "You mind if I ask how you got involved with SAMCRO?" I say "I needed a job and they needed help. Wouldn't really say I'm involved with them." I say. He nods and says "Have a good day Ms James." before walking to his car and leaving.
Jax walks over and asks "What was that about?" I look from the gate to him and say "Someone reported Mark missing. He wanted to know how long it's been since I last saw him and if I knew who could have made him go missing. I told him I didn't know that we broke up and I moved out. He asked how I got involved with you guys." I say. "What did you say?" he asks. "Just that I needed a job and you guys needed the help that I wouldn't say I was involved with you." I say. "Good. You did good Darlin. Why don't you go relax for a while. Chucky can watch the office." he tells me and I just nod and do what I'm told.
Jax follows me into the clubhouse and he calls church as I am headed to my dorm. And hour later, I hear a knock. Opening the door, I see Tig standing there. "We need you in the chapel Doll." he says and I look at him confused but follow. Walking into the chapel behind Tig, I stay standing at the door. "I filled the club in on what Roosevelt was asking you. If he's asking you about your connection to us, he suspects us. There's no proof of us doing anything but if something comes up, they might go after Happy since he's the one that pulled the trigger." he tells me. "If they do that, I won't testify." I tell him. "We know that sweetheart but they could subpoena you to testify against him if they find out it was him. If they do that then you will be forced to. If you don't, then you'll go to jail." Bobby tells me. "Then I'll go to jail. Trust me, that can't be any worse than the shit I've already been through." I tell them. "We're not letting that happen." Jax tells me. I look at him confused and look around at the other members. None of them are showing any emotion except Happy. He looks pissed. I look back at Jax and he says "The only way that you can't be forced to testify is if you are married." he tells me. "I don't understand." I say. "Club voted on it. We're calling Lowen and getting a marriage license and having her bring a justice of the peace. You're getting married Sweetheart." he tells me and I look at him shocked. "To Happy." Tig says. I look at Happy and he won't look at me. He's pissed. "Can I get a minute with Happy please?" I ask and they all nod and leave the room. I don't move from the door. "Are you okay with this?" I ask. "Don't matter. Club vote." he says. "It matters to me." I say. "No. I don't do relationships. I don't want to be married but only other option is you going to jail and the club won't let that happen. So it's either this, you go to jail or I go to jail." he tells me. "Okay." is the only thing I say. I walk out of the chapel and into my dorm with tears in my eyes.